There are so many brands and types of diapers and pull-ups to choose from, it can be hard for parents to know what the difference is or whether there’s even a difference at all. When it comes to diapers vs. pull-ups the most important thing to consider is what’s easiest for you and the most comfortable for your child for the developmental stage they’re in.

Pull-ups usually come in sizes that fit toddlers weighing from 15 to 50 pounds, but it is possible to find pull-ups in larger sizes. No matter how well your pull-ups fit, there will be accidents and messes. However, there are some items that can help minimize the mess.Narelle –Don’t stress! I had 3 who were dry at night pretty much from the time they were ‘dry’ in the day but one who was dry in the day at 2 1/2 but not at night until almost six. Just use ‘Pull Ups’& again, don’t stress, especially not before 6 or 7 years of age. My experience was that it happened when their body was ‘ready’& not before, even when there were encouragements &‘incentives’. Goodnites are pull-ups that are designed to be more absorbent for overnight use up to 12 hours when a child might not change out of them until morning. What’s the difference between pull-ups and Pampers 360? It can help to have a spare set of bedding and pyjamas near just in case your little one has an accident in the night. Accidents can be expected in the beginning, it’s important to be calm and reassuring when they do. LIMIT DRINKS– We limited drinks between dinner and bed, less fluid in their bladder. I struggled initially with this concept, thinking I was depriving them of water, but they were fine and it actually helped and made the training process easier.

Brazleton T, Christopherson E, Frauman A, Gorski P, Poole J, Stadtler A, Wright C. (1999) Instruction, timeliness and medical influences affecting toilet training. Paediatrics. 103:1353-1358. Available from: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/103/Supplement_3/1353 [Accessed 1st June 2018] It usually takes longer for children to get the hang of potty training at night. Once you are confident your child is ready for it, you can take steps to help them stay dry at night.Kijani Baby night time pull ups are designed for toddlers and children who still need night time protection of cloth nappies but also want the convenience and "grown up" feel of a pull up. There are very few reusable pull ups on the market and these really do fill this niche. Lisa Maree –Limit drinks an hour before bed, wee before bed, wear pull ups to bed and straight to toilet when they wake. You can’t really ‘train’ night time dry so don’t set yourselves up to fail. If not night dry by 5/6yrs then chat with Dr but I think it’s 7 before it’s not considered an issue… night dry is dependant on a brain chemical, give your child tools and good habits but don’t stress about it. Convenience. If you have a very active baby or are potty training a stubborn toddler who acts up during changing time, you might find it easier to do standing diaper changes using pull-ups. Since they don’t have tabs like regular diapers, pull-ups can make it easier to deal with a fidgety toddler on the changing table because they easily tear at the sides.

They look similar and the same companies make them—so is there really a difference between diapers and pull-ups? Is there a particular age when you should transition your baby from one to the other? And do you have to use pull-ups to potty train? Price. Generally, pull-ups are more expensive than diapers, depending on the brand. However, some parents find the convenience of using pull-ups with active kids worth the extra expense. And since your child can pull them on and off when they go to the toilet, you may find that you use fewer pull-ups in a day than you would diapers with children who are potty training. So your cost per day on pull-ups might not be as much as you think.

Signs of readiness for night-time potty training

Generally, children can stay dry overnight by age five or six, but some may take longer, particularly children with special needs. If one or more of the following signs are present it might be a good time to try night-time potty training. This is especially when it comes to potty training. “Overnight training pants help lighten the potential workload that comes with overnight potty training,” she explains. “These diapers are significantly more absorbent [than regular diapers] and are designed to keep the little ones and their beds dry.” Do overnight diapers help babies sleep? It’s very common for kids to be fully potty trained during the day but continue to wet the bed at night. Michelle– Just wait until their little body is ready. They need a special hormone that develops and shuts down urine production during sleep. If you try and train them at night, it will just lead to anxiety and frustration for all. My two kids were so different. My eldest took a long time, still in night time pull ups at 8 even though I did all the “training”. However my youngest was dry overnight from 2.5yrs old. Just leave them be in a night nappy until they don’t need it.

Megan– Get the little one up and put them on the toilet a few hours after they’ve gone to bed before you go to bed yourself. I was horrified at even the thought of this when my little chap was learning, but it was actually extremely effective. From memory, we only ever had a couple of overnight accidents. Just like with daytime potty training, make sure you praise your child for their successes (ERIC, 2010; NHS Choices, 2018). Huggies Huggies Pull-Ups Trainers Night, Girl, Size 2-4 Years, Nappy Size 5-6+, 18 BIG KID Training PantsSome families do prefer diapers over pull-ups for their older children with special needs. Diapers can be easier to change without having to remove shoes and pants. However, if you are working on potty training and want to encourage as much independence as possible, then pull-ups are a better choice. Kijani is a social business based in Kampala, Uganda that creates high quality unique cloth nappies while empowering Ugandan mamas, create employment, fair wages and good working conditions. Kijani is a Swahill word that means "green" reflecting their commitment to environmental sustainability. Kijani make high quality cloth nappies helping families across the world and in their community. More information on potty training