Cloth Pad Review

My experience with Cloth Pads started after my menses resumed (when Arthur is 18 months old... delayed due to breastfeeding).

Having tried it out for about 3 months now, I believe a review is in order ;) Please note, though, that this review is more towards comparing the different systems used in Cloth Pads rather than the different brands of Cloth Pads available.

Unlike Cloth Diapers, I did not really spend much on cloth pads. Reason being, I am trying out the different systems used instead of experimenting with fabric choices.

It's pretty clear now I can sew more of the system I like for my future stash. I am pretty happy for the Cloth Pads to be constructed with just flannel anyway.

DIY Cloth Pad... Pocket with Inserts

This is my very first stack of Cloth Pad for myself. Due to the excitement to try cloth, I'd sewn this even before my menses resumed. The DIY instructions can be found online, together with instructions for cloth diaper sewing ;)

I had no idea that the very first system I've sewn up is the system I love best. It's pocket style where you can actually control the absobency level by varying the kind of inserts used. Just like your pocket CD. The two smaller pads you see on the right are the inserts. They are made with 5 layers of flannel, all sewn in... I'm not really heavy on my menses, so, two sets of the inserts work well for me as daytime pads.

For myself, I did not put in any waterproof barrier. I find this more comfortable though you might want to opt for those with PUL backing if you are starting on Cloth Pads or if you are mainly out of the house most days. Otherwise, with use, you will be able to know when is the time to change without being fearful of an overflow.

Sckoon Giza Organic Cloth Pads

Skcoon was the one particular brand of Cloth Pad I 'ooohed' and 'aaaahhed' over when I was researching on Cloth Pads. The colours are trendy, the organic cotton has got good reviews. The first thought that came to my mind when I first 'met' Sckoon was "Now, that's a clever system".

Like aforementioned, I am more interested in trying out different systems. So, even when this was quite pricey, I didn't mind getting a set of it just to check it out. Especially when it's organic. Have I mentioned I've got a thing for organic stuff? Clothing included.

Anyway, to be honest, I was really impressed at how comfortable and soft the organic cotton felt. I even held it to my face!

However, it is quite disappointing when I found that the fabric shrinks... after which, it no longer fits into the holder. I ended up having to fold it lengthwise... meaning, less absorption.. huh... definitely not the system for me.

Also, the snaps sometimes come undone by itself. Embarassing this may sound but there was a time when the pad totally came off when I was preparing to pee.

To top it all, the waterproof layer is not so waterproof, after all.

I am usually not so much a critic but with the price they charge... I'd reckon it's goodwill keep others informed.

So much so for a clever system where you supposedly can just replace the inserts for a clean feel... :(

Moon Sister Cotton Menstrual Pad

From the very day I purchased this, I had a feeling that this is not for me. How true that is... This is also a pocket style cloth pad, only the pockets open a different way and the outer shell is claimed to be handmade in Japan. The sturdy construction of the outer shell did somewhat impressed me for a moment.

As a start, I didn't like that the inserts are jsut two pieces of towel hanky sewn together... I am open to ideas... so, I tried it on anyway... no.. way too bulky with those hanky.

While the outer shell looks sturdy and all.. it's much too sturdy for a comfortable feeling, if you know what I mean.

This is one pad that ended up unused after the first couple of uses. huh...

Homemade Mama Ultimate II Cloth Pad

These are soft.. these are comfy.. these are absorbent.. these are great! Only drawback.. price. Then again, as with CD, I would say they are worth your sen. After all, I am a sucker for comfort and I believe in spending more on things that cannot simply be acquired from Malaysia.

Only reason why I didn't go for more is I don't really need pads for heavy flows.

Generally, though, I am not so fond of AIOs type cloth pads as I just cannot go past the feeling that it's not clean enough. With pocket style pads, I can remove the inserts and wash them seperately... Just me, I guess.

Wet bag of Recycled material

Call me stingy but really, let's just say I'd rather use the money for a wet bag on a CD. I know they must have their worth but I'm just not willing to part with the money for a CD for a wet bag. After all, mine will not be used to contain dripping wet swimsuits or CDs. Just need one that is good enough to keep odour at bay.

Ok, it all started with this:

In search of a cheaper option to a wet bag, I bidded and won the above item from ebay at less than USD 6, postage included. Quite happy with the win, I received the above item only to find that it is nothing like the laminated PUL for the CD... (not quite sure if a wet bag's PUL is meant to be laminated, though). Initially, I must admit that I was a bit disappointed. Then again, after trying it out, I am happy with it. It did keep odour at bay!
I tried pouring water directly into it... no leaks, too! So, it was a good buy, after all, dismissing the uneven stitches...

I'm not sure what a wet bag should look like as I never owned a proper one (is there such thing as a proper one?) or, I never owned one sold by those selling CDs but this one is simply an outer layer of fabric sewn with something like canvas for tents as the inner, waterproofing layer?

Anyway, it was working for me with my CDs. I was about to bid on it again for smaller ones to contain my cloth pads when I came across this lying in my store room:
It is a broken indoor pool. How it broke... ask my little Arthur... I just knew I could use it for something... Anyway, inspired by my ebay purchase, I tried my hands on making a mini wet bag out of the bottom layer (waterproofing) material.

