www.incontinentsupport.org

This is really in the "For What It's Worth" category, since there probably will never be a good answer for diaper tapes and why some work well, some are bad and some diapers vary, as most have noticed. And that's tough when you come to depend on a certain diaper and then get a batch that the tapes don't stick!

Sandy brings up a good point about the European diapers sitting in hot shipping containers waiting to go on the ship and when they come off the ship. Weeks or longer sitting in the hot sun! I gotta agree with Sandy how lousy it is that the best diapers often have the worse tapes!

My theory is the "refastenable" aspect. A cheap diaper doesn't hold much so maybe the mfr figures there won't be any need to check the diaper and he uses tapes that hold like iron. But a premium diaper holds a lot and a caretaker (or the wearer) may want to make multiple checks and if the tape tears the diaper apart, they aren't going to buy more of that diaper.

I'd imagine it's a tough job coming up with a tape that is a comprimise between refastenable and one that effectively sticks on. I look at it from the wearers view point. I never check my diaper by untaping; it's easier to slip a thumb in under a leg opening at the back to see how wet the padding feels. So naturally, I want a tape that stays stuck!

I just had a batch of really bad tapes on the Abena Plus diaper. Gary at XP Medical made me very happy with replacing the diapers. Those diapers are the bottom of 4 steps of absorbancy and he doesn't sell many. The next step up (Super) is a popular mover as is the forth step up (the flag ship Abena X Plus). The Super had tapes that held just fine!

Again, diapers sitting around, as Sandy suggests, tapes lose their stick? Gary told me it's hard to say why tapes fail, pointing out that tapes are a purchased item for the diaper mfrs and batches of tapes from the
supplier(s) can vary, which results in one particular diaper having good tapes one time and bad tapes another time. Comes down to quality control and how do you effectively do it on a high speed diaper line-and you can't imagine the speed of these modern diaper machines!

You may have something there with the care givers needing to check a diaper? But then isn't that what the strip is for that changes color when wet. But then that's not fool proof either Your sweat can cause that to change. What do you guys think the percentage is of people that wear diapers that are fully active and/or are able to take care of the changes themselves. Verses those that are incapable for one reason or another of taking care of themselves. I hate to say it but I guess that you would have to include the recreational pervert fetish wears also After all there always seems to be a stigma that only incapacitated people wear full blown Diapers. Not someone like you or me that are fully active productive people. I have to sometimes wonder if the Diaper manufactures even think about us ...........................Sandy

Sandy,
I like to think that the diaper manufacturers have been listening to us. There will always be the cheap plastic back diapers for hospitals and nursing homes. Many are now improving their line with cloth backed diapers and new tapes. Like I mentioned before, the Tena Ultra's now have the hook tab system for there tapes. I believe they did this for active wearers like you and me. A nursing home couldn't care less if the diaper is noisey our if it has better tapes.
Probably most manufactures don't care, but a few out there are listening. I have taken part in some market studies where they send me diapers to try out and ask for my comments. That shows you they are trying. Any ways that's my opinion. ...........Paul

I really do like the new Tena Ultras, At first I didn't think that the diaper was well put togather, but after just the first one I knew they would hold up just fine. Because the plastic Tape zone is gone it makes them feel flimsy, but is just the opposite, they are very strong and the tape system hold real well. I have not had a tape pop yet and I have used a case of them already. The tapes fasten anywhere you place them, EVEN if you get powder or cream on them or the diaper. The diaper hold up just as good as the old style, and they added alittle more padding in the back wings, It is one of the best diaper styles for active people. I for one am very happy with the change, the only down fall is that it still does't have leak guards. I leak constantly little at a time (not a gusher)so these work fine for me w/out guards. If you want a great diaper that moves with your body, very light, lots of air movement,(keeps ya cooler) you definetly want to give them a try.

Disposable diapers fit different people differently; that should come as no surprise, but I'll bet there are still a lot of folks thinking all disposable diapers are pretty much the same.

Not true! What Hobiecatguy says is what I've heard from others AND what I have experienced myself. Tena fits me very well and it does work well for someone more active than average. I've had diapers that don't fit me worth a darn, no matter how I fiddle with the tapes.

I urge you to try different brands and assess the fit. The better the fit, the better the protection-from a leak standpoint!

I appreciate Hobie's review of the hook and loop fastening, since I've been frustraited with tapes, as most of you have been at one time or another. I'm going to have to give Tena Ultras a try at some point, tho I dislike cloth like backing and got away from Tenas when they switched to cloth like backing.

Joe K's 2 cents

Hi Guys I'm a little behind on posting here. But since it's late and I can't sleep what the hey! Paul your right I guess maybe some manufactures do care about us. But at the same time I still think they care allot more about babies then us. I would love to be able to wear diapers that had as many features as those do or just fit as well as those. I also like the Tena's. But I have troubles with the cloth backing giving me a rub rash on the inside of my legs mostly in warm or hot weather. Not that I don't get it with other cloth backed diapers. But I do think it happens more with the tena's because of the wide crotch. The wide crotch allows for more bunching up between the legs. And when the brief is wet it becomes worse. For me the tena's do fit ok. But I also find the Attends fit me well Both classic and waistband ones. My favorites are the Abri Form super X plus and the Molicare supers or X plus ones. The molicares and Abri Forms are bulky and do make dressing in away to hid the bulk a little more challenging during the day. I also find the prevails and Tranquility ATN's work rather well for me also Tho the tranquility briefs have a little longer crotch area then what I would prefer but they still seem to work alright. And as long as we are on the subject I'm finding I don't mind the secure plus brief either.
Sorry Paul I haven't tried the cloth yet. But I have been watching for some good deals on cloth. My husband told me that those plastic pants with the ruffles that I ALMOST KILLED HIM OVER ! are still around somewhere. I thought I threw them out? Maybe one of these days I'll slide into a cloth brief? But I still hate the idea of the laundry.......Sandy

Hi Sandy,
Getting past the laundry issue is a big deal, but I think it may be worth it. Many incons are happy with disposable diapers by day and cloth diapers overnight. A benefit is leak reduction and very likely leak elimination overnhight. Just wearing cloth overnight also takes care of the "hiding the bulk" issue. Also the sag issue which means a pull on diaper should be just fine.

