Adult diapers should typically be changed every two to six hours or when the wetness indicator changes to notify that the product has been soiled. For those who wear diapers for bowel incontinence, diaper changes should occur immediately after a bowel movement has taken place.
However, if you wear diapers to manage incontinence, there are many factors that affect how frequently you should change, including the brand of product, type of adult diaper used and level of incontinence management needed. For instance, if you experience severe urinary incontinence, you may need to dispose of your absorbent garment and replace it with a fresh diaper every two to three hours. For another example, overnight absorbent products are typically built to have a longer wear time to help wearers sleep through the night.
In this article we will look more closely at these factors to help you decide how often you should change your adult diaper.
Recommended Diaper Change Frequency
General Guidelines
To be on the safe side, if you are caring for a loved one with severe incontinence, it is recommended that you change diapers at least hourly. For those with moderate incontinence, you should change diapers every two to four hours. Those with light loss of bladder control may only need a fresh diaper every four to six hours. In general, diapers worn by loved one should be checked to see if they are soiled at least once every two hours.
Additional Considerations
Other factors that should be considered when deciding how often to change an adult diaper, such as odor control, skin irritation and comfort level.
Odor
Managing odor is essential when deciding how often to change adult diapers. Some diapers, such as Tranquility® brand briefs and underwear, come equipped with urine pH neutralization technology that effectively eliminates unpleasant odors. To eliminate odor before it begins, absorbent products should be switched out immediately, if not shortly after a void occurs.
Skin Irritation
One of the most critical concerns when gauging how often to change an adult diaper is preventing skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. The exposure of skin to wet diapers can cause diaper rash, sores and discomfort. It’s imperative to prevent these issues to ensure the wearer remains healthy and comfortable.
To read more about the effects of prolonged exposure of waste on the skin, check out our article, 5 Perfect Adult Diapers for Sensitive Skin.
Comfort level
As noted, absorbent briefs or underwear should be checked regularly every few hours, and should be changed when the wetness indicator determines the brief is soiled. For Tranquility products, this is indicated when the lines are blue within 1″ to 2″ from either end of the indicator strip.
Diaper changes should always occur quickly if the wearer has had a bowel movement, to prevent fecal matter from the soiled diaper remaining in contact with the skin, which can cause a painful rash to form.
Consider overnight protection
If worried about overnight comfort, it is worth considering upgrading protection to a specialty overnight brief. Choosing high quality products benefits the health of the wearer. Tranquility Premium OverNight Disposable Underwear are designed to provide superior absorbent capacity, ensuring that you can sleep soundly without worrying about leaks or accidents. Wearers should change into overnight absorbent protection immediately before going to bed.
Diaper Change Tips
Proper Technique
There are several ways to properly apply and change adult diapers. Our Tranquility Brief Changing Guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to properly change a brief on an individual should they be standing, sitting or lying down.
In short, the steps to changing an adult diaper are:
- Open the brief and fully extend it.
- Position the brief and line it up on the body as desired.
- Wrap the back of the brief over the front and fasten.
Skin Care
One of the main areas of concern regarding change frequency is skin health. Exposure to excess leakage or bowel matter can quickly escalate harmful skin breakdown. There are many helpful tools and processes available to avoid this situation, such as applying barrier creams and gentle cleansing of the affected area. Learn more about these important diaper rash and irritation prevention techniques by reading The Best Diaper Rash Creams for Adults with Sensitive Skin.
For a more comprehensive guide on skin breakdown and preservation techniques, request a download of our newest informational eBook, Save Your Skin: Superabsorbent Solutions for Managing & Preventing Incontinence-Related Skin Issues.
3 Factors Affecting Diaper Change Frequency
Type of Incontinence
Another factor to consider in change frequency of absorbent products is the level of incontinence you or your loved one is experiencing. Tranquility products and adult diapers offer exceptional protection for those dealing with light to severe loss of bladder or bowel control, in addition to several levels of absorbency to ensure that you can find the right product to suit your needs.
As stated earlier in this article, the heavier level of incontinence that the wearer experiences, the more frequenly the product will need to be changed. All diapers should be changed immediately following a fecal episode, regardless of severity. Exposure of the skin to fecal matter can be highly damaging if not dealt with in a timely fashion.
For more information on all levels and types of incontinence, read our complete guide to incontinence management.
Type of Diaper
There are several types of adult diapers available to those who experience urinary incontinence. Absorbent garments come in a variety of brands and styles, as well as the materials from which they’re constructed. Some diapers are disposable after one use, whereas others are washable cloth garments that can be reused multiple times. To learn more about the differences in cloth and disposable diapers, and to explore which option is a better fit for you, read this blog.
A brief is a unisex product with that you put on by fully opening and then folding into place, fastening close with tape tabs, so they are sometimes called “tape-tab briefs.” Briefs are typically used for maximum protection with the ability to contain urine and bowel incontinence.
To learn about other styles of disposable absorbent products, check out our blog post 6 Most Popular Types of Diaper for Adults With Pros & Cons.
Individual Needs and Preferences
The frequency at which an individual’s brief or absorbent underwear should be changed also depends on personal factors and preferences. For example, an individual who has sensitive skin will require more frequent checks and changes. Other factors that will vary based on how often an individual prefers to change their brief or diaper include mobility limitations and comfort level.
Conclusion
The key factors influencing how often to change an adult diaper include odor, skin care and comfort level, as well as other personal preferences of yourself, your loved one or someone in your care. There is not one exact answer as to when diaper changes are appropriate, so please be sure to regularly monitor and provide individualized care for those who manage incontinence.
