It’s a big and exciting milestone when your child can transition to wearing underwear! Whether your potty training journey began a few months ago or you've been working on it for a while, there’s a special moment in time for parents and kids when they can wear Big Kid® underwear!
While a toddler wearing underwear is a huge marker of being a “big kid” it can also come with its own set of ups and downs, and it doesn’t happen overnight - and that’s ok! But, like potty training, you must create a routine and stick with it and make a plan.
Below, we are sharing some ways to know if your child is ready for Big Kid® underwear and how to make this exciting leap!
5 Signs Your Child is Ready for Big Kid Underwear
- They have dry Pull-Ups®: A huge marker in big kid underwear readiness is when your child goes through a stretch of time with dry Pull-Ups® and regularly uses the bathroom.
- A filled-out reward chart: If you’re using a potty training rewards chart with stickers - check the chart daily with your child to review their progress. If they are getting a lot of stickers and going consistently, it could mean they are ready for underwear.
- Expressing discomfort with diapers: If your child seems annoyed or uncomfortable wearing diapers or Pull-Ups®, it could mean they are ready to try to wear underwear.
- Able to pull pants up and down: Children being able to pull their pants up and down may be ready for underwear.
- Excited about underwear: Another marker of them being ready is if they are showing you enthusiasm and excitement about wearing underwear. Get them even more excited by having them pick out their own special toddler underwear as a reward for their potty training success.
6 Tips for a Smooth Change to Big Kid® Underwear
Below, we are sharing some potty training strategies to help you and your big kid as they smoothly transition to underwear.
- Explain the difference between toddler underwear and Pull-Ups®: Have a fun talk with your child about underwear and how it is worn the same way as their Pull-Ups®. Have them try on underwear and practice pulling them up and down to get used to it.
- Pick out their underwear: Let your child pick out their own underwear.
- Keep underwear in their drawer along with Pull-Ups®: While transiting to underwear is exciting, give them a peace of mind in knowing that their Pull-Ups® - with their favorite characters - are still there if needed. This reassurance could be helpful for some kids who may be excited about underwear but still need to know that they can go back to Pull-Ups®.
- Show your child a picture when they were a baby: Distinguish the clear difference between who they are now (big kid!) and who they used to be (baby) by showing them pictures when they were younger and wearing diapers. This image can be a great way for them to see how far they have come and where they are going.
- Keep using the Sticker Chart: Even if your child has mastered no accidents for a few days or even weeks, you still want to stick with your potty training schedule and rewards. Give it a few consistent months before you no longer record their progress.
- Have your child wear Pull-Ups at night: Going to the bathroom at night versus the day is very different and might require a degree of mastery before your child is wearing underwear at night. Start by wearing Pull-Ups® Night*Time Training Pants For Girls or Pull-Ups® Night*Time Training Pants For Boys. These training pants are extra absorbent and provide up to 100% leak free with extra absorbency*(*vs. Other Pull-Ups® products). With the added protection of Pull-Ups® your child can rest easily at night with refastenable sides for quick and simple night time changes.
Common Challenges When Getting Your Child to Wear Underwear
Here are some common challenges that might occur when changing to big kid underwear.
- Sensitivity: Your child may not like the new feeling of underwear on their body. If they are sensitive, seek out the best toddler underwear for sensitive skin such as those without tags, bands, or seams.
- Fit is wrong: Underwear has a completely different fit than Pull-Ups®. Similarly to sensitivity, the underwear might be too tight, loose, or simply feels weird to them.
- Regression: Sometimes even the most excited toddler can regress with accidents or disinterest. It could be that the timing wasn’t right, or they had an “off” day. Let them know you are their biggest cheerleader and stay positive and encourage them no matter what happens.
The End of the Journey
It’s so exciting to take the leap to wear big kid underwear. It’s hopefully the end of the journey. Keep the vibe positive, upbeat, and encouraging with affirmations and cheers. This is a process, and with your help your child will be on their way to confidently wearing Big Kid® underwear!
