Incontinence Bed Pads Guide

Incontinence Bed Pads Guide: The Most Common Questions

Lots of children with special needs have incontinence issues during the night. Whether your child wets the bed or has a leaky nappy, the impact can be considerable, ranging from a disturbed nights sleep, endless bed washing and changing, as well as feelings of embarrassment and shame. 

In this blog, SpecialKids Company aims to answer the most common questions about incontinence bed pads as well as how Kylie® pads can help your family.

What are incontinence waterproof bed pads used for?

Incontinence waterproof bed pads are a great solution to bedwetting and leaky nappies. They can be both disposable and washable and are designed specifically as a precaution against urinary incontinence and to absorb and contain urine and/or faeces. They can be used at home or away and help to keep moisture away from skin and prevent sores and infections whilst keeping bed sheets clean. 

Some children who wet the bed but have no continence issues during the daytime, prefer to use bed pads instead of wearing a nappy or pull-up. They are a lot more discreet and provide comfort and reassurance. 

How much liquid do incontinence bed pads hold?

The amount that disposable bed pads hold varies greatly depending on the quality, so it is really worth trying some samples first to see what works best for your child.

Washable bed pads tend to hold a lot more and are more efficient and cost-effective, not to mention environmentally friendly. This is because a washable bed pad can be removed when dirty and put in the washing machine without you needing to remove all of your child’s bedding to be cleaned. This will ultimately save you lots of time and effort by reducing your washing load and keeping bed making more simple and efficient.

How do incontinence bed pads work?

Disposable incontinence bed pads work much like nappies and pull-ups by absorbing urine and moisture and keeping urine and faeces off of bedding. 

Kylie® pads do the same, however, their unique design means that they quickly remove moisture from the skin. This helps to prevent sores, rashes and infections and means that you and your child are less likely to have a disturbed nights sleep.

These washable bed pads have generous mattress tucks on each side (50cm) that keep them in place and stop them from moving around the bed. They can be used either on top of bed sheets or underneath depending on how often your child wets or soils the bed. If bedwetting is a regular thing in your household, it is recommended that the Kylie® pad is placed on top of the bed sheet so that it can be removed and washed easily without you having to remove bed sheets. Kylie pads have a soft but absorbent front sheet and waterproof backing and can be used on a bed or other soft furnishings. 

How do I choose the right incontinence bed pads?

• Pads offer different absorbencies, from light to moderate to heavy. It's important you provide the right absorbency to suit your childs needs. 
• Correct Size: It's important to use a pad that fits properly, otherwise it can leak and cause skin rashes, abrasions and inconvenience.
• Correct Style: If bed wetting and soiling is not regular with your child then you can consider disposable bed pads, if this is frequent washable incontinence bed pads are recommended.

How often should incontinence pads be changed?

Disposable incontinence bed pads should be changed regularly, even if they are not wet.  This helps to ensure skin hygiene.

Kylie® pads, which are washable incontinence bed pads are designed to be washed up to 300 times. If your child regularly wets/soils the bed, they can be changed as often as required. However, if your child doesn’t, you do not need to wash them every day. Much like your bed sheets, it is still recommended that waterproof bed pads are washed regularly even when they are not wet or soiled in order to keep them clean and, again maintain skin hygiene. It is handy to have a several washable bed pads so that they can be used in rotation.