As a savvy consumer, the most difficult part of parting ways with regular diapers and switching to potty training diapers is the lack of available generic diapers. My son used mostly Parent’s Choice diapers as a baby, as they were the cheapest available at Wal-Mart. I continued to use these at nighttime, when my son was waking up wet occasionally after a long night’s sleep. During the day for potty training, we used potty training diapers.
While some potty training methods encourage letting children run around without bottoms, I was not prepared to do this with my son. I understood that it might work for a girl, who would feel the warm liquid running down her legs when she waited too long to the potty. However, as a mom of a boy, who had experienced the unpredictability of the direction of a boy’s urine stream, I did not think it was wise to let him run around uncovered. Parents of boys who have ever been surprised by a peeing boy during a diaper change may also understand.
Features of Potty Training Diapers
Easy Off
Potty training diapers should be easy to pull up and down, for the potty training child.
Sides that Open and Close
The potty training diapers will open and close on the sides. Some will tear and not go back together easily. Other potty training diapers will go back togehter easily, which is ideal for false alarms, and for cutting down on potty training diaper waste.
Wetness and Coolness Alerts
Some potty training diapers are made to help children become more aware of when they are wet.
Boys vs. Girls
Potty training diapers for boys and girls are different, and not just because of the colors and designs. The potty training are made differently, based on where the child needs more absorbing material.
Top 5 Potty Training Diapers
1. Pull-Ups Easy Open Sides
If you buy disposable diapers, the easy open sides make it easy to check the diaper, and to reattach it, without wasting a dry diaper.
2. Pampers Easy-Up Trainers
We used Pampers Easy-Up trainers frequently while potty training. There is usually a coupon available for these potty training diapers in the Sunday paper, or in the actual package of diapers. These diapers accommodate older children, and children up to 37 pounds.
3. Re-Usable Training Pants
Cloth training pants can be purchased individually or in packages. These reusable potty training diapers are made of cotton and waterproof laminate on the outside. They are washable and eco-friendly, as they will not add bulk to the local land fill.
4. Pull-Ups Cool Alert
These potty training diapers make children feel cool after they have wet their diapers. An aware child may not need these, as the child starts to recognize the sensation of going pee.
5. Gerber Training Pants
Gerber training pants are another eco-friendly option for potty training. They are cotton on the inside, vinyl on the outside and washable.
Sources:
Pampers, http://www.pampers.com
Personal Experience
Potty Training Concepts, http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/WMT_AI1B.html
Pull-Ups, http://www.pull-ups.com
