How often to change a pad, protective underwear or brief

How often to change a pad, protective underwear or brief

There is no single number of hours that suits everyone, because it depends on the product, how much you leak and how your skin behaves. A better guide is cues: the product feels wet or heavy, there is odour, or there has been a bowel movement. This guide lists those cues and builds a simple routine around them.

Why there is no single number of hours

A liner, a long pad, protective underwear and an overnight brief are built to hold different amounts, and two people using the same product can leak very differently. Skin differs too. For these reasons a fixed rule, such as one change every few hours, will be too often for one person and not often enough for another.

General hygiene points the same way: staying clean and dry is better than staying in a wet product for as long as it will hold. Check the pack, which may give its own guidance, and use the cues below.

Cues that it is time to change

  • It feels wet, damp or heavy.
  • You can smell it, or a caregiver can.
  • The wetness indicator has changed, if the product has one. Check the pack for how to read it.
  • There is damp at the leg edges or waistband, or the product has shifted or bunched.
  • You are about to leave for a long outing, a trip or a night's sleep.
  • You feel itchy or uncomfortable.

After a bowel movement: change right away

If there has been a bowel movement, change straight away and do not wait for your usual time. General hygiene advice is to clean up promptly, because stool left against the skin can irritate it. Caregivers should offer a change as soon as they notice, instead of waiting to be asked.

Building a routine around the day

Tie a check to events you already have, so you do not need to watch the clock. At each one, change if any of the cues above is there:

  • On waking.
  • Before leaving the house.
  • Around midday.
  • Mid-afternoon or before the evening meal.
  • Just before bed.

Adjust the list to fit your own pattern. For a few days, jot down when you change and whether the product was wet, heavy or barely used, then move the checks earlier or later. If you keep changing a barely used product, a lighter one may be enough. If it is soaked well before you change it, a higher level may suit you better. You can compare absorbency levels in our Incontinence Products collection.

For outings, change just before you leave and pack what one change needs: a spare product, a few wipes and a bag you can tie closed for the used one. In a Canadian winter, bulky layers make a quick check harder, so build one into the moment you take your coat off.

Overnight: one product meant to last

Night is the one stretch where you want one product to last for hours, so choose an overnight product made for that. Put a fresh one on just before bed, and change it on waking, or sooner if you wake wet. Our guide to overnight products covers the options.

Whether a caregiver should wake someone to change them depends on the person and the product. Ask their doctor or nurse for a plan that protects sleep and skin.

What to do at each change

  1. Wash your hands. Caregivers can wear disposable gloves, found in the Medical Gloves & PPE collection.
  2. If you are helping someone, explain what you are about to do and keep them covered as much as you can.
  3. Remove the used product, roll it up, wrap it and put it in the garbage. Do not flush it.
  4. Clean the skin with a wipe or a damp washcloth, wiping from front to back, and use a fresh wipe as often as you need to.
  5. Pat the skin dry, and give it a moment to dry before putting on the new product.
  6. If you use a barrier cream, follow the label.
  7. Fit the new product, and check that the leg gathers sit against the skin and any tabs are even.
  8. Wash your hands again when you are done.

Fragrance-free wipes are one option, such as Inspire Adult Wet Wipes, Fragrance Free, 600 Count (12 Packs of 50). You can compare more in the Adult Wipes & Skin Care collection.

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Skin that looks sore: who to ask

Skin that is red, sore, itchy, blistered or broken, or that is not improving, needs a professional look. Ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, and do not wait for it to settle on its own. The same goes for any sudden or new leaking, or a big change in how often you need to change.

Common questions

Is it all right to change a product that is only slightly damp?

Yes. Changing early is fine if you have the supplies, and it keeps you comfortable. The trade-off is that you will go through more products.

How many should I keep on hand for a week?

Count your changes on a normal day for three days, take the highest number, and multiply it by seven. Add a few spares for outings and heavier days.

Do pull-on underwear and tab-style briefs follow the same cues?

Yes. The cues are the same. Only the way you remove and refit the product differs.

If you would like help picking a product that suits your routine, reach us through the contact page. We reply within one business day.