How To Prevent Diaper Leakage

Gina Flores
Caregiver Advocate | Shield HealthCare
07/27/11  4:43 PM PST
Diaper Leakage

Although incontinence is a highly manageable condition, one of the most common problems people face is diaper leakage. Here are a few guidelines to follow in order to get the maximum performance out of incontinence products and help prevent diaper leakage.

1.  Choosing the right product

The first step in finding the best product is to know what level of incontinence the wearer has. Make sure to select a product or products that match your incontinence volume needs. Do you need light, moderate or heavy protection?

-For light needs, liners and bladder control pads are usually adequate and may be changed easily.

-For moderate needs, beltless or belted undergarments are a great choice. Protective underwear (or pull-ups) are a suitable choice if the wearer is mobile and toileting.

-For heavy needs, a brief (or diaper) provides the most absorbency power. Through advanced technology such as acquisition layers and polymer filling, one can be dry and comfortable for long periods.

See Shield HealthCare’s incontinence product selection guide for more information.

2. Choosing the correct size and fit

The number one reason for leaky briefs or protective underwear is a product that is too big or a loose fit. Many people falsely assume that a larger product will provide more protection simply through surface area. On the contrary, a product that is too large will not seal correctly on the waist and legs and will risk leakage. The fit should feel comfortably snug: not overly tight, but the seal should be snug around the leg openings and waist. An accurately-fitting product will provide the best results.

Try the product sizing chart tool in combination with a simple waist measurement, or ask your provider for samples in order to determine the correct size.

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Comments

5 comments

    1. Generally, Medi-Cal covers briefs, diapers and other disposable incontinence products, however the coverage is based on the patient’s diagnosis. There may be other circumstances that would determine product coverage such as additional insurance plans.

      Here is a link to the Medi-Cal coverage policy, if you would like more specific information.

      Thank you for visiting Shield HealthCare’s incontinence community.

  1. My sons diaper leaks EVERY night. I know he is in the right size. He sleeps on his side and I think this is part of the problem. Any thoughts on how to keep his clothes and bedding dry all night??

    1. Hi Diane. Thank you for commenting. We asked one of our sales representatives, Lore, who has been working with incontinence products for years about your comment, and here is her response: “I would recommend that your son use booster pads inside the diapers he is wearing. They come in several styles and sizes. If your son is a Shield customer, you can request samples of the boosters to place inside the briefs at night. Also please make sure the diapers fit snuggly around the legs. That is most likely where the leaking is happening. If it is just overload, the boosters will help.” We hope her answer helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Best of luck! -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  2. My Diaper and liner leak all the time. I am a person with a disease called HSP, it’s hard for me to pull down the diaper because my legs are like they are tied
    together. So, I am pulling down diaper and the middle is still up between my legs, can’t control bladder, so I am wetting down my legs to the floor before I can
    release the diaper from my legs. But when I can sit on toilet I do release a moderate size of urine.

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