Parenthoodroutine.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Find the Best Postpartum Pads on the Market for After Birth in 2023
It’s common for mothers to have postpartum bleeding after giving birth. To help with this, the hospitals generally provide mesh underwear for you to wear. However, these often aren’t comfortable and can be bulky. An excellent alternative to the hospital underwear is to switch to postpartum pads. The best pads for after delivery are designed to be lightweight, flexible, and prevent blood from soaking through. Hence, they make a good choice for moms just leaving the hospital.
You’ll need to wear them for a minimum of six weeks, so it’s better to wear only the best postpartum pads. However, with so many options on the market, it can become a hassle to choose one that can do its job perfectly. So to help you find one, we’ve decided to research this issue and create a list of the best postpartum pads of 2023.
The Best Postpartum Pads to Protect Clothes From Leaks and Stains
Lochia (aka vaginal discharge) is a common process affects 5-15% of women giving birth, as said Giancarlo Mari M.D. Lochia occurs withing the first 24 hours and typically lasting 3-4 days (some resources said that bleeding may last for up to 6 weeks).
As you may see, you’ll probably need to find the best postpartum pads that can guarantee the most comfortable fit and prevent blood from staining underwear and clothing, without irritating sensitive skin.
Best Overall: StayFree Maxi Super Review
- Neutralizes odors;
- Keeps you dry for up to 8 hours;
- Cotton covered (not a plastic);
The StayFree Maxi Pad is an enhanced thick pad, designed for heavy flows. It is thick but not bulky and is comfortable to wear all day long. The liner of the Maxi Pad includes witch hazel, known to have a lot of benefits like soothing and skin protection.
Aside from that, these afterbirth pads are disposable and can easily attach to underwear with their adhesive liner. Additionally, they are long enough to cover all of your underwear. Lastly, the pads can neutralize odor and help prevent irritations. The only downside we’ve found with this brand is that the pads are quilted. While this absorbs more liquids, it may stick to stitches.
What We Love:
- Heavy-duty design
- Non-toxic materials
- Non-irritating
- Disposable pads
- Medium thickness
What We Don’t Love:
- May stick to stitches
Best Overnight: Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Incontinence Pads
- Very comfortable, considering their storage capacity;
- Perfect for extra-protection and long trip;
- 2 RapidDry layers for additional leak-free protection;
Another excellent option for new moms is the Always Incontinence Pads. They have extra-thick absorbent material that is perfect for night-time. Aside from that, they are also ergonomically shaped to help stay in place. Plus, they include a leak-free design that prevents fluids from spreading.
Whether your flow is heavy or light, these are perfect for long-term wear. One product can generally last up to 10 hours, which gives you plenty of protection. The only downside we’ve come across is that some moms tend not to like how bulky they are.
What We Love:
- Perfect for active moms
- Heavy-duty design
- Leak-free
What We Don’t Love:
- Some users reports low adhesive features
Best Organic Pads: Seventh Generation Chlorine-free Pads Review
If you’re sensitive to scented products, then the Seventh Generation Chlorine-free Pads is the best maternity pad for you. They are specifically designed to be less irritating and free from harsh chemicals and fragrances. With their thin design, they are ideal for light or medium flows.
To ensure that the item sticks on your underwear, there is an adhesive layer along with wings that you can tuck in. As for downsides, the only major one we’ve found is that these wouldn’t be as suitable for night. Moreover, by choosing their product you support their cause - for every item purchased, they give 10% to charities that help provide women in need with feminine care.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Ultra thin
- Disposable
Cons
- Not to be used overnight
Best Non-Irritating: The Honey Pot Herbal Pads Review
It’s best to rely on a brand such as The Honey Pot for the first few days of postpartum bleeding. The reason for this is because they are specifically designed not to intervene with stitches. With that in mind, you’ll be less itchy and irritated compared to other brands on the market.
This particular type features soothing properties made using herbs. Herbs used are lavender, mint, and aloe. These herbs are known to have soothing properties that can help aid in recovery.
For their design, there is adhesive on the bottom to ensure it sticks to your underwear. Aside from that, they also have wings located on each side. This is good for active moms, leading a busy lifestyle. The only downside we’ve found is that the smell of the pads is sometimes too strong.
