Now that my youngest child is almost 3 years old, I feel like I've put off the potty training process long enough. Even though Tristan has no desire to give up his diapers just yet, he is more than ready both physically and psychologically to make the transition to "big boy" underwear if only he'd cooperate! So over the past few weeks, we've tried many things short of letting him run around naked: regular, old fashioned cotton training pants (what a mess!), numerous visits to the bathroom with Dad for visual demonstrations (including "target practice" with Cheerios to no avail!), and now these Pampers Easy Ups disposable training pants when running errands as I don't DARE allow Tristan out of the house in anything else. He still prefers his old diapers, but for now they are only allowed at night time. So once he's worked his way through all the clean, dry cotton underwear in the house each day, out come this much neater alternative. Read on to find our more about this potty training aid which is currently giving Huggies Pull Ups a run for its money.


~~~The Disposable Training Pants~~~

Currently available in three different sizes, these Pampers Easy Ups disposable training pants are a modern day choice parents of potty training toddlers did not have years ago. Advertised to be softer than their main competitor, Huggies Pull Ups, (which have been around more than 10 years as I remember purchasing this alternative brand when my oldest child was potty training in the early 1990's), these training pants are still rather new to the market. Looking and feeling more like real underwear with their cute and colorful Sesame Street designs as well as their ability to be pulled on and off with no tab fasteners included, Easy Ups make the transition from regular diapers much less messy than cotton training pants. For they absorb just as good as diapers, and their stretchy sides as well as the legs and waist allow for a more custom fit, which decreases messy leaks. So according to packaging advertising: When your little ones are ready to step up to underwear, give them Pampers Easy Ups-the training pants for boys and girls with the look and fit of real underwear. To them, it is underwear! Lightweight and super thin in design, these Pampers Easy Ups even have things called "Elmo's dry signs" in front that will disappear when they get wet.


~~~Price & Availability~~~

After receiving some free samples of these Pampers Easy Ups last year (including money saving "$2 off" coupons!), I picked up a package at my local Wal-Mart for right around $10 or so at full price to have on hand whenever Tristan seemed ready to start the potty training process. I had no idea I'd have them for so long before opening the package, though! They are currently available online at www.cvs.com for a rather expensive $13.99 per jumbo pack, so definitely shop around before buying as prices vary widely, especially when coupons are used. Very comparable to the price and packaging count of most "Size 6" brand name disposable diapers (especially the "Large" size), these Pampers Easy Ups have both advantages and disadvantages over using both diapers and cotton training pants (Pros: easier access, no leaky accidents and cute Sesame Street characters who need to stay dry! Cons: more expensive in price and absorb too much like regular diapers).


~~~Packaging & Sizing~~~

Our jumbo package of these Pampers Easy Ups in size "Large" (30-40 lbs) contain a total of 30 disposable training pants (28 2 actually. Why do they do that?? Like we are REALLY getting 2 training pants for free?? Yeah, right!). But according to the Pampers website, their packaging counts and sizes have apparently changed recently. The smallest size available is "Medium" or "2T to 3T" , which contains 32 training pants (30 2!) for toddlers 18 to 35 pounds (8 - 16 kg) in weight. Next up are the size "Large" or "3T to 4T". These fit kids over 30 pounds in weight (14 kg) and have 28 total training pants included (26 2!). And for bigger children, the "Extra Large" size or "4T to 5T" are designed for those weighing over 37 pounds (17 kg) and have just 24 (22 2!) training pants included. Right now the "Large" size is getting a bit snug for Tristan, so if he doesn't potty train soon, we'll be moving up to the largest size of these Pampers Easy Ups in no time at all.


~~~Gentle Ingredients~~~

Petrolatum, Stearyl Alcohol, Aloe Extract.


~~~My Thoughts & Experience~~~

First and foremost, I really don't feel that any type of training pants, be them disposable like these Pampers Easy Ups, or any other type will facilitate the potty training process unless your child is physically and emotionally ready. Some toddlers train as early as 18 months and then again, many others are closer to age 4 years before the diapers are finally history (ages 2 to 3 being average). So for us, these Easy Ups are being used currently during the transition phase. As we are attempting to teach our son that diapers are for babies and real underwear are for big boys and girls, we get the look and feel of cotton underwear with the convenience of diapers. Especially when messy BM's must be changed as all you have to do is rip the sides apart for easier clean-up. The cute Sesame Street designs make changing time more fun, although I just can't seem to convince Tristan that Elmo, Bert, and Ernie would prefer to stay dry and clean. The purple and green trim are far from feminine and seem to be designed more for boys as there's no pink to be found anywhere. So while the price is quite comparable to buying regular diapers, we'll continue to use these Pampers Easy Ups as long as necessary.


~~~Overall Recommendation~~~

If your child shows signs of potty training readiness and seems ready to move away from diapers but isn't quite ready for "big kid" underwear just yet, then investing in these Pampers Easy Ups will definitely make the transition less messy. Regular cotton underwear are fine at home (have a mop and some disinfectant ready!), but for errands and other on-the-go outings when you'd rather not switch back to regular diapers, these training pants are a good alternative choice. Because they absorb almost too well, however, toddlers don't always know when they are wet, so this might delay the potty training process for some. But since Tristan could care less if he is wet or dry, this occurrence really doesn't make that much difference just yet. So check your Sunday newspaper for valuable coupons and give these Pampers Easy Ups a try. Good luck and happy potty training!


***For more information on these Pampers Easy Ups disposable training pants and to register for valuable coupons and helpful newsletters, please check out their website online at:

www.pampers.com

Questions or comments?
1-800-726-7377

Procter & Gamble
Cincinatti, OH 45202





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