Let’s face it, disposable nursing pads are expensive. And, have you looked at the price of reusable ones? Here is a quick and easy project how to make homemade nursing pads – and these are reusable and contoured, so they fit well.
Although you can make them out of any absorbent and washable fabric, using flannel keeps them soft and absorbent.
NOTE: Do not use any plastic or water repellent fabrics, as it is important for these pads to have breathable fabric.
How to Make Reusable Contoured Nursing Pads
Make your own reusable contoured nursing pads from 1/2 yard of flannel. These breast pads are more comfortable than store-bought disposable pads.
Easy to make, these nursing pads are good for the environment.
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Materials
- 1/2 yard heavy weight flannel, or 1 yard regular flannel
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- 5" circle template; a small bowl can work
- 6" ruler
- Frixion pen
Instructions
- Draw 5" circles on your flannel. I used a Frixiron pen. If you aren't familiar with them, you can draw or write on your fabric, take a bit of heat to it and your lines disappear. ALWAYS test on a scrap before using.
Cut them out - I had 30 circles with 1/2 yard of fabric. I used 3 layers for each nursing pad. - Mark the center of each flannel circle with your Frixiron pen.
- One at a time, fold each circle in half. Using your 6" ruler, measure in 1" on the edge. You'll sew from this point to the dot in the center, forming a dart. (Mark the stitch line before sewing, if desired.) This makes the pad contour to fit the breast and not be too bulky.
- Sew all of the way to the center dot.
Continue to sew darts in all of the circles. - Next, you want to layer the flannel circles to make the nursing pads more absorbent. With the heavy weight flannel, I layered 3 circles for each nursing pad. If you have regular weight flannel, I'd recommend 6 pieces of flannel circles for each nursing pad. When you layer them, stagger the darts and folded fabric so they aren't all stacked together - that would cause too much bulk. I layered them with the darts at 12, 4 and 8, like a clock. Also, the top and bottom layers had the darts folded to the inside.
- Here is another view of layering the circles of flannel to make thick and absorbent washable nursing pads.
- Now, zigzag stitch or serge around the circles! I didn't have my serger with me, so used the zigzag stitch on my sewing machine. I did zig zag around them twice, to make sure I captured all three layers.
- Here is another view of sewing the layers of darted flannel together to form an absorbent nursing pad.
Recommended Products
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Making your own pads are a cost-effective alternative to both disposable and purchased reusable nursing pads. They can be washed and reused, and they are environmentally friendly. By making your own you are reducing your environmental footprint, which is important to many new moms.
Another benefit is they are more comfortable and breathable. Use flannel as I suggest, or other cotton or bamboo fabric which are gentle to sensitive breasts, helping reduce irritation. Other natural fibers such as linen can be used, but linen can be irritating.
The multiple layers make these very absorbent, keeping your clothing dry. By making them yourself, you can make them any size or thickness. You can choose the fabric, too. There are no added chemicals or fragrances that may irritate the skin.
And, they are super easy to maintain. Toss in the washer and dryer!
By making and using reusable nursing pads there are economic, environmental and personal benefits. They are comfortable, customizable and eco-friendly while reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.
Tips and ideas for making your own nursing pads
Some tutorials suggest using a layer of fleece or polar fleece. Since fleece is generally a polyester fabric, I don’t recommend it. Polyester isn’t absorbent and can cause sore nipples. It may be soft, but not absorbent. 100% cotton flannel is both.
Other suggestions include visiting thrift stores for old flannel sheets or old cloth diapers to make nursing pads. Even though you’ll put them through a machine wash prior to cutting and sewing, I prefer to start with new thick flannel.
If you don’t have allergies, you can use fabric softener to make them a bit softer.
Use the reusable pads with a nursing bra.
Tip: Ready to wash the pads? Tuck them into a lingerie bag before tossing them into the washing machine!
Want to make them prettier? You can use printed cotton fabrics and add a top layer with darts. Jus remember – flannel side to the breast for wearing.
Browse through more projects for moms and babies on Create Whimsy.
