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