Training Pants

Training pants need improved design

There is some controversy about training diapers in that some parents say popular pull-ups impede toilet training and that you should just switch straight to underwear during this period to help a child learn. Regardless, many parents use training diapers with success. The biggest problem with training pants is made clear by reviewers across the board -- they can be difficult to put on and take off. Regular diapers can be put on to a child who is wearing a pair of jeans by simply pulling the jeans down, sliding the diaper under his/her behind and taping the sides together. Most training pants, by contrast, require that the jeans (and usually the shoes) be taken completely off to slide the training pants on, just like underwear. This can be frustrating if your child is wetting or soiling the training pants on a regular basis. Another complaint is that pull-up diapers are not as absorbent as standard diapers.

They're not colorful, and they don't have cartoon designs, but reviewers praise the Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Training Pants (*Est. 40 cents each). Parents say the lack of chlorine and dyes in these training pants make them gentle on rash-prone skin. Nearly 90 reviewers on Amazon.com contribute to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, with many saying these training pants fit better than Huggies Pull-Ups or Pampers Easy Ups. Although Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Training Pants don't have the resealable sides that the Huggies Pull-Ups do for easy changing of soiled diapers, some parents say that's a bonus, because it means the sides won't accidentally tear open.

Pampers Easy Ups Trainers (*Est. 40 cents each) can be removed without taking off pants with easy-to-tear sides. However, the sides can't be resealed, and the only option for putting on a new diaper is removing pants and shoes. Although reviewers generally like Easy Ups, many say it's a nuisance that you can't choose to fasten them like a regular diaper. Pampers Easy Ups come with popular character designs on the fronts. Pampers Easy Ups also have a Feel 'n Learn design that helps toddlers notice when their diapers get wet.

The only pull-up diapers that don't require pants be removed are the Huggies Pull-Ups (*Est. 70 cents each), which feature Velcro-like side tabs that can be opened and closed, allowing parents to use them as pull-up training pants or as regular diapers. Huggies Pull-Ups also come in a variety of styles designed to appeal to kids. Parents can choose from boy or girl styles and patterns with popular cartoon characters. They also feature a choice between methods of alerting a child to wetness that parents can experiment with, to see whether their child does better with physical or visual stimulus. The Cool Alert feature gets cold when wet, and Learning Designs disappear when wet. There is also a nighttime version of the diaper with extra absorbency.

The biggest limitation on Pull-Ups and other training diapers is the size limit. Some children are big for their age, and some can take a while to fully conquer the diaper. For older or larger children, GoodNites Underpants (*Est. 75 cents each) appear to have better absorbency and comfort, plus come in a wider range of sizes (as high as 125 pounds). GoodNites also offer the option of boxer-style training pants.