Welcoming a new baby into the world comes with so many changes, and while it’s normal to spend months preparing for birth, recovery afterwards is something many new mums don’t hear enough about. One of the most important essentials for those first days postpartum are maternity pads. Unlike regular period pads, maternity pads are specificially designed to support your body after birth, offering the comfort, softness, and absorbency you need while you heal. 💜
If you’ve ever wondered whether maternity pads are really necessary or if regular pads will do the job, you’re not alone. It’s a question many mums have, and we’re here to help you understand the difference.
What Are Maternity Pads?
Maternity pads are larger, longer, more absorbent pads designed specifically for postpartum bleeding known as lochia. After giving birth, your body sheds the uterine lining over the course of four to six weeks, and the flow, especially in the first few days, is much heavier than a regular period.
Unlike standard pads, maternity pads are longer for full coverage, softer against delicate postpartum skin, and free from the fragrances and chemicals that can irritate healing skin. If you’ve had stitches or a perineal tear, the gentle materials matter even more.
Most midwives recommend packing maternity pads in your hospital bag before your due date – it’s one of the few postpartum essentials worth buying ahead. TOTM’s maternity pads are made from 100% certified organic cotton with no toxins or fragrances, so you know exactly what’s next to your skin when your body needs care most.
How Many Maternity Pads Will I Need?
Most midwives suggest packing at least 24 to 36 maternity pads to start. This is enough to cover your hospital stay and the first week at home. In the first 24–48 hours after birth, you may need to change pads every one to two hours, but we recommend you speak to your midwife about your personal experience.
A good starting point is two to three packs of ten in your hospital bag. You can always order more once you’re home and know how your recovery is going. Our subscribe & save option means you can stock up on what you need – with no last-minute runs to the chemist.
Are Organic Maternity Pads Better For Sensitive Postpartum Skin?
In short, yes. Organic cotton is the material NHS Trusts and Midwifery teams recommend. Conventional pads are often made with synthetic fibres, chlorine-bleached materials, plastics and added fragrances or odour-neutralisers. When your skin is healing after birth, these ingredients can cause irritation, discomfort and in some cases allergic reactions exactly when you need them least.
Organic cotton pads are made from natural, breathable fibres grown without pesticides or herbicides. They’re softer, gentler, and don’t trap heat and moisture the way synthetic materials can. TOTM’s maternity pads are GOTS-certified, clinically tested non-irritating so you can be confident there’s nothing in them that shouldn’t be there.
How Long Will I Need To Use Maternity Pads After Birth?
Most people use maternity pads for the first two to six weeks after birth, though every body is different. For the weeks that follow, our organic period pads and period pants are a natural next step. TOTM’s maternity pads are designed for your postpartum bleed. For the weeks that follow, our organic period pads pants are a natural next step.
Introducing TOTM Organic Cotton Maternity Pads
Our Organic Cotton Maternity Pads In A Snapshot
✔️Extra-long length for maximum coverage postpartum
✔️Breathable organic cotton recommended by midwives and NHS Trusts
✔️Gentle, leakproof protection for sensitive skin
✔️Maximum absorbency, suitable for the days and weeks post birth
✔️Secure adhesive for reliable, worry-free fit
✔️Clinically tested non-irritating
Here’s Why You’ll Love Our Organic Cotton Maternity Pads
Recommended by Midwives and NHS Trusts
Organic cotton naturally soft, absorbent and breathable, which is why it is the material recommended by midwives and NHS trusts for postpartum bleeding. Synthetic materials can trap heat, cause friction and irritate healing tissue – the last thing you need postpartum. Our pads are soft on skin that’s already working hard.
Reliable protection when you need it most
Our organic cotton core absorbs lochia naturally with no synthetic absorbents or chemicals. Extra-long for full coverage day and night, with a secure adhesive to keep everything in place, so you can focus on rest, recovery and your baby.
Nothing in them that shouldn’t be there
Free from pesticides, herbicides, chlorine bleach, fragrances, dyes, titanium dioxide, and other harsh chemicals. Clinically tested non-irritating because what goes next to your body after birth really does matter.
Ingredients: organic cotton cover, organic cotton core, compostable biofilm backing, non-toxic adhesive. Each pad is individually wrapped in certified compostable bio-film and packed in a recycled cardboard box.
Why organic cotton? Rayon and bamboo are man-made fibres commonly found in mainstream maternity pads. Our pads are made entirely from certified organic cotton for natural softness and breathability.
Free from: fragrance, dyes, artificial absorbents, titanium dioxide, and chlorine bleach.
The days after birth aren’t just about recovery, they’re about rest and being with your baby. But postpartum bleeding can make this tricky, our extra-long maternity pads are designed to give you full coverage through the day and night, so you can focus on what your body and baby actually needs right now.
