The Best Nursing Pads to Stay Dry and Comfortable
Whether you’re nursing or pumping, milk leakage can happen—so these are your bra's new BFF.
By Jen LaBracio, CPST and Briana Engelbrecht | Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
Nursing can be wonderful, but it can also be a little messy. When you’re lactating, whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping or a combo of both, you’re bound to experience some milk leakage whenever you’re not actively nursing. Leaking can happen at night, at work, or in the grocery store…and since having wet spots on your shirt isn’t exactly ideal, that’s where nursing pads come in.
Why does milk leakage happen? You can experience a letdown (when milk starts to flow) whether it’s time to feed, your breasts are full, or even just hearing your baby cry (or someone else's!). And if one breast starts releasing milk, the other side likely will too—it’s also common to leak from one breast while you’re feeding your baby on the other (pro tip: use a passive milk collector like the Haakaa or Trove to catch milk on the side you’re not nursing on).
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
As Babylist’s gear editor, I’ve been testing the ins and outs of baby gear for over a decade; I’m also a parent of two young boys, ages ten and two. Briana is Babylist’s assistant editor and a mom of two who breastfed for a total of three years. She's also a certified lactation counselor. In addition, we spoke to Emily Spaeth, a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Be Well Baby PDX. We also reviewed feedback from thousands of parents through Babylist’s annual Best Baby Products survey of thousands of Babylist users and talked to parents at Babylist for their input.
The Best Nursing Pads
Since nursing pads vary in shape and absorbency, try experimenting with a couple of different types and brands to find the ones that fit you best. You might also consider having a couple different types on hand depending on whether you’re at home or on the go. Here are our top picks to help get you started.
Best Disposable Nursing Pads: Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads
Best Thin Nursing Pads: Momcozy Ultra-Thin Disposable Nursing Pads
Best Reusable Nursing Pads: KeaBabies Organic Bamboo Nursing Breast Pads
Best for Large Breasts: Medela Disposable Nursing Pads
Best No-Show Nursing Pads: Kindred Bravely Ultra Absorbent Reusable Nursing Pads
Best Disposable Nursing Pads
If you’re going to try only one disposable nursing pad, check out these Lansinoh pads. They are incredibly soft for a disposable pad, and they do a great job of wicking away moisture to keep you dry—even when the pad has soaked up a lot of milk—because no one wants to hang out with damp nursing pads in their bra. The super absorbent core can hold up to 20 times its own weight, meaning fewer pad changes throughout the day, too.
I was a heavy leaker, especially at night, and these kept my pajamas (and bed) from getting covered in milk overnight. A few other parents noted how well these work at keeping them dry for long periods of time and that they don’t wake up covered in milk in the morning. Another feature they love is the adhesive backing. One parent described how: “It really helps [them] stay in place especially when you’re sleeping or moving around.” Parents also appreciate how affordable these nursing pads are: about 22 cents apiece.
Best Thin Disposable Nursing Pads
Though these Momcozy Ultra-Thin pads are truly slim, they get the job done. At less than a centimeter in thickness, they’re made of six layers of absorbent material with sealed edges that help contain leaks. Parents say they really like that the pads don’t bunch up or get lumpy after absorbing a few letdowns while wearing them. The pads have two thick strips of adhesive to keep them securely in place,“[so you don’t have] to adjust every time you put your boob back in the bra. These are the perfect level of stickiness but are also easy to remove from the bra,” says one parent. Staying in place is helpful when you consider how many times you’ll unclasp your bra cup for feedings or pump sessions. Many parents who are also fans of Lansinoh’s disposable pads report liking these for a thinner option.
Best Reusable Nursing Pads
These soft, absorbent bamboo nursing pads have four layers: an outer bamboo viscose layer, two absorbent layers, and a waterproof layer for leak protection. They’re also organic. What really sets them apart from other reusable options is that they come in different sizes—medium fits A-C cups, large is for B-D cups and extra-large fits D and up. They’re also machine washable and dryer friendly, making laundry easier (a laundry bag and wet bag are also included). The set comes with seven sets of pads—14 total—and most parents say while they don’t hold as much as disposable pads, they hold a decent amount of milk without leaking and that the sustainability factor makes up for any difference in capacity.
Best Nursing Pads for Large Breasts
The disposable pads from Medela are shaped differently from other nursing pads. While most are flat circles, these are slightly cupped with a more oblong shape, making them a great fit for larger breasts. They’re ultra-absorbent, which is good news if you tend to have heavier leaking, and the sticky strips on the back adhere the pads to your bra to help them stay in place all day.
Keep in mind: though the packaging says these pads are discreet under clothing, they’ll show through an unpadded bra due to all of that absorbent lining. A few parents also mentioned the adhesive works a bit too well. One parent reported having trouble getting the stickiness off of their nursing bra (but it doesn’t seem to be a widespread issue). Another parent praised how well they stick, especially when pulling down their bra to nurse or pump.
Best No-Show Nursing Pads
In addition to being leakproof (we’ve tried, and they live up to the promise), these wicking nursing pads are perfect for wearing under any type of shirt or dress. “I wore them for my sister’s wedding as I was the matron of honor in a dark blue lace dress. When I did leak, you couldn’t tell as these pads caught the milk and saved my dress. They were comfortable and didn’t chaff my nipples,” one Babylist parent shared. The firm, contoured shape and thin design mean they won’t show through your top like many other types of nursing pads. The anti-slip outer layer holds everything in place and the four layers of moisture-wicking mesh keep you dry and comfortable.
