training pants? - Children's Health Message Board

CCmakes3 · 06-27-2003, 09:05 AM

Pull ups are just not working for my 2 year old son. They are not "uncomfortable" enough when he poops or pees in them. I have a few pairs of plastic pants that my older son used to wear over regular underwear, but I hate these. Is there anything that is like cloth on the inside and plastic on the outside, all in one piece? If so, what are they called, who makes them and where can I get them? I am desperate to get this kid potty-trained.... he will be 3 in October and weighs 42 lbs so even the largest size of pull-ups are way too tight, and I refuse to shell out the big bucks for "Good Nights"!

kr-a-zmom · 06-27-2003, 12:57 PM

I haven't seen anything like that, but it's a great idea. I recently potty trained my son, who is also 2 yrs old (Nov. '00). We didn't use the Pull-Ups b/c they're too much like diapers. I used them w/my daughter a few years ago and she never distinguished those from regular diapers and she'd go in them. I've had a few mommy friends who've said similar things about using them.

The only thing we did w/my son was buy those thick soft training pants. He was still hesitant to go potty. Then two weeks ago, out of the blue, he said he needed to go potty and I asked if he wanted to use mommy's potty. He said yes. And he's been using it ever since. We forgoed the training pants all together and let him pick out "big boy" underwear. He was so proud. And it seems to have worked. i had to be very diligent, though. I would ask him every 5-10 minutes if he had to go potty. I know it drove him crazy b/c he'd shout "NOOOOOOOO". LOL But, he's not had a single pee accident. We also taught him to stand like daddy, instead of sitting, which I think has helped, too.

I'm sure you know from your older son that they aren't going to get into using the potty until they are ready. It's a huge power struggle. We started training my daughter at 2 and she didn't "get it" until she was just over 3. I was so surprised my son "got it" so quickly.

Hope yours does, too, b/c boy it sure helps on saving $$.

Emily123 · 06-27-2003, 08:07 PM

Just be patient with him. My daughter was 3 & 1/2 when she decided she would do it.They will not until they are ready. Every child is different . I have heard some children not being trained until 4 or even a little later.
Just encourage him and reward him when he does go potty in the toliet.

mlgable · 06-28-2003, 12:03 AM

Pull ups didn't work much for me either when I used about 9 years ago when there were still pretty much a new idea. I would opt for the regular training pants and let him know that he needs to use the toilet now as he is a big boy. Perhaps the older child can take him in with him when goes to urinate if he isn't too embarassed by this. If your son doesn't get the hang of it or just doesn't show an interest in it then go back to the diapers and tell him he can try again when he thinks he is ready.

CCmakes3 · 06-28-2003, 07:29 AM

Thanks for the advice, ladies! I am ready to put him in training pants full time and deal with cleaning up the accidents but I just don't want to have to be cleaning up the carpet, furniture, etc. Throwing him in the tub and washing his clothes are one thing, but with two boys I've already got enough spots on the carpet and furniture. That's why I'm looking for something that is plastic on the outside.

Initially he was interested in going into the bathroom with his brother, but now he realizes that this is just a ploy to get him to do the same. They are six years apart so I think maybe he is perfectly comfortable being "the baby" and doesn't really aspire to be like his brother. I do agree that they have to be "ready" and you can't force them. I have tried everything; sticker sheets, rewards, timer going off every 30 minutes for "potty time," Bear in the Big Blue House Potty Video, regular underwear, even letting him run around naked all day (and by the way, he is 100% "potty-trained" when naked, as he is too smart to soil the floor, but thinks nothing of going in his pants. I'd continue with the "naked experiment," but it was a little disturbing watching him "explore" himself all day long

)

Right now he gets very belligerant when I try to make him sit on the potty. I'd pretty much have to tie him to it if I wanted him to stay there long enough to do anything, so I'm not going to force the issue. But I do want to start using the training pants just to make him a little more "uncomfortable" so that he will at least start telling me AFTER he's had an accident instead of sitting around in it until I notice!