How To Care For Your Nursing Pads
For most women, two pairs of woolen nursing pads are all you'll ever need.
When your pads feel wet, or at least daily, let them dry while wearing a second pair. Place them to dry, preferably, over a mild heat source, such as a mildly warm radiator or on top of a running dryer. The use of dry heat is important, especially if you live in a humid climate, since natural wool can absorb up to 40% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. Wash untreated wool as seldom as possible. The natural lanolin content of the wool keeps it hygienic - as the wool absorbs moisture, the lanolin is converted to lanolin-soap, which has an antibacterial effect. The moisture evaporates away and only the milk solids are left. Eventually, depending on how much leakage you have, the pads will begin to feel "stiff" or you'll notice white powdery milk spots. Then you will need to wash them.
Wash As Follows
For best results, allow the pads to dry before washing.
Gently rub the stiffened area between your knuckles, to break up the milk particles. Wash by hand in lukewarm water with mild hair shampoo (cleans without stripping lanolin from the wool) or LANACare Lanolin Soap to replenish the lanolin content of the wool (recommended to use approximately every fifth washing to maintain the wool's antibacterial effect). Use just enough soap to keep the water mildly sudsy. Swish the pads gently in the water. When using Lanolin Soap, let the pads soak in the sudsy water for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse in lukewarm water. Always use lukewarm water when washing and rinsing wool. Both hot and cold water can shock the wool fibers, resulting in shrinkage of the wool.
Place or roll your pads into a towel, pressing out the excess water. Lay pads to dry, preferably over a mild heat source.
Boiling Your Pads
Boiling of the pads is recommended for women diagnosed with breast yeast infections. Occasional boiling is also recommended for women living in humid climates, where drying the pads thoroughly can be more difficult.
Boil your pads by this special method only! The key is to not expose the wool to extreme temperature changes.
Place the pads in a pot with lukewarm water. Gradually bring the water, with pads, to a gentle boil. Let boil for 10 minutes, using a spoon to periodically push the pads under the surface of the water. They tend to float to the top. Avoid stirring or agitating the pads. Remove the pot from the heat. Do not remove pads from the water. Let the water with the pads cool to lukewarm.
After boiling, the lanolin content of the wool must be replenished. Using 1 Tblsp. Lanolin Soap, wash the pads as directed under "Wash As Follows".