Here are a few honorable mentions we recommend giving a try if one of the above options isn’t a good fit:
How We Chose Our Best Nursing Pads
We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled thousands of Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including assistant editor Briana Engelbrecht, who breastfed both babies through many leaks and is also a certified lactation counselor (CLC). We also spoke to Emily Spaeth, a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Be Well Baby PDX.
We read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our Babylist staff about their real-life product experiences.
What Are Nursing Pads?
Nursing pads are pads made to soak up leaking breast milk. They slip right into whatever bra you’re wearing, whether it’s a nursing bra, a sports bra, a pumping bra, or even a regular bra. The pads are made from absorbent material, typically cotton or bamboo, and soak up any excess liquid from your breasts. They’re also soft on sensitive skin, which is really important when you have raw, sensitive nipples.
There are two different types of nursing pads available: disposable and reusable.
Disposable nursing pads are convenient, and they often have a thin plastic backing to prevent milk from soaking through to clothes. They also typically come in bulk packs of 60 to 200—if you're a first-time parent, I recommend trying a smaller pack first to make sure you like them.
Reusable nursing pads are typically made of cotton or bamboo and can be thrown in the washer. They’re softer, eco-friendly and can be expensive upfront (but may provide cost savings over time, based on your cost per wear).
If you choose reusable pads, it can be helpful to have a box of disposables around, too. They’re great backups to have in your diaper bag or for when you haven’t had a chance to do laundry.
How Many Nursing Pads Do I Need?
There’s no exact answer to how many nursing pads you need; it depends on whether you’re using disposables or reusables, how much laundry you want to do and how often you need to change your nursing pads. You might want to start with one pack of pads—whether that’s one box of disposables or one pack of reusables—and see how quickly you go through them. If you decide disposable pads are for you, consider setting up a “subscribe & save” order to save a little money.
Emily Spaeth, a board-certified lactation consultant and founder of Be Well Baby PDX recommends changing them each time you notice they’re wet: “Generally, we do not want your nipples hanging out in a moist environment because it can lead to infections like thrush (a fungal infection that thrives in moist, warm environments). Wet, warm nipples under breast pads are the perfect place for this to happen!”
Sources
Babylist content uses high-quality subject matter experts to provide accurate and reliable information to our users. Sources for this story include:
Dr. Emily Spaeth, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Licensed Physical Therapist and IBCLC. She’s also the founder of Be Well Baby PDX.
Jen LaBracio,
Senior Gear Editor, CPST
Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). When she’s not geeking out over car seats, testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, do all things Peloton, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.
Briana Engelbrecht
Assistant Editor
Briana Engelbrecht is Babylist’s Assistant Editor, where she brings her passion for early childhood development and the perinatal period, plus experience as a mom of two to Babylist articles and guides. She’s also a certified lactation counselor. A former preschool teacher, she loves children’s picture books, cats, plants and making things.
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/b865507480944f9863eaa910f8537b7c4f150772475e041c027a15cf565d249d/f683ca1d09ac644bc7e93a702ad6531f/b865507480944f9863eaa910f8537b7c4f150772475e041c027a15cf565d249d.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$18.51","title":"Lansinoh Stay Dry\\n Disposable Nursing Pads - 200","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/lansinoh-stay-dry-disposable-nursing-pads/24923/1118493","source":"hello_baby","product_id":1118493});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/3cdadf6fd5ecd0e227c6bd221f9d2d9aa3bc2b5cf40ce2a48307118cb10bc268/28072fdb117e91e4955aed4abdf9975a/3cdadf6fd5ecd0e227c6bd221f9d2d9aa3bc2b5cf40ce2a48307118cb10bc268.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$13.99","title":"Momcozy Ultra-Thin Disposable Nursing Pads - White, 120","url":"https://www.babylist.com/gp/momcozy-ultra-thin-disposable-nursing-pads/44765/1700383","source":"hello_baby","product_id":1700383});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/4Rz16YGH8NQDuLVOTchhJb/466f1e2c07249a41dc2bb9349b6df1fc/71yGKiW3yYL._SX679_.jpg?fit=pad\u0026fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$16.96","title":"KeaBabies Organic Nursing Pads (14-pack)","url":"https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Bamboo-Nursing-Breast-Pads/dp/B0BRN62FRQ","source":"hello_baby"});){kind=link}
![Add to Babylist](javascript: bl.addToRegistry({"images":"https://images.ctfassets.net/50gzycvace50/39b56ff89c87293f33aa8e8bdb90f505403403f2732dacd71651228ba991dab1/5b1538cdddf0e180cb4117439595d855/39b56ff89c87293f33aa8e8bdb90f505403403f2732dacd71651228ba991dab1.png?fl=progressive\u0026fm=jpg\u0026bg=rgb:f9f9f9\u0026w=620\u0026h=620","price":"$9.59","title":"Medela Disposable Nursing Pads - White, 60","url":"https://www.walmart.com/ip/19863418?selected=true","source":"hello_baby","product_id":10217});){kind=link}