It works! Happy!

Ready, Set, Go!

Ok... Now that I am done building up a stash for Arthur, it's about time I try cloth for myself. I have indeed tried it before but for only a day or two towards the end of the cycle or before the cycle starts... as a precaution. That was with the pad I'd sewn...

These are made from 100% cotton flannel fabric and I'd sewn some for a friend of mine to test them out before my menses resumed (delayed due to breastfeeding).

I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they felt compared to disposables. No scratch... no odour... no pulling out the hair *ouch**.. yes, you know what I mean... sorry, guys, this is not for you (but you can read up for your other half ;). My hubby would ;))

The pads I'd sewn myself are stuffable and their absorbency are adjustable. I thought that would be THE system for me until my friend informed me that some would prefer AIO... This friend of mine also introduced me to another system.. the Sckoon system...

Just like my DS's CDs, I'd decided to try them out...

With a few purchases here and there, I now have the following to try out during my next menses. Will update you with a review once I have actually used them and am satisfied (or not... though I'm sure anything would be better than disposables) with them.

Sckoon GIZA pads.. interesting system where you can actually just change the liners, provided that the covers are not soiled. The organic Egyptian cotton is just soooo soft you'd want to hold it next to your face! Got this from ebay.com though I later found out from Sharine's blog that you can actually get them in Malaysia from FemChoices. Upon checking, I'd found that FemChoices actually sells cloth pads at a competitive price, too. Thanks, Sharine, for putting up the link.

Homemade Mama pads... AIO... from http://www.miabambina.com/. Believe it or not, I have been eyeing these pads for quite some time before I know that Miabambina is offering them. Stumbled upon them while doing my research on cloth pads. The materials are so soft. I was a bit reluctant to try out AIOs as I was afraid they will take ages to dry... well, will let you know about that...

Ok. This Moon Sister pad is from Justlife organic shop. I have seen them on sale more than a year ago but just didn't give it much thought then. Then, Arthur was not on CDs. Then, I had the same idea as most that the idea seems gross... Now, all's in my mind is what could be worst than a landfill of disposables?? So, the last time I returned to KL, I headed to a Justlife shop and got one... was wanting to get more than one as it was only RM22 each for a double inner pad but thought I'd just buy one and open it to check it out first... unlike my other purchases, I was disappointed as the inner pads simply turned out to be...

... a double layer of hanky? Yes, those hankies that sells for less than RM1. Not even sure if they are 100% cotton, too. The snaps are just simply metal snaps that's usually require hand sewing (I know I missed a photo! I'll make it up in my review). The cover seems a bit coarse to my liking.
Then again, who knows... it might work well.

Something interesting that I'd found from the packaging from the Moon Sister pad, though is that the water used to soak the pads are good for your plants. Sounds logical, doesn't it? Not many have highlighted that, though.

So, yes, I am all set and ready to go full on cloth for my next menses.

Organic Mama Pads

In my quest to reducing waste for a better environment, I have started researching, sewing and using cloth mama pads. Yes, I have sewn some out of the oh-so-good cotton flannel that I love so much and it has proven to be good. They are just so much more comfortable to use (not to mention saving money and trees in the long run) that I search more and more about what is available - the organic option - just to try if it's better.

Came across Sckoon organic mama pads and a look at the site makes it hard to resist getting some of them to try! Also, could it be a better system since it's using liners?... Yes, my purchase arrived today:

Those organic Egytian cotton is just so soft you'd want to put them next to your face! Need I say more? Anyway, shall try them out and review it after I use them with my next menses. I just have the feeling that I will be getting more of them. ;)

Mama Pads

While I cannot say that I qualify as an environmentalist, I would like to think of myself as trying my best to care for the environment through the simple three steps : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Especially so now when I have a child for "...we did not inherit the earth from our ancestors... we borrowed it from our children..."

As such, I always believe that what we borrowed should be returned in its original condition... we really should do our bit for Mother Nature.

While Cloth Diapers is a great way to reduce waste and encourage reusability.. it is also better for my baby's bum bum... which led me to think... shouldn't mama be wearing cloth, too?

Well, thoughts went back to the time when Mom told me that we are so lucky that pads and tampons are available these days... in her days... she had to use cloth... who do you think is the lucky one here?

Anyway, it is with these thoughts that I searched the Internet... only to find that people still use cloth menstrual pads and like the CDs for my darling, they are good for the environment and even better for people who uses them... which led me to experiment with them ( I might be sewing CDs, too.. one day... when I get suitable fabric...)

I have been experimenting with some mama pads for a while. As I am still breastfeeding, I am unable to test it out for absorbency.. Glad that a friend of mine offered to help... these are what I made for her...

... just like the diapers for my dear son, they are stuffable and adjustable for absorbency, with a layer of nylon sewn in to make it leak proof... I shall be sewing more of them shall it turn out to be ok... will wait for my friend's feedback and I shall keep it posted here, too