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SN children

Nappies

27 replies

Bumblelion · 09/02/2005 14:46

Not sure if anyone is aware or if it is relevant for anyone else but you can get free nappies/pull ups from your HV.

My DD has global delayed development and is still in nappies. Like to wear pull ups in the day but wears them like nappies.

As she is now 3 and I get diability living allowance for her, my HV arranged for me to get free nappies for her. Got my first delivery last week (6 packets) which is going to make a bit of a difference to my shopping bill.

If anyone else's child is still in nappies at an older age, let them know they get free nappies.

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jbadgirl · 09/02/2005 14:49

Can i just ask what global delayed development actually is?

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Bumblelion · 09/02/2005 14:53

She is "behind" in everything. Has Sotos Syndrome which causes overgrowth in children and developmental delay.

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jbadgirl · 09/02/2005 14:58

Thanks for that, my ds has development probs but nothing they can put their finger on yet. (he is 16 weeks old so still early days)

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MandM · 09/02/2005 15:00

Bumblelion - I actually looked into this last week after reading another posting on this board on the same topic. My dd is 3.5 and still in pull ups. I contacted the HV as soon as I read about it and she said she would speak to the local Continence Adviser and get back to me. She rang me back the day after to say that the answer was a clear 'NO' for pull ups and that really she should be 4 to qualify for anything but that they would offer knickers with a spongy washable gusset or pads (similar to Tena Lady type products) - neither of which I fancied. I have a particular unhelpful, completely uninvolved HV who has to be approached for any assistance rather than the other way round but I don't understand why this policy would vary so much from one area to another.

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JakB · 09/02/2005 15:07

Bumble, yep, I got mine delivered yesterday! I have never seen so many nappies. MandM ... Can't believe they are being so unhelpful. The qualifying age is 4 in my area but there was no problem with pull-ups (even though dd is nowhere near toilet training, not even on our radar, they are neater, particularly for a girly girl like dd who wears skirts).

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Davros · 09/02/2005 15:12

MandM, I find it hard to believe that you can't get free nappies/Pullups, I don't know of anyone else refused once the child is 3 years old, it seems to be common practice nationally. I would take it further, maybe ask your GP or another local parent.

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Dingle · 09/02/2005 15:58

Same here!!

DD is 3.3yrs with DS, and although we are trying to potty train, being nappy free is a VERY long way off. HV advised that we can't get free nappies until she is 4!

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Bumblelion · 09/02/2005 16:03

I think it is so wrong that it seems to be all down to where you live. Free nappies were offered to me - I didn't know to ask for them - and can get pull ups.

The nappies they gave me are called Libero - never heard of them before - but seem to be as good as others.

It was handy them giving me so many - gave a pack to her dad for his house, a pack for nursery, one upstairs in my house, one downstairs and still have 2 spare!

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Dingle · 09/02/2005 16:08

The argument they gave was that too many "lazy mums" abused the service so they put it up to the age of 4!
Surely every "case" should be treated individually. If a child is in reciept of DLA then surely it is a big pointer to the fact that they are still in nappies due to their disability and not just because their parents can't be bothered!!

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Bumblelion · 09/02/2005 16:12

I agree with you Dingle about treating each case individually. I am sure that all of us that have children still in nappies would love them to be clean/dry (I know I would) but I have to realise that although I can encourage DD, I can't actually make her get out of nappies.

I suppose one argument is that "that is what I get disability living allowance for".

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Bumblelion · 09/02/2005 16:12

I agree with you Dingle about treating each case individually. I am sure that all of us that have children still in nappies would love them to be clean/dry (I know I would) but I have to realise that although I can encourage DD, I can't actually make her get out of nappies.

I suppose one argument is that "that is what I get disability living allowance for".

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Dingle · 09/02/2005 16:18

True, but it seems such a lottery dependant on where you live. Bit like the statementing issue in Medway- whose policies are that they don't statement a child who will be attending mainstream.
It seems that the system hopes parents won't put up a fight or are just ignorant.

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Socci · 09/02/2005 21:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

eidsvold · 10/02/2005 02:47

no luck with that at all here( but I am in Aus) ... just have to buy them yourself.... put dd2 in cloth nappies as it is just too expensive with both of them in nappies.... also use reusable wipes at that just blows the budget too......

no such thing as DLA either although there are two types of carer payments and luckily for me to qualify for a standard payment rather than one that is means tested - doc jsut had to tick a box saying dd was under six and had down syndrome - none of that nightmare paperwork we had for the dla back in the UK.

WHen the children are 16 they can apply for a disability pension.

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Davros · 10/02/2005 15:47

I think that those of you being refused free nappies are being given bum information (ha ha!). Look here
scroll to get the section about nappies

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MandM · 11/02/2005 09:03

Davros - Thanks for that. I found out yesterday that we ahve a Patient Liaison Officer who works within the local health authority specifically to follow up complaints and queries. I e-mailed her yesterday afternoon (including your link) to get clarification on the decision I was given, so hopefully free pull-ups will be winging their way to me shortly - fingers crossed!

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anniebear · 11/02/2005 11:23

The qualifing age in my area is 4yrs, it used to be 3 but so many Mums with NT children applied for them that they had to up it.

But....!! if I got a letter from the Consultant we could apply.

We got ours delivered Yesterday

Ellie is 3.5 yrs

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anniebear · 11/02/2005 11:26

I agree with Davros. If your child has SN then get a letter of his/hers Consultant and then apply.

You never know.....!!

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mulsey · 12/02/2005 22:27

In my area in Scotland the child must be 3. We get extra large pampers and star pants. The star pants are for school. They look like typical little girls pants and of course they have stars all over them. They have an inbuilt pad, and when soiled you put them into the washing machine. I received the grand total of 6 pairs for the year, and Im trying to get some more,but apparently they are expensive!!!! My authority dont agree with pull-ups as they believe them to be too absorbant and prefer for toilet training kids to be aware when they are wet.

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Davros · 13/02/2005 10:23

I agree with that in principle mulsey but I think it should be the parent's decision

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anniebear · 13/02/2005 13:06

again, Davros!!! I agree!!

DD School is fantastic but they said when we are ready to potty train they will take her straight out of nappies. I would prefer to use pull ups as I am to stressed already to have to deal with multiple clothes changes!!!!

So they will have her in knickers in the mornings and I will have her in pull ups in the afternoons!!

I love pull ups!!!!!

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Dingle · 14/02/2005 17:14

Rang the community health visitor for the disability team today! They said that there is NO way that there will be any exceptions made re; age for free nappies. However she did put me in contact with a clinical supplier, so that I can find out about buying nappies in bulk. Have only just got back in today, so I'll give them a ring tomorrow!

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Davros · 14/02/2005 17:16

DIngle, I still think they're in breach of some rule or other! Is there any way to find out for sure? Try DWP or portage or soc svs? I dunno, someone must know if its up to them to change the rules for your area.

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FineFigureFio · 14/02/2005 17:20

Dingle it is 4 here aswell, mny friend is pushing but they wont even asess until her dd is 4 which is pants

DLA is not for buying nappies ffs

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Dingle · 14/02/2005 17:42

I am starting to get my fighting head back on now! My mum is out of hospital, although she is having to travel up to London 3 times a week for dialysis, they have slotted her chemo in so that it can be done during a dialysis session every 3rd week!! At least that's one thing sorted.
I feel I have to re-commence my fighting for dd now!

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