Pros
- Medicinal
- Disposable
- Good for active moms
- Cooling sensation
Cons
- Smells strong
Best Absorbency Pads: Poise Incontinence Absorbency Pads Moderate Review
Moms that experience heavy flows will likely appreciate the Poise brand, since these postpartum pads are designed for such cases. What makes the pad stand out the most is the longer and wider coverage than standard pads won’t provide. Plus, one product can last up to 12 hours.
Additionally, they are flexible and are designed to move with your body. This makes them ideal for active women. We’ve found that the only major downside is that the adhesive may stick to your underwear when trying to remove it.
Pros
- Heavy-duty design
- Good for moms on the go
- Disposable
Cons
- Sticky adhesive
Best Eco-Friendly Pads: Charlie Banana Cloth Pads Review
Charlie brand creates long-term, reusable cloth pads. So if you’re expecting to use ones in the future, then these postpartum pads are a really good investment. They not only produce less waste but also don’t cost much more than your standard disposable pads.
Luckily, they are made free from toxins, fragrances and have a comfortable design. Moreover, unlike disposable pads, you’ll need to fold the items and snap them onto your underwear. Additionally, you’ll need to clean them in the washing machine after every use. Overall, these are a great option, but moms have stated that they don’t always stay in place.
Pros
- Reusable
- Medium coverage
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Hard to secure
Best Long Pads: Always Xtra Protection Extra Long Review
It’s hard to find the best postpartum pads that are long but also not bulky. Luckily, the Always brand has you covered with their extra long pads. These pads are ideal for daily tasks and can last a few hours at a time. They are also thin and are perfect to use when you don’t want something bulky.
Aside from that, they easily attach to your underwear via adhesive. On top of that, the items include odor-resistant properties that help absorb fluids and prevent irritation. The only downside we’ve found for these is that they aren’t good for moms with heavy flows.
Pros
- Perfect for daytime
- Thin design
- Secures easily into place
- Easy on skin
Cons
- Not heavy duty
Best Disposable Underwear: Always Postpartum Underwear Discreet Review
If you’re uncomfortable using pads and feel like they just don’t give you enough protection, try using Always Postpartum Underwear. This nifty postpartum underwear is perfect for the first few days after giving birth. Their design keeps you snug and secure without putting too much pressure on your stitches.
They are also padded all over, which can be ideal for moms with heavy flows. Additionally, the fabric is made from odor-free materials and prevents fluids from slipping out. To ensure that the panties fit everyone, the company included a stretchy wearable elastic band. Lastly, these also can prevent urine leakage.
The only downside we’ve heard about this brand is that some people don’t like the feeling of wearing full underwear. However, we find that these are the perfect solution if you don’t want to risk any leaks.
Pros
- Disposable
- Leak-proof
- Very comfortable
- It fits most body types
Cons
- It feels a bit bulky
Best Variety Pack: Thinx Postpartum Bundle Review
If you’ve ever suffered from an irregular flow, then you’ll likely be pleased with the Thinx Postpartum Bundle. This set includes two panties that you can wash and reuse again. They are just as effective as thicker pads.
The underwear is made with 100% cotton and super absorbent. Moreover, the material doesn’t have any chemicals and is free from fragrances or toxins.
Pros
- Reusable
- Thick padding
- Feel of everyday underwear
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Must wash every day
Best Sensitive Skin: Rael 100 Percent Organic Cotton Menstrual Overnight Pads Review
The last type is ultra-thin overnight pads for women who just can’t stand bulky pads. These are heavy-duty postpartum pads, designed for night time usage or for heavy flows. What makes this brand stand out is that they only use organic cotton for their items. All of the materials used are non-toxic and are free from pesticides or other synthetics.
Aside from that, they are super absorbent and provide comfort. Plus, they allow maximum airflow, which can help reduce sweat and excess moisture. And don’t worry about irritations - the Rael pads are designed to be hypoallergenic, breathable, and odor resistant.
Lastly, the unique design can help lock in moisture and prevent it from seeping out. The only downside to these products is that the adhesive isn’t the best. Although, this shouldn’t be an issue as long as you’re wearing them overnight.
Pros
- Organic materials
- Disposable
- Heavy-duty design
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- The adhesive may not secure the pad
Why Should You Use the Best Post Birth Pads for After Delivery?
