Understanding Booster Pads: Enhancing Absorbency in Adult Incontinence Products
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2024-05-31T05:16:59Z
Until a few decades ago, the only way to manage urinary incontinence was through medical interventions. However, all that changed with the emergence of incontinence wearables. Incontinence wearables have revolutionized how adults with incontinence cope with the condition. The products come in numerous designs, with adult diapers being the most popular option. But while somewhat effective at soaking up urinary leaks, many adult diapers have proven unreliable for seniors with severe incontinence. That’s where a booster pad comes in. Read on to learn more about these incontinence products, including what they are, how they work, why you need them, and everything in between.
Introducing Booster Pads
Booster pads, also known as doublers and inserts, are supplemental incontinence wearables designed to optimize the absorption of regular adult diapers. As their name implies, booster pads “boost” the effectiveness of outer incontinence briefs. That means a booster pad should be worn not alone but as an accompaniment to an outer diaper or underwear.
Difference Between Booster Pads and Regular Incontinence Pads
Booster pads differ from other incontinence pads in their design and efficiency. Regular incontinence pads feature a waterproof backing that soaks up urinary discharge, preventing your outer diaper briefs or underwear from getting soiled. On the other hand, a booster pad has a flow-through backing that lets liquid flow through to the incontinence product it’s in contact with once the pad reaches full capacity. While this comparison may paint booster pads as inferior to other incontinence pads, the reality is quite the opposite. Most booster pads are over twice as effective as standard pads. They’re the better option if you’re looking for incontinence pads for bed.However, as you will see, booster pads' efficiency depends on several factors, such as the brand and thickness of the absorbency layer.
How Booster Pads Work
Booster pads are remarkably easy to use. To wear one, carefully insert it into a regular tabbed or pull-up diaper. Tabbed and pull-up diapers are the two primary adult diaper styles. Tabbed diapers come with refastenable tabs that provide a more adjustable fit. These incontinence briefs are easy to wear and remove, making them suitable for seniors with significantly reduced mobility.On the other hand, pull ups for adults resemble regular underwear and are worn as such. While these diapers come with tear-away side seams for easy removal, they’re more difficult to wear than their tabbed counterparts.Pull-ups are ideal for users who don’t require much help changing their adult diapers. Due diligence is key when deciding between tabbed and pull-up briefs for adults. Fortunately, either option works perfectly well with booster pads. Booster pads typically have an adhesive strip that secures them to your outer diaper. If you’re wearing a booster pad, the pad will absorb urine with every bladder movement. Most booster pads can soak up 17 - 23 ounces of fluid before becoming saturated, at which point they allow the urine to flow through to the outer diaper. Your outer brief will also absorb a significant volume of urine according to its absorbency ratings until it equally reaches its full holding capacity. It’s at this point that you’ll require a diaper change.
Benefits of Booster Pads
The primary function of booster pads is to extend the efficiency of your regular adult diapers. Assume a pair of pull-up diapers has a maximum absorbency rating of 30 ounces. Wearing a booster pad underneath the pull-up can increase the diaper’s absorbency by up to 50 oz. As such, you won’t need to change your diapers as frequently as you would. That can be particularly useful while traveling or having an excellent time outdoors. It avoids the embarrassment often caused when urine accidentally leaks through regular incontinence briefs and becomes visible through the wearer’s clothing. Booster pads may also extend the longevity of regular adult incontinence products, especially reusable diapers. Reusable diapers are incontinence briefs meant to be washed and re-worn multiple times. They differ from disposable briefs for adults, which you discard after the first use. As stated, booster pads prolong the duration of the outer diapers becoming saturated with urine. For reusable diapers, that means less frequent diaper changes and less regular washing. The less often you wash a diaper, the longer it will last. If you're a deep sleeper, you should also consider booster pads. Bed pads can double the efficiency of outer incontinence briefs, eliminating the need to change diapers in the middle of the night.
Top Booster Pad Brands
The quest for high-performance incontinence products has triggered a demand for booster pads. A quick online search for incontinence doublers will reveal dozens of companies that sell premium-quality booster pads. Excelerator is a noteworthy adult booster pad brand. The company deploys the NASA-inspired InconTek® technology while manufacturing its pads, maximizing the absorbency of regular incontinence wearables.Excelerator booster pads are up to four times more effective than standard booster pads. The products are fashioned from biodegradable materials, making them eco-friendly. Moreover, they’re free from odors and artificial fragrances. Depends is another top recommendation when searching for reliable booster pad brands. Like their regular Depends adult diapers, Depends booster pads are remarkably durable. The pads are over 4 times more absorbent than regular pads, making them excellent for use overnight or during long-haul trips. Last but not least, you might want to check out Superio booster pads. While Superio is probably most famous for itsside-taped incontinence briefs, its high-quality booster pads are worth every penny.
How Booster Pads Differ
Adhesive Strip
While most booster pads today come with adhesive strips, it’s important to double-check the presence of this feature. The strip lets you secure your booster pad to your outer briefs.
Pad Shape
Booster pads come in two primary shapes – rectangular and hourglass-shaped pads. Rectangular pads resemble menstrual pads designed to rest up and down the core of your outer diaper. Hourglass-shaped booster pads are contoured and have wide panels. The contour design accommodates plus-sized users, while the panels cover the wearer’s belly and rear waist.
Construction Material
Booster pads can feature a cloth or plastic backing. Cloth booster pads feature a washable fabric material and offer superior leak protection than their non-washable plastic counterparts.
Wrap Up
Dealing with incontinence can be frightening. It’s even more terrifying if your regular adult diapers don’t rise to the occasion. Fortunately, it’s relieving to know that you can obtain high-quality booster pads from a reputable adult diaper store to enhance the efficiency of standard briefs.
Booster pads, also known as doublers and inserts, are supplemental incontinence wearables designed to optimize the absorption of regular adult diapers.
As their name implies, booster pads “boost” the effectiveness of outer incontinence briefs.
That means a booster pad should be worn not alone but as an accompaniment to an outer diaper or underwear.
