Should You Use Those “Potty Training Underwear”?
Let’s talk about those specialty potty training undies—the thick, padded ones that are supposed to make things easier.
If you’ve ever wondered whether they’re worth trying, you’re not alone. These products get pitched to parents constantly (I get emails about them all the time). And honestly? On the surface, they sound kind of perfect:
A little extra protection.
Less mess.
A soft transition between diapers and real underwear...
So here’s my honest take, as both a pediatric physical therapist and a fellow toddler parent:
For most families, you can skip them.
But—as with most things in parenting—this isn’t one-size-fits-all, so let’s chat about it!
What’s Going On in Your Toddler’s Brain?
At this age, your child’s brain is in the thick of learning everything—not through long explanations or reminders, but through immediate, hands-on experience.
Toddler brains are wired to learn through sensory input and real-time cause and effect. That means they build understanding by feeling, seeing, hearing, and experiencing what’s happening in the moment:
“I touched the water—it felt cold.”
“I dropped the toy—it made a loud sound.”
“I peed—and now my legs feel wet.”
Their brain goes: ✅ Got it.
But when we say, “Remember to use the potty next time,” and that accident happened 30 minutes ago? Their brain has already moved on. It’s not that they’re ignoring you—they just don’t have the ability (yet) to hold onto past moments in that way. The learning opportunity is gone.
So for a majority of families, especially those in the early weeks of potty training, I don’t recommend them. They can accidentally slow progress down because you miss those valuable teaching moments!
When They Might Be Helpful
Nothing in parenting is ever one-size-fits all, so there are a few cases where these undies can be really helpful:
💛 1. Older kids who feel embarrassed
If your child is past the early potty training phase (think preschool or kindergarten) and still having occasional leaks, these can help preserve their emotional well-being. At that age, I care way more about protecting their self-esteem than using every accident as a teachable moment.
✈️ 2. Travel days
Long car rides? Airplanes? Situations where a full accident would be especially stressful? Totally valid. If you want to avoid confusion that might come with putting them in a diaper again, padded undies can be a useful tool for a short-term scenario.
Bottom Line
Most toddlers will move through potty training faster and with more confidence when accidents are treated as teaching moments. So unless you’re navigating a unique situation (travel, older child, emotional support), my general advice?
👉 Skip the special potty undies. Let them feel the accident. Use it as a moment to connect, teach, and reset.
That’s how we build true independence—through experience!
And if you’re wondering what to say in those moments so they become real teaching moments, I break it all down inside my Potty Training Playfully Guide. You don’t have to wing it. Let me walk you through every phase, every “what now?!” moment, and give you the confidence to lead the way.