Potty training is a daunting task for both parents and children. Not only does your child learn to eliminate waste in new places, but they also break lifelong Xi. “If you think about it, some children are already in diapers when they come out of the womb. It’s a Xi that has to be broken,” says Jamie Glowacki, potty training expert and author of Oh Crap!.
A variety of products, including potty training pants, can make the process easier for everyone. Thanks to their absorbent fabrics and DIY capabilities, these garments can easily transition from diapers to underwear. Read on to learn more about how potty training pants work, as well as tips for finding the best pants for your child.
Fabric with Disposable Potty Training Pants
While there are a lot of companies in the market that peddle potty training pants, they can actually be divided into two types: cloth pants and disposable pants. Here’s the difference between them.
Cloth Potty Training Pants
Fabric sneakers feel like big kids’ underwear, but with a multi-layered fabric in the crotch area. “The fabric absorbs urine, so you don’t change your underwear every two minutes when you pee a little,” Glovacsky said. However, they are still made from natural fibers, such as cotton, which allows your child to feel the moisture in the event of an accident. Cloth pants may appeal to parents because they are more cost-effective than disposable pants, can be reused, and are also gentler on the environment.
If your child has difficulty dribbling, Glowacki recommends using fabric training pants. “Dripping refers to any moisture under half a dollar,” she explains. “If the panty is wet, but not wet, it means it’s drooling. For most kids, there will be some drooling during the first few weeks, so I highly recommend the fabric training pants.”
Disposable Potty Training Pants
“Disposable potty training pants feel and function the same as diapers. Your child usually doesn’t feel much of a damp sensation after an accident because they wick moisture away from the skin,” says Houston pediatrician Dr. Eboni Hollier for board certification in developmental, behavioral, and general pediatrics. “The main difference and benefit of disposable potty training pants is that children can walk into them as if they were underwear. This may help your child feel more confident and independent.”
In addition to being more expensive and less environmentally friendly, disposable diapers have another major drawback. “Because they act essentially the same as diapers, they don’t make children feel wet and uncomfortable after an accident,” Dr. Hollier said. “This discomfort may motivate people to use the toilet and is therefore an important part of potty training.”
Dr. Houllier believes they are best used at night. “Most children potty train between the ages of 2 and 3, and most children are unable to stay completely dry at night, and that’s where wearing disposable potty training pants while sleeping can help,” she says.
How to Introduce Training Pants
Every toddler will be ready to wear training pants at different times, although most children will lose their diapers between the ages of 2 and 3. Glowacki divides her introduction to training pants into several parts, starting with your child going bare-ass in the house and then going to commando in soft clothes.
“You’re not going to put on your panties right away,” she said. “In my experience, this is a fatal flaw because the underwear is tight around the upper thighs and waist, like a diaper. Muscle memory is produced. It’s a layer of fabric that feels similar to a diaper, and the muscle memory is a cue, ‘I put this on and I can pee and poop in it.'” ’”
Glowacki introduced cloth training pants or panties in the fourth part of her training philosophy to encourage children to move around the house wearing only panties. She didn’t recommend pants with underwear at first, because “the double layer of fabric seems to mess things up for kids.” If the child can’t put his thumb into the two layers of cloth, it can also be a manipulation and they can’t take off their pants in time,” she said.
Wondering if gender matters when wearing training pants? Glowacki says there’s really no difference between boys and girls’ potty training pants because they’re designed in the same way. The most important thing is to find a pair of shoes that have multiple layers of fabric on the crotch. She does point out that if you can find a pair of shoes featuring your child’s favorite animated character, you can entice them to stay dry. “Character underwear tends to work best because it’s a form of integrity not to pee on Elsa or anyone on her pants,” she says.
Our Favorite
MooMoo Baby Cotton Training Pants
These washable training pants are made from 100% cotton and six layers of padding to keep your child comfortable during potty training. Absorbent materials and leak-proof linings also save clean-up time. Plus, we love the cute design!
Gerber Baby Potty Training Pants
These white training pants look simple but are made from a durable cotton and polyester blend material that will prevent your child from having an accident. They feel like comfortable underwear, and your child should be able to pull them up and down easily. Gerber training pants are also available in a variety of colors and styles.
Seventh Generation Training Pants
You may know Seventh Generation for its green cleaning products, but the brand also makes training pants that are perfect for sensitive skin. They contain no chlorine bleach, lotions, or fragrances. Parents also recognize the tear-off side panels for easy replacement.
Pull-Ups potty Training Pants
These classic training pants have all the features parents love: absorbent, leak-proof fabric, easy-to-open sides, stretch material, and a comfortable fit. Plus, the Mickey Mouse pattern fades when wet, which will help your child get to the bathroom on time!
The Honest Company Honest Training Pants
These training pants have the feel of multiple layers, stretch waistbands, and older children’s underwear. But parents especially love how eco-friendly the pants are made from plant-based materials, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
Babyfriend Reusable training pants
Not only are these potty training pants cute, but they’re also ideal for the final stage of potty training. They contain four layers, which will make your child feel damp in the event of an accident (but the durable fabric should still prevent leakage.)
Thirsties Reusable Cloth Toilet Training Pants
Is your child potty trained but still needs some extra help? Consider the Thirsties reusable cloth potty training pants, which have four layers to prevent small accidents.