Stiff as a board (Avent Washable Breast Pads)

Member Name: sweetdaisy

Product:	Avent Washable Breast Pads
Date:	20/11/08 (749 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: are washable, cost effective

Disadvantages: not a good fit, don't mould to the shape of your bra

I have been breastfeeding my son for 5 months and feel that I am now able to review Avent Washable Breast Pads. For anyone who has breastfed, there is nothing worse than getting caught short (especially when out and about) and finding that you have wet patches on your tops! So I purchased Avent Washable Breast Pads at Boots for £4.99 after reading good reviews about them, but unfortunately I found them disappointing.

There are 6 washable breast pads and a laundry bag in the box. I decided to buy two boxes as I thought that one wasn't enough, but looking back I was too hasty in buying another box. The breast pads are quite big in size, so that they are suitable for various breast sizes. These breast pads are soft to the touch and the absorbent padding draws moisture away from the skin and traps it behind a leak proof liner.

The pads have a soft-brushed cotton lining which is soft and gentle against the skin and didn't cause any rashes or spots. They also look quite pretty as they have an embroided flower pattern on the front, not that anyone will be seeing this pretty design! The flower pattern is supposed to act as an anti-slip lace outer layer, but for me it wasn't very effective.

Included in the bag is a white laundry wash bag, which has a drawstring to keep the pads inside. This looks very similar to the ones you get with laundry detergent and tabs. The pads are machine washable and can be dried in a Tumble Dryer on the cool setting.

So, why don't I like them? Unlike disposable breast pads, these are quite stiff as the material is quite thick, so that it absorbs the milk. Unfortunately when you wear them you can see the outline in your tops. Even after a few washes the pads don't seem to soften at all and don't follow the fit of your bra. I have tried various bras with these and they don't provide a flawless fit. This is a big disappointment for me, as they look so obvious and are not an attractive look.

I found that the pads tend to move about a lot in your bra, especially at night. My son still wakes 2-3 times at night for feeds and I always single side breastfeed, so at night I end up with one breast bigger than the other. This makes the breast pads move when I am sleeping. Also when I get a letdown of milk; the pad doesn't always absorb the milk, so I end up with wet patches on my bra. The only way I can manage to keep the pads in place is by constantly readjusting my bra straps throughout the night.

The only advantage I can think of is that the Washable Breast Pads are more cost effective than buying disposable pads as they are reusable, so you are saving money.

In my overall opinion, I don't like the Advent Washable Breast Pads and am giving them 2 out of 5. The only reason I haven't given them 1 star is that they are washable, so in the long run it does save money compared to buying disposable pads. Other people may like these, but they are not for me as they move about too much and don't mould to the fit of your bra, leaving a visible outline.

For more information, please go to www.phillips.com/AVENT
AVENT, Suffolk, CO10 7QS, England
Freephone 0800 289064

Thanks for reading xx
© sweetdaisy 2008

Summary: washable breast pads