Is your growing baby ready to start potty training? This huge milestone in your baby’s life is exciting but fraught with so many ups and downs too. You want to do the right thing and make it easy for your toddler (and for you as a parent).
You’ve done all the research, discussed it with family and friends, purchased some training pants for active babies and maybe even asked your doctor how to go about potty training. It’s coming up to your baby’s second birthday and you’re wondering if this is the time to start introducing the toilet. Your toddler has shown interest in using the potty, so why not?
While it’s a relief to have fewer diaper changes, you’re still going to need to use some form of diapers when your toddler starts to use the potty. Have you been thinking about using pull-up diapers? Read on if you want to find out how to choose the right pull-up diapers for potty training.
Potty Training a Toddler: A Father’s Story
When our daughter started expressing interest in using the toilet “because mom and dad go there”, I realized it was time to start potty training. I’m a stay-at-home father two days a week and on those days, I’m fully involved in my daughter’s daily activities.
The prospect of potty training was daunting although I must admit, I was glad to have fewer diaper changing duties! My partner and I spent quite a bit of time deciding which diapers to use before our toddler started learning to use the toilet.
We stumbled upon pull-up diapers and we’ve never looked back since! We learned, in the early days, that choosing the right pull-up diapers was essential. They come in different styles with a range of features that could slow down her learning process or improve her toilet training.
Initially, in the first days of my daughter getting used to the potty, I had to help her pull down her diapers. When she finished, I helped her pull them up. However, she’s now more independent about going to the toilet and is able to pull down and up her diapers with no help from me. She’s well on her way to being able to use the toilet with no support from me or her mother.
5 Tips to Choosing Pull-Up Diapers for Potty Training
Choosing the right pull-up diapers made all the difference to how my toddler daughter handled her potty training experience. If you’re not careful, you could end up with pull-up diapers that frustrate both you and your child because they’re leaking, tearing, or aren’t easy to pull down at the last minute.
Make sure your toddler is comfortable with potty training by picking the best pull-up diapers for the experience. Here are 5 tips you should consider when choosing pull-up diapers for this exciting milestone:
Tip #1: Getting Used to Wearing Underwear
Your toddler has been used to wearing diapers for the first two years of his or her life. Now, it’s time to introduce them to the idea of wearing underwear. Many pull-up diapers have been designed to look and feel just like grown-up underwear. Make sure the pull-up diapers you get for your toddler make them feel more like a “grown-up” than a baby.
Diaper manufacturers have come up with some great designs and patterns that will make your toddler feel like they’re really wearing underwear and not diapers.
Tip #2: Choose Thinner Diapers
Choosing pull-up diapers that are thinner is not only more comfortable for your active toddler, but they feel and look more like underwear. Depending on the brand, these thinner pull-up diapers are made to feel just like premium cotton underwear.
Bulky diapers can become cumbersome and will also make your toddler feel awkward when trying to take them off when at the potty or toilet.
Tip #3: A Stretchy Waistband Makes a Big Difference
An elasticized or stretchy waistband makes all the difference when your child is transitioning to the potty. Instead of struggling with velcro tabs, a stretchy waistband on the pull-up diapers makes it easier for you and your toddler to pull down and pull up when they need to go to the toilet.
In the early days of toilet training, your toddler may be in a rush to get their diapers off. A stretchy waistband minimizes any delays and cuts down on frustration in the long run.
Tip #4: Absorption Still Matters
Your toddler may be keen to start using the toilet. But in the first days of potty training, there are still going to be accidents. Pull-up diapers should have enough absorption to handle the leaks. Look out for features such as extra absorb channels and materials that absorb the wetness, keeping your toddler dry.
Diaper brands have come up with some unique absorption features in their pull-up diapers range. Compare them with each other and decide which one would be best for your toddler. Pull-up diapers with extra absorption can be pricey so if you’re on a tight budget, consider buying in bulk or look out for specials.
Tip #5: Comfort is Key
If your toddler is not comfortable wearing their pull-up diapers it may hinder their potty training progress. It’s essential to make your toddler feel at ease during this exciting but challenging milestone, so make sure the pull-up diapers are the right fit.
This includes ensuring the pull-up diapers aren’t tight around the waist and thighs. They must also sit snugly on the bottom and not sag or fall off when your toddler is on the move. Diapers are sized according to your baby’s weight, so use this to guide you in choosing the right pull-up diapers for your toddler.
Final Thoughts
Potty training can be successful if you choose the right pull-up diapers to help your toddler during this transition. These tips I’ve shared with you will ensure you choose the best diapers for the process. In no time at all, your toddler will be using the toilet independently.
