Difference between revisions of "Cope With Wearing Diapers to School"

[[Category: Youth and Adult Diapers]]

#Determine the level of absorbency you need.  The type of diaper you wear will depend on the amount of leakage you have, daytime wetting versus nighttime wetting, and what size you are. <ref name="rf1"> http://www.wearing-adult-diapers.com/Teen-Diapers.html </ref>  Diapers with more absorbency and nighttime wetting diapers are bulkier.

#Find the right diapers. Because incontinence is an issue for people of all ages <ref name="rf2"> http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/features/incontinence-womans-little-secret </ref>, a variety of diapers are on the market to meet your needs.  There are diapers especially for older children and preteens <ref name="rf3"> http://www.incont.org/youth.html </ref>, teenagers <ref name="rf4"> http://www.wearing-adult-diapers.com/Teenage-Incontinence.html </ref>, and adults <ref name="rf5"> http://www.northshorecare.com/adult-diapers.html </ref>. You should try different brands of diapers until you find the right one. Having the right diapers can make you feel more confident.

#*Shopping for diapers can be expensive. The CareGiver Partnership <ref name="rf6"> http://www.caregiverpartnership.com/landing/samples/ </ref> allows you to try out samples before you spend a lot of money on diapers.

#* If you are a preteen, you may be too small for adult diapers and too big for youth diapers.  Race Car Diapers <ref name="rf7"> http://www.wearing-adult-diapers.com/Race-Car-Diapers.html </ref> are made for preteens and come in many different sizes.  These diapers were designed for boys.  Molicare <ref name="rf8"> http://www.medline.com/product/Molicare-Briefs/Z05-PF13107 </ref> is another brand that has sizes for preteens.

#*Popular brands for teenagers are Tena , Prevail, and Tranquility. You can also insert booster pads into your diapers to increase how much your diaper can hold.  The booster pads will also allow your diapers to absorb more. <ref name="rf9"> http://www.wearing-adult-diapers.com/Diaper-Doublers.html </ref>

#Try your diapers on with your school clothes. You should wear your diapers when you go shopping for new clothes.  This will help you find clothes that do not expose your diapers.  Wearing clothes that are one size larger than your actual size will help hide your diapers. <ref name="rf1" />

#Be discrete. Bring your extra diapers, lotions, and creams in a special pouch that you keep in your backpack or in a backpack diaper bag. <ref name="rf10"> http://www.toysrus.com/products/backpack-diaper-bags.jsp </ref> Diaper backpacks have special compartments to store all of your supplies, but they look like a regular backpack.

#*You should also pack plastic bags in your backpack.  You can put your dirty diaper in the plastic bag before you throw it away.  Throwing away a plastic bag is less embarrassing than throwing away a diaper. <ref name="rf11"> http://www.wearing-adult-diapers.com/Changing-Adult-Diapers.html </ref>

#Join a support group. Talking to other people who also wear diapers to school can be a source of comfort.  You can also get tips and ideas about how other people manage wearing diapers to school. Support groups can be online or in person. There are many  online support groups <ref name="rf12"> http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Am-Incontinent/2090 </ref> and discussion boards. <ref name="rf13"> http://exchanges.webmd.com/incontinence-and-oab-exchange </ref>The National Association for Continence also has a list of resources to help you connect with other people. <ref name="rf14"> http://www.nafc.org/connect/ </ref>

#Identify what type of incontinence you have.  There are three major types of incontinence: urinary <ref name="rf15"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/basics/definition/con-20037883 </ref> , fecal <ref name="rf16"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/basics/definition/con-20034575 </ref>, and stress. <ref name="rf17"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stress-incontinence/basics/definition/con-20027722 </ref> Urinary continence is when you do not have control over your bladder. You may leak urine or not make it to the bathroom in time when you feel the urge.  Fecal incontinence is when you do not have control of your bowel movements.  Stress incontinence is when certain movements or activities (coughing, sneezing, running, jumping) put stress on your bladder and causes you leak urine.

#Keep a diary. Try keeping a diary to learn what your triggers are.  Information you should include in your diary are: the foods and drinks you are consuming; how often you go to the bathroom; the types of activities that cause you to leak.  You should make your diary as detailed as possible.<ref name="rf18">http://www.nafc.org/triage-2 </ref> The information in your diary will also be helpful to your doctor. <ref name="rf19"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stress-incontinence/basics/preparing-for-your-appointment/con-20027722 </ref>

#Get professional help. A doctor will be able to help to identify the cause of your incontinence and create a treatment plan that is just for you. It is important that you talk openly with your doctor. You should not feel embarrassed because your doctor is used to helping people who have the same problem you have. Your doctor may send you to a physical therapist, prescribe medications, or even talk to you about the possibility of surgery. <ref name="rf20"> http://www.nafc.org/triage-6-get-help </ref>.

#*Your doctor will take a medical history, do a physical exam, talk to your parents, discuss a treatment plan, and run some tests. <ref name="rf21"> http://contemporarypediatrics.modernmedicine.com/contemporary-pediatrics/content/strategy-treat-pollakiuria?page=full</ref> The National Association for Continence maintains a list of specialists across the United States. <ref name="rf22"> http://specialists.nafc.org/#/map</ref>

#Create a voiding strategy. Voiding is a part of bladder training that teaches you to go to the bathroom at specific times. <ref name="rf23">http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/voiding</ref> You should discuss a voiding strategy with your doctor before you begin one. Scheduling bathroom visits helps to strengthen your bladder muscles and decrease the need to use diapers.

#* If you are a child, your parents can help you with your bladder training.  Start by measuring how often you use the bathroom.  If you need to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes, try to increase the time between 5 and 20 minutes.  You should slowly increase the time between your bathroom visits until you can go 90 to 120 minutes.<ref name="rf24">http://contemporarypediatrics.modernmedicine.com/contemporary-pediatrics/content/strategy-treat-pollakiuria?page=full </ref>If you are older, you can increase the time between bathroom visits by 15 minute increment.<ref name="rf25"> http://www.nafc.org/triage-5</ref>