How to Use Cloth Training Pants for Toddlers

 It is not unusual for a parent who has used disposable diapers to decide to use cloth training pants when it comes time to potty train.  Cloth is more comfortable for your toddler and it naturally helps them connect wetness with the urge to go.   Also some toddlers are highly motivated by choosing their favorite prints and colors.  Cloth training pants for toddlers are available in a wide variety of styles, prints and colors.  Many parents wonder how difficult it is to use cloth training pants.  Are they messy?  Are they difficult to wash?  Cloth training pants are easy to wash and use.

With disposable training pants you have to rip the side open to clean up messy accidents.  Many brands of cloth training pants for toddlers have sides that unsnap for easy removal of the mess.  Not all brands have side-snapping sides.  If the cloth training pant you have chosen does not have side-snaps then just carefully slide down the training pant and then clean up the mess.  You can wipe your child initially with toilet paper and depending on the mess you may need to wash them up with a warm soapy washcloth.  While your child is there be sure to shake off any poop into the toilet to show your child where poop is supposed to go.  Flush the toilet and place the soiled training pant and any washcloth into a dry pail.  When your child wets the cloth training pant simply slide down the training pant or unsnap it and clean up your child.  Then take the wet training pant and place it in a dry pail. 

The cloth training pants should be washed every 2-3 days.  While manufacturer’s washing recommendations vary slightly they are similar to the standard rinse, wash, rinse, and dry method that is used for cloth diapers.  To start you would need to place the wet and soiled training pants from the past 2-3 days into the washing machine.  If they have side snaps make sure the snaps are unsnapped to allow the water to clean those training pants better.  Begin with a cold rinse.   When that is complete run a hot or warm wash with about ½ of the recommended amount of additive free detergent.  You may also need an additional rinse at the end of the cycle because detergent residue can cause odor problems.  Then dry in dryer or hang to dry.  Do not use things like bleach or fabric softener. 

If you have looked at cloth training pants for toddlers you can see that there are a great many varieties available.   The kind you should use depends on several factors.  If you are just starting potty training with a toddler who hasn’t had any success or isn’t even demonstrating a connection between wetness and the urge to go then you may want to consider the Kissa’s Pocket Training Pants or the GroVia My Choice Trainer.  They have snaps for easy clean-up, and a pocket that allow you to add absorbency making them useful for naps, on the go, and nighttime.  For toddlers who are having wet accidents only or for toddlers highly motivated by prints you may want to consider training pants like the Kushies Taffeta Training Pants or the Bummis Training Pants.  There are also cloth training pants for toddlers that look and feel like underwear inside and out.  The EcoPosh Recycled Organic Training Pants and the Imse Vimse Organic Cotton Training Pants are made from cotton inside and out with an inner waterproof barrier.  They are especially useful for parents who like to jump straight to underwear, but desire more absorbency.

Cloth training pants are quite doable.  Not only will you save money over the purchase of disposable trainers, but you will still have training pants at the end of potty training that you can reuse for another child, sell, or give away.  Consider giving your child the comfort of cloth as you embark on potty training.  Thanks Mama offers cloth training pants for toddlers from brands such as:  Flip, Dri-Line, Bummis, KaWaii Baby, GroVia, Imse Vimse, Kissaluvs, Kushies, Mom Innovations, Mother Ease, and EcoPosh.