Potty Training Secrets: Learn Why I Am Hesitant to Switch My Toddler to Big Kid Underwear Until My Child Has Fewer Accidents

Many parents often times pressure their children to start potty training their child before they are fully ready.  Potty training before your child is ready can cause unnecessary stress for both you and your toddler.  With all three of my kids, I waited until they were ready to potty train before I even attempted it.  A few weeks ago, my youngest son decided that he was ready to start potty training.  One afternoon, he came up to me and told me that he needed to go potty.  So we run to the bathroom and I sat him on his potty seat.  After a few minutes, he successfully used the potty for the first time.  We celebrated with hugs and kisses and I rewarded him with two gummy bears.  It was a bittersweet moment for me because he is my last baby and potty training means that he is turning into a big boy.  Over the last two weeks, he has done a great job and has even started using the potty at daycare.  I feel that he isn’t quite ready for big boy underwear yet because he is still having a few accidents.

My son also loves to spin the roll of toilet paper so that it makes a pile in the bathroom floor.  Does your toddler love making a mess with the toilet paper too?  I am trying to teach him that he doesn’t need to use a bunch of toilet paper when he cleans up after using the restroom.

Disclaimer:  The opinions reflected in this post are my own and I was not compensated for writing this post.  All the opinions this post are based on my own potty training experiences.

Diapers Help Make Accident Clean-Up a Breeze While Potty Training Your Toddler

I have not decided whether or not to make the switch from diapers to pull ups or big boy underwear yet.  I am still thinking it is better to continue using the diapers that I have before I decide whether or not to purchase pull ups or big boy underwear.  I also want to wait until he has fewer accidents in his diapers.  So at this time, we are still currently using diapers while he is learning how to potty training because he is still having quite a few accidents, especially number 2 ( I know TMI).  Most mom’s will often agree that teaching your child to go number 2 in the restroom is a bit more challenging and takes a bit longer for your child to get the hang of it.  If your child is anything like mine, he loves to go hide in a corner or play while he is working on a number 2.  This is where I still feel diapers come in handy, because trying to clean up a number two out of big boy underwear isn’t my idea of fun.

Pull-Ups Make Accident Clean Up Easier as Your Toddler Begins Potty Training

Pull- ups are a great diaper alternative and are made to make it easier teach your child how to use the potty.  They are easy for toddlers to pull up and down making it easier for them to learn how to pull their pants up and down when they need to use the restroom.  Pull-ups are a bit pricey compared to diapers and this is why I suggested delaying the use of pull-ups until your child has few accidents.  Pull-ups also have easy to tear sides (similar to the swim diapers) so that you can easily remove the pull-up when your child has an accident.  Click here for a coupon for Pull-Ups.

Making the Switch to Big Boy or Girl Undergarments

I am still nervous to put my son in big boy underwear because he is still having quite a few accidents.  I realize that accidents happen and they can be used to help your child realize when they need to use the potty.  Your child has to learn to be responsible and tell you that they have to go potty, especially if you have to help them.  I need to invest in a step stool for my son so that is easier for him to get on the potty by himself.  With my older my older children, I waited to switch them over to big boy or girl undergarments until they had a bit more control over their bladder and started having fewer accidents.  If you want to start using big kid underwear, you can purchase plastic covers over their underwear to prevent them from soiling the carpet or furniture.

A Waterproof Bed Liner Makes Bedtime Accidents A Breeze To Clean Up

Some parents continue to use diapers during nap time and at bedtime so that they can avoid cleaning up accidents while their child was sleeping.  I tend to agree because most children take more time than others before they learn to wake up in the middle of their nap or at night to go use the restroom.  If you decide to use big boy or girl undergarments during nap time or at night, you can add a waterproof liner to your child’s mattress to prevent damaging the mattress.  If your child has an accident in their bed, a waterproof mattress liner will make clean up quick and easy.

To get weekly updates to Uplifting Families, please subscribe to my newsletter or join in the conversation with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and G+.

Did you continue using diapers while you were potty training or did you immediately make the switch to Pull-ups or big kids underwear?