How to Apply Adult Disposable Diapers

One unavoidable aspect when dealing with adult diapers is the process of taping them onto either yourself or a loved one. A good taping job can make all of the difference between a diaper that is too loose or prone to leaks and a diaper that fits properly and gets the job done.

Properly taping up a diaper is not something one will do on their first try. It can take a lot of practice, especially if you are applying the diaper to someone else. There are also often many little adjustments that can be made here and there which can help make a taping job even better. We hope that through this blog you will learn more about the adult diaper taping process and perhaps uncover some handy tricks which may help you get the perfect fit going forward.

Front or Back?

For those who have never worn or applied an adult diaper before it may not be initially obvious which side is the front and which is the back. The reason for this confusion is that on some diapers it may appear that the padding on the back portion goes higher up than on the front. For some people, it may be appealing to have this extra padding in the front rather than the back, but wearing a diaper this way will prevent you from getting a proper, secure fit.

The correct way to wear an adult diaper is for the person to put their bottom on the portion that has the tapes, and then pull the tapeless front portion of the diaper up over the groin area. When it comes to the high-quality products you'll find from InControl Diapers you will find a plastic landing zone on the front of each brief. This makes finding out which side is the front a cinch!

Top or Bottom?

Now that we've established where one should sit on a diaper, the next question to ask is where one should begin taping from. Is it best to begin with the top tapes or the bottom ones? In many cases it may come down to personal preference. However, after trying to do it many different ways what we have found is that you get a much better fit when applying the top tapes first, followed by the bottom two.

Our recommended routine for applying a diaper goes as follows: Take the upper left tape and pull it snug across the front of the diaper. You don't want it to be too tight, but you'll also want to make sure that it isn't too loose either. The Inspire Original and Essential briefs from InControl Diapers feature a plastic landing zone that allows tapes to be applied and removed without ruining the diaper. This is great for those who might not be satisfied with where the tapes initially land. It also means that even once all of the tapes are applied, modifications can still be made if necessary.

For those who frequently like to make adjustments once the tapes have already been applied, the InControl Hybrid Elite diapers are the perfect match for you. Their tabs feature hook and loop technology, meaning that they can be applied, removed, and readjusted just about as many times as you desire! These are definitely recommended for those who are still trying to find their ideal taping strategy.

Once the upper left tape is in the proper position you'll want to bring the upper right tape across the front of the diaper as well. Both tapes should be applied an equal distance from the center. Otherwise, it may mean that one side won't have as good of a fit. It is recommended to apply the upper tapes so that they are perfectly horizontal, and parallel with the top of the diaper. Doing this tends to always provide a good, securing fit for the diaper overall.

Next up is the bottom tapes. The top ones should already be holding the diaper in place. If not, they're likely too loose. You also should not be choked by them at this point.

So while the top tapes are intended to keep the diaper from falling down, the bottom tapes are the ones that are going to create a seal around your legs and prevent any leaks. For these ones you should once again start with the left tape, followed by the right one, but instead of bringing the tape across horizontally like with the top ones, for these ones you should trying slightly angling the tapes away from the body towards the core of the diaper. This creates a tighter fit around the legs and leaves less space for anything to escape.

Standing Up

Up to now, we've been discussing how to apply a diaper to someone in a laying position. However, there may be times when you're out and about where laying down just isn't an option.

When standing up, the taping method remains generally the same. Everything from the order to the angles should not change. The problem with putting a diaper on while standing though is that gravity is going to do everything it can to make the experience as difficult as possible.

You'll want to start by unfolding your diaper so that it's completely open. Next, you should fold the diaper vertically, as if you have a long diaper taco. Now, place this between your legs and squeeze them together to hold everything in place. Once the diaper is in a position where it will stay still even without being held, it means you're ready to begin the taping process.

Start by bringing the upper left tape across to the front. If you are using a diaper that has either hook and loop tabs or a plastic landing zone, you do not need to be completely accurate with your first tape as it can be readjusted later. By applying this tape though, it will neutralize the effect of gravity ever so slightly, making the next steps all that much easier to perform.

Now move onto the upper right tape. Bring this one across perfectly horizontal and position it where you would like it. The tape you previously applied on the left side should be holding everything in place, making it easier to perform this step. Now go back to the upper left tape. As it was the first tape that was applied it's likely not positioned very well. With the right tape in place, you should now have an easier time adjusting the upper left tape, placing it perfectly horizontal and at the same distance from the center of the diaper as the right one is.

Once the two upper tapes are properly in place the diaper should no longer be at risk of falling down, so the bottom tapes can then be applied as you see fit. Again, angling them downward tends to provide a better seal around the legs.

Conclusion

There really is a lot that goes into properly taping up an adult diaper. We hope that through this blog you have found some tips that will perhaps help the next time you tape up a diaper.

Visit InControlDiapers.com for all of the products mentioned in this blog post.