Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Jada Glover
Unlike regular periods, postpartum or after-delivery bleeding is typically heavier, especially in the first ten days. The best postpartum adult diapers and pads for moms help absorb blood and keep you comfortable during the recovery period. There are many products available on the market.
Moms who have just given birth will want to choose diapers and pads with high-absorbent properties. They will also want to select a thicker product.
For postpartum pads, you will want them to be longer and wider for added protection. In this article, I will be reviewing the best postpartum diapers, pads, and underwear that I recommend.
I have also included a list of the best organic options too (scroll to near the bottom for those). This way you can be as comfortable as possible and enjoy this time with your baby, without worrying about postpartum bleeding.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links, which means that I may earn a commission if you buy something (at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure here. I only recommend products I use and love and recommend to my clients.
What’s The Difference Between Postpartum Diapers and Postpartum Pads?
Although both postpartum pads and postpartum diapers are a bit bulky, both provide different levels of protection. Diapers, in my opinion, are much more comfortable.
Think of them as underwear with a built-in pad. You don’t have to worry about blood leaking onto your underwear.
Postpartum pads are bulky and usually attach to your underwear with sticky wings and a sticky strip that secures your underwear. Sometimes they can move around – especially at night.
Reasons To Select Postpartum Adult Diapers Or Underwear
- Less Leaking – postpartum diapers provide greater peace of mind that you aren’t leaking in your regular underwear.
- Absorbent & Supportive – unlike regular underwear, postpartum underwear is absorbent, supportive, and made with soft materials so as to not irritate your perineum or incision site (if you had a C-section).
- Seamless & High-Waisted – avoids rubbing your belly/incision site.
- Tear-Away Seams – Most brands/types offer tear-away seams on the sides so you can easily discard the underwear without a mess.
I want to also mention a negative for postpartum diapers. They may be visible through your pants, leggings, or underwear.
That is something to consider before purchasing. If you’re recovering at home, it’s not a big deal. You could also wear a postpartum diaper and wear a long shirt over your pants so no one can see your underwear (diaper) line.
Finally, keep in mind if you want extra protection, you can add a postpartum pad or thinner pad inside.
Reasons To Use Postpartum Pads
- Gentle for Stitches – postpartum pads are gentle enough that they won’t hurt your stitches, tender areas, or your incision site if you had a C-section.
- Made with Soft Cotton – opt for the unbleached varieties so you aren’t putting additional chemicals on your body while it’s healing.
- On The Go – postpartum pads are good to have on hand if you have to leave the house during the first 4 weeks of recovery. They won’t show through your clothes or give you a bulky panty line.
- Overnight Protection – most brands are designed well so that they protect you during the night. They can even be used together with postpartum underwear for even more protection.
Best Postpartum Mom Diapers & Underwear For After Birth
Postpartum diapers and underwear are useful tools when you’re recovering from childbirth. They are certainly more stylish for moms than baby diapers!
Here are my recommendations for the best postpartum diapers based on my own experience and the experiences of other mothers.
Always Discreet Underwear for Women
Always is a reputable brand that makes high-quality postpartum pads, providing excellent protection against infections by absorbing vaginal leaks. In addition, the underwear has a low-rise cut and hipster design, allowing you to stay comfortable for a long time without any problems.
Always Discreet Underwear is made of high-quality, soft, and breathable silk fabric. Not only does the product absorb heavy bleeding from your vagina, but it also contours to your body shape through its curve-hugging, soft fabric.
The product is equipped with innovative absorbent technology that turns heavy bleeding to gel, protecting you from vaginal infections. It also comes with odor lock technology that eliminates unpleasant vaginal odors immediately. Always Discreet offers more protection by keeping your vagina and surrounding areas soft and dry.
Solimo Postpartum Underwear
Solimo Postpartum underwear is an excellent product for women who had a normal or C-section delivery, leading to maximum vaginal fluid absorbency and leak control. The product’s top sheet is made of cotton material with excellent moisture-wicking properties, protecting your skin from bacterial accumulation and infections.
Because the product does not contain latex and any other harsh chemicals, it is 100% safe for your perineal area, keeping your skin dry, soft, and comfortable. In addition, it has a dual-odor control system that traps and eliminates vaginal odors immediately, allowing you to feel healthy and fresh throughout the day.
Unlike other postpartum pads or underwear products, Solimo has tear-away sides that allow for easier removal. It offers up to eight hours of vaginal leakage protection while keeping your skin healthy and infection-free due to its excellent hypoallergenic properties.
Not only does Solimo offers a comfortable fit, but it is also made of well-ventilated fabric, offering maximum breathability to keep your perineal area cool for a long time. The product comes in three with 20 pads at the most affordable price.
LivDry Adult Underwear
Although LivDry adult underwear is intended for issues with bladder leakage, this underwear still offers moms the protection they need as postpartum underwear. They are soft and cloth-like and have barrier cuffs in the legs to prevent leakage.
