Children’s continence products - A guide for parents and children (view report contents)
Disposable and washable pads
Pads are the most popular body-worn product to protect against leaks.
Made in disposable or washable materials, they come in a variety of shapes
and sizes suitable for children. Some are worn inside ordinary pants and
others are built into special underwear.
Pads have a surface layer worn next to the skin, usually made of a ‘feel-dry’
material, which allows the urine to pass through to a soaker layer of
absorbent materials. Most have a waterproof backing or underlayer to minimise
leaks. Those without a waterproof backing can be used as an extra booster
pad. Pads that contain an absorbing gel are more absorbent without being
bigger.
Many parents mix and match the pads according to their child’s needs,
choosing a smaller pad or special pants during the day, and changing to
a more absorbent pad at night.
Choosing disposables or washables?
Disposable body-worn pads are:
- cheaper to buy, but expensive if needed over a long period of time
- often available in free ‘trial’ packs
- useful for short-time use - when awaiting treatment or when travelling
- suitable for heavy bladder loss
- suitable for bowel leakage
- available with a wetness strip to show when they need changing
- difficult to dispose of when you are away from home
- thrown away after use, even if not wet, as they deteriorate.
Washable body-worn pads are:
- reusable
- available as normal underwear
- suitable for light urinary loss
- not recommended for heavy soiling because of staining
- more expensive to buy initially, so mistakes can be costly
- easier to store than disposables and need less space. Store with the absorbent layer outside so that any moisture can evaporate
- not easy to wash by hand. You will need a washing machine or to find a laundry which will follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- not for you if you do not like the idea of washing wet or soiled pads. Some areas have a laundry service which will collect used pads and deliver clean ones. Your local continence service can advise.
Washable pads must always be washed before first using them to soften the fibres. Bleach and fabric softeners should be avoided, as they can damage the absorbency quality of the fibres.
A shaped pad to cup between the legs
Shaped, all-in-one and pull-up disposable pads
Washable pads
Tips
- Choose pads designed to absorb the amount your child is leaking. A more absorbent pad may be needed at night.
- Pads are more efficient when the maker’s instructions are followed.
- Change the pad before it is saturated - every three to four hours - to reduce the risk of leaks.
- The price and appearance of the pad do not reflect its quality.
- Pads with a waterproof backing can be worn only one at a time - urine cannot pass through the waterproof layer.
- Wash and dry between the legs each time a pad is changed. Apply any lotions or creams very thinly to avoid skin problems and clogging the top layer of the pad which reduces absorbency.
Report Contents
What’s this guide about?
What can the products do?
Where can you get help?
About the products
Products for the toilet
Alternatives to the toilet
Protecting the bed
Disposable and washable pads
Underwear for boys and girls
Specialist products
Smells and stains
How the bladder and bowel work
Useful information
