The best postpartum pads to support your fourth trimester recovery

Regardless of how you deliver your baby, you’re going to experience postpartum bleeding. Also known as lochia, it lasts about a month or so and lightens over time. It can be uncomfortable and quite messy, which is why it’s essential to stock up on postpartum pads or protective underwear before you have your baby.

Postpartum pads are not much different from menstrual pads. In fact, most moms use menstrual pads after giving birth. They just make sure they are bigger and thicker to handle the increase in discharge. Some moms may also use protective underwear (with or without a pad) to handle their discharge.

How we chose the best postpartum pads

• We spoke to Dr. Kim Langdon M.D. , an ob-gyn based in Ohio, and referenced the Cleveland Clinic to gain more insight into what makes a good postpartum pad. Per their advice, all of the postpartum pads on this list:

  • Are absorbent

  • Soak up lochia externally

• We spoke with five moms who shared their experience using five of the postpartum pads on this list

• We scoured BabyCenter's Community to find a consensus on the best postpartum pads. All of the postpartum pads on this list received high marks for:

  • Comfort

  • Absorbency

  • Ease of use

  • Availability