How to Get a Toddler Boy to Want to Wear Underwear

Toilet training is a major milestone in the life of a toddler because it's step toward independence. When your little boy begins toilet training, start talking about the end goal, which is to consistently use the bathroom and wear underpants. Some parents prefer transitioning to training diapers (pull-ups) before underwear. This gets your son accustomed to pulling up and down his own underpants. Remember to dress your child in clothes that are easy to take off, such as stretchy pants without snaps or buttons -- no onesies with snaps in the crotch or overalls.

Instructions

    • 1

      Watch for signs that your little boy might be ready to transition into underwear. He may be demonstrating bladder and bowel control at various times of the day, be able to pull up and down his own pull-ups and go several hours without an accident.

    • 2

      Talk to your toddler about being a big boy. Explain that babies wear diapers, and toddlers like him get to wear pull-ups until they are ready to be big kids. When you feel that your child may be ready to transition into underwear, ask him, "Are you ready to be a big boy?"

    • 3

      Plan a special shopping trip to buy underwear. Visit a local store and take your toddler into the kids' underwear section. Your store may keep the toddler-sized underwear in the baby products section. Talk to your little boy about the event in an excited tone. The night before, you might say, "Let's get a good night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow is our special trip to go get big-boy underwear, and you get to pick out what kind you want." Tell your son he can choose underwear with his favorite television or movie characters on them.

    • 4

      Let your son choose the underwear he wants to buy. Praise his choice and encourage his enthusiasm. Talk about what a big kid he's going to be and how proud you are of him. Further encourage his enthusiasm by letting him make a special phone call to a friend or family member to spread the news that he's a big boy who's going to wear big-boy underwear. Grandma and Grandpa are often a good choice for this.

    • 5

      Have your child start wearing underwear. Experts at the Boston Children's Hospital recommend limiting the time your child wears underwear until he has good bladder and bowel control to minimize accidents and frustration. Start with a few hours at a time and increase the duration as your child has more accident-free days.

    • 6

      Continue to use pull-ups at nap time and bedtime. Your child's nighttime bladder and bowel control may come later than his daytime control, so using pull-ups at those times can help avoid messy accidents while sleeping.

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