Ok, I’ll be honest. Domino Pads are not really a continence product. If you are a boy, please close your ears now…. *Domino Pads are actually sanitary napkins.* Yep. But they make a really awesome continence product, and I’ll tell you why.
If you have a spinal cord injury, or any other type of disability that may cause mild to moderate continence issues, Domino Pads may just become your best friend. These pads seem expensive up front- about thirteen-ish dollars, depending on what type you opt for. However, once you’ve made the initial investment, you won’t be spending money again for a long time. Just like cloth diapers, cloth napkins, or cloth (reusable) anything, they can be a long term money saver.
Well (you may say), my insurance pays for my pads, so why would I want to spend my own money to purchase a different product? Here are some non-money related reasons to love Domino Pads.
1. They are very comfortable. Domino Pads will probably be the most comfortable fabric product you own. If you don’t hide them, toddlers will try to sneak into your house to use them as lovies.
2. They won’t irritate your skin. For me, this is probably the biggest reason besides the *cough* money. Traditional pads contain drying/gelling crystals (chemicals) that are designed to wick away moisture. Unfortunately, these chemicals can irritate your skin. Reactions may be immediate, or you could build up a sensitivity over time, but either way, keeping chemicals off your skin is always a good thing. Several people in my family have developed allergies to the chemicals commonly used in things like diapers, pads, and toilet paper.
3. They come in different shapes, sizes, and absorbancies. Usually, your insurance products are not tailor made to fit your needs. The pad you receive from insurance may be too bulky, or too long. You don’t want to feel like you have a pillow in your pants. Or it may smell like baby powder. Unless you’re a baby, you probably don’t want to be wafting baby powder scent every time you sit down.
4. They come in different colors and fabrics! While it’s really a practical issue (what fabric texture you find the most comfortable), it can also add a little fun to your day.
5. They don’t rustle or crunch. Domino Pads are soft and flexible. They will never make you sound like you are wearing a diaper. (Even if you *are* wearing a diaper, you don’t necessarily want to sound like it.)
Domino Pads are easy to wash and take care of- so much so that I am not even going to address that here. You can read the instructions and figure it out yourself. It isn’t as gross as you might imagine.
Karin, the founder of Domino Pads, is very helpful. She will reply to your emails personally. Karin makes each pad, and is happy to help you choose the one that is right for you. She admits that use as a continence product is not what Domino Pads were designed for, but plenty of people use them for minor to moderate incontinence and seem to be quite happy with the results.
If you are interested in Domino Pads, go to their website and check them out! (I just like these guys- we aren’t affiliated in any way, and I’m not getting money OR a free product.)