Nursing Pads: Disposable vs Reusable and What to Look For

Wet spots on your shirt are one of the most common surprises of the first weeks of breastfeeding. Nursing pads (also called breast pads) are a simple fix: a thin absorbent pad that sits inside your bra cup and soaks up milk before it reaches your clothes.

This guide covers who really needs them, disposable vs reusable pads, what to look for and how to use them without trapping moisture against your skin. We don’t rank brands. Almost any pad works if it is soft, absorbent and changed often.

Do you need nursing pads?

Not necessarily. La Leche League International (LLLI) says that in the early weeks, until your milk supply levels out, you may leak quite a bit, and that people who leak often find it reduces greatly over time, often because supply is matching the baby’s needs. Our guide to when breast milk comes in explains why those first weeks are the leakiest.

HealthyChildren.org (the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parent site) says pads are most useful if your breasts leak heavily or you are often away from your baby at a usual feeding time. It also says a folded absorbent cloth works almost as well as store-bought pads.

Disposable vs reusable nursing pads

HealthyChildren.org describes the two kinds as disposable or washable pads that slip inside the bra cup. Beyond that, the differences are practical rather than medical.

	Disposable	Reusable (washable)
How you use it	Wear, then throw away	Wear, then launder
Best for	Travel, work days and nights out, when you can’t wash	Home use, regular daily leaking
Changing	Easy to swap for a fresh one anywhere	Needs a few spares, since each one has to be washed and dried
Waste and cost	Ongoing purchase and waste	Upfront cost for several pads, then reuse
Care	None	Follow the care label and rinse out detergent

Many people end up with both: washable pads at home and a small pack of disposables for the bag. HealthyChildren.org says breast pads are sold at most pharmacies and grocery stores.

What to look for

• No plastic lining. HealthyChildren.org advises avoiding pads with plastic liners that keep air from reaching the nipples, because trapped moisture can irritate them. It also advises against plastic-lined pads in its guide on treating breast pain.
• Soft, absorbent material that doesn’t scratch or stick to the nipple.
• A shape and size that stays put in your bra. LLLI notes that wearing a bra holds nursing pads in place, so pick a pad that stays put in your bra rather than one that bunches or slides.
• A bra that isn’t tight. LLLI warns that a bra that puts too much pressure on your breasts can lead to sore breasts from plugged ducts, so don’t tighten your bra to hold a pad. Our nursing bra guide covers fit.
• Easy care if you choose washable pads, such as a machine-washable fabric. LLLI also advises rinsing nursing bras thoroughly to remove detergent residue. The same sensible step applies to washable pads, though LLLI doesn’t mention pads specifically.

How to use them and keep skin dry

Moisture is the main issue with pads. The Office on Women’s Health advises changing nursing pads often, so that they don’t trap moisture that can cause cracked nipples. The NHS goes further and says to change them after every feed if you are using them.

A few habits help:

1. Change a pad when it feels damp, even if it is mid-day and you haven’t fed.
2. Let your nipples air-dry after a feed before getting dressed, as the NHS suggests, or gently pat them dry, as HealthyChildren.org advises.
3. Skip soap on your nipples. The NHS notes soap can dry out the skin.
4. Wear breathable, unlined fabric. The NHS recommends cotton bras without underwiring, which let air circulate.
5. Have spares in your bag so changing is never a hassle.

At night

LLLI says many people wear nursing pads at night to limit the number of clothes that need to be washed. A maternity tank top with a built-in shelf bra can hold the pads without a separate bra, and a towel or cloth diaper under you protects the sheets. Make sure any night bra is big enough or stretchy enough for your breasts to fill.

At work

If you are pumping at work, leaks can happen when a break runs late. LLLI suggests wearing a printed top, where any leakage is less obvious, in case pumping is delayed. Pads add a second layer of protection, and a spare top in your bag helps.

Common problems

• Sore or cracked nipples that aren’t healing. Moisture can be part of the picture, and thrush can develop when nipples are damaged. See our thrush guide and, for the basics of healing, our sore nipples guide.
• Leaking along with hard, painful breasts. Read about engorgement and clogged milk ducts.

When to call a doctor or lactation consultant

The NHS advises contacting a midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible if you have nipple pain, and getting help early if your nipples are cracked or bleeding, because that raises the risk of infection. In the U.S., an IBCLC, your baby’s doctor or your own provider can help.

Seek care promptly if you have:

• A swollen area on your breast that is hot and painful, or a wedge-shaped lump or hard area
• Fever, chills or flu-like aches, or a burning pain that may be constant or only occur during feeds, as the NHS lists for mastitis (see our mastitis guide)
• Sore, cracked or bleeding nipples that aren’t improving

For more help with the basics, visit our breastfeeding basics hub or find breastfeeding support near you.