Best Postpartum Pads
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
- Best Postpartum Maxi Pads Overall : Always Infinity Flex Foam With Wings
- Best Postpartum Pads for Stitches : Stayfree Ultra-Thin Overnight Pads With Wings
- Best for Postpartum Nighttime : Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear for Women
- Best Postpartum Pads for Sensitive Skin : Rael Organic Cotton Overnight Sanitary Pads
- Best Reusable Postpartum Pads : Heart Felt Overnight Long Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads
- Best Organic Postpartum Pads : Natracare Maternity Pads with Organic Cotton Cover
- Best Postpartum Pad-Ice Pack Hybrid : Medline Deluxe Perineal Cold Packs
Although they aren't nearly as cute as your baby's going-home outfit, postpartum pads are an essential item to include in your hospital bag.
It's true that during your stay in the hospital after giving birth, the nurses will supply you with comfy mesh underwear and huge hospital-grade pads. But not all women are fans of this particular combination, and many prefer to have their own supplies either for the hospital or once they head home.
Why do you need pads after giving birth?
After giving birth, new moms experience postpartum bleeding, called lochia (think of it as a long, heavy period). Because you'll also be busy feeding and diapering your new baby, you'll want to be sure that you have comfortable and leak-proof protection.
Even if you normally prefer tampons or menstrual cups, your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid them until you've had your six-week checkup, as they can increase your risk of infection during the postpartum period.
Lochia can last for up to six weeks, although it's typically heavy only for about a week to 10 days after delivery. You'll see it evolve as it changes from being red to pink to brown, and finally a yellowish white. Every woman experiences lochia differently, however, so you might not need postpartum pads for the same amount of time as another new mom.
What to consider when buying postpartum pads
If you normally wear pads during your menstrual periods, you probably have a general sense of what you prefer. Longer, thicker pads with wrap-around sides work well for nighttime and days when you have a heavier flow. Note that woven materials might be good at pulling moisture from the body, but can stick to tender areas with stitches, so you may prefer a smoother style if you're still healing.
Types of postpartum pads
There is some variety with postpartum pads. In general, you’ll choose from the following options:
- Classic pads. These postpartum pads have a typical shape and size, without any extra frills.
- Winged pads. Winged postpartum pads wrap around your underwear to provide extra protection against leaks.
- Organic pads. These postpartum pads are made from organic cotton.
- Reusable pads. For moms who prefer to reduce waste, these washable and reusable pads are a good option.
- Incontinence underwear. Also known as “adult diapers,” these postpartum pads make it easy to get protection from all angles.
How we made our picks for the best postpartum pads
Several factors went into the decision to include these postpartum pads. The What to Expect editorial team conducted research on popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of use, and even road-tested the postpartum pads at home. We also turned to real parents in the What to Expect Community to provide their reviews of the best postpartum pads they’ve used.
Here are the best postpartum pads to have in your new-mom kit — including pads for stitches, for overnights, for sensitive skin and more.
Best Postpartum Maxi Pads Overall
Always Infinity Flex Foam With Wings
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Reviews
Often called "the purple pads," these standbys are recommended frequently by moms in the What to Expect community, who rave about their thin silhouette and ability to keep moisture contained on heavy flow days. "It doesn't feel like you're sitting on something wet," one wrote.
Number of pads: 132
"I got Infinity Flex Foam, the most heavy duty ones they have. This is the only pad type I use, besides the huge diaper ones during the hospital stay, because otherwise I get irritated down there from bleeding for so long & the Infinity Flex Foam are the only ones that don’t get my skin irritated or rashy."
"I love the Always Infinity Flex Foam pads- they are thin, didn’t seem to snag on the sutures and wick away the blood and discharge."
Best Postpartum Pads for Stitches
Stayfree Ultra-Thin Overnight Pads With Wings
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Reviews
New moms love that Stayfree pads have a soft surface that won't aggravate stitches or tender, still-healing areas. The shape is designed to protect you from leaks when you're lying down, so they're also great for nighttime. Also good: Moms find them to be absorbent (the company claims they can hold moisture for 8 hours) but not overly bulky.
