The different types of underwear or training pants for potty training can be mind blowing, however the large range is usually to do with brands rather than styles. Basically there are the following options for parents to use:
· Plain underwear
· Cloth training pants
· Pad inserts
· Pull ups - reusable
· Pull ups disposable
Let's look at them individually:
Plain Underwear
These are inexpensive and most times reusable. They are very accessible for the child or toddler to pull up or down and is very easily recognisable by the child when wet or soiled. The child can also be happy because they are looking more like mum or dad with their underwear. The child does have a natural and comfortable feeling about his clothing and potty experience.
However, on the negative side potty training underwear can create lots of laundry as often when an accident occurs an entire change of clothing is necessary. There is not a plastic protected cover to stop staining on outside items such as lounge furniture or car seats. This option can create extra work for parents and depending on the parents commitments their time and possible extra expenses involved.
Cloth Training Pants
The cloth training pants can be thick enough to protect outside surfaces such as lounge chair and car seats but thin enough so the child still feels that they are wet or soiled. Cloth training pants are reusable and are in most cases less expensive than disposable training pants.
Looking at the negatives, once again the laundry can build up and become a problem. Some cloth training pants may not be thick enough to protect the other clothing that the toddler or child is wearing. The pants are not as similar as adult underwear and in some cases can be difficult for the child to pull up or down.
Pad Inserts
Potty training pad inserts are placed inside the plain underwear. They are designed to absorb the mess inside the underwear but still allowing the child to feel what they have just done. Pad inserts are disposable so there is less waste than disposable pull ups.
On the flip side there will at times, be underwear or clothing soiled, however not as frequent. There is an expense in having to purchase the pads frequently.
Pull ups
Pull ups protect the outer clothing as they are a waterproof garment. They also protect the outside items as previously mentioned such as the lounge chairs or car seats. They are used after diapers or nappies and are designed to familiarise the child with underwear (pull up motion). They can be disposable which means less laundry but more expense. Reusable pull ups can be washed however do not last frequent washing and eventually an expense factor has to be absorbed by parents.
Difficulties for the child or toddler is that pull ups actually absorb wetness extremely well and the child or toddler has difficulties identifying if the pull up is wet or not. They can also be difficult for a child to pull up or down and are not like adults underwear. Inconvenience of having to got to the store each time you run out is also a factor.
It is advisable to choose one option and for consistency to the child or toddler maintain that option until results are seen. Swapping and changing different options will only add confusion into potty training. Parents may also think about one option when the child is sleeping and another when they are awake. A heavier garment such as pull ups is advisable for when sleeping. Ultimately the decision of which underwear potty training garment you use will be what works best for you and your child.