Lochia, or more commonly known as postpartum bleeding, happens after a woman gives birth, and this can last up to six weeks. This is why doctors recommend using mesh underwear to make this period much more comfortable and easier.
If you're interesting about lastsing your postpartum bleeding, we are highly recommend you to check information provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians and information by the World Health Organization.
Elizabeth Barletta
Editor-in-Chief of parenthoodroutineWhile you could turn to other methods of tampons or pads, they may not be enough to protect you. That is because after giving birth, the body has a higher chance of catching infections and bacteria, and normal pads won’t protect you as well. To prevent this, it’s best to invest in the best pads for postpartum designed to keep you protected and infection-free.
Plus, you’ll likely be busy recovering from giving birth and be busy with your newborn, so having a disposable pad can be very convenient and hygienic. That’s why it’s highly recommended to use a good brand of afterbirth pads.
However, each mom may need something different. While some moms may require heavy-duty pads, others will find those simple liners will get them through the first few weeks. Overall, it’s important to choose a type of postpartum pads, based on your doctor’s recommendation and your menstrual cycle.
Buying Considerations For After Delivery Pads
Before choosing maternity pads, you should consider each brand’s pros and cons. Because not every brand is designed equally and they can be rather different and may not be that good for you specifically. So, it’s important to get only a high-quality brand, suitable for your recovery.
Thus, when searching for the best pads for after birth bleeding, there are some important things you should keep in mind.
Size of Pads
Carefully consider what size you need for the pads. So if you experience heavy flows, then it would be better to choose longer and thicker pads and vice versa. However, clinicians tend to recommend bigger pads for the night and light ones for daytime.
Reusable vs. Disposable
It’s much easier to use disposable postpartum pads since they are more convenient. You can just throw them away after one use. However, some more environmentally-friendly moms prefer reusable organic items.
Reusable pads are a tad bit more expensive than disposable, but they will save you money in the long run. The only downside is that you’ll have to wash them after every use. This can be a hassle if you’re on the go and don’t have time to deal with cleaning.
Panties vs. Pads
Another major consideration is if you want full-on panties or just an item to place in your underwear. Padded panties often give you more protection and prevent fluids from leaking onto your sheets or pants. On the other hand, such items are easily disposable, and you can change them as needed.
Conclusion
Postpartum recovery can be scary when you don’t know what to expect. With so many things on your mind, having to worry about what type of pads you’re going to wear should be the last thing on your mind. So we wanted to save you the trouble and time, and find only the best postpartum pads, to keep you 100% protected.
And while all the afterbirth pads here are a great choice, and you will bound to find a perfect option, we decided to take one step further and choose only the best postpartum pads of 2023. And that is StayFree Maxi Super, because of the best materials, great absorbency, and thickness to keep you safe from any leakage. When purchasing such items, you should also remember the buying considerations we listed earlier.
Overall, we sincerely hope that we helped you make the choosing process a lot easier. And we’re certain that whichever options you decide to go with, we’re certain that you’ll be able to find only the best post birth pads, that will make you feel a lot more comfortable and sure! So feel free to share with us which pads worked the best for you, and ask away if you have any more questions – we’ll be happy to help you!
Contents
- 1 The Best Postpartum Pads to Protect Clothes From Leaks and Stains
- 1.1 Best Overall: StayFree Maxi Super Review
- 1.2 Best Overnight: Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Incontinence Pads
- 1.3 Best Organic Pads: Seventh Generation Chlorine-free Pads Review
- 1.4 Best Non-Irritating: The Honey Pot Herbal Pads Review
- 1.5 Best Absorbency Pads: Poise Incontinence Absorbency Pads Moderate Review
- 1.6 Best Eco-Friendly Pads: Charlie Banana Cloth Pads Review
- 1.7 Best Long Pads: Always Xtra Protection Extra Long Review
- 1.8 Best Disposable Underwear: Always Postpartum Underwear Discreet Review
- 1.9 Best Variety Pack: Thinx Postpartum Bundle Review
- 1.10 Best Sensitive Skin: Rael 100 Percent Organic Cotton Menstrual Overnight Pads Review
- 2 Why Should You Use the Best Post Birth Pads for After Delivery?
- 3 Buying Considerations For After Delivery Pads
- 4 Conclusion
related reviews
-
-
-
-
-
COMMENTS
CHRISTINE there is always MAXI in their chart - try it?