homemade nursing pads
Credit: NJW | ©NJW
Create a "greener" World for Your Children by Not Throwing so Much Away
Living "green" has been on my mind a lot lately. One of my earliest recollections of a recycling campaign had a poster with the following quote: "If you're not recycling, you're throwing it all away." With four small children I'm constantly thinking about how I can make the world they live in a better place. By taking a look at day-to-day life, things we automatically use and discard, we can find ways to be a little more "earth-friendly." This can oftentimes mean a fatter wallet in return.Have you considered the many necessities you can make yourself? Think about all things "disposable" you have and brainstorm ways to either recycle them or to make reusable ones in their place.
One item you can start with if you are a nursing mother or know a nursing mother is:
Reusable Nursing Pads
To make your own pair of reusable nursing pads you will need:
approximately two 5"x20" pieces of flannel
scissors
sewing machine or serger
matching thread
I use a CD as my circle pattern. I place it on the fabric, outline it and cut it out. Each nursing pad takes four circles (approximately 5 inch diameter each) stacked together and sewn all around the edge. A serger makes it way faster and without fraying edges. Or you could zig-zag all around.
What really works for me is using old receiving blankets that are nice and soft from multiple washings. You could use old flannel shirts or sheets too. Stains or wild prints don't matter since only the nursing baby will see them. :) So check out your yard sales and thrift stores for some flannel and make your own! I'd recommend sewing a few pairs so you don't run out while they're washing. And to wash: just toss them in with your regular wash or towels and then into the dryer.
A box of disposable nursing pads costs about as much a whole yard of flannel fabric. You could make several pairs of nursing pads from one yard of fabric. These would make a great gift for an expecting mom.
What frugal or "green" tips work for you?
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Comments
sherrie
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/12/2009
i am looking for how to make water proof pads for chairs if anyone can help thank you
Sherrie
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/12/2009
i am looking for away to make a pads for a chair for some people sit in chairs do not want to get up so it will get things all wet so can some one help me were it can be washable thank you
Grandma Nan
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/29/2009
Has anyone tried using one layer of mcrofiber towel? The microfiber is very soft and absorbs much better than flannel.
Tenessa
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/29/2008
Oh yeah, I meant to mention, I found an old flannel pillowcase in my linen closet and used that! I've had that sheet set for almost 10 years (since I was a child!) Thanks for the idea!
Tenessa
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/29/2008
My sister-in-law keeps telling me how expensive babies are and encouraging my husband and I to wait as "long as we could" to try for a little one. Well, it made me search out ways to save money. I read this article an hour ago and just finished making three pairs! I'll show her! :)
Debby-
Thanks for your comment. That is a wonderful gift to give a new mom. I'm sure she will greatly appreciate them!
Debby
(Guest)
(Guest)
03/10/2008
Someone made me two dozen of these, and I kept them in a tissue box. I passed them to three other sisters, we all used them over and over and over. I am now about to become a grandma, and am making some for my daughter-in-law.
Wish I had ever thought of that while nursing my five little ones...would have saved me a lot of money!
Very, very cool! What a GREAT idea and great article. I wore disposable pads when I went out and reusable/washable ones at home with my son. If I have another baby I'll certainly make some of my own!
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