Here's a little back story. I've been a cloth diapering mama for about 2 years now (wooop wooop!), but for most of that time I've been "Aunt Flo Free." Breastfeeding does that to ya! I was blessed to be period free for the 9 months of pregnancy with Penny and through about 13 - 14 months post partum. Then I had a couple cycles and was pregnant again! I knew I was interested in reusable cloth pads but my cycle came back for such a short window of time that I barely got any research done.
Switching to cloth pads was sort of a no brainer to me, I was well aware of the reasons to cloth diaper and a lot of the same health reasons apply to disposable menstrual products. But a lot like cloth diapers, jumping into the reusable cloth pad world was daunting to me! What kind of pad do I want/need? How many? Plus, if I am to expect the same situation with my cycle to happen with Ruby as it did with Penny it will probably be well over a year before my cycle returns again. However, there is the case for post partum bleeding.
I got in touch with the Mama Cloth lady - aka, Meg, the owner of Mamacloth.ca. She gave me the run down on why you want to switch to reusable cloth pads (affectionately called "mama cloth" all across the board) and we worked out a package of what I could expect to use for my post partum bleeding. She also threw in 3 pairs of of pretty coordinating nursing pads. What a doll!
As it turns out, mama cloth is kind of similar to cloth diapers if you're already familiar with it. The "All in one" style is just like an AIO diaper - no inserts required, it's all good to go just like you'd expect a disposable pad to be. The "pocket" style pad is just like a pocket diaper - add however many inserts you need based on your flow. It all looks pretty easy to me! Washing cloth menstrual pads is also very similar to cloth diapers; I rinse them prior to putting them in a wetbag that hangs on the door handle in our bathroom. Then we throw them in with the cloth diaper wash since we've been on wash overload with a newborn and toddler in cloth too!
You've got to be wondering how exactly these hold up with the super heavy, crazy flow that happens after birth. In my case I had a unique tear and coming into contact with anything was excruciating! Thankfully Mamacloth's AIO pad features an organic bamboo velour top that is what your skin comes in contact with. Seriously a life saver!!! I would trade all the underwear in the entire world to have this material be my underwear! It was so soft and truly absorbent. This is an important luxury to have when your lady parts are healing after birth; whether you had tearing, stitches or no damage at all.
The pocket style mama cloth pad was really nice because as I mentioned before, you can customize how many inserts you need based on your flow.
A new mama can never have enough nursing pads either, so I loved trying out Mama Cloth's version of nursing pads. These come with two layers of so-soft fleece and an inner layer of absorbent cotton fleece. I never leaked a whole bunch during let down while I nursed Penny but this time my milk production is in crazy overdrive. These pads have done well with getting me through the night and their cute prints are a plus! :)
As you can see, MamaCloth.Ca is not just all about your period, it's all about reusable cloth products for the home. So in addition to menstrual products, she's got cloth/family wipes, wet bags and un-paper towels.
So make your period a happy one - am I kind of a geek for getting really excited about these beautiful prints that she has for her products? Periods are rarely roses and unicorns but it does help a little to have these pretty pads to look at, right?
Here's your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to Mamacloth.ca! You can use it to buy anything in her shop - doesn't have to be just cloth pads! Be sure to follow Mamacloth.ca on facebook and twitter to get the scoop on any new prints or deals that she's running!
This giveaway has ended. Thanks to all who entered!
Disclosure: I received product in exchange for my honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.
Oh, Mama Cloth and I are old friends ;). I'd buy some postpartum cloth for September. I am pretty stocked up in 'normal' cloth and nursing pads from Meg. But really, I guess you can't have too much of anything LOL!
ReplyDeleteI've only used pads after having a baby, and with my first child I didn't even know mama cloth existed! I'm due with #2 in a few months and I'd love to try the Regular Flannel/Hemp AIO Pads or the Large 11" Heavy Flow Pocket Pads.
ReplyDeleteIn your store I love the Cotton Contoured Nursing Pads in any of the pink colors.
ReplyDeleteI love Mama Cloth :)! I have already bought nursing pads and panty liners for post pregnancy and during pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteI love Mama Cloth! I would get either some postpartum pads (AIO) or cotton contoured nursing pads.
ReplyDeleteI would get some of the postpartum pads. I love the idea and am so ready to transition!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try cloth pads so I would get a few in different sizes
ReplyDeleteI'd get the Organic Bamboo Velour Panty Liners.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in postpartum pads :) I would love some heavy flow or postpartum pads.
ReplyDeleteThe Organic Bamboo Velour Panty Liners look lovely. I especially like the teal color!
ReplyDeleteUnpaper towels!
ReplyDeleteI would get the Organic Bamboo/Hemp/PUL Panty Liners
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get the Organic Bamboo Velour Panty Liners
ReplyDeleteI'd get some heavy flow pads
ReplyDeleteAmbyr A
I would get some thong pantyliners
ReplyDeleteI would get some of the postpartum pads
ReplyDeleteIf I won this giveaway, I would let my daughter choose since this would be a gift to her, she is expecting her first child in June!
ReplyDeleteReusable Kitchen Towel Rolls!
ReplyDeletei would get some postpartum pads
ReplyDeleteNot to sounds icky but definitely the heavy flow pads. My last cloths lasted many years but were threadbare and got tossed shortly before my pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteI'd likely put it towards this! http://www.mamacloth.ca/apps/webstore/products/show/3990693
ReplyDeleteI would choose postpartum pads since my baby is due this summer!
ReplyDeleteI really like the Cotton Flannel Panty Liners!
ReplyDeleteI only have two liners right now that was given to me, so i could use some more!
I would either buy some family cloth or un paper towels.
ReplyDeleteI would buy Organic Bamboo/Hemp/PUL Panty Liners with a gift card
ReplyDeleteI'd buy some Regular Flannel/Hemp AIO pads
ReplyDeleteI just put in my first order with mamacloth.ca. Looking forward to trying out her stuff! I would probably order her new 12" AIO :)
ReplyDeleteI would buy some wrappers and pads!
ReplyDeleteI'd grab the medium wet bag with the whales and a set of cloth wipes. There's a little bit of everything in that so!
ReplyDeleteI need some wet bags!
ReplyDeleteUnpaper towels, or wet bags
ReplyDeleteI would start my cloth stash!
ReplyDeleteHeavy flow pads and breast pads. Mama Cloth ones are my fav
ReplyDeleteDefinitely some nursing pads.
ReplyDeleteNursing pads and panty liners
ReplyDeleteI would spend $30 on some cloth :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the wonderful information.This is really important for me.I am searching this kind of information from a long time and finally got it.
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