Batting in Cloth Pads (Part 2)

[dalyax]

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd share some photos regarding the batting in cloth pads post. These photos are some pads I purchased a few years ago that have cotton batting in them. So I'd thought I'd show how batting looks like and the negatives about it. Some folks in the previous post were curious about how it can look like in a pad.

Some photos!

Comments

[dalyax]

There has been only two "anti-batting" posts and various comments against batting in previous posts. This post and the previous one is to inform newbies or interested/current sellers that batting is not an appropriate material for cloth pads. Batting is a material that is NOT designed for absorption, it is meant to trap air for things like quilts (elaborate stitching is done to keep the batting in place), blankets as well as cushioning or in bags. This can lead to leakage (if not enough batting is used or no water-proofing is used). So newbies to cloth may be purchasing the cheaper pads with batting, leaking through them and then giving up on cloth.
While batting may not be of an issue to you, it has been an issue to me and other women who have really heavy gushy flows. Considering cloth pads are not cheap and are an investment, it's not proper to use batting in cloth pads. While pads made with them are better than disposables, they may not be durable or more absorbent than pads made with better materials, so in the end they aren't worth the money. Furthermore it doesn't take many layers of batting to make the pad appear to be absorbent, which means less batting cutting and more pads and more profit. It also shows that sellers who do use batting do not care about searching for a proper fabric. It's not cost-effective in the long run as it is more expensive than traditional flannel and it isn't durable.

I browse etsy quite a lot and some sellers do not carefully list what is inside of their pads and give it other fluffed up names. I also see a lot of batting made pads with PUL (or some other mysterious water-proof fabric that isn't labeled either) as well, otherwise major leaking can occur leaving angry customers.

The pads I purchased that had batting in them were hugely misrepresented. Organic cotton was listed as being in these pads and later I found out it was batting. Organic Cotton batting is absolutely nothing like organic cotton fabrics like organic cotton fleece or organic cotton flannel. And I leaked through them multiple times. It's not a choice for those newbies who are confused and misled into buying batting made pads.

ETA: Again, for something is going to be washed and dried so often, batting is not at all an appropriate material. Batting is not something you can use as a cloth wipe alone, so it shouldn't even be used in cloth pads. It can be torn apart with your fingers alone.

Cloth pads with batting are functional to an extent, but for heavier flows..it's not. It also isn't durable and thus is not worth spending money on.
:)

[redgemini]

I appreciate your thoughtful reply and I see better where you are coming from now. I commend that you are trying to educate newcomers to choose the best products for them and to beware of sellers who do not appropriately label their products. Online forums such as this one are great for education. I also agree- one material is not going to work for everyone!

My confusion came because I've had my pads for six years now and they have held up extremely well (better than some of the other more "natural material" ones) and are among my favorites. I bought them as a newbie after reading many positive seller reviews. It never occurred to me that the material was less desirable because all the pads have maintained a like-new condition and made me glad I switched. I am not a sewer either. I have about 20 at last count. Six years and going strong is a good investment to me.

I see where we are different; I do not have a heavy flow (ever, even postpartum) and I live in a warm sunny climate where many heavier fibers can feel sweaty much of the year. What is "oddly light" to you is something I prefer. I'm guessing what works for you would be far too heavy for me and would make me not want to continue cloth, which is the same experience you had with batting. I do feel badly that you were duped; that is not an experience anyone should have and it's totally appropriate to warn and educate others. I would be equally upset to purchase a heavy, super absorbent slow drying natural fiber pad when I thought I was purchasing a light, quick drying one.

I came to cloth pads after cloth diapering so I knew it is trial and error to find what works and yes, some purchasing mistakes are made in the process- the only way to truly know is educate yourself, understand your needs and then proceed with purchasing slowly and road test. I think we both agree on that.

:)

[dalyax]

Again, this post is just to inform people. I am not attacking cloth pad users who love their pads with batting. And if someone wants to still buy/use batting filled cloth pads, whatever works for them. This is just informative.

As far as the natural fiber, slow drying thing. It's not always true. Some cloth pad sellers are aware of this and try not to use too many layers of bamboo fleece, as an example. Bamboo fiber is double the absorbency of cotton fiber, so going overboard with it can be easy. And instead of using batting (which I said cannot even be used as a cloth wipe alone), flannel is better and way more absorbent.

To each their own..this is just info.

:D