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A Guide to Pediatric & Youth Diapers 

This piece has been reviewed for accuracy by Allison Pullen, Urology Sales Manager.

If your child experiences incontinence due to certain medical conditions or disabilities, they may require diapers to manage leaks.

Use this guide to learn which type of diaper will work best for your child and find out if they qualify to get their diapers covered by insurance with Aeroflow Urology.

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Diapers & pull-ups for children ages 3+ with special needs, free through insurance.

Please reference your child’s insurance card!

Have your insurance card ready!

Please reference your child’s insurance card!

What Is a Pediatric & Youth Diaper?

Pediatric diapers are unisex, disposable diapers equipped with tab-style closures. Diapers are made with maximum absorbency for children ages 3 to 4 and up and older children with urinary and fecal incontinence. 

Youth diapers are for older children with incontinence. Similar to pediatric diapers, they have tab-style closures and are equipped with maximum absorbency for heavy leakage. However, unlike pediatric diapers, youth diapers come in larger sizes to fit older children.

arms holding baby diaperarms holding baby diaper

Pediatric Diaper Features & Benefits

Pediatric diapers are designed with your child’s comfort and skin protection in mind, all while protecting them from leakage. 

  • Adjustable fit: Designed to provide maximum comfort and security, with tab-style closures to allow for an adjustable waistband size that is suitable for your child’s body size.
  • Breathable material: Materials that allow sensitive skin to breathe to prevent diaper rash and infection.
  • Odor control: Absorbs odors before they start, leaving your loved one smelling and feeling fresh.
  • Maximum absorbency: Absorbent core to soak up moisture, keeping it away from your child’s body for lasting dryness.
  • Size variety: Smaller diapers that fit children age 3 to 4 and larger diapers that fit older children. 
  • Style choice: Daytime and overnight diapers to protect against light to overnight leakage.
youth diaper tab openingyouth diaper tab opening
man holding small child with diaperman holding small child with diaper

Pediatric Diapers for Younger Children

Pediatric diapers for younger children are disposable diapers for children (ages 3 or 4 and up). These unisex kids’ diapers are commonly used for younger children who have special needs or certain medical conditions that may delay the potty training process. Pediatric diapers for younger children have elastic around the back and a “curve” to fit younger children. 

Youth Diapers for Older Children

Youth diapers for older children are designed for older boys and girls. These unisex youth briefs are excellent options for managing bladder and bowel leaks in individuals who may have medical conditions or disabilities that cause incontinence. Unlike diapers for younger kids, youth diapers for older children are similar to adult diapers in that they have flat sides and come in a variety of sizes to fit different body styles. 

father and daughter holding youth diapersfather and daughter holding youth diapers

Is a Pediatric or Youth Diaper Right for Your Child?

Diapers are a top choice for children with incontinence, from light to overnight bladder or bowel leakage. They’re ultra-absorbent yet still allow your child’s skin to breathe. Use these questions to determine whether a pediatric diaper is right for your loved one.

  1. Does your child experience light to heavy urinary or bowel incontinence? If so, the absorbency of a diaper may be the best option to protect them from accidents. 
  2. Is your child potty trained? If not, a diaper may be the best option to keep them dry throughout the day or night.
  3. Does your child require assistance using the restroom? If so, diapers may be the best option for easy changes that don’t require full clothing removal. 
  4. Is your child able to use the toilet occasionally or remove their own clothes? If so, diapers may not be the best option for them. Instead, try pediatric pull-ups. 
child wearing pediatric diaperchild wearing pediatric diaper

How to Find Your Child’s Pediatric or Youth Diaper Size

The sizing of your loved one’s diaper is very important; it ensures that your child will stay dry, be protected from skin damage, and feel comfortable wearing their diaper.

Use your child’s weight to determine which size diaper is best for them, or use our Sizing Guide. 

Pediatric Diaper Sizes for Younger Children

  • Size 1: 8-14 lbs.
  • Size 2: 12-18 lbs.
  • Size 3: 16-28 lbs.
  • Size 4: 22-37 lbs.
  • Size 5: 27+ lbs.
  • Size 6: 35+ lbs.
  • Size 7: 41+ lbs.
boy wearing diaperboy wearing diaper

Youth Diaper Sizes for Older Children

  • Youth/XS: 15"-31"

Every size of diaper comes with the absorbency level you choose; the absorbency level does not decrease when you drop a size, and it does not increase when you go up a size.

Pediatric & Youth Diaper Absorbency Levels

  • Moderate absorbency: Moderate leakage (about 3 cups of leakage).
  • Heavy absorbency: Heavy leakage (3.75 cups of leakage).
  • Overnight absorbency: Severe fecal leakage or overnight leakage (3.75+ cups of leakage).
does not fit icondoes not fit icon

Your Child’s Diaper Doesn’t Fit If… 

  • The diaper is sticking out of their clothing.
  • They’re experiencing leakage out the sides or back of their diaper. 
  • Their diaper feels too tight around any part of their body, or if they have red or pink skin where the diaper sits.
  • Their diaper tabs are touching in the center of their abdomen.
  • The diaper has gaps around the waist or leg holes.
fits iconfits icon

Your Child’s Diaper Fits If…

  • Their brief tabs come together at their abdomen with enough space for the palm of your hand to rest between them, and the fit is not too loose.
  • They don’t experience leakage out the sides or back of their diaper or have wet clothing while wearing the diaper.
  • Their skin does not become irritated from a fit that’s too tight. 
  • The diaper tabs sit facing forward on their hips.
dad changing child's diaperdad changing child's diaper

When to Change Your Child’s Pediatric or Youth Diaper

Ideally, you should change your child’s diaper every time they have an accident. It’s also recommended that you at least change their diaper every 2 to 3 hours to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), diaper rash, and other skin irritation. 