Depending on how wet your overnights are, you can choose between the pull on brief and pull on diaper at Loving Comfort. The brief concentrates the extra layers in a strip front to back, while the diaper is extra layers thru out-the secret to no leaks for side sleepers! Last I checked, the brief was 3 layers and $29 while the diaper (I recommend the max) can be had in 5 layers and $40: one layer of birdseye inside and outside with 3 layers of terrycloth in between. (Terry cloth is what your towels are.)

Plastic pants are another whole subject. The pants at Loving Comfort I think are Gary pants and the waist elastics are a bit too snug for me, relative to leg elastics. I'll bet you will find Suprima or Babykins pants much more comfortable and to your liking. Babykins has a great selection as well, from a light vinyl that feels like silk pants, to a sturdy vinyl (called medium weight) to polyester pants; coated and available in light to heavy fabric. So much to choose from!

<http://www.babykins.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=ADLT>

I think that link takes you right to the waterproof pants page.

Laundry: If you only wear cloth pull on diapers at night, it will take at least 6 diapers to make up a wash load, maybe even 7, the whole week. Get a Rubbermaid trash container with a tight fitting lid and sprinkle a little pine concentrated cleaner on each diaper as you toss it in and there should be no odor to your "diaper pail".

Joe K

Sandy,
The Kins url I posted is just the overall Adult catalog section.
Waterproof pants are:

http://www.babykins.com/Merchant2/merch ... y_Code=KWP

I recommend the 10300V for the light silk like pants-I think you will love them!

And the 20300V for a sturdy pair of plastic pants.

For a little fun and color: 10350F and 10300VP

Click on any of the pants to get to the screen with detailed info, sizes and cost. In the case of the 10300VP, you may have to scrool down to see the four print choice swatches.

Hi JoeK
Thank you for all the advice Paul's been trying to help me also you guys are so nice on this board. To be honest I really don't have allot of problems at night with leaks I'm a tummy and Back sleeper. I sometimes leak a little but it's rare I have a flood leak I always keep a bed pad under the top sheet on the bed just in case. Wearing the heavy duty Molicares or Abri Forms with a full length booster usually works. I have no control at night. I'm a heavy wetter at night During the day I sometimes can get to the bathroom if one is close by. I'm one that is always leaking. And when I do retain any I usually don't have long to get somewhere before it all comes out anyways. I use to get so stressed out years ago. But now I really don't worry to much about it. Sure if a restroom is near by I will try and go there. But I guess as my husband would say I'm just being lazy LOL. Funny part is he's the one that would get on my case for being lazy. And then some years back when out shopping I remember having an urge and having to go and he say just use your brief that's what it's there for. And you guys say us Females are hard to understand???? Maybe it was just the inconvenience of me having to find a restroom. Here I go again rambling Anyway back to the cloth briefs With the pull up ones will any of them fit a female or are there gender related ones that are made for us. The reason I ask is I have a fair shape as females go. As my hips are bigger then my waist. Not that I'm fat! But I guess I could stand to lose 15 or so pounds Anyway here I go again I would have thought that the regular briefs would be better then the pullups? I here my name being called I've got to go. All for now.....................Sandy

First, let me go back to saying the plastic pants on Loving Comfort's site are Gary. They are NOT, they are COMCO or private lable made by Comco. I was thinking of the "Leakmaster" pants on Adult Cloth Diaper's site which are Gary pants.

Comco pants are pretty good; comfortable waist and leg elastics. They tend to run big so often you can wear one size down. My one gripe is the coverage at the rear leg could be improved with a better cut.

Sandy, I enjoy your ramblings! It is really great to have a woman participating! I will be gleaning material from your postings for the update to the Diaper Primer.

I advocate pull on when I am trying to get someone to try cloth now. Before Loving Comfort came out with a serious pull on diaper, I had to suggest Velcro (tm reg) i.e. hook and loop fastening. I'd never suggest a newbie attempt pinning; it's just too difficult to get a prefold pinned on so it comfortable. Prefolds and pinning are for the advanced, die hard cloth fananics (like me).

The hook and loop fastening contour diapers are excellent-my partner Michael in Toronto can attest to that. I think the newer hook and loop material stands up better than the stuff I tried years ago which pretty much died after a few launderings, leaving me to have to pin the diaper on.

As for your question, Sandy, the good pull on diaper available from Loving Comfort is said to be uni-sex. I'd suggest looking at the size ranges and factor in hip size more than waist size. I fully agree this is a concern since the diaper is not cheap ($40 for one) and is not returnable due to it's "underwear" category.

Perhaps e-mail them at Loving Comfort. There's gotta be a woman there that can address your concern about ordering the proper size. I'd say just go "big" if any doubt, and it'd be fine for overnight, but a shame if it were a bit loose and you decided you wanted to try the cloth pull on diaper for a day trip out of the house. So proper size would be more critical for walking around and not having the pull on slipping down too much as it gets wet and heavy.

Joe K