Top Tips for Traveling with Incontinence
A stress-free packing and planning guide to make traveling with incontinence easier
Is there anything better than waking up on the first day of vacation in a beautiful new place? Whether you prefer to spend your vacation enjoying as much R&R as possible or jam pack your days with every excursion under the sun (or some mix of the two), nothing beats the excitement of a well-deserved trip.
But, if you or your family have been avoiding travel because of the uncertainty it can bring someone who experiences incontinence, we’re here to tell you to start packing! NorthShore adult diapers provide up to 12 hours* of leak-free protection, so you can enjoy the freedom to go anywhere and do anything you want.
So dust off those suitcases – it’s time to embark on your next adventure.
To help you feel even more prepared, we’ve compiled some of our best tried-and-true packing, planning, and day-of-travel tips for managing incontinence while traveling.
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Make a list and check it twice.
This is our favorite packing trick for anyone, but especially for someone packing for incontinence. Before anything goes into your bag, create a list of everything you’ll need – including quantities. This way, you can check off each item from your list as it gets packed, giving you extra peace of mind that you have everything you need. This is particularly beneficial for any nervous or first time travelers!
It's also helpful to think of your trip in terms of scenarios rather than days. For example, are you planning any long days away from your hotel? Maybe a long hike or bike ride? It’s important to think through what kind of clothing you’ll be wearing, and what sort of adult diapers or pull-ons will be most comfortable for those days. GoSupreme is a top choice for traveling with incontinence. The extra protection in the front, rear, and sides is perfect for a full day of activities.
Running through this sort of day-by-day scenario plan, calculate how many of each of your favorite products you’ll need, and then add 2-4 of each item as extra back-ups. It is always better to err on the side of overpacking. -
Plan for weather.
It seems like an obvious reminder – of course, you wouldn’t pack your winter parka for a week at the beach, but many are surprised to learn that the same rules apply for absorbency products. Cloth-like exteriors in products such as the MegaMax AirLock or GoSupreme Pull-On Underwear offer a more breathable, comfortable feel for warm or humid weather. And similarly, plastic-backed diapers like the MegaMax provide a bit more warmth in colder climates – as well as up to 12 hours of leak-free protection. -
Don’t let packing and suitcase restrictions get in your way.
If you’re road tripping, you’ll have more room to stock your car with all your favorite incontinence supplies, but flying presents a few more packing challenges. Super absorbent diapers can be bulky to pack. To avoid paying extra for additional or overweight baggage (and saving more room in your suitcase for souvenirs), FedEx offers a “hold for pickup” option in locations all over the world. FedEx will hold your package up to 7 days, so you can ship your favorite NorthShore diapers early and check tracking to make sure your supplies have arrived before take off.
Additionally, many hotels will agree to receive packages shipped in advance of your arrival. Just make sure to call your hotel before you ship anything to learn their parcel protocol as well as to inform them that you will be expecting a delivery. NorthShore always ships in unmarked boxes to ensure your privacy is protected at home and away. -
Fill out a TSA notification card.
TSA provides a health notification card service that can be used by anyone with a health condition or disability that might affect their screening. This is available to all travelers regardless of your TSA PreCheck status, and it’s a particularly handy option if you’re uncomfortable talking about your condition publicly.
All you have to do is download and print a TSA notification card, fill out the relevant information, and hand it to the TSA agent at the travel checkpoint.
Alternatively, any traveler can always request a private screening with the option of bringing one other friend or family member with them for even more privacy. -
Prep a special go-to bag for travel day.
Whether you’re flying or driving, it’s important to pack a separate bag with all the incontinence supplies you’ll need for your day of travel. If you’re flying, this bag should be your carry-on. Count the hours you’ll be gone, door-to-door, to calculate the total number of diapers and other supplies you’ll need, plus extras, and consider any potential hiccups that might occur. Flight delays and traffic are common and can easily tack on additional hours to your trip. As any experienced traveler will advise – it’s always best to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
Additionally, consider leveling-up your protection for travel day. MegaMax Diapers provide unmatched protection for up to 12 hours, reducing the number of changes and back-up products needed, so you don’t have to worry about anything other than arriving safely at your destination.
Other helpful travel-day items to remember include:-
Waterproof diaper covers – especially useful for long flights! We like the Trifecta Covers the best.
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Hand sanitizer
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Spare set of clothing (Just in case.)
Another trick for keeping your day-of travel bag well-organized is to use packing cubes. There’s nothing worse than rummaging through an overstuffed bag, especially when you’re in a rush. -
Keep working with what works!
Vacation is not the time to experiment with new products. When everything is new and different from your typical routine, sticking to your favorite brands and products will ensure your time away is as relaxed and stress-free as possible.
It’s not worth the risk to assume your destination will have what you need, and local drugstore brands don’t often meet the needs of anyone who experiences moderate to severe incontinence. By shipping packages to your destination ahead of time, you’ll be able to guarantee that you’ll be safely stocked for the entirety of your trip and save yourself one less thing to worry about.
Above all else, remember that incontinence does not have be a hindrance to living life to its fullest potential. By relying on quality adult diapers & trusted absorbent products, you or your loved one can finally be free to do anything and go anywhere that you want. And if we had to guess, you probably deserve that vacation more than most people… so what are you waiting for? You’ve got a whole world to see!
*Regardless of capacity, an absorbent product must be changed immediately following a bowel movement.
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