Washable nursing pads suit people who do laundry often and want something soft that they can reuse, while disposable pads suit people who want no extra washing and a quick change when out. Neither is the right answer for everyone, and plenty of people end up using both. Here is how they differ on the things that matter day to day, with a quick way to choose a starting point.
How each type works
Both types sit inside your bra and soak up milk that leaks between feeds. Washable pads are made of fabric layers, often cotton, bamboo or similar, and you wash and reuse them. Many have a waterproof layer on the outer side, but check the listing for what a particular pad includes.
Disposable pads are single use. Many are thin discs with an adhesive strip on the outer side that holds the pad against the bra, and you throw each one away after it has been worn.
Whichever type you look at, the listing should answer a few questions:
- The diameter or size, and whether the pad is flat or contoured.
- The fabric or the number of layers.
- Whether there is a waterproof backing.
- Whether the count is single pads or pairs.
- For disposables, whether each pad is individually wrapped, which is handy in a bag.
Absorbency and how often you will change them
Absorbency varies a lot within each type, so one type is not automatically stronger. Read the description for each pad, and compare thickness and layers as well as the label.
Whichever you choose, dampness is the cue to change, not the clock. With washables that means a pair in the laundry each time, and with disposables a pair in the bin. How often it comes round depends on how much you leak, which differs from person to person and can shift over the weeks. If you find that you are leaking heavily or have sore or damaged skin, ask a lactation consultant or nurse.
Comfort, shape and how they sit under clothing
Washable pads can feel soft and fabric-like against the skin, which some people prefer. They are often thicker than disposables, so they can show more under fitted tops, especially in a thin bra.
Disposable pads are often thinner and can look smoother under a fitted top. Some have a contoured shape and some are flat. The adhesive strip can help hold a pad in a smooth bra, though how well it grips depends on the bra fabric, so follow the pack's instructions for placing it.
Upfront cost vs ongoing cost
The costs arrive in different ways. With washable pads the spending comes first, because you need several pairs before the routine works, and after that the running cost is the water, power and detergent for laundry. With disposables a single pack is a smaller first purchase, but you keep buying packs for as long as you use them.
Which comes out cheaper depends on how long you nurse, how much you leak and how you do laundry. See the current price on each product page and work out a cost per pair. For disposables, divide the pack price by the number of pairs in it, then multiply by the pairs you expect to use in a week. For washables, divide the cost of your set by the number of weeks you expect to use it, and remember the laundry.
Laundry load and drying time
Washables add a small, regular load. You will need to rinse, wash and dry them, and thicker pads can take longer to dry than thin ones, particularly if you dry on a rack in a Canadian winter. Plan enough pairs to cover the days between washes, or you will find yourself out of clean ones.
If you go the washable route, check the care label on your pads before choosing a detergent. If you want one without added scent, one option is Tru Earth Baby Laundry Detergent Eco-Strips, Fragrance Free, 64 Count, and the Cloth Diaper Accessories collection lists other laundry items.
Shop this guide
- Lansinoh Washable Nursing Pads for Breastfeeding (ships via Amazon)
- Lansinoh Nursing Pads, 2 Packs of 100 (200 Count) Stay Dry Disposable Breast Pads (ships via Amazon)
- 14-Pack Reusable Nursing Pads for Breastfeeding (Lovelle, L 4.8") (ships via Amazon)
- Medela Quick Clean Microwave Sterilizer Bags, Reusable, Pack of 5 (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Postpartum & Nursing Care
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Using both: a common mix
You do not have to pick a side. Many people use washable pads at home, where laundry is easy and comfort matters, and disposables for outings, travel, long days or nights when they want one less thing to wash.
If you want to try both, start with a small set of washables and a small pack of disposables rather than committing to a large quantity of either. Washables on the go also need somewhere to put the used pair until laundry day, and the Diaper Storage & Organizers collection is where to look for a small waterproof bag.
A quick way to choose your starting point
| If this sounds like you | Start with |
|---|---|
| You do laundry most days and like soft fabric | Washable pads, with a few disposables as backup |
| Laundry is hard to fit in, or you are away from home often | Disposable pads |
| You wear fitted or thin tops | Thin pads of either type, tried at home first |
| You are not sure | A small pack of each, then adjust |
Your needs may change after the first weeks, so treat the first choice as a trial. A lactation consultant or nurse can answer feeding or skin questions that go beyond pad choice.
Common questions
Can I switch types halfway?
Yes. Nothing locks you in, and many people change as their routine changes. A part-used pack of disposables can go in your bag for outings, and washables you already own stay useful as a backup.
Do washable pads need special detergent?
Check the care label on your pads. Many people choose a fragrance-free detergent, and the pad maker's instructions come first.
Do disposables hold their shape in a bra?
It varies by pad. A contoured pad is shaped to follow the cup, while a flat disc takes its shape from the bra, so check the listing photos to see which you are getting and try a pair at home before a long day out.
Which type is easier when travelling?
Disposables need no laundry, which suits a trip with no washing machine. Washables work if you can rinse and dry them where you are staying, so pack a waterproof bag and enough pairs to cover the gap.
If you are unsure which to start with, send us a message through the contact page and we will help you narrow it down. We reply within one business day.