A Guide to Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups

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

For children who experience incontinence, finding the right pull-up is essential for maintaining their comfort, dignity, and confidence. Whether your child experiences daytime accidents, bedwetting, or other forms of incontinence, selecting the right product can make a significant difference in their daily life.

We’ve created this guide to provide you with all the information you need to choose the right pull-up for your child’s specific needs, from size and absorbency to comfort and discretion. With this guide, you can feel confident that you're making the right choice for your child's incontinence management and check your child's coverage to recieve free pull-ups through insurance.

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

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What Are Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups?

Pediatric pull-ups, also called incontinence pull-ups, are disposable pull-ons for children ages 3 or 4 and up (depending on your state’s Medicaid coverage) who may have special needs and incontinence or may be learning to use the toilet.

They are designed to look and feel like real underwear and can be used as potty-training pants.

Youth pull-ups are made for older children that have incontinence. Similar to pediatric pull-ups, these are single-use products made for children who have incontinence or are learning to use the restroom by themselves. However, unlike pediatric pull-ups,  youth pull-ups are made in larger sizes to fit older kids. 

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Pediatric & Youth Pull-Up Features & Benefits

Pull-ups offer several features that make them convenient and easy to use for both caregivers and children.

  • Elastic waistband: Stretchy, elastic waistband that keeps your child comfortable. The flexible waistband also assists in the potty-training process by making it easier for your child to pull the diaper up and down on their own.
  • Absorbency: Equipped with a highly absorbent core, kids’ pull-ups can hold substantial amounts of leakage, keeping your loved one dry and comfortable for extended periods of time.
  • Style: Daytime pull-ups made to protect against daytime incontinence and overnight pull-ups designed to protect against nighttime incontinence (bedwetting). Pediatric pull-ups also come in sizes for younger children (3-4 and up) and older children (youth training pants).
  • Soft materials: Soft, flexible materials that keep kids’ sensitive skin healthy. The material is breathable and helps prevent diaper rash. The materials also allow for maximum movement, making it easier for your child to go about their daily activities unbothered.
  • Odor control: Odor control to absorb odors before they start, leaving your loved one smelling and feeling fresh.
  • Refastenable sides: Some pediatric pull-ups have refastenable sides that make it easy to readjust (youth sizes do not have refastenable sides).
  • Fun designs: Girls’ and boys’ pull-ups come in a variety of designs and colors that make children feel like they’re wearing real underwear. These designs can help children and older children feel confident and give them the level of discretion they desire while managing their incontinence.
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Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups for Girls

Pediatric pull-ups designed specifically for girls with disabilities or medical conditions that cause incontinence are made to look and feel like regular underwear. These products come with patterns like flowers and other patterns that may appeal to girls. 

Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups for Boys

Boys' pediatric pull-ups are made for boys with disabilities or medical conditions that cause incontinence. These pull-ups are made to look and feel like regular underwear. Boys’ pediatric pull-ups come with patterns like astronauts and other patterns that may appeal to boys.

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Unisex Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups

Pediatric pull-ups also come in unisex styles, made with simple patterns that appeal to boys and girls. They’re made to look and feel like regular underwear. 

Are Pediatric Pull-Ups Right for Your Child?

Pediatric pull-ups are excellent choices for kids with light to heavy urinary incontinence or bowel incontinence. They’re absorbent enough to wear overnight, yet discreet enough to wear under clothing without feeling bulky. Use these questions to determine whether pediatric pull-ups are right for your child.

  1. Does your child require assistance using the restroom or removing their clothing? If so, pediatric diapers may be a better option for your child so you can use their tab-style openings for easier changes without removing clothing completely.
  2. Does your child have limited mobility? If so, pediatric diapers may be a better alternative, as they can be changed more easily while lying down or sitting. 
  3. Does your child sometimes use the toilet on their own? If so, pediatric pull-ups may be the right choice to help them continue to potty train.
  4. What level of discretion does your child prefer in their product? Pediatric pull-ups are made to look and feel like boys’ and girls’ underwear and are less bulky than diapers, so pull-ups may be the right choice for them. 
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How to Find Your Child’s Pediatric & Youth Pull-Up Size

Sizing is critical for the efficacy of your child’s pull-up. Using the wrong sized pull-up could result in bulkiness, leakage, or skin irritation.

You can use your child’s weight or use our Sizing Guide to find their pull-up size.

Younger Kids’ Pediatric Pull-Up Sizes

  • 2T-3T: Up to 34 lbs.
  • 3T-4T: 32-40 lbs.
  • 4T-5T: 35-38+ lbs.

Youth Pull-Up Sizes

  • Youth S/M: 38-65 lbs.
  • Youth M/L: 65-85 lbs.
  • Youth L/XL: 60-125 lbs.

Each size of pediatric pull-up comes with the absorbency level you choose; the absorbency level does not increase when you go up a product size, and it does not decrease when you drop down a size.

