It seems so long ago that I introduced you to Lunapads and the idea of Mama Cloth. Another option and my favorite brand of mama cloth is GladRags. I have been waiting to tell you about GladRags, partially thinking that I would be able to give an honest opinion of using them for a cycle or two. Yet… a blessing of pregnancy and then breastfeeding I’m still waiting on that next menses to come around. (Oh trust me, no hurry here! I am quite happy to be period free.) *Thanks to Tracy of GladRags I was blessed to receive three samples of GladRags for review, a Night Pad, Day Pad and one cotton Pantyliner.* Although I was not introduced to mama cloth through GladRags I am so glad to have discovered them!
GladRags is owned and operated by women and committed to offering healthier, safer options to women all over the country and around the world. Over 40 million disposables have been kept out of the waste stream as a result of their collective efforts. It is right on their packaging that they are proud of their products and stand behind them all the way. GladRags are safe, simple and smart.
GladRags cloth menstrual pads are soft, natural, reusable, washable, and incredibly comfortable. Choose from organic cotton or regular color cotton. We have a wide selection including: day pads, pantyliners, night pads. GladRags also offers alternative options including Jade & Pearl sea sponges, DivaCup, The Keeper Menstrual Cup, The Moon Cup, kits, soaking containers, and more. For a more details about our entire line, please visit our website at www.gladrags.com
I absolutely adore the packaging. The boxes (made from recycled newspapers) are adorable own their own. My samples arrived within days of giving birth to AppleBlossom. I must admit it was not front and foremost in my mind to try cloth for her or myself at that time. However after a week and the excitement of things dying down and becoming calm I did get to try them and was pleasantly introduced to a fabulous product. I was surprised that something as simple as the material of the tag/label could make a difference, but it did. That was the first thing that I noticed that I liked these better. The tags are softer and I do not notice them at all when I wear them. They are completely comfortable. Although I am not able to tell you from experience about absorbency during a menses or immediately postpartum many reviews rave about their excellence. I can tell you in the later part of postpartum they are fabulous. So comfortable and they mean it when they say safe, simple and smart. As when I was testing them for review, I did not have a supply and therefore just rinsed them after use and washed them right in with my cloth diapers. They came out fresh and clean and it just amazes me how much less trash went out of our restroom.
If I am going to have cloth on my baby’s bum, it only makes sense that I would go cloth for myself as well when I need it. The question that I still have is one that they get all the time. How many GladRags do I need? The information insert that came with my samples gives a general idea.
Menstrual cycles vary from woman to woman. Most women use 6 to 12 day pads and 1 to 3 night pads. The number of GladRags you need depends on your flow and how often you do laundry. Some women start out with a couple to supplement other menstrual products while building their GladRags collection.
As soon as figure out just how many I need, I’ll be making a bulk order and part of me is eager. That is one of the things that amazes me of the idea of mama cloth. Something that used to be just a yucky annoyance will be made just that much nicer by pleasant softness and beauty in the fabrics. They have florals and whimsical prints as well as unbleached organic fabric. There are full new mom kits with even nursing pads and other products that would be very useful to that new mama. And there are Teen kits. I cannot even tell you how nice it would have been to have been introduced to the changes of womanhood with something soft and pretty rather that plastic and disposable.
Do not just take it from me. Check out their website. Go see and read all the reviews and tips and tidbits. There is a great page that is very informative for those who are new to menstrual alternatives. It is a smart decision, but may be a little scary at first and overwhelming. So comfortable as one can be considering the week of the month and savings of monthly purchase of sposies that makes it really worth it. What are you waiting for? Check them out at www.GladRags.com
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I’ve been wanting to switch to cloth pad instead of the store purchased ones. I’ve already purchased a menstrual cup which I love. Many woman have not heard of these items or when they hear which I really don’t get freaked out by them. I think we all should switch for our well being as well as the environments.
Jessica´s last blog ..Lmfao
My sister had introduced me to the disposable cup product instead, and after using that for years, I’m quite certain I will be very happy if not happier with a reusable cup.
I currently use the Diva Cup and a mama-made type of cloth menstrual pad. Thanks for the review. Awesome products! Makes periods fun! I also believe that my cycles are lighter and don’t last as long since I stopped using the drugstore products with chemicals in them.
I could definitely see that being true. Anything I can do to reduce my exposure to chemicals makes me a little bit happier.