Sometimes our biggest helper is our biggest hindrance. In the case of potty training, I mean a product that was introduced to the market 11 years ago: Pull-Ups training pants. In 1989 the product was well received by parents and was the first product of its kind. Today, many parents continue to use Pull-Ups, as well as many other brands of disposable training pants, as a logical step in the potty training process.

Although pull-ups are used a lot, I think they’re actually the number one hurdle to transitioning from diapers to potty. They make potty training appear easier and actually make the process more difficult and lengthy.

The case of the pull-ups

1. Comfort

There’s no arguing that pull-ups are convenient. When you’re out shopping or running errands with your child, it’s nice to know you won’t have an emergency bathroom changing session because of an “accident.” At night, you can sleep easy knowing that if your child wets the bed, the bed doesn’t actually get wet (so no middle-of-the-night sheet change), just the pull-up. Pull-ups reduce clutter, save time, and seem to make everyday life less stressful.

2. Sign in

Training pants help kids learn the pull down and pull up action when they need to move. They realize that to become a big girl or boy I have to pull these pants down and use the potty and pull them back up when I’m done. They also help children learn to dress themselves while pulling up their training pants to put them on. Children learn through repetition and by going through the process of getting on and off they connect it with using the toilet.

3. Trust

Pull-up pants make little boys feel like big boys. Instead of going to bed to change like a baby, the child has pants that they take off and put on like mom, dad, big brother or sister. They even come decked out in all sorts of characters and designs just like real underwear. Training pants allow the child to use the bathroom without the help of parents or caregivers, making them feel more independent and secure.

The case against pull-ups

1. Drawbacks

You are probably wondering why I mentioned inconvenience as con #. #1, as I wrote, “There’s no arguing that Pull-Ups are convenient.” Just two paragraphs ago! The twist comes in that pull-ups are convenient, actually too convenient, which is not inconvenient for the child. What does this mean and why would I want my child to suffer discomfort? Well, what happens when a child touches a hot stove? His hand is burned and they learn never to touch it again. When a child has an accident in a pull-up he does not feel the inconvenience of being wet or dirty because he has the same absorbent material as a diaper. Since no discomfort is felt, the basic physical motivation for potty training is removed. There is a consequence for every action and using pull-ups does not teach the TRUE meaning of dirty pants: discomfort, stink, embarrassment and inconvenience. Convenience is primarily a benefit to parents when potty training must be about the child.

2. Confusion

Parents often wear a combination of pull-ups and real underwear when potty training. They can wear underwear at home and pull-ups when going out, at night, or other combinations. This can confuse the child and leave them wondering when I will get wet and when I will stay dry. You may wonder why it’s not as important when you pee or poop in the pull-up, but there’s more punishment if you’re in your underwear. In addition to repetition, children learn best with consistency. If they constantly feel wet or dirty when they have an accident and you react the same way every time, they will make the connection faster and stick.

3. False confidence

The cheekily declared training pants teach kids how to change their own diapers. You can dress it up all you want, but it’s just a diaper without the fasteners. Mommy, daddy, big sister or brother (assuming they are potty trained!) don’t wear small pull-ups. There will come a time when the child soils those underwear when not in her care (daycare, babysitter, school, etc.) and the caregiver may not be as forgiving. They may not feel like big kids, may be teased and in turn lose their confidence. Not to say you can’t repay your child’s trust, but why sugarcoat it in the first place? People don’t like to clean up after kids who have accidents (a reason to use pull-ups) and having someone clean up after you is a blow to your sense of independence. Be realistic with your child and let him know that to be considered an official big boy he must wear underwear and potty all the time. Accidents happen, that’s okay, and you’ll soon get the hang of it!

All in all, the benefits of pull-ups are superficial. Now, this is not to say that if you wear training pants your child will never use the potty because if this were true, Pull-Ups would be off the market. This article emphasizes that pull-ups are a hindrance to potty training and can make the process longer and more confusing. If you’re having trouble potty training your toddler, try removing the pull-ups. Yes, it will be more inconvenient on your part, but your child will soon understand the full relevance of potty training, which in turn makes the process easier and faster.

Visit YoungMommie to read more parenting articles, including how to properly use pull-ups.