Medela
Ultra Breathable Nursing Pads, Pack of 50
7.9/10 overall£5.94
Ultra-thin, individually wrapped disposable breast pads for catching leaks in the early days of establishing feeding.
The verdict
Medela's Ultra Breathable pads are ultra-thin, individually wrapped disposable nursing pads for catching leaks in the early days of establishing feeding. A cheap, easy-to-overlook hospital-bag addition — pack a handful loose rather than the full 50-pack; not designed for heavy let-down or overnight leaking.
Colostrum and milk leaking in the first days after birth is common and often unexpected, and this is the kind of small, easy-to-forget item that's genuinely worth packing alongside the maternity pads and nipple cream already covered here. Medela's pads are 1.6mm thin with adhesive strips to hold them in place inside a nursing bra, so they don't show through clothing the way a bulkier reusable pad can, and each one is individually wrapped — useful for a hospital bag where hygiene and packing space both matter.
Against washable/reusable nursing pads, the trade-off is the usual one: disposables are less eco-friendly and cost more over months of use, but for the specific job of a hospital bag — where laundry facilities aren't available and you want something you can use once and bin — individually wrapped disposables are the more practical choice. They're designed for small-to-medium leaks rather than heavy let-down, so very heavy leakers may find they need changing more often than the pack suggests.
As a hospital bag item this is a low-cost, easy-to-overlook addition: pack a handful loose in a side pocket alongside the maternity pads and nipple cream, not necessarily the full 50-pack.
Is the Ultra Breathable Nursing Pads, Pack of 50 worth it?
- Individually wrapped — hygienic and easy to pack loose in a bag
- Thin enough not to show under clothing
- Cheap, easy item to over-pack a few of
What are the downsides of the Ultra Breathable Nursing Pads, Pack of 50?
- Disposable — costlier than reusable pads over months of feeding
- Not designed for heavy let-down or overnight leaking
Specs
- Best for
- Small to medium leaks
- Wrapping
- Individually wrapped
- Fastening
- Adhesive strips
- Pack size
- 50 pads
- Thickness
- 1.6mm ultra-thin
How we scored it
Effectiveness
How well it does its stated job.
Convenience
How easy it is to use and pack for the hospital bag.
Individually wrapped pads are exactly what a hospital bag needs — no washing, no reusable pouch to keep track of, just grab a few and go.
Value for Money
Cost relative to what you get.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5.94 | £5.49 (pack of 5) | £12.00 (38 pack) | £9.49 (40ml) |
| Overall score | 7.9/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Pack size | 50 pads | 5 pairs | 38 nappies | — |
| Size | — | — | Size 1 (2-5kg) | 40ml tube |
Frequently asked questions
Why pack disposable nursing pads for hospital?+
Colostrum and milk leaking in the first days after birth is common and often unexpected, and since laundry facilities aren't available in hospital, individually wrapped disposables you can use once and bin are the more practical choice than washable reusable pads for that specific setting.
Do Medela pads show through clothing?+
No — they're 1.6mm ultra-thin with adhesive strips to hold them in place inside a nursing bra, so they don't show through clothing the way a bulkier reusable pad can, and each one is individually wrapped for hygiene when packing space in a hospital bag is limited.
Will these handle heavy leaking or let-down?+
Not really — they're designed for small-to-medium leaks rather than heavy let-down, so very heavy leakers may find they need changing more often than a standard pack suggests, and may want a backup of a thicker or reusable option for overnight.
How many should I pack in a hospital bag?+
You don't need the full 50-pack — pack a handful loose in a side pocket alongside the maternity pads and nipple cream already in your bag, since it's a low-cost, easy-to-overlook addition rather than something you'll get through in a couple of days.