Cloth Menstrual Products

I use cloth diapers for my baby. And I have for my babies before her. During my hunts for cloth diapers online I discovered cloth menstrual pads. At first I was shocked and turned off by the ewwww factor. Then I decided it wouldn't be so bad, I mean I use cloth diapers already, how much worse could it be? Then I thought about sanitation. You know I always thought disposable pads were sanitized, but they aren't any more than toilet paper is. So I decided to give it a try. I ordered some and eagerly (I can't believe I was eager) waited for my monthly. It arrived and I tried them. They were so much more comfortable then store-bought. And maintaining them wasn't really all that difficult. They worked wonderfully. I was sold.

Most of the sites gave a dozen as all that was needed for an average woman. Well, I am NOT average. I prefer between 3-4 dozen because I use 12-16 in a day. Between washing and drying I don't like to feel like I am running out. The average flow is said to be about 3 oz., Mine is about 10. You might be asking how I discovered that information that not many would even want to know? I bought something called a Keeper, which is a reusable rubber cup that goes inside and catches the flow. It is just washed and reused. This made life much simpler for me, because now I could leave the house without carrying a huge bag full of pads. Anyway, the keeper holds 1 oz., and by keeping track, I was able to gage my flow. I discovered the Diva Cup, which I much prefer and am using currently. With the Keeper I always leaked a bit, but I don't have those problems with the Diva Cup. I only really use my cup for errands, exercise etc. I prefer not to use it all the time. Just my preference.

I am so happy that I don't have to go to the store and buy those paper things anymore, and even post-partum I use cloth, because I just really don't like paper pads anymore.

I have used many types. I made my own with this pattern, and they turned out really nice, I use these for post-partum. I also have used Gladrags which I don't really recommend (except the over-night or post-partum pad which is great). Of course if you have a lighter flow than I do they will work fine. I am currently using Gladrags overnight, Cyclez Maxi (a favorite of mine but pricey), Sweet Cheeks pads in different sizes. Most of mine are Sweet Cheeks because they are very comfy and work very well, they also are very affordable. I would like to try Happy Heiny's Mama Pads, but I haven't yet. They are just like the old Fuzzi Bunz pads that worked wonderful and were very reliable.

As far as washing goes, I just soak them in an covered container of cold water and wash them in a laundry bag with my family's daily laundry. It is very simple and isn't really any extra work. Just don't leave the soaking water more than a day, it gets really yucky.

Currently I am trying to design a better overnight pad for the heavier flow gals like me. I have ideas rolling around in my head, but I haven't acted on them yet. Cloth pads are kind of an odd hobby of sorts for me, because I want to have everything ready for when my 3 girls are of age. I want to know the best and have a wonderful package made up in advance to give them as a gift to celebrate that special time.