7 nursing pads every breastfeeding mum needs in her bag

Shortlisted for Best Product for Breastfeeding (excluding breast pumps) at the Mother&Baby Awards 2019

The Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads prioritise comfort and security and are one of the most popular nursing pads on the market - with good reason. They come with excellent leak-proof coverage featuring a Blue Lock core to ensure that moisture stays locked in and a waterproof layer that keeps your clothes protected. They can hold up to 20 times their own weight whilst still retaining their shape. Plus, the soft, stay-dry lining draws milk away from the skin and into the core of the pad, where it is absorbed by a special polymer to prevent leakage.

We love that they have non-slip adhesive tape to keep them in place, with the contour design helping to create a natural fit that won't show under your clothes. Plus, each pad comes individually wrapped for convenience and hygiene – perfect for portability, too; just slip them into your handbag or nappy bag. Our parent testers gave some useful feedback on the product. They thought the absorbency was good, but some felt they were a bit pricey for disposables. One of our mum testers, Abi, says she would choose them if she could regularly afford to, but feels there are cheaper options that would last longer and be more comfortable. Mum tester Sarah, on the other hand, says, "They aren’t particularly expensive, and they last for a full day without much rolling or creasing, unlike some other pads." She admits they wouldn’t necessarily be her top choice, though, as other cheaper brands are just as good quality.

There were mixed opinions on how the pads stayed in place. One mum tester, Stacey, fully recommends them, saying they're so simple to use and stay firmly in place with their sticky back, which she found to be essential. She also liked how absorbent they were and described them as not too slimline. Mum Jenny, on the other hand, says, "I found that the pad bunched and dislodged when I pulled my bra down to feed. The sticky back was sometimes attached to my breast, which was uncomfortable to pull off." Jessica likes that the pads have two sticky bits instead of just one to prevent the pad from moving around as much; Sarah had to constantly reapply hers following a feed, saying, "They wouldn’t move during wearing but would fall off when the bra was released in order to feed.

Read our full Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads with Blue Lock Core review

This nursing pad is designed to stay put for longer, and uniquely shaped to your breast for the perfect fit and superior absorbency. We love that these disposable nursing pads are wrapped in pairs, meaning less wasteful packaging and more convenient unwrapping. It's also convenient when you're travelling with them. One mum reviewer says that these are great for larger-chested ladies. She found them to be very comfortable to wear and says they are the best she's tried. Unfortunately, another mum didn't have much luck with these staying in her bra.

New from Lansinoh, these innovative hydrogel pads offer instant cooling relief for those experiencing nipple damage, helping to soothe soreness and help heal between feeds. You can even pop them in the fridge for an enhanced cooling effect! One mum reviewer says, "These helped me out so much. My baby was poorly and also having a growth spurt at the same time, so was feeding constantly. It was so sore! These gel pads were so easy to use... discreetly worn inside my bra between feeds and instantly effective!" The soft fabric backing protects from rubbing and irritation, while the absorbent gel helps prevent leaking. You only get two in a pack, but you can reuse these pads for up to three days if needed.

Unlike other brands, the contoured shape of these eco-friendly pads moves to fit your breasts, so there is no bunching in your bra or sliding around. Plus, the neutral colour won't show through clothing. With a total of four layers to each pad (including a waterproof layer and three absorbent, soft bamboo layers), you're unlikely to get any leaks. One first-time mum says, "My baby sometimes sleeps for seven hours at night, and although my boobs become very full and sore, these pads have not leaked once, even though they're saturated on the inside."

She found them incredibly comfortable to wear and super absorbent, and she liked that they didn't irritate the skin. She says, "It seems as though they're designed to wick moisture away from the surface layer, and so far, I've not had any problems with feeling damp or chafed.' She also says they wash brilliantly and dry quickly, and so far, she hasn't noticed any smell of sour milk stink coming from them, even when they've sat in the laundry basket for a few days. The only criticism she had was that they weren't as slim as she'd prefer.

One reviewer said these pads would be better with a sticky side. However, because they are washable, reusable pads can't have sticky tabs. In general, due to the contoured shape of the pad, most mums haven't reported issues with them moving about too much. In fact, one mum reviewer said, "These pads are large and comfortable to wear day and night and seem to stay put better than the disposable ones I had been using."

NUK Ultra Dry Nursing Pads provide great absorption and long-term moisture retention to keep you comfortable. They are also thin and contoured, making them virtually invisible under clothing. This product comes with MilkLock technology, which is designed to trap all leaks, and the soft inner fabric will keep you feeling safe and confident.

One mum reviewer who has tried many different breast pads because she has fast milk flow and lets down randomly throughout the day says, "A lot of others leaked or became too heavy, but these were up to the challenge! I am very happy with them and will buy them again! " She also likes that they don't come in too much packaging like other brands, as it means less faffing in the middle of the night or if she needs to grab one quickly or one-handed.

Shortlisted for Best Product for Breastfeeding (excluding breast pumps) at the Mother and Baby Awards 2015

Medela Disposables are made with superabsorbent materials designed to prevent leakage and maintain dryness while still staying discreet under your clothing, making the breastfeeding process much more comfortable for you and your little one. We really like the inclusion of the natural fibre lining for more delicate skin and nipples, and they have adhesive strips to keep them in place. One mum reviewer likes the adhesive strips but says, "They can, however, be slightly bulky and are sometimes visible over the top of the bra cup, but if placed properly in the bra, then there should be no problem." Another reviewer prefers the larger size for better coverage and less chance of leaking.

Read our full Medela Disposable Bra Pads review

These ultra-thin and highly absorbent NatureBond nursing breast pads are so discreet that only mums know they are wearing them. This product is perfect for gym workouts and nights out as they don’t make your bra look too bulky or pointy, giving you confidence and a feeling of security. One mum reviewer noticed that these pads seem to hold more liquid than other pads and found them to be ideal for night use. She also liked the sticky pads, which meant they didn't detach or slip.