You're packing your maternity bag and you come across this famous line, "postpartum diapers". Maybe you've already invested in Period Panties and are wondering if they can replace those famous disposable maternity diapers. The short answer is yes, but not right away. Period Panties are perfect for postpartum, but you need to know when and how to use them to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Between lochia (that postpartum bleeding that no one really talks about), the return of menstruation, urinary leaks and healing, your body is going through an intense recovery period. Having the right protection can really make this already busy time easier. This guide explains everything you need to know to make the right choice.
What to remember before reading
Lochia: What No One Really Tells You
Before we talk about Period Panties, you need to understand what you're going to be dealing with. Lochia is the medical name for postpartum bleeding. And no, it's not a period.
What is it exactly?
After giving birth, your uterus must evacuate everything that was used during the pregnancy, remains of the placenta, uterine lining, blood, mucus, dead cells. When the placenta detaches, it leaves an open wound in the uterus that can be up to 20 cm in diameter (the taille of a plate). So your body is working hard to heal and clean all that up. Lochia is the result of this big clean-up.
Complete Lochia Timeline (And When to Switch to Period Panties)
Lochia progresses through three distinct phases, each with its own color and intensity. Understanding this timeline helps you know when to switch to period panties.
💡 Practical information
A study published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (1997) shows that the median duration of lochia is 27 days in breastfeeding women. But more than a quarter of women have episodes of bleeding that stop and then start again. So if this happens to you, it's normal.
Lochia VS Periods: The Key Differences
The two are often confused, but they are really not the same thing.
Why Switch From Diapers to Period Panties
Disposable postpartum diapers (mesh + giant pad style) are useful for the first week, but honestly, they're not super comfortable to wear for weeks. Period panties offer a truly more comfortable alternative once the heavy flow has passed.
The Real Benefits of Postpartum Period Panties
1. Unparalleled comfort
You're wearing real panties, not a diaper. It changes everything in terms of dignity and comfort, especially when you're already exhausted and your body needs some softness.
2. Healing respected
Soft materials (organic cotton, bamboo) irritate less than a plastic-coated disposable pad. If you have an episiotomy or a tear, this is a real plus.
3. No feeling of humidity
The absorbent layers of Period Panties wick away moisture. You stay dry for 12 hours, without the unpleasant "wet diaper" effect.
4. Real economy
Disposable postpartum diapers cost around €15-25 for a pack of 10. If you bleed for 6 weeks at a minimum of one per day, that's 3 packs = €45-75. 5-7 Period Panties cost €140-200 but last at least 5 years.
5. Environmentally Friendly
A woman throws away an average of 40 to 60 disposable pads after giving birth. Period Panties can be reused for years.
6. Postpartum versatility
In addition to lochia, they manage urinary leakage (common after childbirth), the return of menstruation (often very heavy), and your future period.
Diapers vs. Period Panties: The Match
💡 The hybrid strategy that works : Plan on a pack of disposable diapers for the first week (or two), then switch to Period Panties. The best of both worlds without the guilt.
Need Comfort and Protection After Childbirth?
Our postpartum Period Panties hold back discharge to gently support your body, without stress or compromise.
How to Choose Your Postpartum Period Panties
Not all Period Panties are created equal for postpartum. There are specific criteria that must be met for them to truly work.
Non-Negotiable Criteria
1. Maximum Absorption (Hemorrhagic Flow)
Look for the equivalent of 4 to 6 tampons minimum, or even more. Classic "heavy flow" models are often not sufficient. Models specifically marked "hemorrhagic flow", "night", or "postpartum" are required.
Minimum absorption capacity: 60-100ml to be really comfortable
2. Extended Absorbent Zone
The absorbent part should cover the entire panty, from the pubic area to the top of the buttocks. This way, whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side, you're protected.
✅ Essential for the night and the first days when you move little
3. Taille High Mandatory
Forget thongs and panties taille low. After giving birth, your belly needs support, your C-section scar (if you have one) needs protecting, and you're probably bloated.
Bonus: The models taille high often have a slight firming effect that helps you feel better
4. Soft and Certified Materials
Your intimate area is fragile (episiotomy, tear, increased sensitivity). Choose natural materials in contact with the skin.
- Organic cotton: The best for sensitive skin
- Bamboo: Natural antibacterial
- Labels: Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (free from harmful substances)
5. Taille Adapted (Take One) Taille Above)
Your body has just given birth. You are bloated, your belly has not yet returned to its taille from before, and you need absolute comfort.
⚠️ Tip: Take yours taille end of pregnancy, or even a taille above. Panties that are too tight compress your uterus, which has to contract, and this is uncomfortable over a scar.
How Many Period Panties Should I Buy?
Between drying time and the frequency of changing the first few days, you need to allow plenty of time.
