Here’s Part 2 of Mum’s Special series covering a review of Fresh Moon Cloth Pads. Ironically, I bought a menstrual cup, was very happy with it and never intended to get a full stash of cloth pads.

Why Cloth Pads When I Love the Menstrual Cup?

Then last November, I’d a miscarriage which came with a 3 weeks postpartum flow and WASN’T allowed to use the cup.

Oh gosh… having a miscarriage was already not fun and having to wear disposable pads 24 x 7 for three weeks straight was unimaginable. I thought I’ve ditched them for good?!? I certainly needed more than just the 1 Lunapads and 2 Fresh Moon All in Ones (AIO) on hand.

(Well, to be fair, disposable pads were handy for the first day when the flow was VERY heavy because I used medicine to induce the miscarriage at home. I soaked through a heavy-duty pad every hour!)

Within a few days of the flow, I srambled for my laptop, did some urgent online shopping and decided on more Fresh Moon cloth pads — 2 super-long AIOs, 2 fleece bodies and 6 bamboo velour soakers. baby-mel.com had lots of ready stock and shipped them over super-fast to save me from misery. Phew!

About Fresh Moon Cloth Pads

Fresh Moon cloth pads are made in the U.S.A. and are available in a variety of sizes and fabrics. Generally, there are 2 types:

1. All in One (AIO)
2. All in Two (AI2) called the SnapOn.

This is a rough summary:

First Impressions

The main reason I went for Fresh Moon was the breathable fleece backing, which is very suited for sensitive skin. It’d be thicker, but I prefer it over less breathable nylon or PUL. (Wool isn’t my cup of tea because of my eczema and the need for special care.)

Of course, they’re also available easily in Malaysia compared to the Lunapads.

The fleece backing comes only in plain colours, so no fanciful prints like the Lunapads. I managed to get 4 in pink and 2 in green, and like the pink ones more.

For the top layer, I’d previously tried the organic bamboo velour and cotton velour. Bamboo velour looks shinier and feels much more luxurious, so it made up the rest of my stash.

When not in use, each cloth pad can be snapped into a cute bundle. Unused pads stay clean, while used pads can be kept neatly in a wet bag. (This can be done with Lunapads and I presume other brands too.)

My Detailed Review

Rating Guide: ★ Oh no!     ★★ Poor     ★★★ Fair     ★★★★ Good     ★★★★★ Excellent!

I’ve used the pads over two normal and one 3 weeks post-miscarriage cycles.

1. Fresh Moon AIO 11″ & 13″

Fresh Moon 11" AIO Organic Bamboo Velour Cloth Pad

Fresh Moon 13" AIO Organic Bamboo Velour Cloth Pad

(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★ After only one prewash in cold water, the pads started absorbing fine. Ideally, 3 prewashes would enhance absorbency.

Like the Lunapads, after use, I’d rinse them with cold water and soak with a little bit of cloth diaper-friendly detergent. Then at the end of the day. I’d handwash them during shower time. Followed by a short spin and line dry. The single-piece structure takes about 1 to 2 days to dry by the window.

The creamy white surface means stains may be visible.

To prevent stains from setting in: rinse with COLD water soonest possible. On lighter flow days, continue to change frequently before the blood dries up.

(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★★ When the pad is soaked, simply replace with a new piece — as easy as disposable pads. The 13″ pads come with 2 snaps at the width to hold it securely in place.

(c) Fit / Trimness / Comfort: ★★★★ The AIO pads are slightly thicker yet more comfortable than Lunapads, especially the organic bamboo velour ones. Personally, I mind wearing thick disposable pads but not thick cloth pads because they’re very comfortable.

There are 2 snap settings at the width to fit different sizes.

(d) Performance: ★★★★★ On average, the 11″ AIOs last 3 hours before I change while the 13″ ones last overnight (at least 8 hours for me). So far, no leak at all.

Anyway, for hygiene reason, it’s better to change pads every 2 to 3 hours, just like cloth diapers. In the past, I found myself stretching the use of disposable pads in the day, perhaps subconsciously trying to save money. Someone should introduce cloth pads to students!

