Choosing cloth for incontinence
Why would you want to switch to using cloth for an incontinence issue?
There are a plethora of reasons which I will outline below. Many people wonder why anyone would want to use cloth...at least they wonder unless they have the incontinence issue. Once you are using disposables every day, everyone thinks about a better way that they can manage their protection system.
Disposable incontinence protection is EXPENSIVE.
I mean crazy expensive. If you have a mild case of incontinence and don't need full coverage, this won't be as pricy, but will still do a number on your checkbook. Cloth can be a chunk in the beginning, but will pay for itself almost immediately. To sew your own cloth incontinence diapers (like depends) can cost you about $5-$10 a piece depending on your size and what you choose to use for fabric. At my local store, a package of depends cost $48. Obviously you can get 4-8 reusable products for the price of one disposable bag going the sewing route. If you only needed enough for 2-3 days before washing...how many would that be? Would you be able to sew enough protection for the cost of ONE package of Depends?
Disposable incontinence protection is filling our land fills.
I'm sure you've heard all about our landfills and how they are getting crazy full....why add to it if we don't have to? Why put garbage on your body when you can put something clean and natural against your skin? You've probably started using more 'reusable' items since the “going green” trend has started....why not “go green” with the incontinence issue?
Using Cloth incontinence protection will leave you cleaner.
Many would never admit to this, so I am going to say it how it is because it's a real issue: since you are paying almost $50 for a bag of adult disposable diapers, if you have a 'small' leak or accident, you might decide until later to change. Yes, most people do this! People simply cannot afford to change their protection every time they have a leak or accident! If you had cloth that you can reuse over and over you would take better care of yourself. You wouldn't mind changing your protection as soon as there was a leak or accident. This is a reason in itself for switching to cloth!
Cloth Protection is not as demeaning as disposable.
If you have to wear something that looks and feels like a child's diaper, then YES it makes you feel inadequate, insecure, depressed and angry! Just think: what if you had incontinence protection that looked and felt like underwear?
For men: Would you want something that was fun like camo? Or would you just want diapers that are a dark color that looked like a stash of briefs?
Women: would you like diapers that had a super cute print? Or a fun bright color? Wouldn't you ENJOY seeing them compared to a crispy white paper depend diaper?
Buy or sew?
There are options out there! If you purchase adult cloth diapers you will find that your options are not as many then if you sew them yourself. Typically you will find white products, or one color per size. This is not as much of a change then if you used a sewing pattern to make the incontinence diapers yourself.
What if you can't sew? Hire a WAHM (Work at home mom)! Many WAHMS are available and desperately seeking odd jobs to make the family income stretch. If you hire someone to sew incontinence protection for you, it will not only save you time, but it would help a local family.
Are you a caregiver looking for options for your client or family member? Choose cloth. Save them and yourself money, give them a boost of their self esteem, keep the trash for other stuff, and hire a wahm to make them for you. Switching to cloth is the best choice that you can make.
Above all: DON'T BE EMBARRASSED! Millions of people have incontinence issues. Millions of people use disposable products to help take care of it. Only a fraction of people use cloth because until now it hasn't been available. Well it's available now! Start a trend in your circle of friends by switching to cloth. You'll feel so good about it! Your family will feel good about it!
If you have decided to use cloth and want to sew them yourself, now you have to find a sewing pattern for incontinence protection. Do you want a full protection system? An adult cloth diaper sewing pattern is the answer. Do you want a mild protection system? Then an incontinence pad sewing pattern is the answer.
I'm so glad that you are reading this and deciding to switch. You'll be so glad you did! Our families for future generations will be glad that we switched to cloth to save the environment too!