How to tell if your toddler is ready to switch from nappies to pull-ups

It’s a seminal time in any parent’s life – when your toddler shows signs of being ready to move beyond the nappy phase. 

Most experts now agree that potty training is less of a painful experience when children are closer to the age of two – and pull-up pants can help with that process enormously. Here’s how to tell if they’re ready for operation pull-ups:

It starts with communication

If you’d like to make your potty training experience a little easier, it’s generally wise to wait until the lines of communication between parent and toddler are open. 

If your child can express their need to go the toilet and can identify what pull-up pants are, then you should be good to go. It’s a good idea to get your toddler into the habit of fetching a dry pair of pull-ups when they are needed – these are all small wins in the step towards independence and being potty trained. 

No more nappies

Is getting your toddler to lie still to pop on a nappy akin to going to war? Then you’re probably ready for pull-up pants. Toddlers tend to get less compliant about nappy changes as they gain independence. 

And let’s be honest, trying to wrangle a toddler with a dirty nappy is not a pleasant experience. Pull-up pants make life so much easier for all concerned – they promote independence for tots and you can do a quick change without having to lie them down anywhere. 

Show and tell

The next step to see if your tot is ready for pull-ups is whether they are able to manage getting them on and off by themselves and to tell you they are ready for a change. 

Since pull-ups are a precursor to underwear, it’s a great idea to help them take charge of their toilet habits from the moment they’re introduced. Just be sure to reiterate that pull-up removal should happen in the toilet – this helps toddlers make the connection between the potty/toilet and wee and poo. 

Day dryness

If your toddler has transitioned to being without a nappy in the day and can successfully stay dry, then pull-up pants are your answer for nighttime protection. 

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