Practical Calculation
- Weeks 2-3: You change twice a day = 2 pairs of panties/day
- Drying time : 24-48 hours depending on the weather
- Calculation : 2 pairs of panties/day × 2 days of drying = 4 pairs of panties minimum
- Safety margin : +2-3 pairs of panties for stress-free shooting
✅ Our recommendation: 5 to 7 Period Panties for heavy flow to be really comfortable throughout the postpartum period
When to Start Using Period Panties
This is THE question everyone is asking. The answer depends on your workflow and comfort level, but there's a general timeline to follow.
Days 1 to 6: DISPOSABLE DIAPERS REQUIRED
The flow is too heavy, too unpredictable, with large clots. Period Panties won't hold up. You change your protection every 2-3 hours. It's time for postpartum diapers from the maternity ward or maxi pads + mesh.
Days 7 to 10: POSSIBLE TRANSITION
You're entering the Lochia Serosa (pink/brown) phase. Your flow is decreasing. This is a good time to try period pants for heavy flow. Start during the day to check if they hold up, and keep your diapers for the night at first if you prefer.
From D10: 100% Period Panties
You are in the Lochia Alba phase (yellowish/white). The flow is light, more like vaginal discharge. Period Panties for medium to heavy flow are more than sufficient. You can wear them for 12 hours straight without any problem.
🚫 Absolute ban for 6 weeks
Tampons and cups are prohibited for at least 6 weeks postpartum (until your checkup). Your cervix isn't closed yet, so there's a real risk of infection. Period Panties are external, so there's no danger.
And for the return of diapers?
Your period is your first real period after giving birth. It usually arrives 6 to 8 weeks later if you're not breastfeeding, or several months later if you are. Spoiler: it's often VERY heavy.
💡 Tip : The Period Panties you bought for lochia will be perfect for the return of your period. You're equipped for the long haul.
Instructions for Use: Using and Caring for Your Postpartum Panties
You've got your period panties, now you need to know how to use them properly postpartum. It's not complicated, but there are a few specifics.
How to Wear Them
Avant-garde use
Wash them 2-3 times to activate their absorbency. The fibers need to be "awakened" to absorb at their maximum capacity.
Wearing time
Up to 12 hours depending on your flow. In the Lochia Serosa phase (days 7-10), change every 6-8 hours. In the Alba phase (after day 10), you can easily last 12 hours.
The night
Choose "night" models or ones with extra-long absorbent zones. You probably sleep little and poorly with your baby; the last thing you need is to wake up to change your protection.
Position
Unlike pads that shift, Period Panties move with you. You can turn over in bed, stand up, and sit down without constantly adjusting them.
Simplified Maintenance (Because You Already Have Enough to Do)
With a newborn, you don't want to spend three hours scrubbing your pants. The protocol is simple.
Rinse with cold water
As soon as you take off your panties, run them under cold water until the water runs clear. Cold water prevents the blood from setting into the fibers. You can do this right in the shower.
Light spin
Gently squeeze (do not twist) to remove excess water. Place it in your laundry basket while you wait for the machine to wash.
Machine wash
30°C maximum, with your usual detergent (without fabric softener). Ideally, place them in a laundry bag to protect the seams. You can wash them with the rest of your laundry, no problem.
Air drying
Hang them on a drying rack. Allow 24 hours in summer, 48 hours in winter. No tumble dryer (this damages the absorbent fibers), no direct radiator (this can deform the elastics).
⚠️ Classic mistakes to correct
- Hot water : It cooks the blood and fixes it in the fibers
- Softener: It waterproofs the fibers and reduces absorption
- Bleach: It destroys the absorbent properties
- Tumble dryer/ironing: Heat damages technical membranes
Practical Organization with a Newborn
Let's be honest: with a baby crying every two hours, you don't feel like dealing with complicated laundry.
The System That Works
- Dedicated basket: Put your rinsed panties in a separate basket in the bathroom
- Machine every 2-3 days: Start a machine when you have 3-4 dirty panties. It works well with 5-7 panties in total.
- Strategic drying: Hang them up directly after the washing machine, in a discreet corner of your bedroom or bathroom
- Time-saving tip: Rinse them off while you shower (you're already there, might as well do it all at once)
Postpartum Budget: How Much Does It Really Cost?
Let's talk money straight. Between nursery prep, bodysuits, diapers, and everything else, the budget is skyrocketing. Postpartum protection is just another line item. Let's do the actual math.
💰 In the end : Yes, the initial investment is higher with Period Panties (€155-225 vs €45-83). But over 1 year, you're already a winner. Over 5 years, you save between €180 and €290. And if you have a second child, the panties are still useful.
The Questions You Ask Yourself (And We Answer You)
We've compiled real questions from new mothers on forums and Facebook groups. Here are the candid answers.
Can period panties manage lochia after a C-section?
Yes, absolutely. Even with a cesarean, you have lochia (your uterus still evacuates everything). The only difference: choose models taille high that do not compress your scar. Also wait until days 7-10 as for a vaginal delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Period Panties
Health & Safety: What You Really Need to Watch Out For
Postpartum is a time when your body is fragile. Your uterus is healing, your cervix is still closed, and your perineum is recovering. There are a few hygiene rules to follow, but nothing complicated.
