Pull Ups or Underwear?

I had my son in pull ups until he got better at going potty. Now he is in big boy underwear except when he takes a nap or goes to bed. The pull ups seem like a very good idea to me and I haven't had too many problems with them.

Hi T.!

I had the same question when I began potty training my first, who is a boy. My sister-in-law had the best advice for me that she got from her sister-in-law when her girls were young. What these seasoned moms had learned is that the Pull-Ups felt like diapers and the kids were used to that feeling so it didn't help in potty training. They also found that the kids didn't like the feeling of having wet underwear. What they did was put on a pair of underwear underneath the Pull-Up so that there the kids could feel that wet feeling that they didn't like, but they had the protection. I tried it with my son and it worked very well. I also did this with my daughter and it worked with her too. I didn't have to use Pull-Ups very long and then I just used them at night - still over the underwear. Underwear makes them excited about being a "big boy" or "big girl." Getting completely away from any form of diaper is very helpful in making them believe that they are big. I told them that the Pull-up was to protect them in case of an accident. I never used the term diaper. When they used Pull-Ups just at night I could use the same one over and over because they usually stayed dry. Just make sure that you stock up on new undies! Good luck and I hope this advice helps!

Definitely underwear. They just don't really GET it in pull-ups.. you will see a much quicker 'aha!' factor in underwear. Use pull-ups for night time or naps if needed, but during the day, make it a big deal to be in underwear and remind him to use the bathroom!!! =)

Good luck.

T.,

I think the method you use will depend on the child. You can try to go to big boy pants and see what happens. If he is willing and you are able to go potty on a schedule, try that. Some will use the feel wet liners, i feel this is a great option for all day and night. My gf boy is over 3 and is pretty well trained in the daytime, but sometimes when they are going to be out somewhere, she will put the regular (not the feel wets) pullups on him and EVERY time he is sopping. He is old enough to distinguish that the paper pants soak it up. He is extremely upset when his legs get wet or his bottom feels wet when he has an accident in his underwear. Just give it some time and try him out and see. And, remember, really it's them who is training us, so dont get disgusted if he tries then changes his mind..

Good luck!

I T.- I have trained 3 out of 4 of my kids with underpants exclusively and pull-ups as "night time underwear" Worn only at night. i think a lot of times kids get confused with pull-ups- so by calling them night-time underwear(which are used only at night) It eliminated the confusion.
That's what worked for me.
Good Luck
Beth

Hi,
I agree with Cyndi, underwear is the best, that's what I did with my 3 children,so what if they have accidents once in a while.They do get it faster,and for naps I used just diapers.
I feel Pull ups ist just moneymaking from these companies.
Good luck. Marion

i agree pull up kinda defeat the purpose of potty training they are to much like underwear i have 3 kids two of them i just put underwear on and began potty training it took my first son 24 hours and that was it my second to one week.hopefully my third will be as easy.but totoally underwear aare the way to go.buy his fav cartoon undies and all should be well.good luck and i haope is easy for you.

I would start with underware. They can feel when there wet and you can wash them. My son is 2 this summer I will start potty training and I am going to start with underware, they are cheaper. Hope this helps.

T., Definitely go with the underwear so he can FEEL when he is wet, pull ups are fine at night but during the day they are just like diapers ;) Hope that helps!

T.:
I am the worst when it comes to potty training. I hate it. I've gotten through three kids and am procrastinating with my fourth. She was also born June 19, 2005. Anyway, with the first two I just decided they were ready, put on underwear and within a week we were done (to a point). They still had accidents, but tolerable. With my third, I used pull-ups for a little while; while we just practiced. He would sit on the potty when ever he wanted. If he didn't want to I wouldn't push it. No pressure. Then when it came time to go to underwear (Once I make this decision I never go back), I felt that he had the hang of it better than the other two did. Unfortunately with #4 she doesn't want anything to do with the potty eventhough I suspect she is completely ready, but lazy and so am I. I am waiting for the summer when she can wear dresses and we have less activities that we have to be at. Good Luck.

I used pull ups on both my girls but we called them our big girl underwear and tried to keep them dry, I hated the thought of the accidents and mess everywhere!!! My 3 year old still wears them at night so now we call them our night time undies, it is much better than nasty accidents in the night!!! Just my experience, good luck!!

I did pull ups on my first son and underwear on my 2nd son. I have to say, the underwear route was faster and much easier. At night and naps, just went to the diaper so not to have to introduce one more thing to this difficult process. My second son was quick to learn and was in full time underwear, even at night, within a week. So drastically different from my first and well deserving, UGH, it can be so hard.

Good luck.