Potty Training Question!

[ladybug67]

Ok, experienced Mom's---I have a question! My almost three year old son has been going potty for quite a while, but is definitelt not "trained". I have been using disposable training pants (pull-ups & generics) but have heard that the old-fashioned cloth ones are more helpful for helping little ones realize when they are wet. I haven't tried them yet since it seemed like a huge hassle when outside of the home, but...... I will probably be quitting my part-time job driving a school-bus very soon since I am pregnant and have been constantly sick since school started! So, not only will I be losing my little-bitty income, but will be home full time, so I thought that I would give the training pants a try.
NOW- the question (finally!)---
What is the best way to handle cleaning them? I never used cloth diapers, so I am clueless! HELP!!! Do you keep a diaper pail with pre-soak or something in it or what?
Thanks for any advice!!!!!!!!!

Kris

[jenplo]

I found the best way with my daughter was just regular underwear - usually after a few days of "mistakes" they are done training. You do have to be home a lot during the time you are doing this obviously. I used pullups only when we were going out. It is a bit messy, but it works and saves tons of money on pullups. I just found cheap underwear and the ones that were too dirty to clean got tossed.

My son is 2 1/2 and we are working on it - strangely he doesn't poop in his diaper - always does that on the potty. We have to work on him peeing in the potty. I've been too busy to try the regular underwear - will probably do that after the holidays.

Good luck with the potty training and the pregnancy - hope you are feeling better soon!

[TTBK]

I too suggest using just regular undies and plan on sticking around home for a few days. they hate being wet and it will teach them faster.

Did you see dr. phil today. it had answers to parents questions for toddler behavior. they had a potty training kids in one day advice. i think he said the info would be on his site it was really good advice. i think its at www.drphil.com they had potty training, feeding issues, going to bed issues. he had some good advice.

he had three families there for potty training advice and they all said it worked well where they were pretty well potty trained after the day.

ALso they have plastic covers to go over the underware, i bought some for when we would go out, but i never used them so i dont know how well they work. i still used pullups at night though.

good luck!

[Sue]

If you're concerned about accidents around the house, like your carpet or furniture. I think you can still buy the cloth training pants with the plastic on the outside. I used those for my dd (23 years ago) and I found some to use when helping to potty train my grandson too. They work good. The only drawback with using regular underwear rather than cloth training pants is the thickness, the training pants are thicker so if they do wet, most of it is absorbed in the fabric, with regular underwear there is not much to abosorb and you will end up with puddles on the floor. One thing that did help us with my grandson who was a late trainer was making a potty chart. I just bought some poster board and some smiley face stickers from the stationary dept at Walmart. Everytime he was successful, he got to put a sticker on his potty chart which we had hanging on the bathroom wall. When anyone would come visit he'd make them go look at his potty chart, he was very proud of it and when he filled the whole chart up, we took him to ToysRus and let him pick out a Hot Wheels car.

[snugglebug]

I have to warn you, don't expect much with a new baby coming! That's a sure set back! I've been through it all. I have a 6yo and almost 4yo, that are mostly trained during the day. I get them both up at night to potty, the 6yo often twice. Pullups are fine for nighttime, though I think since you're going to be up with the baby, you might as well get the older one up to potty too. Definately don't use the pullups during the day, they become dependent on them. Be prepared for accidents. Any kind of undies will work fine, the thicker they are, the more absorbant. One of my attempts was to use the thick ones and after so many dry days, they would get to use the character ones.

Good Luck!

[Lisfedele]

I just finished my third successful round of potty training!! My oldest daughter and son were a little more difficult than my daughter who just turned 3 today! She has been trained for about 2 months now!

I think that first of all it is a lot easier to train if you are not distracted with younger siblings (I was the first 2 times). It just makes you feel more frustrated and willing to give up until another time. (which I think from my past mistakes that it is a big mistake) I am no expert but, I agree that if your child shows an interest and can verbalize his need to "go" ---- your best bet is regular underware! I know that it sounds a little scary. Believe me I was terrified but, it was really a lot easier and a lot faster!! There were a few accidents and then the awareness kicked in!!

I've always been told that this method is the way to go but I was always to afraid of the mess to try it the first 2 times! I did the 3rd and I guess the old saying is true. Third times the charm!!

I do have a very easy going, good child which I also think helped!

Good luck!! Once you start stick with it!! It is really worth it in the end !! This is the first time in 8 years that I have been diaper free and it is FREEDOM!!

**On the downside...anywhere we go my daughter has to go to the potty! I think that she is getting better. Toilet facination-go figure!

Again I wish you success!!

[littlred]

When traning my boys it took some time. Yes I did use the pull-ups when I was out. But at home I just used regular underwear. That way they could notice when they are wet .
BIG HELP!!! we did POTTY CHECKS!!! espicially before we left the house. That way they get the odea to Check and see and remind the to go.

A SIDE NOTE. IF you are going to be staying home and with a new one comming. Try MOMS Club. It is a support group for MOMS who are able to stay at home.
www.momsclub.com That will help you find a local chapter in your area. It is such an awsome group. there are play grooups for children, Park days and many things for you to do also.
Even working part time.
Tomrrow my chapter is going to go to a Pizza resturant and make their own individual Pizza. yum yum..

[ladybug67]

Thanks for all of the hints everyone! Friday is going to be my last day at work, so next week I will start trying out some of your ideas! I do have some of the thick "training pants", so I think that I will try them first and see what happens!
That Moms Club sounds neat! I will check it out!
I am not looking forward to giving up my little-bitty paycheck from bus driving, but am looking forward to being able to stay home over the winter and be able to try and keep myself and my son healthy! Maybe enjoy the last trimester of this pregnancy a little bit, instead of being sick all of the time!
Thanks again for the tips-keep your fingers crossed for us!

Kris