Find out what our parent testers thought of Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads.
Tested by mum Faye Jones for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
I loved this product from the moment of opening it, the feel of the breast pads is so soft. They come in two sizes which is great for mums that don't have large breasts and for mums that have excess milk flow at night and need more protection. They are easy to wash and have durability to withstand several washes without deteriorating the quality of the product and softness of the fabric.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
This have made life easier as a mum as when using normal breast pads I found they made me sweaty and were thick therefore making me feel like I had something stuck to my breast all day, but with this product they are discreet and don't make a difference to clothing and are super absorbent.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The only thing I would change about this product to make it better would be to add an adhesive ring such as the ones that line bra straps that isn't sticky but is a rubber substance that would assist the pads to stay in place when you are lifting your baby and if you weren't blessed with large breasts.
Tested by mum Candice Sharp for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
These are the best breastpads I have tried so far. They are so soft they feel like a second skin. They come in two different sizes for day and night and only got better the more you washed them.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
These are a really good value for money and were so comfortable they made me a happier Mummy.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
Nothing, they are perfect!
Tested by mum Jane Hobday for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
These Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads are very soft and absorbent. They wash well - they do take a while to dry but the best thing about them is they seem to stop the milk coming out rather than collecting the milk so I never felt the need to replace them in the day. There are 2 sizes available which was good to have the bigger ones at night.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
These pads are brilliant so that you don't leak. I also felt really comfortable with them in. I prefer having washable pads as it saves going through packets of disposables.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The only thing I found with these Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads is that they would easily move during the day and night so on a couple of occasions I found one folded at the bottom of the bra cup.
Tested by mum Lisa Leyland for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
Very soft, washable, slim, absorbent breast pads that can be used over and over again, what’s not to love? It’s good to have a selection of sizes to adjust for flow or breast size. If you total up how much you spend on disposable breast pads it’s potentially around the same money. So if you were going to have more than one child, I would say that it would be more economical. However, every now and again these pads do slip, so some re-arranging is required, depending on the type of nursing bra that is used.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
When your breasts feel like they have been 10 rounds with Mike Tyson, it’s nice to have a soft feel against them to speed recovery, rather than an itchy, catchy bra or disposable pads. Due to the nature of the materials used, they cup the breast for better fuller coverage. They are also super absorbent making you feel secure & dry for the whole day.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The white tag sewn on the pad to show which way it goes is slightly annoying if you can be seen, so I believe this would benefit from being reviewed. I had a letter to say to wash before use, but it doesn't say that on the packaging anywhere.
Tested by mum Karen Rutherford for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
Such a great idea to have washable pads, they are so, so soft and comfortable and after a few washes they really increase absorbency. They hold lots of leaks and still feel nice next to the skin when wet.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
I can always have comfortable pads on the go and clean ready to use, it's so nice not to have scratchy material against the nipple. They are friendly to the environment too, so that's a nice little factor too.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
Can they make a snuggle blanket as they are so, so soft!!
Tested by mum Cheyenne Devine for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
These products are made from natural materials and feel very soft and natural against the skin. They come in 2 different sizes for day and night. The washing instructions are clear and they have no special washing requirements. I would recommend these as they feel as if you are not wearing breast pads at all and they have excellent absorbency. I would advise choosing carefully what to wear as you are able to see them through thin items of clothing.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
Being able to wash these pads is great and knowing they are natural is reassuring as they are good for the environment. There are no specific washing instructions therefore they can be washed easily with a normal load of washing. The pads do take a little longer to dry but they retain their softness once washed and do not shed their fibres.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The smaller breast pads did have a tendency to slip during the day and the embarrassment of a leakage was suffered on occasion. I think the edges of the breast pad could have a natural material (maybe a natural rubber) to cause friction against the bra to stop the pad from moving, preventing the embarrassment of milk leakage.
Tested by mum Amy Hasler for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
I would recommend these breast pads because they are really soft and absorbent, and do a great job of soaking up milk - without the need to have a big box of disposable ones creating rubbish, and the box has 2 sets of 2 sizes - 8 total, one a bit bigger for nighttime or times of serious leakage. The quality is excellent and natural bamboo viscose - and a very reasonable price for this. Especially if nipples are a bit sore, these pads are so soft, they are much better than disposable ones, they are also handy to whip out and use as good sick dribble cloths at times when nothing else is to hand!
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
These breast pads are a great price for the pack size and are washable and dry quickly, so dead easy to use and don't add to landfill rubbish. They don't curl up as much as cheap disposables, but do move around a bit during the day. They have other uses such as handy burp/dribble cloth, or tissue for noses when desperate!
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I don't know how it could be done, but these breast pads suffer from slippage as do all unattached things in bras so to be absolutely fabulous, perhaps there could be a kind of thin silicone/rubber outline to them to help stop them move around. Also the label is a bit itchy - obviously this can be cut off though.
Tested by mum Heather Harkness for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
As a breastfeeding mum, finding the right products that are both comfortable and affordable can be quite tricky. I was delighted to test the Mama Designs Bamboo Washable breast pads, as I'd never tried out a reusable brand before, and I'd heard some good things. I wasn't disappointed! The Pads come in a box of 8, two pairs of regular size, and 2 pairs of large, the larger ones for both night time feeding or those with a heavier flow of milk. They are super soft and comfortable, super absorbent, and naturally antibacterial; perfect for you and baby. They are discreet, portable and well worth the price for the amount of use you get from them. I'd never buy disposable pads now I have these!
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
I don't have to waste lots of extra money on buying disposable pads! One box of these was enough for me, as I am now feeding a toddler & have an established supply. This compared to buying a box of disposables every month is amazing! Pop them into your normal wash, so no extra washing is necessary!
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I would probably try to incorporate some kind of Velcro onto one side so they stick in place better. These pads are quite prone (especially if you have a larger bust) to moving around a bit and can get bunched up, which can be slightly embarrassing if you keep having to adjust them!
Tested by mum Natalie Crosland for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
These breast pads are soft, comfortable and absorbent. They come in two different sizes for day and night. The price might be off-putting, especially as you would probably need at least two sets however if you breastfeed for a long time then you definitely get your money's worth, not to mention cutting down the amount of waste produce. I would recommend washing them in a net bag as they do like to get caught in the nooks and crannies of the washing machine.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
The washable pads are much more comfortable than disposable pads and I found them great for wearing at night. They can be tumbled dried on low which quickens the turnaround time.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
I would include a pouch or bag to carry them in to keep clean ones fresh and also to put used/wet ones in.
Tested by mum Kelly Dunlop-Chatburn for the M&B Awards 2016:
Why would you recommend this product to a friend/fellow mum?
I would recommend the Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads to nursing mothers as they are super soft, comfy and discreet. The Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads are surprisingly absorbent and there is no breast pad rustling as with some of the disposables. I also like the thought that the reusable pads are more environmentally and economically friendly than the disposables.
How does this product make your life easier as a mum?
The best thing about the Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads is the comfort of the material used to make the pads. However, I ended up using the Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads for emergencies and spares only as I found my nipples stuck to the pads after any leaks had been absorbed.
If you could change one thing about this product what would it be?
The Mama Designs Bamboo Washable Breast Pads lose their shape a bit when washed, so they very quickly do not look as aesthetically pleasing as before the product is washed - which is ok as they are not really meant to be seen by others. Even after being washed the pads leave a lot of fluff on your clothes and breasts. I found the pads were more absorbent than I thought they’d be, but I did experience some leakage.