Breast Pad Review, Why Medela is the Best

Left to Right: Avent, Medela, Lansinoh

 Yup, this blog is officially going to the mom-blog end of the spectrum! :) One of the things that you seem to get a lot of throughout your pregnancy is samples. Samples from the hospital, samples from your doctor and just randomly in the mail. Samples of detergent, formula, nipple cream and breast pads. Being the frugalista that I am I, of course, hoarded each and every one of these samples.

They do come in handy and let you try different brands without emptying your wallet on the full size versions.

I am sure if you breastfeed that you've heard that Medela is the best brand of pump you can get your mitts on. They are the most expensive but also the most effective and when it comes to your milk supply no amount of money is too much.

Well, ladies and the random gent who may be reading along, Medela also has the best breast pads out there. I've tried Avent and Lansinoh and the reusable cotton kinds - but hands down it is Medela.

Lansinoh really shocked me with the obvious lack of quality. As a brand, I considered them near the same level as Medela. Their breast pads are almost the same size as Medelas and generally the same thickness but it is like comparing cheap toilet paper next to a roll of Cottonelle. The Lansinoh pads crinkle quite audibly when handled which is a tad embarrassing. I don't enjoy my chest crinkling when I move, thanks. And there's this weird powdery yet kinda sandy residue that comes out of them and into your shirt. Sounds fun huh? Oh it gets better...when you leak, like I tend to do ALL THE TIME, which is why I am wearing these darn things to begin with...the Lansinoh pads get this bizarre crunchy hardnes on the inside of the pad. I am assuming that the powdery, sandy stuff absorbs the moisture and then turns hard as a result. Yeah no, not for me thanks so much.

Then there are the Avent pads which are decent in the absorption department and no weird sandy stuff to speak of, but they are insanely small and a tad too thick. These puppies can probably be seen through your shirt which isn't fun.

So, yay, Medela and your perfectly sized and shaped breast pads with their smart little pleat and magical moisture control! You rock! A box of 50 (which only equals out to 25 pairs if you think about it) only costs $9.99 - not too bad. And the Medelas can really hold up - I have quite the let-down that can soak through both a tank top and a sweat shirt if I am not careful in the mornings - but the Medelas keep me dry and comfortable. 

The cotton reusable pads are okay if you're wearing a thick cupped bra that would hide their girth. They are thick but if you're a leaky lady like me they don't stay dry...wet cloth wedged up in your shirt for any length of time is not a blast.