If you are suffering from urine incontinence while your pelvic floor is healing postpartum, I recommend these as they allow for the extra liquid and absorb more. These also have tear-away sides, which makes them easier to take off.
These do not feature chlorine-free material, as far as I could research. If you have sensitive skin, you should opt for a different option included in this post, as you want to ensure fast healing after delivery.
Frida Mom High Waist C-Section Postpartum Underwear
The Frida Mom high waist postpartum underwear are a great solution if you had a C-section and still want the comfort of wearing underwear without it hitting your incision. These do not roll down and will stay put. They are super stretchy, breathable, and seamless. If you’re allergic to latex, these do not contain any latex.
Some moms complain about the sizing running small, so consider going up a size if you’re in between sizes. These are designed to hold pads and liners and are not absorbent enough on their own.
You may need an additional pad to insert. That is where the Frida Mom Cooling Pads come in handy, along with the Frida Mom Witch Hazel Pad Liners.
If you’re looking for overnight protection, you can also try changing your postpartum underwear right before you go to bed (or after your baby’s last feeding), which may last you all night. When I had my daughter, I doubled up the protection by adding a large Frida ice pad inside of the underwear right before I laid down since it did feel kind of bulky to walk around while wearing both. This gave me a little more peace of mind though, so it was totally worth it.
If you want the Frida underwear and the pads, you can get the Frida Mom Postpartum Essentials Pack. This is what I purchased for my postpartum recovery with my daughter and I used it all– the medicated thin pads, ice pads, perineum spray, and underwear.
Amazon Basics Postpartum Underwear
These Amazon Basics postpartum underwear are popular on Amazon right now and moms are liking them! They are similar to the Solimo underwear brand. They have a cotton top sheet and odor control.
Most moms report needing two of these per day, or whenever you feel that the diaper is full. If you need overnight protection, look into the next option below by Amazon Basics.
Best Postpartum Pads for After Delivery
Whether you had a normal delivery or cesarean (C-section) surgery, you will experience heavy bleeding from your vagina after delivery. The best postpartum pads will absorb lochia, including blood and mucous from your uterus lining, leading to improved comfort, safety, and infection prevention. Here are the best postpartum pads.
Frida Postpartum Absorbent Pads
Frida offers one of the best postpartum pads for women after childbirth. The Frida postpartum pads come with cutting-edge cold therapy technology that keeps your vagina and surrounding areas cool and absorbs 260 grams of fluid.
The incredible cushion support with a soft layer allows for extra comfort. In addition, the top soft layer keeps the C-section incision soft, and relaxed and prevents it from moisture. That way, you can protect your perineal area from infections.
Another interesting feature I like about this product is that it covers your perineal area, providing extra comfort and peace of mind. Frida also has an adhesive back, allowing you to wear and remove the product without any problems. All these features make them the best postpartum pads for women who had C-section surgery.
Prevail Incognito Maternity Pads
The primary reason I recommend Prevail Incognito maternity pads is its three-in-one hygiene protection. It protects your perineal area from daily discharge, bladder, and menstrual leakage after child delivery.
One pad offers up to 11-hour protection because the product has Max-Absorb technology that holds and absorbs vaginal bleeding effectively. Besides, the product also comes with odor-guard technology to keep your vaginal leaks discreet, allowing you to prevent distractions.
Another important reason I like Prevail Incognito postpartum pads is their natural ingredients. It does not contain harsh chemicals, dyes, and other materials, keeping your skin soft, smooth, and relaxed.
Moreover, Prevail Incognito is a third-party tested product with excellent moisture prevention properties and breathability, protecting you from getting rashes, itchiness, redness, and other microbial-causing infections. Thus, it can keep you cool and comfortable for up to 11 hours.
Frida Mom Perineal Medicated Witch Hazel Cooling Pad Liners
Although not an ultra-absorbent pad recommendation, the Frida Mom perineal witch hazel pads are must-have liners to add to your postpartum underwear or postpartum pads. Witch hazel provides many natural healing benefits. It speeds healing and reduces swelling.
These contain no dyes or fragrances. You can put these in your refrigerator for added cooling. I’ll definitely be using these myself in the future.
Some moms make homemade “padsicles” using this same principle and keep them in their freezer for recovery. Frida Mom also offers their own version of cooling pads that are much easier and just as effective.
If you prefer perineum spray rather than a liner like this one, I recommend the Earth Mama Perineum Spray as it can be used if you have hemorrhoids as well.
With a 4.6 star rating and nearly 14,000 ratings, you can see this really works for moms. This is what I used during both of my postpartum recoveries. In fact, when I look back at my Amazon history I bought it 4 times!
You can combine this perineum spray with the above postpartum pads or postpartum diapers, and you’ll feel more comfortable in recovery.
After my son was born, I used the pads that the hospital provided but quickly learned underwear was a better option for me. Sometimes I would layer a pad inside the underwear. I think the diapers just provide more peace and comfort knowing that you’re protected.
