Breast pads are among the most popular gifts at baby showers. In fact, an expectant mother might receive more than she needs. That means there are leftovers. This can leave you wondering if your breast pads expire?
Breast pads are usually individually wrapped which means they won’t expire or spoil if they’re stored correctly. Keep breast pads in a cool, dry environment such as a cupboard or drawer. As an added precaution you can store them in an airtight container. This applies to all the major brands.
Do disposable breast pads expire?
Disposable breast pads, often referred to as nursing pads, don’t have expiry dates on the packaging. This means they don’t expire and can easily be kept for your next baby! Keep them stored in a cool, dry environment. For convenience, store them with your favorite breast pump (Willow vs Elvie vs Freemie) and other feeding accessories.
How long do reusable breast pads last?
Most reusable breast pads last for 2 or 3 months and afterward, they should be replaced. Reusable breast pads are generally more costly than the disposable kind since they can be used several times. Depending on the brand you’re using, they can either be machine or hand washed.
Expiration of popular breast pads
After knowing how many nursing pads you need you might have, you want to know if the most popular breast pad brands (e.g. Lansinoh, Medela, and Pigeon) expire. Let’s have a look at why they’re among the top choices and their expirations.
Do Lansinoh breast pads expire?
Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads are a common choice for new mothers and the good news is, that they don’t expire.
The Lansinoh Stay Dry Disposable Nursing Pads provide extra absorbency and provide maximum protection. Designed to be super soft on sensitive skin, the waterproof lining prevents leaks. The breast pad also features a New InvisiLock Core which easily captures moisture and disperses it away from the skin. The box has 200 pads that are individually wrapped for hygiene and convenience!
Here’s a short clip to show you how to use the Lansinoh disposable breast pads!
Do Medela breast pads expire?
Medela breast pads, like those from Lansinoh, don’t expire. Simply keep the unused pads in their individual wrapping and store them in a cool, dry place. If stored correctly, they can easily be kept for the next baby in your family or friend circle.
The Medela Nursing Pads are the top-recommended nursing pad products in the U.S. Since they’re made from ultra-absorbent materials that promote dryness and prevent leakage. Double adhesive tape ensures the pads stay firmly in place, making them comfortable and discreet under clothes. They’re available in packs of 30, 60 or 120, each individually wrapped.
For moms who prefer the Medela brand, when comparing Medela vs Lansinoh in terms of pumps, the good news is that they make a nifty pump as well.
Do Pigeon breast pads expire?
Unlike the other brands of breast pads, Pigeon nursing pads do expire and aren’t recommended to be kept longer than two years after the date of manufacturing. The breast pads need to remain unopened and stored in a cool, dry cupboard or drawer.
Pigeon Breast Pads come in packs of 120 and feature an absorbing honeycomb sheet surface. They’re BPA-free, breathable, and absorb excess moisture. Not only do they prevent leakage, but they’re comfortable to wear as well!
How to store breast pads for maximum lifetime
Breast pads come in plastic packaging. If you want to increase the lifespan of your products, take the pads out of the packaging and place them in an airtight container. Never remove the individual wrapping until the pad is needed. Keep the container in a cool, dry cupboard or drawer away from any exposure to moisture or dampness.
What can you do with old nursing pads?
If there aren’t going to be any more babies in your family or friend’s circle, you might be wondering what to do with your excess breast pads. Here are a few useful ideas:
- Use as makeup or nail polish remover cloths
- Keep to use as a cold compress and add to your first-aid kit
- Use as cleaning cloths for tiny hands
- Great for cleaning mirrors and glass tables (since they’re lint-free)
- Place in shoes to prevent blisters
- Wear under camisole to prevent nipples from showing
- Use them for toddlers who want to help with the cleaning
- Donate any usable breast pads to a parenting charity
How often should you change breast pads?
There’s no hard and fast rule to changing your breast pads. The number of breast pads you use depends on how much you leak. Moms who have a heavy leak might need to change their breast pads as often as 6 times a day. Some moms prefer to change breast pads after every feeding session or use a breast pump (e.g. from my comparison between Naturebond vs Haakaa) while other moms only change breast pads after leakage.
It might be a good idea to buy a variety of disposable and reusable breast pads. This way you won’t be “stuck” with no reusable breast pads if your leakage is more than anticipated.
Final thoughts
If you received several boxes of breast pads at your baby shower, you no longer have to wonder what to do with all of them! If you have excess, the good news is, that they don’t expire and can easily be kept for the next baby in your home or family circle.
With the tips I’ve mentioned, you can easily find something useful to do with breast pads you aren’t going to use. With correct storage, you can rest assured your breast pads won’t expire!
