Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Got Leaky Boobs? DIY Breast Pads

homemade breastpads tutorial
Submitted by The Leaky Boob reader Krista Canfield

Got Leaky Boobs? Need some help so you don't soa
k through your shirts and end up with two awkward wet spots on the front of your shirt? Have no fear, DIY Leaky Boob pads are here!

Each pad is made out of 3 pieces of 4x4 flanne
l. If you find you need more absorbency you can add one or two more layers. I have always found that 3 layers keeps the pad thin enough that it can't be seen through your shirt. You can also use one layer of broad cloth as the outside layer and this helps prevent leak through. The best thing is that you can use leftover scraps of material. I usually use leftovers from blankets or diapers I have made. Make sure you pre-wash the material so it doesn't bunch up in the wash later.

How to sew breastpads
Draw a circle 3 1/2 inches in diameter either on your cloth or on a piece of paper you can cut out and use as a pattern. I use a protractor, but you could trace around a cup or glass easily enough.

cloth breastpad pattern
Stack your material and pin together . Cut around the circle and straight line stitch them together as close to the edge as you can. If you have serer you could go over the outside edge as well. I only have an old 2 stitch machine so I do a zigzag stitch around the outside edge. This will fray a bit when you wash it, but I find it just makes the pad softer.

breast pad sewing pattern tutorial
This is so easy and quick you may wonder why you ever bought nursing pads.

6 comments:

  1. I've gotta be honest, no cloth breastfeeding pads ever kept me from leaking through clothes. I used Lansinoh pads, and loved them. But good for those of you who make your own and don't screw the environment for your own comfort like me (hangs head in shame)

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  2. Huh! I'm so making me a pair of these! A few pairs!

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  3. Yes...I had leaky boobs until about 2 mths ago when my baby decided to wean himself! Gesh!!!! Great idea!

    I found you through SITS!

    I have a FREE giveaway on my blog. Come by and check it out. Your gonna love love love it! I promise!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I need to make some, I'm going to try backing mine with scraps from a felted wool sweater to give it a water-resistant layer.

    Thanks for this great tutorial Krista!

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  5. The throw away pads just seemed to leach the milk out of me and all over my shirts. I ended up using cotton handkerchiefs out of my husband's dresser drawer. No more wet spots.

    ReplyDelete

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