Hi everyone!
As I'm nearing a big birthday (...), and without wanting to diapersplain, I thought I'd post a bunch of things I've learned over a lifetime of being an incontinent DL. IMO, YMMV, OMGBBQ, etc.
That's it from me. You might not agree! I'd love to hear your thoughts. And what about you? What have you discovered that you think some other people might not know about?
As I'm nearing a big birthday (...), and without wanting to diapersplain, I thought I'd post a bunch of things I've learned over a lifetime of being an incontinent DL. IMO, YMMV, OMGBBQ, etc.
- Most men are wearing diapers a size too small. (Doesn't apply, I think, to most women.) Embarrassingly, this one took me years and years to really figure out. If you're a medium, try large! And keep trying! As you age, your body changes, and so with the fit. Mediums worked fine in my teenage years, but trying large again in my 20s was a revelation. The tapes work far better for me if the top pair are a couple of inches apart rather than right at the side. Brands vary wildly. For overnights, even try an XL sample -- in certain brands they're not much different from L, but have more padding and are more enveloping.
- You probably aren't using boosters enough. Seriously, a booster can turn a mediocre diaper into something fantastic. Yes, there are discretion issues. And you'll almost certainly need to move up a diaper size (see point 1...). But really. Standard 6"x24" (15x60cm) boosters without a plastic backsheet work really nicely. My favorites are the Tena 8"x24" (20x60cm) for general usage/overnight, and for overnights from time to time even Seni V boosters, with only the front wings extended, are true luxury. (They're a lot!)
- Diapers without a landing zone are a scourge. But if you've found one that otherwise works beautifully, you can easily and quickly make a perfect landing zone with lengths of 2" (50mm) clear plastic packaging tape applied to the front center. 2 lengths work great for medium, 3 for large and XL. Virtually free, and they can turn something a bit meh into something wonderfully secure.
- We live in a golden age for diapers. Yes, they've got crazy expensive and availability is still spotty, but aside from the incredible AB ranges, those like me who use primarily medical diapers are super well catered for. In particular, I'm loving Drylife Slip Super from the UK, Rearz Inspire+ Incontrol, Northshore Megamax and Cloudry White from Germany. (Drylife Slip Super is essentially identical to Northshore Supreme in the US.) For daytime wear BetterDry Day is fabulous. And crossover product like Forsite Stars/Stripes and Megamax multicolored are fascinating. We've lost a lot of incredible products over the years, but nothing compares to the overall range we have today.
- There's absolutely nothing wrong with wearing diapers, and you have to come to accept this. Whether you need them or simply love them, as long as you don't involve any unwilling participants then anyone who disapproves isn't worthy of your time or attention. Not to say don't be discreet, but you have to fully accept yourself or you're in for a world of pain. Related: be honest with partners at the earliest reasonable stage. Making long-term commitments to someone who won't fully accept you is terrifying. Also related: there's little to nothing to be gained from telling your family (besides your life partner), and a lot to be lost. But if they discover your stash, that's not your problem -- even if you feel like it is at the time.
- I'm quite certain there's a link between DL and the autism spectrum, and possibly ADHD. If you've never considered this about yourself, look into it with an open mind. Understanding yourself better is excellent for mental health.
That's it from me. You might not agree! I'd love to hear your thoughts. And what about you? What have you discovered that you think some other people might not know about?
