There is no standard number of pads or briefs per day, because the right count depends on the product, the person and the routine. You can find your own number in about a week: count what you actually use, turn it into a monthly figure, add a buffer and order in pack sizes that fit. The steps below take you through it.
Why there is no standard number
Two people using the same product can need very different amounts. The count changes with how heavy the leaks are, how often the product is changed, whether you use separate products for day and night, and how much time is spent away from home. For someone who is being cared for, it also depends on who is there to help and when.
Any figure for an average user is a guess about somebody else. A short tally of your own is more reliable, and it takes very little effort.
Track changes for three to seven days
Pick a week that looks like a normal one, or three days that include a busy day and a quiet day. Keep a sheet of paper by the bathroom or the bed and make a mark each time a used product is thrown away. For each mark, note:
- whether it was a day product or a night product;
- whether it was a pad, a pull-on or a tab-style brief;
- whether you changed it early because of a leak or before going out;
- any booster pad added inside another product.
If several people help, ask everyone to use the same sheet so nothing is missed. If you are unsure how often a product should be changed, or the skin underneath looks red or sore, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist instead of trying to stretch the count.
Turn daily use into a monthly count
Add up each category, divide by the number of days you tracked and round up to the next whole number. Multiply by 30 for a month. Do this separately for day and night, because they are often different products.
| Category | Total over 7 days | Per day, rounded up | For 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day products | 26 | 4 | 120 |
| Night products | 7 | 1 | 30 |
The numbers in the table are only an example of the arithmetic. Yours will be different.
Add a buffer for heavy days and delays
A tally shows a normal stretch. Real months also include days that are not normal: a week when you are unwell, a long trip, a visitor staying over, or a parcel that arrives a day late. The simplest fix is to add a few extra days of supply to your monthly figure and treat that spare as your cushion.
Keep the cushion modest. Needs and sizes can change, and a big stock of the wrong size just sits in the cupboard.
Match the count to pack and case sizes
The count appears in many product titles, and the same product can come in more than one count. In our incontinence products collection, for example, Depend Fit-Flex Maximum Underwear for Men, Small/Medium, Grey, 32 Count is also listed in a 19 count pack, while Abena Slip Briefs, Level 1 Moderate, Medium, 104 Count is a much larger pack. Some briefs are sold by the case, such as Wings Adult Quilted Briefs, Heavy Absorbency, Large, Blue (Case of 72).
To turn your monthly number into an order, divide it by the count on the pack and round up. With the example of 120 day products, a 32 count pack means four packs, because 120 divided by 32 is 3.75. In a 104 count pack the same 120 would need two packs, which is a much bigger cushion than you may want. See the current price on each product page before you decide.
Shop this guide
- Poise Incontinence Pads, Light Absorbency, Regular Length, 120 Count (4 Packs of 30) (ships via Amazon)
- Abena Slip Premium Briefs, Level 4 Heavy, Large, 48 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Depend Fit-Flex Maximum Underwear for Women, XXL, Blush, 22 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Prevail Extra Absorbency Underwear, X-Large, 56 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Adult Incontinence
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Set a reorder point
A reorder point is the number of products left in the cupboard when you place the next order. Multiply your daily use by the number of days an order takes to arrive, then add your cushion. Items tagged Ships via Amazon usually arrive in 2 to 4 business days, and other items in 3 to 5 business days. Business days skip weekends and holidays, so five business days is about a calendar week, and longer around a holiday. These are usual delivery times, not promises, which is one more reason to keep a cushion.
For example, with five products a day (four by day and one at night), seven days for delivery and three days of cushion, you would reorder when about ten days of stock remain. That is 40 day products and 10 night products, and each kind needs its own reorder point because each runs down at its own pace. Write the numbers on the shelf, or slip a card into each stack at that depth, so you are not counting every week.
Recount when something changes
Repeat the tally for a few days whenever something changes: a new product or size, a different daily routine, a change in who helps, or a season with more time out and about. Your old number stops being reliable the moment the routine does. If you are changing products, our buyer's guide to choosing adult briefs walks through the options.
If leaks become more frequent, or start suddenly, mention it to a doctor or nurse rather than simply ordering more.
Common questions
Do I count pads and briefs together?
No. Count each type of product on its own line, including any booster pad added inside a brief. Each has its own pack size, and you may use them at different times of day.
What if the tally is different every day?
Use the total across all the days divided by the number of days, not your best or worst day. The buffer is there to cover the busy ones. If the range is very wide, track a few more days before you order.
Is a bigger pack always the better choice?
Not necessarily. A larger count means fewer orders, but it also means more stock on hand if you change size or product. See the current price on each product page and compare it with what you will realistically use.
If you would like a second pair of eyes on your numbers, send us your tally and the product you use through our contact page and we will help you choose pack sizes. We reply within one business day.