www.incontinentsupport.org

I think cloth pull on diaper pants, often called "training pants" might give disposables a bit of competition that pin on or velcro diapers cannot. As we've written in the Primer, such pants won't stay up well as they get wet and heavy. So we've considered them viable for the "just in case" outings where you do NOT plant to get them wet.

A reader suggested applying the support briefs as a way to wear a pull up cloth diaper. I think we'd all be interested in the results of any such trials.

With heavier, more absorbant pants available from Loving Comfort and Bear Bottom, those who wear disposables by day and want to save a bit by wearing cloth at night have a new choice with convenient pull on diapers that eliminate the chore of pinning and lack of holding power with velcro.

I've tried a few of these (depend, depend refastenable and tena) and actually did not like any of them. My use is about what you described: no plans on getting them wet (ie: "just in case" as I mostly have urge incon). While a normal depend brief has never caused any problems, these certainly have. I had several leaks, at times I wondered if these had any kind of odor control (really surprised me), and it looks like the fit is mostly adapted for women (it feels almost like you got a piece of 2x4 between your legs pressing on your anatomy as the padding is not very "flexible" - not comfortable at all). I thought they'd be a lot more discrete at first (that was the only real reason to give them a try). But it turns out that normal depend briefs are about as diescrete as it gets, never had anyone notice, noise and thinkness are very minimal. But if you wear one of those pull ons and you feel very discomfortable, almost nervous about having an accident in case it leaked - or worse - that you actually do get a leak, then it's definately less discrete. Also, fit-wise, some weren't really good at all, not helping for leaks. I guess I had to try them... I guess depending on which ones you try, your body type/corpulence and such, your results may vary. Personally, I'm definately going back to normal briefs which work better and cost less.

Hi Guest,
Before you give up on disposable pull ons, the brands you mentioned are really bad and would frustrait you with leaks. A pull on should be more convenient than a tape on diaper for someone like yourself that uses the toilet as much as possible.

IMO the very best pull on is Medline Protection Plus. They are as leak proof as you can get! But also thick which may be a problem for you. Two other good diaper makers, Molicare and Abena, are also now making the pull ons and their pants are very good for leak free performance; far better than the Depends and others.

Check the good ones out at www.ABAIP.com

Joe K

I've been dealing with a combination of overflow and urge incontinence caused by diabetes for nearly four years. Although I have no reason to hope that it will ever happen, I still think of being "diaper free" sometimes. Every now and then I start thinking that perhaps I could get by with less diapering and decide to give adult protective underwear another try. As the previous poster suggested, I find myself MUCH more aware of the state of the diaper than when I'm wearing my usual Depends and plastic pants.

For mild episodes of overflow incontinence, the protective underwear works reasonably well. An urge incontinence episode, though, will result in a much larger void, which the underwear may or may not be able to contain. Usually, after a few days, and one or two close calls, I'm back in "diapers."

I have found Comco trainers useful for extra protection at night. I wear them over my disposable (which at night often has a "boost" pad in it) and under my plastic pants. I believe I've had only two slightly wet beds during the past year.

My biggest problems happen when I'm working at the computer. If I'm involved in something, I may forget that changing time has come and gone. Then when I get up I'll see the big wet spot on the chair and on my pants or bathrobe. Even if I don't notice those right away, the weight and soggy/sagging feeling of the diaper will tell me I've waited too long to change.

Well... There's a few problems. If you live in the USA, you may have that much choice (all these brands) but here in Canada, that's basically all you can get, even if you mail order (from one of our very few and more expensive places). Also, I would imagine the other brands are even more expensive than the depend/tena ones, whereas they are already more expensive than a "plain" depend diaper that also protects better and doesn't feel so bulky/discomfortable. And as you pointed, the others are even thicker, so I doubt it would help as far as comfortability goes... I'm mostly using the basic depend diaper because I know I can trust it, it's cheaper, and it's about as discrete/thin it gets, it's almost like it's not there. I don't know if I will find a better solution (perhaps a leg bag would work even better, have yet to try one)

I've seen several references to Bear Bottom and the high quality of their merchandise. I'd like to check them out; do they have a web address?

Thanks-

Dave S.

Hi David S,

Bear Bottom does not have a web page but you can contact Diane Seguin by e-mail, seguin4@uwindsor.ca and by telephone at 519-776-8959.

Diane custom sews all her products and they have been designed by incontinent folks for incontinent folks so I think you will be well satisfied.

Please check out the addendems on our Primer Page, there is one for pull on diapers, aka "training pants" where I point out most are "wannabees" with soft fluffy filling that is bulky but doesn't hold a lot. Note I say I know of only one pull on diaper that's worth its salt...I need to say I know of two but I've been derelict in getting the revision to the webmaster. The second good diaper pant is, of course, the Bear Bottom. All cotton, no useless fluff filler and (I think this is correct), the absorbant booster liner thru the center is attached only at the waists which would facilitate washing and drying. As you can imagine, drying these heavy duty pull on diapers can take some time when you can't "open up" the thickness of the padding. I think Diane has addressed that.

I wish I could report from a personal objective but my incon requires pin on cloth diapers continuously, I get no warning to be able to use the toilet. Anyone who does get any kind of warning and can use the toilet, even on a limited basis, can make good use of the pull up diaper. To use the toilet, obviously they get pulled down, along with your plastic pants and your trousers. Take care on pulling them back up that the plastic pants continue to cover up all the cotton so you don't get a wicking leak if you do happen to get the diaper pants wet. But to use the urinal, most report they simply pull the front waist down enough to urinate in the urinal. For this convenience, the belt, waist button and fly of the trousers need to be opened up and here suspenders are a great aid to hold your trousers up while they are unfastened. The plastic pants are minimally disturbed as well so there is less concern about a leak later on if the diaper pants do get wet.

Lots of good information! Thanks for the reply.

dave

I have pull-on (triple thickness) diapers from Loving Comfort. I'd like to say they are the best in the 41 years of my incontinence. I use them for night time. It allows me to sleep in any position without fear of leakage, even up to ten hours of rest.

During the day time I use an external catheter attached to a Belly Bag. Leg bags are a nuisance. I have found this method works very well. I'm not on the catheter for long periods that have caused me sores on the meatus and not utilizing the diapers long enough to have any problems with diaper rash.

And, by the way, being a Viet Nam vet, diapers are covered by the Veterans Affairs whereas they are not with Medicare.

IMR

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IMR

Have you ever tried Angelfluff flannel diapers? I have a couple of dozen of them and haven't found anything yet that beats them. I'm wondering how the Loving Comfort diapers compare with Angelfluff's.

www.angelfluff.com

Dave S. (not on commission.....)