Nursing pads

As a breastfeeding mother, you want to protect your sensitive breasts with nursing pads. They keep your nipples dry and clean. They prevent infections and inflammations. At the same time, they prevent leaking breast milk from showing through your underwear and clothes. Our cloth nursing pads make your nipples feel good. So you can give your baby the loving care it needs.

The main features of our nursing pads:

• soft and pleasantly cool bamboo viscose on the skin side
• absorbent material in the core
• waterproof and breathable thanks to PUL or wool
• do not give off unpleasant odours
• are not very bulky
• available in many different designs
• washable at 40 °C to 60 °C

The skin on your nipples is sensitive. It needs protection and hygiene. While disposable nursing pads can quickly feel uncomfortable on the skin, this cannot happen to you with our cloth nursing pads. We use particularly appealing and at the same time functional fabrics. Because we want to recognise your superpowers with every nursing pad. Our nursing pads have 3 to 4 layers, depending on the model. Each layer has its own unique function:

With these layers, we have perfectly matched the best materials. This allows us to combine sustainability with an attractive look.

Our highlight: Merino wool nursing pads

We want to accompany you through motherhood with the most natural means possible. If you value nursing pads without synthetic fibres, our wool nursing pads are the right choice for you! Due to the density of the wool used, they are as leak-proof as our standard models with PUL.

The outside of our wool nursing pads is made of natural virgin wool, i.e., 100% pure, mulesing-free and cuddly soft merino wool that was processed in the Alps. Wool is a high-tech fabric: breathable, dirt-repellent, self-cleaning and washable. The side facing the skin is made of a wonderfully soft bamboo viscose, with a percentage of cotton.

Wool has great advantages as a nursing pad:

• It provides good temperature regulation, which has a positive effect on the milk-dispensing reflex.
• Because of the protein keratin it contains, merino wool is odour-resistant.
• Wool absorbs moisture well while remaining dry on the surface.
• Wool absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in liquid.

Here's what to consider if you have an inflamed breast

If you have an inflamed breast, however, a fresh, hot-washed cotton nursing pad is better. Then you should avoid wool nursing pads, especially if you have a thrush infection on your breast. Cotton, unlike wool, can be washed at 60 °C or 90 °C without any problems. Hot temperatures kill germs more thoroughly than low temperatures.

Our nursing pads are simply placed between your breasts and your nursing bra or bustier. They are not suitable for use in chemises or other loose underwear. The pads won't slip if your underwear fits snugly. So you don't need an adhesive strip. Your body heat makes the pad fit perfectly to your breast.

Not sure if you need nursing pads at all? Of course, there are women who don't need nursing pads for the entire breastfeeding period, or only for short periods of time. Others, on the other hand, have a strong milk flow for many months, and nursing pads become a faithful companion. Every mother can be curious to see how the situation will turn out for her. It is almost impossible to make a prognosis during pregnancy.

Change at least daily

We recommend that you change your nursing pads at least once a day, regardless of your milk flow. The drier the area around your nipples, the more hygienic it is. If you have a heavy milk flow, you should change your pads several times a day. Moisture softens the skin, encourages bacterial or fungal infections (thrush) and causes nipple injuries.  

How many pads do you need?

In general, we recommend that you buy a stock of five to six pairs before you give birth. That way you have them ready to go just in case. Then adjust the amount according to the strength and frequency of your milk flow. The frequency of washing, your personal well-being and the length of the breastfeeding period are also important factors in your decision. With your supply, there is enough time to buy more. In emergencies, high-quality handkerchiefs, wet wipes, muslin or flannel cloths can also help. We do not recommend paper handkerchiefs, because they get linty and stick to the nipples.

Would you like your WindelManufaktur nursing pads to stay fluffy for a long time, just like the first day you wore them? No problem! Wash them once before the first use and care for them properly with each wash:

• Wash all nursing pads except wool nursing pads at 40 °C with colour detergent.
• Wool nursing pads should be washed at 30 °C, by hand or in the wool wash programme. Use wool detergent.

It is best to put the nursing pads in a laundry net. That way you don't run the risk of them getting caught in the lint filter. After washing, they dry well on the line. They are not suitable for tumble drying. Even if they are a little stiff from air drying: Your body heat will make them soft and fluffy again.

Did you know that we use leftover fabric from our diaper range for the nursing pads in line with our zero waste product policy? So you can also get outside diapers in a design to match your nursing pads.

If you're already doing something good for yourself and the environment, why not treat yourself to our cloth panty liners and menstrual pads? Or how about our washable make-up remover pads?

There are also great little things for your child that will make baby's life more beautiful and sustainable at the same time. Delight in our adorable changing mats, crawling blankets, bibs as well as onesies extenders.

Compared to disposable nursing pads, our nursing pads have almost exclusively advantages. The disposables:

• feel less valuable,
• contain superabsorbents that keep your skin nice and dry, but also take away your skin's natural moisture -> your sensitive nipples may become dry and cracked,
• feel sticky when you nurse your nipples with lanolin,
• you'll have to change them very often or they'll get smelly,
• have an unnecessary adhesive backing,
• may contain a lotion to which you could be allergic,
• and, of course, they're wasteful.

In case of infection, disposable pads make sense. However, you can also wash cloth nursing pads at 60 °C or 90 °C for this period. Only wool should not be used.

Of course, there are other cloth nursing pads on the market. Many do not have a wetness-protecting layer, so they are not suitable for every milk flow. Or they are made of materials that may not be washable at high temperatures. Or they are simply not big enough. Try them out. You'll agree that ours are some of the best on the market.

Super nursing pads. I ordered several nursing pads in different colours, and I am more than satisfied. You can't see them under your bra or top and they reliably catch leaking milk. (Thea)

Satisfied. The nursing pads look nice and are practical. I have enjoyed using them. The pads can be washed in the normal wash without any problems and if you pull them into shape a bit after washing, they don't wrinkle in the bra. (Eeve)

I use the wool nursing pads. My nursing pads should be plastic-free, easy to wash and, above all, leak-proof. I am very happy with these, they are not too warm even in summer and dry very well, so they are quickly ready for use again and they even manage up to 4 milk feeds :-). Absolute recommendation. (Constanze)