Does Doubling Up Help Stop Leaks or Frequent Changes?

Double padding for incontinence may seem like a good idea, but in reality, it can increase the risk of discomfort, skin irritation, and leakage. The practice of adding an extra layer of protection by placing a pad inside an adult diaper or protective underwear can actually cause more harm than good.

Quality over Quantity

When managing incontinence, it is important to use one high-quality product that is comfortable, cost-effective and provides the necessary absorbency.

Incontinence products on the market today can hold up to 40 ounces of liquid, so there is no need to double up on protection.

The Risks of Double Padding

Double padding can create a number of issues, including:

• Wetness against the skin: If the amount of urine exceeds the capacity of the inner pad, moisture will not be wicked away from the skin and can cause leakage in the leg area.
• Pressure ulcers: The bulk from layering two products can cause pressure and friction against the skin, increasing the risk of skin breakdown.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Trapped moisture can lead to bacterial growth and an increased risk of infections.
• Leakage and odour: The extra pad can interfere with urine absorption, resulting in leakage and odour.
• Friction and skin irritation: The extra bulk in the groin area can cause friction and irritation.

Don't Double Up with the Wrong Product

It is important to use products that are specifically designed for double padding. Regular pads have an absorbent side and a plastic, moisture-barrier side. If you use a regular pad, it will soon overflow as the moisture barrier prevents it from soaking through to the adult diaper. This can result in an unexpected mess and a false reading on the wetness indicator of the adult diaper.

The Bottom Line

Properly fitting, thinner profiled, absorbent products are available in a wide selection of styles, sizes and absorbencies to suit each individual’s needs for comfort, dignity, and leakage security.

At My Liberty, we have developed a handy Total Capacity Rating system for our products, so you can choose the right product for your needs. Alternatively, you can try using a flow-through incontinence product such as Tranquility TopLiner Booster Pads, which offer added protection to any disposable undergarment without the risks of double padding.

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