Why am I bothering with Pull-Ups?

[MarineWife]

My ds is 2 1/2yo. He started showing interest in using the potty several months ago. He even used it several times over a 2-3 month period by himself. I tried cloth trainers but they didn't work out for me. I can't tell how the trainers are different than regular cloth diapers. So, we switched to Pull-ups. However, ds refuses to use the potty now. He hasn't used it in several weeks. We're potty learners as opposed to potty trainers. In other words, we don't try to train our kids to use the potty but let them do it on their own with the assumption that they will figure it out and do it when they are ready. We're using Pull-Ups as diapers.

Should I just go back to my CDs for now? I feel like I"m wasting tons of money on buying disposables every week when I have reusable CDs and trainers. I also don't like the environmental impact of using the disposables.

[mntnmom]

I found pull-ups to be an absolute waste. They are stretchy diapers. I would either go back to your cloth diapers, or look at diapers he can pull down himself.

[Cavy]

I never used pull-ups either -- until DS2 was 5yo & still not dry at night and he wanted the independence of a pull-up.

[MarineWife]

I used Pull-Ups with ds1 and ds2. They were very convenient when we were out and they were just learning to use the toilet. I couldn't find cloth trainers with side snaps back then and that's what I need them for. There's nothing nastier than having to pull underwear with poop in it down a child's legs. It gets smeared everywhere. Like I said, I've tried a few different cloth trainers. They are nice but they don't work any differently than my diapers as far as I can tell. I don't have the money to do a trial and error of cloth trainers until I find the ones that work for us. My ds is 2 1/2yo. By the time I got it figured out, he'll probably be done with them.

It's hard for me to go back to cloth after using sposies. They are so much easier and more convenient. I hate saying that but it's true. I don't have to spray poop off diapers. No more washing, drying and putting away. I've got enough laundry and other chores that I can't keep up with. Plus, as my boys get older and eat more solids, I guess, their pee and poo stinks more and I can't get the stink out of the cloth. I've tried all kinds of essential oils, stripping, using pocket diapers. I can't stand those. They are a bit pita. Not to mention that toddler clothes don't fit over cloth diapers.

I feel guilty about the money spent on the sposies, though. Eh. I'm not sure what I want here. Do I want someone to talk me out of sposies and back into cloth or do I want to justify my use of sposies?

[Michigan Mama]

I don't think that's uncommon. My ds1 was using his potty excitedly and sometimes independently over the summer. Now he says, "no thanks" when I ask if he wants to use the potty. Or "diaper please!". Buggers. But, like you, I want to wait until he's ready.

I'm not going to bother with pull ups when it's time. They just seem like absorbant diapers to me. I'll probably keep using cloth, then just switch straight to padded undies when it's time.

Of course, I might change my tune when we're actually there (but I doubt it ).

[MarineWife]

I decided to switch back to cloth today. DH still put a Pull-Up on ds when we went out, which I didn't know about. I think he got annoyed cuz the first CD I put on ds he pooped in.

[noobmom]

I like to use Pull-Ups as insurance. For example, when my DS was just about potty trained, we took a long flight. Having him in Pull-Ups on the airplane was a lot easier than figuring how what the heck to do if your 2 yo tells you he needs to pee as the plane starts taxi-ing down the runway and you can't stand up for 15 minutes.

Also, I prefer to use Pull-Ups when we're out because it's easier to do standing up changes that way. But overall, I try not to use them until the child is not really wetting anymore.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by noobmom

I try not to use them until the child is not really wetting anymore.

This is what I should probably do. I thought my ds was ready to use the potty over the summer. He was at least trying to use it several times a day. Recently, he just stopped. I kind of wonder if the Pull-Ups contributed to that since he may not feel the wetness as much. He could go for hours in a wet Pull-Up without saying a word but doesn't like to wear a wet CD at all. However, after using the CDs yesterday, I now remember another reason I switched. He gets rashes a lot worse with CDs. That happens with all my boys when they get older.