(e) Quality: ★★★★ The pads are very well made. I’d need to use them over more cycles to see if the quality lasts. So far so good.

(f) Overall Value: ★★★★★ Each Fresh Moon 11″ and 13″ AIO retails at USD10 and USD11 respectively. (In Malaysia, the prices are RM45.90 and RM47.90.) For such quality, performance and comfort, it’s certainly good value for money. Just note that AIOs take longer to dry, so a larger stash may be needed.

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What I like about it:

• Breathable fleece that doesn’t feel warm even in hot and humid weather
• Very absorbent — no leak even overnight (especially the 13″ AIO)
• Very comfortable, especially the organic bamboo velour
• 2 width snap settings to suit different sizes

What can be improved:

• Some ladies may prefer thinner pads
• More colours or prints would be nice

2. Fresh Moon SnapOn 11″

Though the AIOs are fabulous, I got more SnapOns instead to save money. On usual cycles, I’d still prefer to go back to the menstrual cup.

(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★ After only one prewash in cold water, the soakers started absorbing fine. Ideally, 3 prewashes would enhance absorbency.

The 2-piece structure dries very quickly and can be reused by the next day even though I only dry them by the window.

Like the AIOs, the creamy white surface means stains may be visible.

(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ When the soaker is soaked, simply remove it and snap on a new piece. There are 3 snaps to work with. On average, I use 1 fleece body and 4 to 5 soakers during the day.

(c) Fit / Trimness / Comfort: ★★★ Similar to the AIOs, the SnapOns are slightly thicker yet more comfortable than Lunapads.

The downside is that the soaker may scrunch up sometimes.

(d) Performance: ★★★ Same as the AIOs, each soaker lasts about 3 hours before I change. However, due to the occasional scrunching up, the sides and the fleece could be stained instead. For outdoors, I’d prefer the AIOs or Lunapads than the SnapOns.

(e) Quality: ★★★★ The fleece bodies and soakers are very well made. I’d need to use them over more cycles to see if the quality lasts. So far so good.

(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Fresh Moon 11″ fleece body and 11″ soaker retails at RM31.90 and RM32.90 respectively. By getting at least 3 soakers to go with 1 fleece body makes it more economical than the AIOs. But the AIOs perform better.

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What I like about it:

• Dries fast in a day for quick reuse
• Breathable fleece that doesn’t feel warm even in hot and humid weather
• Very comfortable, especially the organic bamboo velour
• 2 width snap settings to suit different sizes
• For outdoor use, simply bring extra soakers — trimmer than bringing AIOs

What can be improved:

• Soaker may scrunch up, staining the sides & the fleece instead
• Some ladies may prefer thinner pads
• More colours or prints would be nice

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Get Your Own (with Discount!)

I bought my Fresh Moon cloth pads at baby-mel.com (Malaysia). You may get yours at a discount!

• Special Treat: 20% discount on Fresh Moon cloth pads
• Discount Code: JVK2TX42ETE82
• Validity Period: Until 31 August 2011

They’re also available at Tiny Tapir (Malaysia) and Fresh-Moon.com.

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P.S. Coming up next in this Mum’s Special series: Review on Angel Mel Collections Mama Wonder Wet Bags and a GIVEAWAY!

Catch the entire Mum’s Special series here.

Sharing time: Any cloth mamas here? Feel free to share your experiences and reviews in the comment box.

© 2009-2012 Veezian Pte. Ltd. | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Mummy's Reviews™ subscribers. If you like this post, you may share its link: [Mum's Special #2] Fresh Moon Cloth Pads – AIO vs SnapOn. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited.

Related posts:

1. [Mum's Special #1] Review: Lunapads Cloth Pads
2. [Mum's Special #3]: Angel Mel Collections Wet bags for Baby & Mummy [Giveaway #18]
3. Review: Angel Mel Hot Mama Organic Nursing Pads

So you’ve heard of cloth diapers, how about cloth pads? Welcome to the new Mum’s Special series covering mums-only solutions, starting with THAT time of the month. (And let’s all have a break from baby stuff for a week.)

Two years ago, after a yeast infection, I switched from disposable to cloth pantiliners. When my cycle finally returned after 9 months of pregnancy and 18 months of breastfeeding Vee, I switched to cloth pads and a menstrual cup. These are soooo comfortable that I’m ditching disposables for good.

Why Cloth Pads?

1. Great for sensitive skin – say bye bye to itchiness down there
2. Extremely comfortable – you’d even forget you’re having a period (They confirmed my decision to use cloth diapers on kids.)
3. Very absorbent – the options available are crazy (I’ve found a super-duper-long overnight pad!)
4. Smell clean and fresh – did you know that the nasty odour actually came from disposable pads?
5. Convenient – with a sufficient stash, you’d never run out of pads again
6. No meddling with sticky tapes – discreetly remove pad in public toilet without anyone hearing the “biaaaak” sound
7. Save money – I spent about SGD200 on my stash, while saving about SGD150 per year
8. Reduce landfill waste – if I use 25 disposable pads a month, I’d be adding 9,000 pads to the landfill over 30 years!

For me, the main downside about cloth pads is handwashing them. We live with extended family, so using the washing machine to wash them is erm… prohibited.

So here’re my current preferences:
#1: Menstrual cup (shall share about this next week)
#2: Cloth pads – when I can’t use my beloved cup post-partum
#3: Disposable pads – uncomfortable but convenient when I’m too weak to wash cloth pads
#4: Tampons – too drying and I’m paranoid of the Toxic Shock Syndrome

Let’s start off with a review of my first cloth pad — Lunapads!

About Lunapads Maxi Pad & Liner

These are the main features of the pad:

• Dimensions: 10” (25.5cm) long and approximately 2.5” (6.5cm) wide when fastened
  
• Pad: 2 Layer, 100% cotton flannel base topped with an absorbent panel made of 2 layers of 100% cotton fleece, and 1 layer of ultra-thin nylon to minimize soaking through.
• Liner: 2 layers of 100% cotton fleece
• Absorbency: Average flow
• Closure: 1 nickel-free, silver-plated brass snap
  
• Country of origin: Made in Vancouver, Canada at a small family-owned factory

They’re available in a variety of prints or organic cotton. There are 3 other sizes – Mini (8″ or 20.3cm), Long (12″ 30.5cm) and Heavy (14″ 35.5cm).

First Impressions

Oh… the Cocoa Kaleidoscope print is lovely and brightens up my day. It actually made me look forward to my first cycle after so long!

The pad and liner combo feels very trim. Usage instructions are included to help new users.

My Detailed Review

Rating Guide: ★ Oh no!     ★★ Poor     ★★★ Fair     ★★★★ Good     ★★★★★ Excellent!

I’ve used the pad and liner set over two normal and one 3 weeks post-miscarriage cycles.

(a) Prewash & Laundry: ★★★★ After only one prewash in cold water, the pad and liner started absorbing fine.

After use, I’d rinse them with cold water and soak with a little bit of cloth diaper-friendly detergent. Then at the end of the day. I’d handwash them during shower time. Followed by a short spin and line dry. The 2-piece structure dries very quickly and can be reused by the next day even though I only dry them by the window.

A pink fabric surface means no stains is visible — great for ladies who dislike seeing stains.

The cotton fleece surface turned a little fluffy after several washes. And one thing I didn’t like is the ric rac bands that twist about and trap lint easily.

(b) Ease of Use: ★★★★ When the liner is soaked, simply replace with a new piece. Or remove it and use the pad base. Quite a no-brainer. I certainly prefer snapping the wings underneath panty than sticky tapes on disposables.

(c) Fit / Trimness / Comfort: ★★★★★ The pad contours nicely to my body and is very trim, comparable to the ultra-thin disposable pads that I’m used to. It feels clean and dry, doesn’t scrunch up and feels very comfortable. And certainly no odour. It’s easy to forget that I’m having my period.

(d) Performance: ★★★★ On one occasion, the liner lasted for 2 hours. I removed it and continued using the pad base for 2 hours until my panty was very slightly stained. So 4 hours is about the maximum for me, good for average flow days.

I don’t have extra liners. Otherwise, I’d probably need only 1 to 2 pad bases with a bunch of liners per day. For heavy flow and overnight, you’d need to look at the Long or Heavy version.

(e) Quality: ★★★★ The pad and liner are very well made. I’d need to use them over more cycles to see if the quality lasts. As a reference, my Lunapads Pantiliners have been used and washed daily for 2+ years (that’s 200+ washes each!) and still going strong. So I estimate this Maxi Pad & Liner would last at least 4 years of regular use.

(f) Overall Value: ★★★★ Each Lunapads Maxi Pad & Liner set retails at USD16.99 or USD19.99 in organic cotton. (In Singapore, the set is available at SGD32.90.) Additional liner retails at USD5.99 each. It’s economical to get several liners to go with one pad base.

Overall, I love Lunapads’ pretty prints, trimness and comfort. Very suitable for outdoors.

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What I like about it:

• Dries fast in a day for quick reuse
• Very trim — good for outdoors
• Can add liner to boost absorbency when needed
• Pretty prints — brightens up that time of the month

What can be improved:

• Ric-rac bands get twisted and trap lint easily

—

Get Your Own

I bought my Lunapads at MummyKnowsBestShop.com (Singapore). They’re available at Lunapads.com. Limited choices available at MiaBambina.com (Malaysia).

You may also check the price at Amazon here: Lunapads Maxi Pad & Liner – Organic Cotton*

*: affiliate link to support the growth and maintenance of Mummy’s Reviews™
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P.S. Catch the entire Mum’s Special series here.

Sharing time: Any cloth mamas here? Feel free to share your experiences and reviews in the comment box.

© 2009-2012 Veezian Pte. Ltd. | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Mummy's Reviews™ subscribers. If you like this post, you may share its link: [Mum's Special #1] Review: Lunapads Cloth Pads. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited.

Related posts:

1. [Mum's Special #2] Fresh Moon Cloth Pads – AIO vs SnapOn
2. [Mum's Special #3]: Angel Mel Collections Wet bags for Baby & Mummy [Giveaway #18]
3. Review: Lunapads Pantiliners

For the past 10 years or so, I religiously used disposable pantiliners since I could not stand the sight of stained panties. The synthetic materials are not very absorbent, non-breathable and feel sticky or wet at the end of the day. Occasionally, they even irritate my sensitive skin.

When I started reading up on cloth diapering, I came across information on washable cloth pads. As I was already convinced of the enormous benefits of cloth diapering, I was thrilled to know of cloth pads for women! No more explosure to harmful chemicals at one of our bodies’ most sensitive areas, how wonderful!

I bought three Lunapads Teeny Pantiliners (listed price: USD10.99 or RM41) from Mia Bambina and have never turned back to disposable pantiliners ever since. They are very comfortable (cannot feel their presence when worn) and such a pleasure to look at. They also save me from emergency trips to the pharmacy or supermarket to top up supplies of disposable pantiliners.

I also bought a few of these pantiliners for my mum. They are great for slight incontinence too, which is commonly experienced during pregnancy (so much weight pushing on the bladder) and during middle to old age.

When my menstrual cycles return (post-breastfeeding days), I certainly look forward to trying out cloth menstrual pads too.

Feel free to share this information with other ladies.

Pros:

• Breathable — gentle on the skin
• Very comfortable
• Absorbent
• Stay in place
• Easy to care for — stain-free after handwashing (machine washable too)
• Pretty designs

Cons:

• Colour run experienced on dark coloured pantiliners (“Leopard” & “Hats & Heels”)
• Surface becomes fluffy after washes (I would prefer them to be smoother.)

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Get Your Own

I bought my Lunapads at MiaBambina.com (Malaysia) and MummyKnowsBestShop.com (Singapore).

You may also check the price at Amazon.com here: Lunapads Washable 100% Organic Cotton Mini Pantyliner*

*: affiliate link to support the growth and maintenance of Mummy’s Reviews™

© 2009-2012 Veezian Pte. Ltd. | All rights reserved - This feed is provided for the convenience of Mummy's Reviews™ subscribers. If you like this post, you may share its link: Review: Lunapads Pantiliners. Any reproduction of the content within this feed is strictly prohibited.

Related posts:

1. [Mum's Special #1] Review: Lunapads Cloth Pads