Light incontinence pads of substantially rectangular outline referable to a longitudinal axis (A)5 presenting a central absorbent core (7) and a peripheral seam (10), are folded by a unit comprising a drum (17) furnished with aspirating pockets (22) on which the pads (3) advance along the direction of the longitudinal axis (A), and folding mechanisms (31； 39, 43) by which a first end portion (13) and a second end portion (15) of each pad (3) are folded over one another, and over a central portion (14) of the selfsame pad, about respective fold lines (11, 12) transverse to the longitudinal axis (A). The unit also comprises seam-folding members (27a, 27b； 50, 51) associated with each pocket (22), by which elasticated segments (16) of the seam (10) are flattened over and retained against the central portion (14) of the pad.