Signs That Should Alert You
Lochia is normal, but there are some signs that indicate a problem. Contact your midwife or ob-gyn if you notice any of these signs.
- Very heavy bleeding: You saturate a protection in less than 1 hour, or you lose clots bigger than a golf ball
- Foul smell: A strong, foul, or rotten odor (different from the normal smell of blood)
- Fever : Temperature above 38°C
- Severe pain: Very severe cramps that do not go away with paracetamol
- Bleeding that starts again after having disappeared: You had stopped bleeding then it suddenly started again in bright red
- General discomfort: Dizziness, intense weakness, pallor, tachycardia
⚠️ Postpartum hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage (excessive bleeding) can occur up to 12 weeks after delivery. It's rare but serious. If you use two pads in one hour or suddenly lose a lot of blood, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
Good Hygiene Practices
A few simple steps to avoid infections and promote healing.
- Intimate hygiene: Twice a day maximum, with lukewarm water, without harsh soap. The vagina cleans itself, do not rummage inside
- Drying: Dab gently, don't rub. Fresh air is your friend.
- Regular change: Even if your panties can last 12 hours, change them as soon as they are 2/3 saturated
- Clean hands: Wash your hands before and after changing your underwear.
- Complete drying: Make sure your panties are completely dry before putting them back on (wet fibers = bacteria)
- Loose underwear: If you wear pants or pajamas, choose breathable materials (cotton) that are not too tight.
Postpartum Period Panties: Who They're Really For
Postpartum Period Panties aren't for everyone. Let's be clear about who can really benefit from them.
✅ It's made for you
- Looking for a more comfortable alternative to disposable diapers (after the first week)
- You want an ecological and economical solution over the long term
- You already have Period Panties and you love them
- You have sensitive skin or a history of irritation with disposable pads
- You're ready to handle the rinsing and maintenance (even if it's simple)
- You have the initial budget to invest in 5-7 pairs of panties
❌ This may not be for you
- You have no one to help you and the idea of managing additional laundry stresses you out.
- You're really grossed out by the idea of rinsing blood (and that's okay, no judgment)
- Your budget is very tight and you cannot invest 150-200€ at once
- You are in an apartment with no possibility of hanging out washing (no balcony, radiators prohibited)
- You really prefer disposable and you own up to it (and that's OK too)
💡 The important thing : Choose what's right for YOU. If disposable diapers make your life easier during this already stressful time, keep them. If period pants make you more comfortable, go for them. There's no right or wrong answer, just your own comfort.
Postpartum Deserves Your Comfort
Period pants can really make your postpartum period easier, but you need to know when and how to use them. Keep disposable diapers for the first week when your flow is heavy, then switch to period pants for heavy flow from days 7-10. With 5 to 7 pairs of pants, you can comfortably rotate for the entire duration of lochia (4 to 6 weeks).
The initial investment is higher (€140-200) than disposable diapers, but over 1 year you're already a winner, and over 5 years you save between €180 and €290. Beyond the budget, it's mainly a question of comfort: Period Panties are soft, breathable, and respect your healing body. They also manage urinary leaks and the return of diapers, which are often very heavy.
The first week postpartum is intense. Lochia is abundant, your body is recovering, your baby is crying, and you're having trouble sleeping. Having the right protection means one less thing to worry about. Whether you choose disposable diapers, period pants, or a mix of the two, the key is to find what allows you to focus on what matters most: gently recovering and enjoying your newborn.
Sources & Scientific References
This article is based on scientific studies and verified medical recommendations on lochia and postpartum.
- Visness CM, Kennedy KI, Gross BA, Parenteau-Carreau S, Flynn AM, Brown JB. (1997). The duration and character of postpartum bleeding among breast-feeding women. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 89 (2), 159-163. DOI: 10.1016/S0029-7844(96)00420-6
Prospective study of 477 women showing a median duration of lochia of 27 days. - Fletcher S, Grotegut CA, James AH. (2012). Lochia patterns among normal women: a systematic review. Journal of Women's Health, 21 (12), 1290-1294. DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2012.3668
Systematic review on the normal characteristics of lochia. - World Health Organization. (2013). WHO recommendations on postnatal care of the mother and newborn. Geneva: World Health Organization. WHO Link
Official WHO recommendations on postnatal care. - Ameli.fr. Postpartum: What happens after giving birth? Ameli Link
Official French resource on postpartum and lochia. - Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Lochia (Postpartum Bleeding): How Long, Stages, Smell & Color. Cleveland Clinic Link
Detailed medical guide to the 3 phases of lochia.
Note: DOI links provide direct access to the original scientific publications. This article was written in accordance with current medical knowledge.
Medical Warning: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For any questions about your postpartum recovery, consult your midwife, gynecologist, or primary care physician.
