Potty training is a big deal and a significant accomplishment for your child. Although potty training a young child requires a lot of effort, it is another step toward independence. Using Pull-ups can be an excellent option if you start potty training. This guide looks at how to potty train with pull-ups.
Key Takeaways
- Pull-ups are a significant upgrade over "baby" diapers, and toddlers often adore the thought of growing up
- Pull-ups should bridge the gap between diapers and underpants
- Pull-ups are a component of potty training, which, depending on the child, often starts around age three
- Once you start potty training, pull-ups are an excellent option for overnight use
Let's dive in and look at some potty training tips.
How to Potty Train With Pull-Ups
Everyone tells you that every kid grows up at their speed which it's true.
Therefore, rather than relying on the child's chronological age, it is best to wait until the child exhibits readiness for the potty training journey.
Don't compare them to other kids their age; instead, concentrate on whether they are ready as an individual.
What Are Pull-Ups?
Pull-ups or training pants resemble diapers but have stretchy sides instead of closures in the front. They are a comfortable way to make the switch from diapers to underpants.
Thanks to the stretchy sides, your child can practice pulling them up and down like training pants during toddler potty training.
When is a Good Time to Introduce Pull Ups?
The average age to use them for potty training is 3. However, this varies from child to child. Experts say that pull-ups are unnecessary during daytime training.
So, the best way to do it is to skip the diapers and jump right to training pants so your child can experience the sensation of wetting their pants.
The absorbency of pull-ups is comparable to that of diapers.
However, they are great to use at night once you begin potty training. Even by the sixth grade, up to 25% of boys and 15% of girls still have sleeping accidents.
How long a child can hold their pee or how quickly they can get up and walk to the bathroom if they have to go depends on their maturity and genetics. Your child can have accidents during the night without making a big deal of it if you put them in pull-ups.
So, start with training during the day and then go on to nighttime use once your child has established good daytime routines.
How to Potty Train Your Toddler
When the time is right, it's crucial to introduce the concept of how to sit on the potty correctly. These suggestions can facilitate a smooth transition from diapers to potties. As long as the pull-up's size fits the child, the transition from diapers to pull-ups can happen immediately throughout the potty training process.
Slowly Introduce the Toilet
To spark your child's curiosity, begin bringing up nighttime training in casual conversation. One technique is to read your kid some books and include potty in the toilet train stories.
Follow a Schedule for Potty Training
Establishing a schedule is crucial when beginning training. The trick is to schedule potty breaks throughout the day so that it becomes routine.
Transition to Training Pants
At the beginning of their training, it's best to use a disposable pull-up.
After your child successfully uses the potty, you can switch to reusable cotton training trousers.
Let Him Bare His Bottom
Allowing your kid to run half-naked will help him become more attuned to his body's messages. Your child will respond quickly to nature's calls without pull-up diapers if the potty is always within reach.
Teach Them to Check for Dryness
They feel more in control. Give them a pat on the back if they're dry, but don't punish them if they're wet.
Offer Praise
Accidents will happen when you first begin potty training. Do not punish your child for soiling or wetting their pants; they are still getting accustomed to the potty training experience.
Teach Proper Hygiene
Hand-washing from day one will instill in children good bathroom hygiene practices. Have your child flush the toilet and wash their hands after using the potty, even if they didn't have to go.
You may also check out Potty Partnership for more tips.
How Will I Know My Toddler Is Ready to Become Potty Trained?
Your child must be physically capable of controlling their bowels and bladder while also expressing a desire to be tidy and dry.
They must also be capable of understanding regular training instructions.
Sometimes it's hard to tell when the right time is to begin training. However, if you keep an eye out for the usual indicators of potty training readiness, you'll have a better notion of when to try it.
When your child exhibits these signs of preparedness, expect the training to go more smoothly and with fewer accidents.
Here are common indicators of preparedness:
- You can go two or more hours between changing your child's diapers.
- They can tell when they need to pee and may even inform you.
- They can tell when their diaper is wet or may pull at it, take it off, or request that you change it.
- Your child may exhibit overt signals that they must use the restroom, such as fidgeting or moving to a concealed or quiet location.
- They know the need to pee and may express this in advance.
You can expect your child's training to go more smoothly if they are at the final stage, recognizing the signs of a need to pee before you begin the process.
The process can go quickly if you add it to the time to get to the appropriate spot.
There's a chance your child will start paying greater attention to the bathroom visits of adults in the family. If so, let them observe what takes place while walking them through the procedure.
What If Potty Training Isn’t Working?
Potty training is complex, and when a child finally stops wearing diapers, many parents exhale a sigh of relief.
What happens, though, if they soon resume having accidents?
Occasional hiccups are common throughout the early days or months of potty training.
To give you an idea, research shows that roughly 6% of children still wet the bed at 8.
So what brings about a regression in potty training?
Regression occurs when a trained child has frequent accidents, which could cause switching back to diapers. Although the setback can be annoying, it is entirely natural, and you can resolve it by identifying the cause.
To help the youngster get back to where they were, try to pinpoint the causes of the regression.
Likely causes of regress in toilet training may include:
- The training of your child was poor.
- They feel anxious
- Your kid has health problems
- They get easily sidetracked
What to Do If Your Child Regresses in Potty Training
The good news is that regression is usually only temporary, lasting only a few days or weeks. So as a parent, it's easy to guide your child back on track.
Use these suggestions to prevent regression in potty training.
Set up gentle reminders
Accidents are more likely if a child has too much play and refuses to use the potty.
To remedy this, take them to the bathroom frequently (at least once every couple of hours) and ask their teachers to do the same. Simple, reassuring reminders to use the potty can help a child get back on track.
For example, when your child first wakes up, before bed, and right before you leave the house, encourage them to at least try using the potty.
Don't punish your child for accidents.
Don't express disappointment if your youngster has an accident. Depending on the child's unique personality, your disappointment can increase your child's anxiety, which can cause additional potty-training difficulties.
If your child hasn't had an accident, applaud them. If not, say so without passing judgment.
FAQs
Is It Possible to Potty Train With Pull-Ups?
Yes, it's possible to potty train using pull-ups. As long as the size fits the child, the transition from diapers to pull-ups can happen immediately throughout the potty training process.
Do Pull-Ups Work as Well as Diapers?
Yes, pull-ups work as well as diapers. They should be as absorbent as a conventional diaper and provide the same level of protection. But it's preferable to use them during night sessions.
At What Age Should a Child Become Fully Potty Trained?
At three years, a child should become fully potty trained. It usually takes children six months to learn the procedure. Girls learn faster, often completing potty training two to three months before boys.
Are Pull-Ups Bigger Than Diapers?
Yes, pull-ups are bigger than diapers. The smallest diapers, size 1, are for infants weighing 8 to 14 pounds, and the largest diapers, size 6, are for infants weighing over 35 pounds. Training pants come in a range of weights and measures comparable to clothing. Most companies offer four distinct pull-up sizes: 12m-18m (14-26 lbs).