Number of pads: 120
"Stayfree overnights are awesome! I hate pads and those are still big enough but not super bulky. And if you get stitches they don’t pull on them like some of the more “woven” type materials on some pads."
Best for Postpartum Nighttime
Always Discreet Incontinence & Postpartum Underwear for Women
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Reviews
No, they're not technically pads. But these adult diapers, which are sold in both large and small/medium sizes, can still be helpful. When paired with an additional pad, they are popular as an overnight option, especially during the early days when lochia flow is heavy. They live up to their "discreet" name — most moms report that they didn't show under clothing or make noise as they walked around.
Number of pads: 56
"I am using Always brand adult diapers. I didn't know they existed but a friend gave me a pack. They have been awesome so far (my baby is 3 days old) I don't have to worry about anything leaking and they are pretty comfortable. As comfortable as wearing a diaper can be. Another bonus is that you can use wet things like Tucks or ice packs in them and not worry about it falling out and/or leaking."
"I wore [Always Discreet] diapers and got them again [for this pregnancy]. I didn't need anything else (no additional pad). They're made for a full bladder of urine, so they'll be more than equipped to handle postpartum bleeding."
Best Postpartum Pads for Sensitive Skin
Rael Organic Cotton Overnight Sanitary Pads
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Founded and launched by three women in 2017, Rael's pads are incredibly popular. The top layer is made from certified organic cotton, and women with sensitive skin love them. What's more, these pads are manufactured without pesticides, GMOs, chlorine and other harsh chemicals; and the company also works with a Los Angeles non-profit to donate menstrual supplies to women living in poverty.
Number of pads: 12
"They have an organic cotton cover that is easy on your skin, plus they're super long and flare out towards your butt to really prevent leaking."
Best Reusable Postpartum Pads
Heart Felt Overnight Long Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads
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Reviews
Prefer a postpartum pad you can reuse? Not only do these machine-washable pads win points for being cute and eco-friendly, but the middle layer is infused with charcoal bamboo to absorb odors. They stay in place securely, thanks to snaps that wrap around the bottom of your underwear (similar to the wings on disposable pads).
Make sure you wash the pad thoroughly by hand or throw it in the washing machine, and hang it to dry.
Number of pads: 5
"Their core has charcoal, which controls odor. And I can say it does an excellent job. There's no odor at all, unlike my experience with disposable pads. And so far, they have been less messy than disposable pads."
Best Organic Postpartum Pads
Natracare Maternity Pads with Organic Cotton Cover
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Reviews
These soft pads were designed for women with sensitive skin. The cover is made of certified organic cotton, and they're free of plastic, perfumes, dyes and chlorine. If you're eco-minded, you'll be happy to know that Natracare pads are also biodegradable and compostable, and come packaged in a recycled cardboard box. They're incredibly long and thick but don't have wings (although the company does also make an ultra-long version that has this feature).
Number of pads: 10
"Natracare maternity pads are awesome. They came in my home birth kit and I liked them so much I ordered more from amazon. They are thick, but once you are wearing them it isn’t bad. And it’s so nice they don’t stick to you like regular pads if you get hot, which you will with all those post baby hormone swings."
"I have highly sensitive skin and used [Natracare] with my last birth. Plan to use this brand again. I had no issues with it."
Best Postpartum Pad-Ice Pack Hybrid
Medline Deluxe Perineal Cold Packs
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Reviews
Truth: When you've just given birth and you're incredibly sore, well, everywhere, there's nothing like the incredible relief of having an ice pack in your underwear. You could make your own, but busy new moms love the convenience of these perineal cold packs, which are part pad and part ice pack. And since they don't require a freezer — you simply snap them in half and shake them to activate the cold — you can stash them in your bathroom. If you have extras after you heal, you can use them for bumps or sore muscles as you would a regular ice pack.
Number of pads: 24
"They don’t need to be kept frozen, break and shake and they’re cold! I liked these so much better than the homemade ones (and you don’t get as wet bc they don’t melt!)"
- WhatToExpect.com, Postpartum Bleeding (Lochia), May 2021.
- Cleveland Clinic, Pregnancy: Physical Changes After Delivery, January 2018.
- University of Michigan Health Library, Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth, October 2020.
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