Using Cloth Reusable Pads Post Partum
Using Cloth Reusables Post Partum Pads
What is Lochia?
No matter how you give birth you will bleed following the delivery. This bleeding is called lochia and is the body’s way of getting rid of, blood, tissue and mucous from the uterus. Lochia can be very heavy for the first 7 days post birth and then can be lighter bleeding or discharge for the following 6 weeks. It isn’t advised to use cups or tampons for lochia bleeding, instead heavy absorbent maternity pads are recommended. Many people find maternity disposable sanitary pads extremly uncomfortable. We hear from customers that they are rough, sweaty and itchy. One of the most popular reasons to use reusable maternity pads is to have more natural breathable fabrics next to your skin.
At the period lady we have different types of Cloth Sanitary Pads specifically designed to be used for lochia.
What do we need for Post Partum Cloth Pads?
When we consider what post partum reusable sanitary pads we need the most important factors are
fast absorbency, high absorbency and covers a large surface area for the first few days.
Following that you can continue using regular pads.
Menstrual Pad Fabric Types
What Fabric to use?
This will depend on what farbic you will prefer next to your skin. You can read more about the quailities of different fabrics on our article "Cloth Sanitary Pad Fabric"
If you prefer more natrual fabrics against your skin the the Thrive CSP Range has a great "Ultra Heavy" pad in Bamboo and Hemp depending on what fabric you prefer with a really wide flare at the back for great coverage. Our Handmade pads are also expetionally popular for the post partum phase the jersey cotton top of Sew Sustianable 14inch are a very popular choice for post birth sanitary pads.
If you would prefer organic cotton pads then the Eco Femme or Imse Vimse range is our most popular option. The Post Partum Night Pad is designed for heavy blood flow but not particularly designed for lochia.
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If you would prefer a more stay dry feel to your post partum sanitary pads then our top choices are the Pink Daisy Staydry XL. Similar to the Thrive Pads these have a wide flare at the back for great coverage. Our next most popular option is the La Petite Ourse Night Pad, the charcoal fleece as a top layer which makes these very comfortable reusable pads and the non slip silicone dots help them stay in place.
How Many Reusable Sanitary Pads do I need?
For the initical Post Partum Blood Loss we recommend 5-7 actual pads designed for post partum blood. After the initial lochia you can use your regular cloth pads, we recommend around 10 sanitary pads for this stage, this should give you enought to wash every other day.
Can you use Period Pants for Postpartum use?
Although we stock super heavy period underwear, this would still struggle to cope with the initial stage of lochia. Period Underwear is a great option to provide extra protection or all round protection against leaks. Some of our High Waisted range are great if you’ve had a c-section. Our most popular Period Pants are Wuka Super Heavy High Waist and the Love Luna Super Heavy Pants. If you prefer organic cotton the the Hey Girls Cherry pants are the most soft pair of pants I've ever felt and they are super super high waisted and I find them so comfortable for my heavy periods and period bloat.
What Else Do I Need To Consider?
Aside from getting the reusable sanitary pads, there are a few more things to consider-
Firstly- post partum pants! You will often hear people recommend getting really big underwear ready for the post partum period. However, you ideally want a nice tight fitting pair of pants, this helps keep your pads in place. Ideally cotton pants are best are these are more breathable.
Secondly- Storage.
You will need something to store your used pads in at home and if you go out and about. Post Partum Sanitary Pads are bigger than regular sanitary pads so you might need to consider a larger than average cloth sanitary pad bag. The Little Love Bum Wipes Pouch will be perfect for out and about. At home you can use a slightly larger wetbag to store your sanitary pads like the Thrive Medium Bag or the Little LoveBum Medium Webag, alternitively you could use the strucket bucket, which is designed to help soak and rinse your cloth pads before washing them.
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Caring for your Post Partum Period Pads
You can read our article on how to Care For Your Reusable Period Pads but essentially you want to follow these simple rules
1. Rinse in cold water when you remove them
2. Machine wash cold- or no more than 40 degrees
3. Do not put them in the tumble dryer- air dry where possible
4. Avoid harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach.
Frequenty Asked Questions
What are the best partum reusable sanitary pads?
This really depends on what fabrics you prefer agaisnt your skin. There is no onesize fits all. It all depends if you want cotton, organic cotton or something more stay dry.
Why are partum reusable sanitary pads so bulky?
The initial blood loss after giving birth can have a heavy flow so the pads need to be able to accomodate this.
What are the disadvantages of reusable maternity pads?
We would be lying if we pretended there were no disadvantages to reusable maternity pads. The main disadvantage of the reusable sanitary pad is that you will need to deal with washing the used pads, some might not want to add to their work so soon after having a baby, especially if you need to stay in hospital.
What are the disadvantages of using disposable sanitary pads?
Aside from the obvious environmental impact, many many women find that using disposable pads postpartum is uncomfortable and can make the sore.
If you want further advise on using CSP for postpartum use then please email us on
Written by Roisin - Senior Advisor @The Period Lady