Can Your Child Wear 2 Incontinence Products at Once?

You should not put your child in 2 incontinence products at once. If their primary diaper is leaking, it may be because their diaper size is too large or does not have enough absorbency for their level of incontinence. 

However, booster pads (specifically designed to be worn inside another incontinence product) can be used inside a diaper to add extra protection for severe leakage. 

Our Favorite Pediatric & Youth Diaper Brands

Prevail Youth Diapers for Older Children

prevail youth briefsprevail youth briefs

Prevail Youth Diapers for Older Children

Prevail is a brand made by Attends. Prevail carries incontinence products that are manufactured with the wearers’ skin health, comfort, discretion, and absorbency in mind. They make a range of continence care products such as bladder control pads, adult protective underwear, and pediatric briefs.

Prevail Youth Briefs are designed for adolescents who require protection against heavy to severe leakage.

Features:

  • Unisex for older boys and girls.
  • Breathable side panels for extra airflow.
  • Discreet, cloth-like outer cover.
  • Odor Shield Technology to control odors before they start.
  • Single Core Plus layer for the most absorbent protection.

Cuties Complete Care Pediatric Diapers for Younger Children

cuties complete care baby diapercuties complete care baby diaper

Cuties Complete Care Pediatric Diapers for Younger Children

Cuties diapers for kids are made by First Quality for younger children. Cuties uses SkinSmart systems to ensure top-quality products that absorb leaks while being soft and comfortable on kids’ sensitive skin. Cuties is also environmentally conscious, recycling and reusing about 98% of all waste materials produced.

Cuties diapers are designed for younger girls and boys. These highly absorbent, high-performing kids’ diapers are great for children who are potty training or who have heavy to severe bladder or bowel leaks.

Features:

  • Unisex for boys and girls.
  • Up to 12 hours of leak protection.
  • Breathable, soft cloth top sheet for sensitive skin.
  • Tab-style closures for easy changes.
  • Liquid-resistant leg cuffs for catching leakage.

Does Insurance Cover Pediatric & Youth Diapers?

Private health insurance includes any company not based on state or federal government health coverage. These companies include Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Cigna, etc. Private insurance plans vary in terms of pediatric diaper coverage. Some companies may reimburse for diapers, while others may not. Even companies that offer coverage may have monthly restrictions on incontinence supplies. 

For children enrolled in CHIP, Medicaid, or Medicaid-managed care plans, your coverage for pediatric diapers will vary by their specific insurance plan and the state they live in. Since Medicaid is run by the government and individual states, each state has different insurance plans with their own sets of requirements and guidelines for incontinence supply coverage. 

To determine if your child’s insurance plan covers pediatric diapers by completing our Eligibility Form.

Does Medicaid Cover Pediatric & Youth Diapers?

We know that kids’ diapers are a medical necessity for children and older children with disabilities and medical conditions that cause incontinence. That’s why we help you easily and quickly determine if your loved one qualifies to have their diapers 100% covered by insurance.

While most state Medicaid plans cover incontinence products, your child’s eligibility will be determined by the state they live in, their insurance coverage, and diagnosis.

Getting diapers covered by Medicaid couldn’t be easier and it all happens in 4 simple steps!

  1. You Fill Out the Eligibility Form. Our form is secure and we never share your information with any third parties. After submitting your child’s insurance and personal criteria, we’ll reach out to you in 1-2 business days and inform you of their coverage. Their eligibility will be determined by the state they live in, their specific insurance plan, and their medical diagnosis.
  2. You select your child’s diapers. Once your child qualifies, they’ll be given a curated shopping list that only includes products that are 100% covered by their specific insurance plan. You’ll be able to choose from our wide array of medical-grade diapers that fit your child best. If you have any questions along the way, one of our expert Continence Care Specialists will be there to answer them. 
  1. You get your child’s prescription. In order for us to prove that your child’s diapers are medically necessary, we need to show their Medicaid insurer that they have a prescription for incontinence products. We’ll ask your child’s healthcare provider for the prescription on your behalf, but you can get their products to your door even faster if you let them know we’ll be reaching out.
  2. Your child’s products arrive! After placing your order, we’ll ship it to your home for free in discreet, unmarked packaging. After your first order, you’ll be sent an email or text message when it’s time to refill your child’s supplies.

Does Medicaid Cover Other Incontinence Products?

We offer other incontinence products that may be covered by Medicaid, including:

  • Underpads (chux).
  • Booster pads.
  • Incontinence pads.
  • Adult diapers (adult briefs).
  • Adult protective underwear. 
  • Pediatric pull-ups.
  • Gloves
  • Wipes
incontinence productsincontinence products

Disclaimer

*Medicaid coverage varies by state. Submitting your info is not a guarantee of benefit.