a new kind of cloth? - PL advice

[Carita]

not sure if I should post this with toddlers instead, but...

He doesn't want to wear his diaper, and sat on the toilet for me several times. BUT he didn't pee once in the toilet.

so 2 questions:

1) do I get regular underwear? trainers? waterproof trainers? how many? ahhh! how many do I need?

2) What the heck do I do now? He's 21 mo - I didn't think he would be ready so fast! I have a trip in June - I'd love to have him PLed by then, but how do I know if he is really ready? Other than only telling me AFTER he's peed, he meets the other readiness signs.

I am a WOHM Student mama - I only have the weekends to do this myself - the rest I'll be coordinating with his DCP - I have to make a meeting this week.

[MommaShark]

It can happen in a few days or a year - you just don't know! The trainers (Gerber from Target or so) don't prevent pee puddles - if you have someone to watch for signs and take him when he needs to go - get underwear or go naked! If you don't have the time to pay attention to the signs - you could get pocket trainers that let him feel wet but you can adjust absorbency and he can pull on/off himself. Snaps are nice if they poop in their pants - easier to clean! Blue Penguin's pull on snap off diaper and cover also work nice - coverless at home - with a cover if leaving the house.....so many options -I've done them all!!!!
If he pees just a little then stops and asks to go potty - you don't need all the absorbency- if he just lets loose - you will have a mess if you don't use pocket trainers with inserts. It depends on how much time you're willing to spend cleaning and your surfaces (or daycare)
There's a lot of different potty training methods - whatever you do - don't scold and don't make a big deal of accidents!!!!!

[Carita]

well i just talked to DC and they need to have some kind of waterproof pull-up, so suggestions there are appreciated... especially for a small budget. He also has big thighs if that helps at all.

[MommaShark]

for day care I'd get Bumwear they're under $20... you can stuff to meet his absorbency needs......they fit nicely under clothes......for less money there's Bummis white trainers for $11......not a pocket trainer so if he has a big accident they will leak.
Happy Heiny's are too poofy for daytime IMO.
OR if you have any side snapping fitteds that are easy to pull off - use those and get some bummis whisper pants to put on over!

[Carita]

anyone ever tried starbuns super undies? Pinstripes and polkadots sell them... i really like the price of gerber - 2 for 10. I hate going that route though... the bummis look okay, but the leg holes look tiny!

[MommaShark]

Star Bunz are fine if you change RIGHT AWAY and you can stuff them with one insert - BUT I had issues with snaps and fabric quality - they are all polyester - and snag easily - also they have a really low butt - and run small.
customer service was great though and they replaced them - but it happened again and I didn't call and ask for a 3rd pair!!! The Bummis legs aren't small so much as the rest of the trainer is poofy......
gerber trainers don't actually contain anything - if your child dribbles before making it to the toilet they can help but that's it. They also are cheaply constructed and don't last more than one kid (ime)

[Carita]

Well I did put some e-mails out there and found a mama who is getting into making trainers and is going to do some for me at $9 a piece. I will review them and let you know. I also did get a few of the regular brands too before I found that mama, so I'll try an remember to post a review of all of them for you all!

[Carita]

okay - here are some reviews based on first impressions - i got 3 diapers and i am sending 2 back... just general fit issues for our body type. FWIW, DS is W/R/T at 17/15/12 respectively, but fluxuates a bit higher in rise and thigh between growth spurts...We are at the last snap in our ML and on the 1-2nd set of snaps on our Larges.

Star bunz - Size large - he is on the middle thigh snap, but the waist was much too large even at the smallest thigh snap. Runs a bit large IMO, but probably good for overnight because its stuffable.

Imse Vimse - Nice fabric, Fit fine on my son - probably could have also fit in a medium. Again, I think the sizes run a tad big, not much though, because the large did fit. But becuase it only barely fit, it was a bit poofy. I didn't think it would quite work well for wearing under clothing - or maybe I should have tried sizing down. DS has NO butt, so I think that is more the source of the puffiness.

Batik Bum - super cute, low rise, these fit really well immediately... this is more what I had in mind in terms of fit for our needs. I think they only have one size? 18 mo - 3T.