Can GP prescribe nappies?

[user49753267547005]

Dc's nappies are constantly leaking. I've tried more brands and types than I can think to name. I have no idea what to do anymore.

I put sanitary pads in the nappies and they still leak.

Can the GP prescribe incontinence nappies?

DC is 4.5yo

You can get nappies from the incontinence service ,but in my LA ,it's for children who are five and over and fully incontinent ,children who just need nappies at night wouldn't get them in my LA at least.

No idea if it would potentially work, but when my DD was leaking at night I was advised to try adding some cloth nappy inserts or l booster pads to a normal nappy (I think the bamboo ones worked best but would advise reading up on the different materials.). It worked well for us.

Not sure if it would work at the volume that you may be facing but perhaps if it's not absolutely massive leaks it might help?

I'm sure Pampers used to do a larger size (size 7, I think). Not available in the shops but could be ordered from them directly. Maybe worth having a look to see if they or other brands still offer this.

We got free nappies for DS. He has SN and wore them for a lot longer than most kids. We went through a continence nurse. GP not involved.

So OP
You asked if GP can prescribe nappies

Is it night time
Leaking or day time?

If your child has been diagnosed with SEN or disability you may be able to get some type of continence referral on basis of disability needs - even adults with continence needs can wait up to 12 weeks for continence service to assess and start providing pads and it'll not be pull ups - will be what they prescribe

If your Dc has no disability assessment and particularly if is just night time pad use- well that's not out of normal range - my DS wasn't dry at night until 7 and I had to lift him in the night if his pad would leak. Dry during day. Not an nhs incontinence criteria.

So does he have a disability assessment ? If not, you won't get nhs funded support

My 5 years old uses pull up from Aldi in a size 7. He has the occasional leak.
He's fully incontinent and they won't give us nappies.

I have worked in SN schools and the best brand is this
www.incontinencechoice.co.uk/id-comfy-junior-17-27kg-14-pack.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInbjY5Miz_QIVB-rtCh2oWA-XEAQYECABEgLvQPD_BwE

It is common.Whether or not additional needs are involved is irrelevant. I asked about nappies not about the potty training age range

@user49753267547005

That's not accurate at all OP, disability SW here

Continence service referrals require a medical disability needs ... and even then it depends on the eligibility criteria of that service which does vary from ICB to ICB (nhs commissioning) areas

You won't get funded nappies for a child without disability needs for assessed eligible incontinence. It's not uncommon for boys in particular to have night time only urine incontinence and leaking from one pad so you have to wake up and lift to toilet until their bodies do click into not wetting at night. It's only a disability need if they are disabled! And if they as a growing child years into primary school age -4.5 years old is young / early still- are urine inco during the daytime too.

Btw I highly recommend 'brolly sheets' if you google them they are a lifesaver!!!!!!

That's really helpful to know Thankyou @Neverplayleapfrogwithmrpipes

Whoops bold fail before

It is common.Whether or not additional needs are involved is irrelevant. I asked about nappies not about the potty training age range

This was supposed to be in bold as OP said it

I’m not sure if they do them that small but have you tried period pants/ incontinence pants?

He could wear his nappy under them and so if it leaks the pants will absorb it.

I’m not sure if they will do incontinence pads that small as they would just be child nappies and I’m sure the gp won’t have any different to the ones you’ve already tried.

It’s actually not!

@user49753267547005 www.id-direct.com/ukb2c/en/index.html this is the brand my additional needs child was prescribed on the NHS - can also buy direct. Ask your school nurse for help

Thank you. We do have cloth nappies which hold it much better but still waiting on our washing machine to be washed so we can't right now unfortunately

Have a look on the Eric website...it's a continence charity....they used to do larger nappies

It’s the continence service not incontinence!!
but seriously….in my area , a GP or HV can do a referral to the paediatric continence nurse specialist at 4 years….regardless of any SN or not

I don’t think it is irrelevant though as if special needs then it’s a medical issue rather than a childcare one?

We have Pampers baby dry in size 7/8 which don't hold them either sadly

Thank you. I'll ask for a referall

If you’re expecting them to be free(?) then it can’t just be a general ‘not toilet trained yet’ issue, whereas I’ve read that if they’re prescribed for special needs they become a medical issue but I’m happy to be corrected 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you. I think we've tried these. They were recommended on another thread.

That's a good idea. I might see how big the smallest size adult incontinence nappies are.

Is it for nighttime or daytime as well OP? Also, you say nappies, are you Ok with pull-ups too?

Thank you. Is there a particular one of these you buy?