Pediatric Pull-Up Absorbency Levels

  • Light absorbency: Light leakage (less than 3 cups of leakage).
  • Moderate absorbency: Moderate leakage (about 3 cups of leakage).
  • Heavy absorbency: Heavy leakage (3.75 cups of leakage).
  • Overnight absorbency: Severe leakage or overnight leakage (3.75+ cups of leakage).
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Your Child’s Pediatric Pull-Up Doesn’t Fit If… 

  • The pull-up is sticking out of their clothing.
  • They’re experiencing leakage out the sides or back of their pull-up.
  • You notice their pull-up is too tight around any part of their body, or if they have red or pink skin where the product sits on their body. 
  • Their pull-up is sagging around their body.
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Your Child’s Pediatric Pull-Up Fits If…

  • They don’t experience leakage out the sides or back and their clothing stays dry while wearing it.
  • You don’t notice any redness, pinkness, or other signs of irritation, like diaper rash, on their skin. 
  • Your child feels physically comfortable in the pull-up; it doesn’t feel too tight or too loose.
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When to Change Your Child’s Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups

To prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other skin irritations, like diaper rash, you should change your child’s pull-up as soon as you can recognize that they’ve had an accident. This is especially true for bowel incontinence accidents. It’s also recommended to change their pull-up every 2-3 hours.

Can Your Child Wear 2 Incontinence Products at Once?

You should not put your child in 2 incontinence products at once. If their primary pull-up is leaking, it may be because their 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 pull-up to add extra protection for severe leakage. 

Our Favorite Pediatric & Youth Pull-Up Brands

Aeroflow Urology carries a variety of different pull-ups that may suit your child’s needs. Our pull-ups are made by name-brand companies and level up to the most popular pull-ups.

Cuties Training Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Cuties Training Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Cuties’ pull-ups are made for older children. Cuties use SkinSmart systems to ensure top-quality products that absorb leaks while being soft and comfortable on kids’ sensitive skin. The Cuties brand is also environmentally conscious, recycling and reusing about 98% of all waste materials produced.

Cuties Training Pants are made for children transitioning out of diapers and for those with incontinence. These pull-ups are made with hypoallergenic materials, vitamin E and Aloe. These ingredients prevent rashes and keep children comfortable throughout the day.

Features:

  • Refastenable sides for easy changes.
  • Hypoallergenic liner for delicate skin.
  • Finger lift tab to assist in kids’ changes.
  • Soft materials for ultimate comfort.
  • Designed with styles made for boys and girls.

Cuties Sleepovers Youth Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Cuties Sleepovers Youth Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Cuties SleepOvers Youth Pants feel like regular underwear but have a highly absorbent core to protect against nighttime incontinence. These youth pants are gentle on delicate skin and are best for children with heavy leakage.

Features:

  • Unisex for girls and boys.
  • Hypoallergenic liner for sensitive skin.
  • Fragrance, latex, and chlorine-free.
  • Absorbent core to keep wetness away from skin.
  • Soft, stretchy sides for a comfortable fit.

Curity Youth Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Curity Youth Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Curity pull-ups are manufactured by Cardinal Health who provides more than 3.4 million people in the nation with more than 46,000 home healthcare products. Cardinal Health makes incontinence products for people with different medical and incontinence needs.

Curity Youth Pants have a unisex design for both boys and girls. These pull-ups’ absorbent core and soft material keep children comfortable and dry.

Features:

  • Unisex design.
  • Stretchy, tear-away sides for ultimate comfort and easy changes.
  • Leak barriers for extra incontinence protection.
  • Super-dry core to protect from leaks for extended periods of time.
  • Plain white design to look like regular underwear.

Comfees DriNites Youth Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Comfees DriNites Youth Pants Pediatric Pull-Ups

Comfees are made by Attends. Attends has met a variety of incontinence needs for over 40 years. Their bladder and bowel control supplies are suitable for adults, seniors, and children. Attends youth pull-ups are made with soft, flexible materials for a comfortable fit.

Comfees DriNites Youth Pants are designed for girls and boys who manage nighttime leakage. They pull on like regular underwear and have side-leak barriers and a stretch-fit waist for overnight security and comfort.

Features:

  • Unisex design for boys and girls.
  • Tear-away sides for quick and easy removal.
  • Side-leak barriers for extra leakage protection.
  • Super-dry core to keep skin comfortable and dry.
  • Colored thread makes it easy to tell back from front.

Does Insurance Cover Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups?

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 pull-up coverage. Some companies may reimburse for pull-ups, 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 pull-ups 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 pull-ups by completing our Eligibility Form.

Does Medicaid Cover Pediatric & Youth Pull-Ups?

We know that kids’ pull-ups 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 pull-ups 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 pull-ups 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 pull-ups. 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 pull-ons 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 Prescription. In order for us to prove that your child’s pull-ups 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.
  • Bladder control pads.
  • Adult diapers (adult briefs).
  • Adult protective underwear. 
  • Pediatric diapers.
  • Gloves
  • Wipes
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Disclaimer

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