Leaking through your top in the middle of a supermarket queue is a rite of passage nobody asks for. Nursing pads are the quiet fix, and the first decision is whether to buy a box of disposables or a set you wash and reuse.
Quick answer: Reusable nursing pads usually win for everyday use at home: they are softer and more breathable for many mums, cost less over several months and create far less waste. Disposable pads win for convenience when you are travelling, out all day or leaking very heavily overnight. Many mums end up using reusables most of the time and keep a few disposables as backup.
Key takeaways
- Leaking is most common in the first weeks of breastfeeding and often eases as your supply settles, though some mums leak for longer.
- Change any nursing pad, reusable or disposable, as soon as it feels damp, because moisture against the skin can make nipples sore.
- Reusable pads are a one-off cost; disposables are a recurring cost that can add up to hundreds of pads over a few months.
- For reusables, have enough pads to cover a full day plus spares while others are being washed.
- If you notice redness, itching or a rash, try a different material and speak to your midwife or doctor.
What is the difference between reusable and disposable nursing pads?
Both do the same job: they sit inside your bra, absorb milk that leaks between or during feeds and protect your clothes. The difference is in the materials and what happens after use.
Disposable pads are usually made of an absorbent core with a plastic or film backing, often with an adhesive strip to keep them in place. You wear one pair and throw them away.
Reusable pads are made of fabric layers, such as bamboo or cotton, often with a waterproof outer layer. You wash and dry them, then wear them again.
Reusable vs disposable nursing pads: how do they compare?
| Factor | Reusable pads | Disposable pads |
|---|---|---|
| Cost over time | One-off purchase, reused for months | Ongoing; you keep buying boxes |
| Feel on skin | Soft fabric; breathable options available | Varies; some feel papery or warm |
| Absorbency | Good for everyday leaks; layered designs hold more | Often high, useful for heavy leaks |
| Staying in place | Contoured shape; no adhesive | Adhesive strip helps them stay put |
| Convenience | Needs washing and drying | Use once and bin |
| Waste | Very little | Several pads a day go to landfill |
| Best for | Home, everyday wear, sensitive skin | Travel, long days out, backup |
Are reusable nursing pads cheaper in the long run?
Usually, yes. The maths is simple. If you use 6 disposable pads a day for 3 months, that is about 540 pads. Even if your leaking eases sooner, you are buying boxes regularly through the early weeks.
With reusables, you pay once. A set or two covers daily rotation, and the pads keep going as long as they stay absorbent and in good condition. The trade-off is laundry time and a little planning so you always have dry pads ready.
Which nursing pads are better for sore or sensitive skin?
This is where reusable pads often come out ahead. Some mums find that pads with a plastic backing trap warmth and moisture against the nipple, especially in hot UAE weather. Soft, breathable fabric can feel gentler on skin that is already tender from the first weeks of feeding.
That said, any pad can cause problems if it stays wet. Whichever type you choose:
- change pads as soon as they feel damp;
- let your nipples air-dry for a few minutes after feeds when you can;
- avoid pads that feel scratchy or leave marks;
- check with your midwife or doctor if you notice persistent pain, redness, cracks or white patches, as these can have causes that need treatment.
If soreness is already an issue, our guide to sore nipples while breastfeeding covers the common causes and what helps.
How many reusable nursing pads do you need?
It depends on how much you leak and how often you do laundry. Use this as a starting point:
- Count your daily changes. In the early weeks, many mums change pads several times a day; heavy leakers may change more often.
- Double it for laundry rotation. You need one set in use and another being washed or drying.
- Add a spare pair for your bag. Keep them in a small pouch so they stay clean.
- Review after two weeks. If you are running out, add another set; if pads sit unused, you have enough.
The Turtees Reusable Nursing Pads come as a set of 6 pads with a mesh laundry bag, priced at AED 49. They are made from bamboo viscose, which is naturally hypoallergenic and breathable, and have a triple-layer design with a waterproof outer layer. The contoured fit works under any bra or a Turtees wearable pump. Mums who leak a lot often keep two sets so there is always a dry pair ready.
How do you wash and care for reusable nursing pads?
Good care keeps pads soft and absorbent for longer. Always follow the care instructions that come with your pads, and keep these habits in mind:
- Rinse used pads in cool water if you cannot wash them straight away, so milk does not set.
- Put pads in the mesh laundry bag so they keep their shape in the machine.
- Skip fabric softener, which can coat fibres and reduce absorbency.
- Dry pads fully before wearing; damp pads against the skin can cause soreness.
- Replace pads once they look thin, lose their shape or stop absorbing well.
For a full routine, read how to use, wash and replace Turtees reusable nursing pads.
When do disposable nursing pads make more sense?
Disposables are not the enemy. They are genuinely useful when:
- you are travelling or on a long day out with no way to store used pads;
- you are in hospital in the first days after birth and do not want to think about laundry;
- you are leaking so heavily at night that you want maximum absorbency;
- laundry is simply not happening this week, which is completely fine.
If heavy leaking is your main issue, it may be linked to a strong let-down or oversupply. Our guide to oversupply and fast let-down explains what can help. If most of your leaking happens on the other side during feeds, the Turtees T30 In-Bra Milk Saver sits in your bra and collects that let-down instead of letting it soak into a pad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are reusable nursing pads better than disposable ones?
For many mums, yes, for everyday use. Reusable pads tend to be softer and more breathable, cost less over a few months and create much less waste. Disposables are more convenient for travel, hospital stays and very heavy leaking. There is no wrong choice; plenty of mums use reusables at home and keep a few disposables in their bag.
How often should you change nursing pads?
Change nursing pads whenever they feel damp, whatever type you use. In the early weeks that may be several times a day, and more often if you have a strong let-down. Leaving wet pads against your skin can make nipples sore and uncomfortable, so it helps to keep spares in your bag and beside your bed.
Do reusable nursing pads leak through?
Well-designed reusable pads with a waterproof outer layer should keep milk off your clothes during normal leaking. They can overflow if left on too long or during a very heavy let-down. If that happens, change them more often or press gently on the nipple when you feel a let-down starting. Thicker disposables can help on heavy-leak nights.
How long do you need nursing pads for?
It varies. Many mums leak most in the first few weeks, when supply is still settling, and find leaking eases over the following months. Others leak for longer, especially during a let-down or when a feed is delayed. Some barely leak at all. Use them as long as you need them, and keep a pair handy for longer days out.
Can you use nursing pads with a wearable breast pump?
Yes. Many mums wear nursing pads between pumping sessions and on the side they are not pumping. Contoured reusable pads such as the Turtees set are designed to work under any bra or a Turtees wearable pump, including the Turtees T20 wearable breast pump. Remove the pad before fitting the pump flange and replace it with a dry one afterwards.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or paediatrician.
If you want softer, low-waste protection for the months ahead, a set of reusable nursing pads is a small investment that pays back quickly. Keep a few disposables for travel days and you have every situation covered. Still building your kit? Our breastfeeding starter kit guide lists what else is worth having.
Turtees is a UAE baby and breastfeeding brand built by fathers to support mothers, offering wearable breast pumps, feeding and baby-care essentials with delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