You have more important things to be thinking about during this time than whether or not you’re leaking fluids. Plus, the last thing you need is more laundry to do, so opt for the disposable varieties just for a few weeks.
Kotex Overnight Maxi Pads
These are a great overnight pad option so that you don’t have to worry about leaking through your underwear or clothes. It also has sticker back wings to keep the pad in place.
The Kotex overnight pads are meant for extra heavy overnight absorbency and use (up to 12 hours). These are made without fragrances, lotions, and natural rubber latex. These have a larger pad area near the bottom, which is where you need the extra coverage when you’re sleeping at night!
Best Organic Postpartum Diapers & Pads
The best organic postpartum diapers and pads will have plenty of protection while avoiding harmful chemicals in the materials. What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body!
If you are sensitive to latex or prefer more natural ingredients in general, these are great options for postpartum diapers and pads.
Rael Organic Disposable Overnight Underwear
The Rael organic disposable overnight underwear is panty-style postpartum underwear. It provides the coverage you need and is made with organic cotton.
This underwear provides leak-free protection for up to 12 hours, no matter the position you sleep in. It has back and front coverage for overnight protection. It holds as much liquid as four regular pads, but it’s not intended for use as incontinence underwear.
Rael disposable underwear is made with organic cotton which does not have any added fragrances, dyes, or chemicals. These are ideal for sensitive skin.
They are absorbent but breathable. The flexible waistband also offers a comfortable feeling while wearing them. They only come in white, but are a bit more stylish than some postpartum underwear.
Rael Organic Incontinence Postpartum Pads
As the name indicates, Rael Organic postpartum pads are made of natural cotton material, providing extra softness and comfort. These are the best postpartum pads because they don’t have chlorine, bleach, toxins, chemicals, and artificial fragrances.
The product comes with a four-layer core absorbent technology that quickly absorbs bladder leaks, keeps them discreet, and controls unpleasant odors. The four-layer core technology also prevents overflowing and keeps your perineal area fresh all day long.
Breathability is an essential feature of these postpartum pads, leading to reduced irritation, odor elimination, and utmost leak protection. Remember, the soft, hypoallergenic, and breathable sheets offer increased airflow to keep your vagina and surrounding areas soft, smooth, and relaxed.
In addition, it comes with a leak-lock technology with an innovative channel design to trap vaginal fluids and heavy bleeding quickly. At the same time, the side panels offer additional security to your perineal area. I recommend this product for women who had a normal or C-section delivery.
Nanno Dry Natural Pads
For moms that have more sensitive skin, or prefer to use pads that are organic and bleach-free, these are a great option. These NannoDry pads offer bladder protection and postpartum bleeding protection for your recovery.
They are also super soft and absorbent and even offer overnight protection with a strip in the back to protect overnight. They are absorbent enough to be worn all day too.
These pads are fragrant-free and have no dyes in them. They naturally help control odor that may be caused by bladder leakages or postpartum bleeding.
How Many Postpartum Diapers Do I Need?
Depending on their absorbency level, most brands average 10-20 postpartum diapers per package. Most moms use 2-3 diapers per day.
The amount used will depend on if moms get a shower that day, if they put a new one on before bed, and how heavy they are bleeding. There’s nothing like going to bed with clean underwear.
You’ll likely soak it during the night, and may even want to change it if you wake up. One package could last you 5-7 days, depending on the quantity included.
You could also use pads, which tend to be less expensive. Then, just wear the postpartum diaper as extra security and backup in case you leak blood beyond the pad.
This is something you don’t want to run out of, so I like to buy a few more than I need. You can buy them in advance, or buy them each week as you use them.
If you buy more than you need, you can always wear them for a future birth or when your menstrual cycle returns. The return of your cycle will vary based on many factors, including how often you’re breastfeeding.
How Long Will I Wear Postpartum Diaper or Pads For?
You may learn that you prefer one type over the other, but typically you will need heavy coverage at the beginning of your recovery for the first 1-2 weeks. Then, you can opt for lighter coverage up to 4-6 weeks after the delivery of your baby.
Your bleeding should naturally taper off over the days and weeks following delivery. If you notice you are bleeding heavier suddenly, you may be overexerting yourself. Remember to get plenty of rest during this time also.
The best postpartum diapers and pads help absorb blood and keep moms comfortable after birth and during their recovery period.
The heavy blood leaking from your vagina after childbirth is called lochia, a type of discharge that lasts for 4-6 weeks after delivery. You can use the postpartum diapers and pads reviewed above to keep yourself comfortable throughout the recovery period.
I have chosen these products based on my research and personal experience. Bear in mind that the products I recommended are made of 100% natural materials. They also have added features including breathability, leakage, moisture, and infection control.
Although all these products are high-quality and affordable, the ultimate choice is yours. Make sure you purchase the diaper or pad that best fits your needs and your budget.
Finally, if you are also a breastfeeding mama you might be interested in my FREE breastfeeding foods guide. To get it, just fill in the form below.
