Learn More About the 2 Most Common Incontinence Products: Liners & Pads

NorthShore Care Supply September 1, 2021

northshore eternadry boosters and dynadry supreme liners

Many people use more than one incontinence product to help manage symptoms. One of the most asked questions, according to NorthShore’s Customer Care & Service team, is which offers the most absorbency to stay leak-free and dry. The answer? It depends on each customer. Every person's incontinence experience is unique to them. Everyone experiences different leakage issues, health histories, mobility levels and lifestyles.

There are many absorbent products on the market today. Many store brands offer lighter leak protection choices. NorthShore specializes in moderate and heavy to total incontinence protection. Our goal is to help identify the most effective products so customers can live life to the fullest. A good place to start for many people is with a liner, which offers lighter coverage. For individuals with more frequent leaks and heavier incontinence who want extra protection, using a booster pad with a disposable undergarment such as a tab-style brief, pull-on underwear or liner provides more coverage. Northshore EternaDry Booster Pads can even be stacked for added absorbency.

Absorbent Liners & Incontinence Booster Pads

A liner is designed to be worn in regular underwear. The absorbent lining quickly pulls liquid away from the body to keep skin healthy. NorthShore’s waterproof DynaDry Supreme Liners feature plastic backing and taller leak guards than most other brands. They are ideal for urinary and/or bowel incontinence and heavy leaks. Available in a variety of sizes, including 2X-Large.

A booster pad, also known as a diaper doubler, does not have plastic backing and is designed to be worn with other incontinence products such as a tab-style brief, pull-up style underwear or a liner. A helpful way to remember what a booster pad does is to remember it actually “boosts” the absorbency of a disposable undergarment. When urine touches the booster pad, it “flows through” to the brief, pull-on or liner underneath, offering extra protection and added absorbency.

Advantages of Booster Pads

So what is the advantage of using a booster pad? Additional capacity! There are two ways to get more capacity when needed, either move up to a more absorbent brief/protective underwear or add a booster. We find many customers use a variety of products for various needs. At home, sometimes a lower absorbency product is used on weekends when the bathroom may be close and convenient.

At night or when away from home for a long period of time, either a higher absorbency product or the addition of a booster is the preferred solution. Adding the extra absorbency allows the wearer to sleep through the night and wake up dry. During the day and when out in public, a booster can provide added security against embarrassing leaks.

Tip: You can add multiple boosters if necessary, just stack them as needed. The adhesive backing on NorthShore Booster Pads will help them stack and stay in place. Wet boosters can easily be peeled up to remove and the diaper/underwear below will still have plenty of capacity and use left.

Advantages of Liners

What is the advantage of a liner? They are lightweight! Liners don’t usually have the bulkiness of a lot of fitted briefs and pull-ons. Individuals looking for a liner that is more absorbent than most of the ones found in retail stores should consider DynaDry Supreme Liners by NorthShore. They are a great option.

Tip: Liners can be used by individuals who have bowel incontinence and are not ready to transition into protective underwear or a fitted brief. Liners such as DynaDry provide additional protection in the rear to contain fecal leakage. If a liner doesn't offer needed protection, then consider trying a brief with tabs or pull-on.

Watch this How-To Video to learn more about the features and differences between Liners and Boosters:

Remember, booster pads are meant only to be worn inside disposable underwear. Liners are designed to be worn inside regular underwear. Which is best depends on individual preferences and needs.