DS and underpants aversion

[newbymom05]

The title says it all. My 5.5 y/o absolutely refuses to wear underpants. Since about 4 we've tried different brands of briefs, different brands and styles of boxers, character undies--no go. He hates them all, or at least hates to wear them with clothes.

First he said he hated briefs because they touched his penis. We switched to boxers--he hates them because of the waistband. He hates the low riding boxers even though they ride way under his belly. But he loves to wear the boxers as shorts around the house, which is why I'm at a loss why he flat out refuses to wear them under clothes. The first thing he does when he comes home is put on a pair of boxers--why can't he wear them under his clothes?!? 

Does anyone else have this issue? We've let him go commando so far because he put up such a fuss, but now he's at a phase where he's really into pulling down his boxers (at home) or low-riding to the extreme, and now his 2.5 y/o bro is wanting to go pantless. Argh! Any advice or commiseration?

[4evermom]

I think boxers can get kind of bunched up when you pull pants on top.  Maybe if you put the boxers IN the pants first, then have him step into both together, they will feel better.  My ds has a hard time layering clothes (like putting on a jacket!) because of that issue.  He likes boxer briefs, btw.

[Minxie]

Have you all tried the boxer briefs? They're supposed to be very comfortable; DS enjoys them. He enjoys being naked more but he puts these on without a fuss.

Just wanted to add: Hanes has a boxer brief that doesn't have the traditional elastic waistband; it looks more like just an extension of the underwear than a separate piece. I'm not describing this well but if you see them in the store, you should know what I mean.

[isisreturning]

My DS (now age 7) has been going commando for the last few years. He has a strong preference for sweatpant/tracksuit style pants and usually wears those without undies. He will wear undies with jeans. We've tried different kinds - briefs, boxers, boxer briefs. When he wears underwear, he prefers boxer briefs.

I'm not at all worried about it. It's one battle I don't feel I need to fight. So far he hasn't run into issues with pulling his pants down or with other kids pulling his pants down. If that happens, he would probably be embarrassed and might re-consider wearing underwear.

He's also an exceptionally lazy pee-er. Seriously - doesn't even pull his pants all the way down nor hold his penis. The pee gets where it needs to go at maximum speed. Sometimes I think this is his main motivation for going commando - less to deal with at potty time... :)

[treeoflife3]

in my experience, boxers under clothes are annoying.  They always bunch.  boxer briefs are the same if the pants are tighter.  only briefs stay unbunched under pants that aren't really loose.

With that said, I personally don't understand the need for underwear.  I do however have a medical condition where my doctor has actually said it is best to go commando for my health so I'm so used to no underwear that it is no big deal to me at all.  I can only wear underwear if it has no elastic or anything else that is aggravating around the legs such as large seams and can only be a breathable natural fiber.  Even wearing any other type of underwear for a few minutes starts with discomfort and pain.

[PatchChild]

DS is three and boxer briefs are the only thing we can keep on him.  They don't shift around which helps.  Also, he can't cope with having an exposed elastic waist band.  They need to have cotton over the waistband.  Harder to find but very worth it.

[Alyantavid]

Try boxer briefs.  They're the only ones my kids will wear.  If they wear any at all.

I've never tried them, but boxers seem incredibly uncomfortable under pants. 

[mainemommy1]

Hanes Comfort Waistband briefs or boxer briefs are the ONLY brand my 5year old will wear. I get them at Target.

[newbymom05]

Thanks, all. No, he loves his boxers (and we have every brand out there), and we do have Hanes comfort waistband boxers--in fact, he's running around the house in them right now--the problem is he won't wear them under clothes. I guess he's just a free and easy kind of guy. I'm kind of surprised there are so few commando's mom out there.

[coharmony]

Both my boys are like that. My ODS didn't start wearing underwear until he was 10  and my 4 year old absolutely refuses. So you're definitely not the only one!

[SoulJourney]

My son hates underwear unless they are on his head. Honestly? It's not a battle I feel like fighting because before I was pregnant with him I preferred going commando, too. We don't make him wear underwear if he doesn't want but when he goes to his dad's house he is forced to wear underwear. I just feel as if there are more important things to worry about! He's super skinny so we have issues with droopy pants but only if they are the kind with adjustable waistbands...they won't go small enough!

[lillylady05]

My DS has also given me the underpants fight. Until recently he refused to wear any at all until one day he accidentally zipped up his thing and he got a scratch that turned into an itchy scab. IMO I think he learned his lesson ... Listen to Mommy...haha she does know what she's talking about sometimes.