Secure. Press adhesive against your bra if it has adhesive, or bring your bra up to keep pad in place. If you carry your prosthesis in your hand luggage this is classed as medical equipment so won’t be restricted. Pam's breast cancer story Change breast pads when they’re damp to avoid constant moisture around the nipple which can foster the growth of bacteria. This is especially important when you have sore nipples with broken skin. Unresolved nipple pain may result in mastitis, a serious infection of the milk duct in the breast (2). Washing them in the washing machine along with a combination of ¼ cup bleach, 20 drops of tea tree oil, and 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract (NOT grapeseed extract).

The biggest potential risk when using breast pads is bacterial growth. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, so breast pads can become a breeding ground if you don’t change them frequently. Radiotherapy can sometimes cause your breast to become swollen a little. You may prefer to have your prosthesis fitted when you no longer have any swelling. I can’t recommend them enough. I have about 12 pairs. Come out of the wash brand new every time if you’re interested in reusable.”– Amie Regardless of your washing method, avoid all fabric softeners — both liquid softeners and dryer sheets — as fabric softeners can impact absorbency. 7. Disinfect Yeast (If Applicable)Nursing pads come in two varieties: reusable and disposable. Your choice really depends on your preferences and lifestyle. Reusable pads are more economical and eco-friendly, but need to be washed and sometimes air-drying is recommended. Disposables are convenient but costly, and often come with a lot of plastic and waste. How to use nursing pads Reusable breast pads are machine washable and can be used multiple times. They are made of various materials for improved comfort and absorbency. Using disposable breast pads for 2–4 weeks while setting your washed, dried reusable breast pads aside to allow the yeast to die off without chemicals.

The breast shapes come in different sizes, shapes and colours. Most women should be able to find something they are happy with on the NHS. But if not, there is more choice available if you buy your own from a manufacturer. I decided not to have a breast reconstruction. I felt that a mastectomy bra and breast sponge would be OK for me."To look after your prosthesis, you should wash it in warm soapy water and dry it daily. Partial or shaped prosthesis

Some recommend hand-washing, others hot water, while others specify cold-water washing only. The same goes for machine drying or line drying. The Minky ones are good for the big let downs I wear them at night. I wear the usual bamboo ones in the day as the waterproofing protects your clothing.”– Melly Disposable breast pads are discreet, relatively thin, single-use absorbent pads. Some come individually wrapped in plastic to ensure they are sanitary. Disposable Pads But disposable pads get expensive, and they're not wonderful for the environment. That’s why we strongly recommend investing in reusable nursing pads. They’re more comfortable than the disposable types that feel like maxi pads, and they save you a lot of money in the long run. They’re also surprisingly soft and comfortable when compared to their disposable counterparts. How We Chose If you or your baby have thrush, you’ll need to take some extra steps when cleaning your reusable breast pads as yeast can live in the fabric and survive the washing process. You can do this by:Before you hit the shops and decide on which breast pads are right for you, read our curated list of Australia’s best disposable and reusable breast pads to get you started in your search.

You can wear your usual prosthesis for the occasional swim or make your own swimming prosthesis by cutting an ordinary sponge to fit. However if you are a regular swimmer there are specially made swim prostheses that you can get. These you have to buy as they aren't available on the NHS. They don’t get damaged by the chorine and salt. Are you a pregnant or nursing mom? If so, you’ve likely experienced milk leakage. Unexpected leakage or let-down is a common occurrence that can be embarrassing if you’re not prepared.Just as with disposable breast pads, make sure your nipple is also dry before applying a clean pad. If your nipples are irritated, apply nipple cream before your breast pad. 3. Secure Pad In Bra Cup Warm, moist environments also encourage fungal growth. One particularly bothersome fungus to nursing mothers is candida, which causes thrush. Thrush can occur in the baby’s mouth and the mother’s nipple, where it causes painful symptoms such as itching and a flaky rash (3).