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Should I Potty Train With Pull Ups?
should I potty train with pull ups?
Do pull ups prolong potty training? They can. In my experience, having potty trained more than 20 toddlers, and my twins, we didn’t need pull ups.
I will also say, that I think pull-ups at night during potty training can be a big help, but aren’t necessary. We can dive more into training pants vs pull-ups soon, to give you an idea of how the toddlers I have worked with responded to each, so you can decide what you will do with your toddler….
Read this next:
When To Start Potty Training Your Toddler (so it’s MUCH easier for all!)
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training pants vs pull-ups
The benefit of having training pants vs pull-ups, is that they feel more like underwear (so they will allow for that awareness I am talking about) AND they will help catch the accidents so there is less clean up for you. You can also easily use these at night to manage messes as well. Having something to catch poop is VERY helpful and nice lol. Having some disposable gloves can make poop cleanup easy and less messy for you.
It’s a great idea to have a few packs so that if you end up having lots of accidents in the beginning, you won’t be stressed out or overwhelmed by having to was a bunch of laundry each day.
Here are some top-rated multi-pack potty training pants on amazon for boys and girls…
Another thing that you may want to do is start with a pack and see how your toddler does. They may not have as many accidents as you thought they would or they may have more. From there, you can decide to buy more potty training pants or regular underwear, depending on your toddler’s specific need.
Because most of my experience with potty training is in a shared, care setting, I do not do any bottomless. I didn’t do it with my own twins either, because I didn’t the need. If you want to try it, many find it helpful. I think using regular underwear is just fine AND it catches poop accidents, which I am very thankful for!
pull-ups at night during potty training
A lot of toddlers aren’t developmentally ready to hold pee through the night. And because potty training is such a big task for already emotionally and physically exhausted parents, I encourage most to wait until after they master day potty training before tackling nighttime potty training, unless they consistently see their toddler waking up with dry diapers.
If you notice mostly dry diapers upon waking, you can absolutely switch to pull-ups at night during potty training, to make it easier for them/you to pull them down and up as needed when using the potty.
Should you wake your toddler to go potty at night? You can read more about my nighttime potty training tips, here.
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best pull-ups for potty training
I haven’t tried them all. We’ve mostly used pampers and they have been great for a leak-proof, great fit for all so far. They’re soft and hold a lot and are easy for toddlers to pull up and down without a fuss.
Here are some pull up options…
Pampers that we’ve used
These are 28% plant-based making them eco-friendlier
These are built specifically for nighttime potty training, to absorb more (which isn’t necessarily important if you are following my nighttime potty training tips.)
And these are great for waterplay or swim time
So, can you potty train without pull ups? ABSOLUTELY yes! It’s my preference. Will potty training with pull ups work for your toddler? Maybe so. Will you save money by not buying pull ups and just going straight to underwear like I do? YES.
15 additional Potty training starter tips
1. Check for optimal readiness
2. Prepare them, myself and my space for the change
3. Focus on making them comfortable in the bathroom with activities that interest them. If your toddler cries when sitting on the potty, you may want to revisit prepping them, use activities to interest and calm them so they can release AND think about whether they seem fearful of the potty. If so, facing that fear head on is best.
4. Jot down any current potty cues & timing they have
5. Time potty breaks off of their particular cues to get the most pee and poop in the potty at the start. This will excite and motivate you both.
6. Go together until they self-initiate sitting. Many toddlers, especially the ones who need lots of help, don’t yet have urge awareness. Likewise, many aren’t motivated on their own and need your help to get there each time to build this habit. Practice makes progress! Help them get there until they start going on their own.
7. Tell, don’t ask: “Potty break! You usually have to pee right about now. Let’s go just in case. Bring your puzzle or we can put some stickers on your butterfly chart!raining pnat
8. Give them time to process & options to choose from: “Ok, 2 more minutes with block and then we’re gonna go sit on the potty for a minute! You can bring your tower to keep building or we can blow up some balloons together while we sit. Up to you!”
9. Hold the boundary while also comforting & giving them a minute if they’re upset: Get down to their level, arms open. “I know it’s hard to keep stopping your games and go sit on the potty. This is all brand new. It only takes a minute and you will be back to your blocks! You can bring your tower with you too!” If they get upset, that is fair and normal! You can say something like, “I know it can feel frustrating. Let’s take a minute and try again when you feel better. Want a hug? Want to go look through our little monkey book?” Prioritizing your calm and genuine delivery when talking to them is very important.
Check out Low Stress Motherhood’s potty training mom essentials cropped tee:
10. Focus on helping them cope with their big feelings and showing them ways they can (eventually with practice done together) cope on their own.
11. Remind them of the goal and what do – through reading, role play with a doll, chatting (often). Here are some books you can add into your story time to prep and keep exposing them to the idea and act of using the potty:
12. Recognize & incentivize all efforts (which motivates future actions!): “You did so great trying to get to the potty in time! Let’s have some gummies with lunch!” “You did great at trying to calm down when you were feeling upset today. Let’s have an ice pop in the bath tonight!”
13. Celebrate – tell their siblings or their dad about their successes in front of them. High five them when they pee in the potty or when they try to, when they sit longer, or when they do anything a little better than before. Celebrate them in a special way that shows you see their growth and successes!
14. Remember: making toddlers comfortable and helping them handle big feelings WILL help them potty train
15. Remember this too: their pace at learning the potty may be slower than you’d like or expected
Is your toddler always saying ‘no!’ when you mention the potty? Check out this article for what to do: My Toddler Is Always Saying ‘No!’
Some helpful peaceful potty training supplies:
Want all the information in one spot rather than trying to piece it altogether yourself? Check out my Peaceful Potty Training course and get done with this milestone with less stress and strain!
Additional potty training notes
The first few days are often wild – and by wild I mean, filled with messes, feelings and challenges. So, depending on your toddler, this may be how your first handful of days goes. This is normal. Using a long weekend is a great time to start the potty training process.
Using the potty is SO different for toddlers and it is a lot for them to learn – now wearing undies, listening to their bodies, timing their run to the potty, washing their hands, feeling how poop feels free falling into a potty rather than in a snug diaper – and they have to all of this multiple times a day. It’s a big deal for them and can be a messy process.
Here are a few articles that will keep things calmer and easier for all:
Remember, transitions are hard for toddlers. And potty training is filled with transitions all day – play to the potty, play then potty, play then potty – so expect feelings and push back to arise, and be as best prepared as you can be to validate their feelings and comfort, and continue on. When you do these 3 things, you will have less power struggles.
Rest assured, they will get a hang of using the potty with practice and by you bringing awareness to their bodily urges if they don’t yet recognize when they have to go (which most toddlers don’t when just starting out with potty training)
Wondering how long should toddler sit on the potty? Want some tricks to get your toddler to poop on potty? This article has what you need: 3 Reasons Your Toddler Won’t Poop In The Potty & What To Do About It
You can also learn more about when and why potty training regressios happen, here: Potty Training Regressions – Why They Happen & What To Do
And finally, if your toddler is in daycare, this article walks you through how you can potty train when your child goes to daycare: How To Potty Train When Your Child Is In Daycare
For more potty training support, you can read all my potty training blog posts, here.
And consider signing up for my free Peaceful Potty Training Cheat Sheet, complete with supply list, what to expect and how to prepare in the boxes below.
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Read this next:
5 Nighttime Potty Training Tips For Stressed Moms
EVERYTHING You Need In Place For Low Stress Potty Training
What To Do If Your Toddler Gets Constipated During Potty Training
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Everything you need to know to start potty training with more ease, confidence and calm.
More potty training supplies you may need:
