Pull-Ups Vs. Diapers: When to Switch Products

Choosing the right incontinence product can make a big difference in comfort, confidence, and quality of life. It’s essential to understand the differences between pull-ups and diapers to find the best fit for your needs or those of your loved one.

In this blog, we’ll break down what pull-ups are, when to use them, and how they compare to diapers so that you can confidently manage your or your loved one’s incontinence.

A pull-up is a type of incontinence product that is made to look and feel like underwear. A pull-up has an elastic waistband and leg cuffs and can be pulled on and off. Pull-ups are more discreet than diapers, and they come in various designs to appeal to males and females. Pull-ups protect against urinary and bowel incontinence.

Adult pull-ups are commonly called adult protective underwear or adult pull-ons. Protective underwear comes in various styles to appeal to men and women and is made to look and feel like underwear.

Pediatric pull-ups and youth training pants are designed for children ages 3 to 4 and older. These products are designed to look and feel like regular underwear and come in different designs for boys and girls. Children with disabilities often use pediatric pull-ups and training pants, which can assist in the potty training process.

Adult protective underwear is best for adults who:

• Have more mobility and are able to change their product without assistance.
• Experience moderate to heavy urinary leakage.
• Want a more discreet product.

Pediatric pull-ups and disposable training pants are best for children who:

• Are 3 to 4 years of age and older.
• Are learning to potty train and have a disability and incontinence or delayed potty training.
• Have more mobility.
• Experience light to heavy urinary leakage.

A diaper is an incontinence product equipped with tab closures for easy changes and extra absorbency to protect against the heaviest urinary and bowel incontinence. Disposable diapers offer daytime and overnight protection to keep you or your loved one dry and comfortable.

Adult diapers (adult briefs) are unisex, tab-style briefs that come in unisex styles for men and women. Overnight diapers are also made for adults and have an ultra-absorbent core to protect against overnight leakage.

Pediatric diapers are made for children ages 3 to 4 and older. Diapers have tab closures for easy diaper changes and often come with a wetness indicator to notify caregivers of accidents.

Adult diapers are best for adults and older adults who:

• Have less mobility and need assistance changing their product.
• Experience moderate to heavy urinary and / or fecal incontinence.
• Require overnight protection against urinary and bowel incontinence.

Pediatric diapers are best for children who:

• Have less mobility and require assistance changing their product.
• Experience moderate to heavy urinary and / or fecal incontinence.
• Need overnight protection against urinary and bowel incontinence.

The main difference between diapers and pull-ups is how the products are applied. Diapers have tab closures, and pull-ups are pulled on and off like regular underwear. However, there are a few other things to know about when you should wear each type and when to switch products.

• If you’re using protective underwear and your product leaks, you may first need to check that the sizing is correct. Wearing pull-ons that are too big or small may cause leakage out the back, leg holes, or sides of the underwear. If you are using the correct size and are still experiencing leakage, you may need to switch to a more absorbent adult diaper.
• If you’ve become less mobile and can no longer easily change your pull-ons, remove clothing, or use the toilet alone, it may be time to switch to an adult diaper. Similarly, if you’re caring for someone who wears pull-ons and is less mobile, uses a wheelchair, or lies in bed most of the day, you may need to switch them to adult diapers to make changes easier and less messy.
• If you or your loved one experiences bowel incontinence, protective underwear may not work as well as adult diapers because the absorbent padding in protective underwear stops on the lower back, while diapers have padding from side to side and up their entire back.

• If your child is experiencing leakage out the back, sides, or leg holes of their pull-up, it could be a sizing issue. Check to make sure your child is wearing the proper-sized pull-up; if they are, they may need a more absorbent diaper for their leakage.

• If your child is less mobile and cannot change their pull-up or use the toilet, switching your little one to diapers may be easier to assist in changes.

• If your child experiences bowel incontinence, pull-ups may not work as well as diapers because the absorbent padding in pull-ups stops on the lower back, while diapers have padding from side to side and up their entire back.

Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.