sociologygeek wrote:
This is a VERY timely topic. Personally i call a diaper a diaper in my own personal life, but in the context of taking care of someone else i discouraged a fellow caregiver (in this case an adult counselor) from using the term diaper when refeerring to an adult camper's undergarment in front of said individual. The fact that people are insulted when they are sent tabbed briefs/diapers instead of pullups is really telling. Both perform the same function. The sad truth is that many people buy into the lie that pullups will manage the most severe forms of incontinence when in fact most if not all (notable exceptions are Abena, Tranquility Wellness and Northshore care) pullups are woefully inadequate for moderate to severe incontiennce. They are fine for light dribbles or spurts, but for a full on bladder emptying.. i wouldn't trust a garden variety off the store shelf pullup any further than I could throw a case of them. They honestly look like pads with underwear attachted to them. There is very little difference in most pullups and lesser absorbent pads. Padding coverage on most is woefully inadequate. Thats why despite not having heavy to complete loss of control, I ALWAYS opt for tabbed briefs. The fact that some people find wearing one type of protection shameful but another not to be really speaks to the fact that we assoicate diapers as something other than "regular underwear" beceause of how it goes on. its like the difference between a turban and a hat. Both are head coverings, but a hat is one you just slip on (protective underwear) but a turban you have to wrap around your head (like you wrap a diaper/brief around your nether reigons.) Infant diapers are really nothing more than underwear for babies that just absorb the waste and contain it. Why else do plastic pants for cloth diapres resemble underwear? Yeah, looking a few posts back, a few people mistook tabbed for pullups because the tabbed ones whhen assembled look like pullups on the package. I rest my case.. Whether you put it on by stepping into it, or taping it on THEY ARE STILL THE SAME THING. Underwear. They just happen to be the absorbent variety. I wonder if there would be less stigma if there were snap on undewear on the market. They look just like boxers or briefs but they have snaps so you can remove them without pulling down pants. Actually they do exist. Or at least they should. It would be a great boon for those with disabilities!. Now, lets put htis to gether. Imagine a world where you have snap on undewear non absorbent undies for the average joe. People say, hey these are great! I can change my underwear without even getting out of bed! These are awesome! Then enter the picture of the dude having issues going to the bathroom. Think of Depend's infamous Underwareness ads. Combine the two and what do you have? Tabbed style briefs/diapers! The only difference between diapers and pullups is that one has more generous padding and tapes on to make it easier for people with limited mobility to put on. THATS IT. There's no other real diffence.
In regards to what you should call them.. tabbed briefs would be good for diapers.. and pullon undies should be good for protective underwear. To me, in terms of absorbent products the term brief has ALWAYS referred to tab style diapers. I think the real reason for this confusion is the VERY misguided push for the big manufactures to discourage tabbed style and push the pullups as the be all and end all of incontinence management. Thinner is NOT better. I hate pullups with a passion. The crotch is way too narrow.
Anyway im off my soapbox. Hopefully you found that useful Adam.
By the way, shout out to you for coming up with Megamax briefs... a friend of mine just started using them for her daughter for overnights and she says they have no leaks. Unfortunately, she was using Northshore air supreme and had leaks.. but for her, the Megamax work really well.. so thank you!
Thanks for all your great insights and feedback. I really appreciate it!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
