The Turtees Reusable Nursing Pads are designed for absorbency, discretion, and durability — lasting the full duration of your breastfeeding journey when cared for correctly. Here's everything you need to know to get the most from them.
What You Need
A minimum of 8–10 pairs gives you a workable rotation: some in use, some drying, some clean and ready. In the early weeks when letdown leaking is heaviest, some mums need up to 4 changes per day on each side — 8 pads daily. Having enough pairs means you're not hand-washing emergency pads at 2am.
How to Wear Them
Place one pad in each bra cup with the softest, most absorbent side facing your skin. The pad should sit flat, covering the entire nipple and areola with a small overlap beyond. Smooth out any folds or creases before putting your bra on — folds reduce absorbency and can create pressure points on sore nipples.
When to Change
Change as soon as pads become damp — do not wait until they're soaked through. Prolonged moisture against the skin breaks down the delicate nipple tissue and creates a warm environment that encourages thrush. Most mums find they need to change every 2–4 hours in the early weeks, extending to every 4–6 hours as leaking settles.
Immediate After-Use Care
Rinse used pads in cold water immediately after removing them. Cold water is essential — it prevents milk proteins from binding to the fibres and causing permanent staining and odour. Do not use hot water for the first rinse. After cold-rinsing, they can go into a wet bag until laundry day.
Washing
Machine wash at 40–60°C with a gentle, fragrance-free detergent. Never use fabric softener — it coats the fibres and dramatically reduces absorbency. Do not use bleach or harsh stain removers on the absorbent layer. If you need to treat a stain, cold water and a small amount of mild soap, worked in gently before washing, is the safest approach.
Drying
Air dry in sunlight where possible — natural UV has a mild bleaching and antibacterial effect. Machine drying on a low setting is acceptable but repeated high-heat drying degrades the absorbent fibres over time. Avoid tumble drying on high heat. Dry fully before storing in a closed bag or drawer to prevent mould development in humid conditions.
When to Replace
Replace pads that no longer lie flat (the fill has compressed and lost absorbent structure), that retain odour despite correct washing, that have visible staining that doesn't respond to pre-treatment, or that have worn or frayed edges. A well-maintained set of Turtees Reusable Nursing Pads typically lasts the full breastfeeding period of 6–24+ months.
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