Pull-Ups vs Underwear: Are Pull-Ups Slowing Down Potty Training?

When you’re thinking about potty training, one of the biggest questions is what your toddler should wear.

Should you use pull-ups?
Are they helpful?
Or do they actually slow things down?

It’s confusing because pull-ups are marketed as the perfect “in-between” solution - not quite a nappy, not quite underwear. But for many families, they end up extending potty training rather than simplifying it.

Why This Question Feels So Big

Pull-ups feel reassuring. They promise:

• Fewer messes

• More convenience

• A gentler transition

• Less stress

And when you’re nervous about accidents, that can feel like a lifeline.

But what often happens instead is this:

• Toddlers continue weeing as if they’re still in nappies

• Awareness takes longer to develop

• Progress feels slow

• Parents feel stuck in an “almost there” phase

Instead of moving forward, everything plateaus.

The Key Difference: Sensation

Potty training relies heavily on one thing:

Your toddler noticing when they are weeing.

Nappies and pull-ups are designed to keep children feeling completely dry. That’s brilliant for infancy, but not ideal for body awareness.

If a toddler wees in a pull-up and feels comfortable, there’s no real feedback loop. The sensation disappears quickly, and the opportunity to connect “I need to go” with “I use the toilet” is missed.

Underwear, on the other hand, feels different when wet. That difference helps toddlers:

• Recognise what’s happening

• Make the connection between body sensation and outcome

• Adjust behaviour more quickly

It’s not about punishment or discomfort - it’s about awareness.

Why Pull-Ups Can Create Mixed Messages

One of the biggest challenges with pull-ups is that they often blur the lines.

If your toddler:

• Wears pull-ups at nursery

• Wears underwear at home

• Uses pull-ups for outings

• Switches between nappies and pull-ups

…it becomes harder for them to understand what’s expected.

Consistency is one of the biggest drivers of successful potty training. When the message changes depending on location or time of day, it can slow progress.

When Pull-Ups Might Have a Role

There are situations where pull-ups can be useful:

• During sleep

• Long car journeys

• Illness

• Temporary setbacks

But using them as the main daytime strategy often keeps toddlers in the “nappy mindset.”

If the goal is independence, clarity usually works better than compromise.

What Often Works Better

Instead of relying on pull-ups as the transition, many families find more success when they:

• Build awareness before nappies come off

• Move clearly from nappies → underwear

• Accept a short adjustment period

• Stay consistent with expectations

Yes, there may be accidents in the early days, that’s normal. But clear transitions often lead to quicker learning overall.

If You Haven’t Started Yet

If you’re still in the preparation stage, this is exactly why laying foundations before removing nappies matters so much.

When toddlers understand their body cues and routines before underwear is introduced, the move away from nappies (and pull-ups) becomes much smoother.

That’s why I created my free guide:
“5 Things to Do Before Starting Potty Training.”

It helps you build awareness and confidence first, so when you make the switch, you don’t feel tempted to rely on pull-ups as a safety net.