I Tested 18 Postpartum Pads—These Top 5 Will Keep You Dry

• Capacity: 5/5

• Leak Prevention: 5/5

• Absorbency: 5/5

• Weight: 5/5

The only pad that got a perfect score, these ultra-basic maxi pads are actually the exact same ones used in most hospitals. After testing them (and having used them myself after giving birth), I can see why they’re the hospital go-to. Your hospital is likely to load you up with a few packs before you head home, but just in case you want extras—or if you’re giving birth at home or at a birthing center—you can buy them online too. The only thing I didn’t like about these pads is the size; they’re bulkier and slightly shorter than most of the other top picks.

• Capacity: 5/5

• Leak Prevention: 5/5

• Absorbency: 5/5

• Weight: 4/5

These may be labeled as incontinence pads, but don’t let the idea of adult diapers scare you off! Not only can these heavy-duty pads hold up to the high volume of postpartum bleeding, they’re also perfect for postpartum bladder leaks. An estimated 40 percent of people experience incontinence after childbirth thanks to all that strain on your pelvic floor, leading to pelvic floor dysfunction. So incontinence pads keep you dry in two different ways!

The two brands below also tested really well and make great alternatives to Amazon Basics. Vakly pads are also often available in hospitals!

• Capacity: 5/5

• Leak Prevention: 5/5

• Absorbency: 3/5

• Weight: 5/5

Maxi pads are typically the only recommended style for postpartum bleeding since the volume and flow are so heavy, but once you’re past that first week and the bleeding slows down a bit, you can switch to a thinner style—it’s a good idea to stick to the “overnight” size though, since the volume is likely to still be somewhat heavy. Out of all the thin pads I tested, organic brand Rael held onto liquid the best and soaked in the fastest.

One thing to note: During testing, it got real close to leaking out the front, so be mindful of capacity with this one (and with any “thin” pad). And while all 50mL of liquid soaked in quickly, the pad still felt quite wet to the touch, even after several hours.

Another high performer for thinner options was the Frida Mom Postpartum Pad, which was great for capacity and leak prevention but did feel pretty heavy after being only halfway full.

• Capacity: 5/5

• Leak Prevention: 5/5

• Absorbency: 5/5

• Weight: 4/5

No matter how you give birth, you can count on being pretty sore down there for at least a week or two, usually due to stretching, perineal tearing or hemorrhoids. That's where these cooling, soothing pads come in.

These postpartum pads from The Honey Pot Company are infused with a small amount of essential oils (lavender, rose and mint) plus aloe vera to help reduce inflammation and soothe any sore spots. I tested these pads with fake blood kept at body temperature, and almost immediately after soaking everything in, the top layer of the pads felt cool to the touch while still remaining dry. No weird wet sensation, just pleasant cooling—just slightly less cool than a traditional padsicle.

As nice and chill as these pads were, there were two downsides: the weight and the scent. After 50mL of liquid soaked in, they were slightly heavier than other absorbent picks, which can contribute to the uncomfortable diaper feeling after a couple hours.

And since they're infused with essential oils and aloe vera, there's a distinct scent that lingers, even after several hours. I found it to be a medicinal smell that gave me a bit of a headache (though, to be fair, I was smelling it over and over again in a short amount of time). This shouldn't be confused with scented pads though, which use synthetic fragrance chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin and shouldn't be worn during the postpartum healing stage (more on that below).

• Capacity: 5/5

• Leak Prevention: 4/5

• Absorbency: 4/5

• Weight: 4/5

• Easy to clean: 5/5

If you’re going to go with a reusable pad during the postpartum weeks, this one from Knix performed the best out of all the reusables. It’s thin and soft (not at all like the diaper feel of maxi pads), and it cleans up really easily with no staining—just make sure you rinse and soak it in cold water before running it through the laundry.

One thing to keep in mind is that it did leak during testing, both before and after being washed and dried. The absorption couldn’t keep up with the more rapid flow of a heavy bleed. Also, one end of the pad is pretty narrow, so it’s most likely to leak at that end.

The leakage problem was true for all the reusable pads I tested (which is why you won't find any other recommended options below)—even more reason to go with disposable options for those first two weeks. After that, you might consider switching to a reusable pad when the flow is lighter and there's less of a chance for leaks.