Nursing pads

nursing pads are interesting little things. they seem simple, but they have proven to be more complicated for me than they should be...especially in the early morning hours.

the first time i used them was after i arrived home from the hospital. they came in the shape of a half circle and had little rectangles on each side that peeled off. i thought the rectangle said "lanolin" so i peeled it off and stuck that part to my nipple, thinking that it was a rectangle of lanolin which would be soothing. well, it wasn't too soothing to peel that sucker off of my sore nipple! on second look, the rectangle said "lansinoh" which is the brand name of the nursing pads. oh, i realized that the pad expands to a circle (just have to open it up) and the little rectangles cover glue that helps hold the pad to your bra. that's right people, i was sticking the glue part to my sore nipples! duh. my mom and i had a good laugh about this one.

i've continued to use the pads at most times because my milk supply has come in full force. the couple times i've gone without them, i end up soaking through my shirt (luckily not in public...yet). they are irritating to sore nipples so i wish i didn't have to wear them, but i don't think i have a choice.

the other issue i've had with the pads is putting them in backwards in the early morning hours after i feed the baby. i'm so bleary-eyed at that time that i don't realize what i'm doing. then i end up waking up at a normal time with those damn things stuck to my nipples again! i just can't win.

some people have suggested other options, but the reviews aren't very promising. not sure if there is a good option for me except to pay more attention to what i'm doing!