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When you pictured what breastfeeding would be like, you probably never imagined sore nipples, engorgement pain, or milk leakage just because you heard a baby crying — and no one warned you it didn’t even have to be your own baby crying to get your milk flowing!

It only takes one public milk-leaking incident to know that leaking through your shirt is a problem that needs a solution (and quickly).

The good news is that mothers have been dealing with breast milk leaks for decades, and companies have been hard at work perfecting the best nursing pads. Rest assured, amazing nursing pads exist, and we’re here to guide you to them!

Nursing pads are soft pads placed inside your bra. They work to help absorb any extra milk your breasts leak between feeds, so it doesn’t soak through your clothing or irritate your nipples.

They’re just one piece of a lineup that includes things like nursing bras and positioners that can make nursing easier, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

When shopping for nursing pads, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to go the disposable or reusable route.

Disposable nursing pads are intended for one-time use and can be thrown out after they’ve absorbed your breast milk for a period of time. Because they often come individually wrapped and you can throw them out after they’ve served their purpose, they’re great when you’re on the go.

Reusable nursing pads are designed to be washed and reused, making these types of pads ultimately more friendly to the environment — and your budget. Especially in the first few weeks with your newborn, extra laundry may not seem very appealing, but we’ll leave it up to you to do your own cost-benefit analysis!

Torn between disposable and reusable nursing pads? Don’t worry, many breastfeeding people actually stock up on a bit of both types!

When considering which pads really are the best, we took into account a variety of factors like absorbency, price, and material. And, of course, we weighed heavily what fellow parents had to say — after all, who better to judge what really stands above the rest?

These pads from Lansinoh (you might know them for their nipple cream) get rave reviews from breastfeeding moms — and there are plenty of reasons why.

They’re extremely soft, thin, super absorbent (thanks in part to their honeycomb lining), and even include adhesive strips to keep themselves in place.

According to the company’s responses to customer questions on Amazon, the pads are made primarily of a “fluffy pulp,” that’s a paper material. They also have a contoured shape for a discreet fit and come individually wrapped for easy access on the go.

Plus, their price is competitive and you can easily buy them in bulk for additional savings.

These soft, reusable pads are designed for comfort. Available in a thinner version for daytime wear and a thicker option for additional protection at night, Bamboobies bamboo-rayon-based pads are both eco-friendly and absorbent.

Although washing is never fun, these pads are easy to launder with all of your other baby-related loads. And since they can go in both the washer and dryer, you won’t have to worry about waiting a long time for them to dry.

As a bonus, many users say they get softer and softer every time you wash them!

These pads are made with antislip and antibacterial materials. (They’re certified Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, so you won’t have to worry about potential chemicals coming in contact with your skin.)

They come in slim, daytime, and nighttime sizes, and are contoured to follow the curve of your bra.

Curve pads are machine washable, so they can be reused. They’re also eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement. This is important, because the biggest downside to many users is the high price.

Unlike many reusable pads, these from BabyBliss have a contoured shape that allows them to cup the breast and avoid bunching. They even come in three different sizes to better match with your bra size.

Breastfeeding people also sing their praises for their soft, towel-like texture and satin-y exterior.

While the shape and structure of these pads allow them to stay hidden, you’ll want to be careful to choose the right color pad for your bra or top — some of the more colorful pads might show through your white shirt!

Focused on being thin, lightweight, and discreet, these pads are ideal for people looking to avoid the appearance and feel of a heavy-duty nursing pad.

Downsides? These pads aren’t individually wrapped if you want to take them with you in your purse or diaper bag. They also won’t protect your clothing if you have a heavy letdown between feeds. But if you just need a lightweight nursing pad for the occasional drip, this has you covered!

These nursing pads offer superior absorption during nighttime hours, though at nearly half an inch thick, they may feel bulky for daytime wear. Reviewers have found them relatively soft, and these pads offer adhesive strips on the back side so you won’t have to worry about losing one in the middle of the night!

These are very affordable and can be bought in bulk. If you end up being a fan of the overnight pads, Medela also makes an “ultra thin” version for daytime use.

If breastfeeding is leaving you with cracked, sore nipples, these soothing gel pads may feel better on your sensitive nipples than pads made of cotton or bamboo. Ameda’s gel pads can also be cooled in the refrigerator before using for some extra pain relief.

Landing somewhere between a disposable and reusable pad, these pads can be used for about 6 days before it’s recommended to discard them — they’re definitely not the most cost-effective option on this list, but if you’re in pain, it might be worth it. Just know that they aren’t designed to specifically absorb milk. They even get good reviews for being fairly unnoticeable!

These silicone pads stand out in a sea of cotton — and bamboo-based nursing pad options! Instead of focusing on collecting milk, LilyPadz aims to prevent milk from dripping out by placing gentle pressure on your nipples.

They adhere to you and not your bra, so they can actually stay put when you’re not wearing a bra.

The manufacturer claims that when washed appropriately these nursing pads can last up to 2 months. But even if they don’t make it that long, you can at least know that you’ve prevented a few pairs of disposable pads from ending up in the landfill.

If you’re planning on breastfeeding, you’ll want to have a supply of nursing pads to help keep you and your clothing dry and clean — or cleaner, at least. There are plenty of options to choose from, so you’ll want to consider a number of factors, including:

It can be hard to know exactly which pads you’ll like until you’ve actually tried them out. You may want to try a couple different types of disposable and reusable pads before investing too much in a particular one.

Nursing pads are designed for the nursing parent — not the baby. Choosing a nursing pad is a very personal decision. You’ll want one that stays in place over your nipple, absorbs any milk that you’re leaking, and doesn’t irritate your skin.

Newborns feed frequently, so some parents like to use chilled silicone pads designed for sensitive nipples after feeding. However, others may prefer pads that can be thrown out after each use. In this case, it’s completely up to you.

Using a nursing pad (and changing it frequently) between breastfeeding sessions is one of the best ways to stay dry. You may also want to use a nursing pad, haakaa, or other milk storage option on the opposite breast when your baby is feeding, since letdown can occur at the same time from both breasts.

It’s important to keep your nipples dry and clean so that they don’t become irritated or infected. Wearing a nursing pad and changing it frequently can help with this.

Nursing pads can also prevent milk leaking through you bra and T-shirt. This could help you avoid feeling embarrassed in public, or having milk stains on the chest area of shirts you wear throughout the day — or at night.

Whether your breast milk is just coming in or you’ve been breastfeeding for a while, you’ll probably want to avoid leaking through your shirt in public.

Having some nursing pads on hand (and in your bra) can help to keep you from constantly cleaning your shirts or feeling embarrassed. Happy breastfeeding!

Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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