Incontinence pads, pull-up pants and slips are all common and practical products for managing continence. However, the way in which they're applied can actually impact their aborsbency and comfort. 

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you experience leakage despite the continence aid not appearing to be full?
• Do you experience leakage that soaks through your clothing, particularly when lying down or in bed at night?
• Does the use of a booster pad result in increased leaking?
• Are you experiencing a rash between your legs and in the groin area?

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, the following the tips and tricks for how to apply incontinence pads, pull-ups and slips may make a world of difference!

How to prepare your incontinence product

Did you know that all incontinence pads, pull-ups and slips need to be folded in half, lengthways, before being put on. This is because it creates a more anatomically moulded, boat-like shape which directs urine to the lowest central point to effectively absorb and, more importantly, engages the leak guards.

What this means is that the leak guards (which run along the inside of the leg holes in pull-ups and slips, and centre sides of pads) will stand up. When you get products out of the pack, the leak guards will often stay flat against the continence aid and, therefore, won’t effectively redirect urine away from the leg cuff - which can cause leaks.

You can view our how to apply incontinence aids videos to find out exactly how to do this.

Why you should measure your waist 

Incontinence pull-ups and slips that are too tight, or too big, can lead to skin irritation and leakage.

To avoid friction and leakage when using these types of incontinence products with a waistband, it's important to properly measure your waist. If the waistband is the wrong size, either too small or too large, it can result in discomfort in the groin area and also cause gapping in the legs leading to potential leakage as the leak guards will not fit securely against the legs.

Measure yourself or the person you care for at the widest point between the hip and waist. From there, check the "waist measurement" on the products on our website to ensure you select the correct fit.

Keep in mind that pad sizing can vary between brands, just like with regular clothing. To ensure proper fit, you should be able to insert two fingers under the waistband and one finger under the leg area of the pull-up or slip whilst wearing.

If you need help with how to choose the right incontinence product you can contact us and speak to our friendly team of product specialists or take our simple but comprehensive Help Me Choose online quiz.

How to apply all-in-one slips or adult nappies

If you are wearing adult nappies, also called an all-in-one slip, try doing up the bottom two tabs in an upwards direction first.

This helps the leg cuffs fit snug against the leg/groin. The top two tabs should be slightly angled down. This will eliminate the natural channel that forms at the back, which allows urine to take the route of least resistance and flow out of the top of the pad.

You can watch how to apply all-in-one slips here.

If you're a carer and need to place the slip on someone else in the lying position, roll them onto their side first. You then place the slip between the legs and pull up into position. Unfold the back of the slip and then roll the person onto their back again. Once you have adjusted the position of the slip at the front, you can do up the tabs. This means only one roll, being more comfortable for the wearer and better ergonomically for the carers back.

How to apply pull-up pants

Putting on incontinence pull-up pants is a pretty straightforward process, but it's important to follow a few steps to ensure maximum protection and comfort.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you put on incontinence pull-up pants correctly:

Choose the right size

Make sure you choose the right size of pull-up pants to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Incontinence pants should fit snugly around the waist and legs, but not so tight that they restrict movement or cause discomfort. Remember to measure your waist before purchasing, as mentioned above! 

Step into the pants or pull them on

Stand up straight and hold the pants by the waistband. place one leg into the pants, then the other leg, pulling them up over both legs and up to your waist. Make sure the pants are properly positioned on your hips and waist and not twisting around your legs.

If you're unable to stand, you can sit down and bend over to put the pants over one foot, and then the other and pull up from there. Be sure to get some assistance from a loved one or carer if you are experiencing any mobility challenges. 

Once both legs are inside the pants, adjust the waistband to a comfortable position and smooth out any wrinkles or bunching in the material.

Check that they fit properly  

Ensure that the pants fit comfortably and securely around your waist and legs, without any sagging or bunching.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that you put on incontinence pull-up pants correctly, providing you with the protection and comfort you need. To remove them, you can tear the side seams so you are not pulling the full pant down over the legs.

You can also watch how to apply incontinence pull-up pants here.

How to apply booster pads

Booster pads are often used to increase the absorbency of pull-ups or slips for faecal smearing. For faecal smearing, as well as urinary incontinence, booster pads provide a cost-effective alternative to frequent pull-up or slip changes as you can change the pad as soon as faecal matter is present. This may be frequent and a booster allows you to keep using the primary product (pull up or slip) and simply change the booster.

If you choose to use a booster pad, be aware of careful placement. Many people don’t realise that the booster can sit on top of the leak guards, and if this happens, there is nothing to redirect the urine into the pad and leakage will occur.

Watch how to apply incontinence booster pads.

We hope that some of these tips will help you get the most out of your continence aid. Why not check out our other helpful articles while you’re here?

If you have any questions about our product range, you can speak to our customer service team 6 days a week, by calling 0800 088 5955 or emailing hello@confidenceclub.co.uk We also have an online chat on our website and WhatsApp messaging. We’re here to help!