How to correctly wear your adult nappies 

The adult nappy is considered one of the most comprehensive protection solutions for urinary and faecal incontinence. For some, they’re an absolute lifesaver. But, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing them correctly. A nappy that isn’t worn properly can cause all kinds of problems. So, sit back, take a sip of your tea and relax as we go through exactly how to wear an adult nappy correctly. 

No matter the type of adult nappy you are wearing, or the brand, it's important to ensure that they fit right. You might be wearing the best adult nappies around, but if they’re not worn correctly, you’re not going to see the full benefits.

• Firstly, you’ll need to get some accurate measurements of your waist. You can do this by measuring your waist in line with your belly button. Once you’ve got a good idea of your waist measurements, you can choose the appropriate size to fit you. If you’re still unsure about which size is going to suit you, try buying a size up and a size down. This way you can give them all a try and you’ll know for sure which size is best for you. 
• You then need to choose the correct level of absorbency. A lot of people new to incontinence will panic and go straight for the highest level of absorbency. This isn’t the best thing to do if you’re experiencing low-medium leaks. If you’re buying overly absorbent nappies, you’ll find the costs add up over time. Not to mention they’re bulkier than their smaller counterparts. Just like sizing, if you’re unsure, why not try a few different absorption levels? You might find that you need less than you thought. 
• How do you know if they’re wet or need changing? Each nappy has two distinct wetness indicator lines that will show the presence of urine and can be used as a guide as to when you need to change. The yellow line will turn blue, and the blue line or writing will fade, and if two-thirds of the wetness indicator lines have changed colour, this means it's ready to be changed.

On to the meat and potatoes of the article, let’s take a look at Vivactive’s step-by-step guide to wearing adult nappies. Below you’ll find how to put them on whilst standing, or if you’re lying down. 

To ensure you are wearing them properly if you are standing: 

• Open out the pads, then fold it in half lengthways with the absorbent area of the pad facing inwards. 
• You then need to pass the pad between the legs from the front to the back, opening the pad over the buttocks and the lower abdomen ensuring the side with the tapes is at the back. 
• Align with the waist and the centre correctly using the wetness indicators as a guide. 
• Ensure the softer elastics fit closely into the groin and fasten the receivable tapes. It's essential to create a seal around the legs and the groin to minimise the risk of leakage.

If you are lying down: 

• Gently open the pads out, then fold them in half lengthways with the absorbent area of the pad facing inwards. 
• Lying on your side, keep the pad folded and pass it between the legs from the front to the back and open the pad out over the buttocks and lower abdomen, ensuring the side with the fixation tapes is at the back and then aligned with the waist and centre correctly as per the wetness indicators. 
• You then fasten the receivable tapes on the uppermost side and gently roll them and secure the tapes onto the opposite side. 
• You then need to make sure the anti-leak cuffs are fitted close to the groin creating a seal around the legs and the groin to minimise leakage.

To ensure that you are wearing the adult nappies properly, it's about making sure that you align with the waist and the centre correctly using the wetness indicators as a guide, while also remembering to create a seal around the legs and the groin to minimise leakage.

If you are wearing adult nappies incorrectly, you might not get the level of coverage that they’re designed to provide. If they’re too big, you might find urine leaking from the leg holes, or odour starting to escape. Too small, and you’re likely to experience chafing. Chafe is everyone’s enemy. Nobody likes chafe. 

Incorrect sizing isn’t the only thing that can cause discomfort when wearing adult nappies. If you’re combining nappies with other solutions like oil-based barrier creams, they can reduce the overall performance of the nappy, so it should be applied sparingly on the targeted areas. 
It's also worth addressing if you are wearing the right fit for you; our adult nappies fitting guide can ensure you find the perfect fit.

If you are experiencing any issues, we hope these top tips for wearing your adult nappies help. It's so important to ensure a snug fit without it being too tight or uncomfortable to maintain comfort and prevent leaks, not just for comfort, but for your dignity too.