If you've been in the trenches of potty training with me for any amount of time, you know I have a lot of opinions about disposable pull-ups. Don't get me wrong, they have their place! But if your goal is to actually advance with potty training rather than just manage the mess, it’s important to provide clear, consistent messaging to your child by removing all the diapers as well as everything that could be confused for a diaper (ahem, pull-ups). When kids have access to diapers and pull-ups during potty training, it makes using the potty feel optional instead of the new expectation.
The Problem With Disposable Pull-Ups
Here's the thing about disposables (diapers AND pull-ups): they're simply TOO good at their job for any real learning to take place. They're designed to pull moisture away from a child's skin so effectively that your kiddo barely feels a thing when they pee or poop. Which sounds like a good thing, right? Actually, you’d be mistaken. Potty training is literally the process of teaching your child to notice the urge of needing to go, and to connect that sensation to using the potty!
When a pull-up absorbs everything instantly and leaves your child feeling dry, you've accidentally removed the exact feedback loop they need to learn.
It's like trying to learn to read while someone reads every word out loud for you. The learning just doesn't happen as quickly, because there's nothing prompting your brain to do it!
Why Consistency Matters ALL The Time
If you're using pull-ups "just in case" during the day: for naps, at school, or even overnight, you may be unintentionally stalling the progress you're trying to make. And no one wants potty training to take any longer than it needs to!
Nighttime dryness is often its own animal, and I teach parents this all the time, but the truth is, consistency matters just as much during outings, naps, and yes, even at school. Switching back to diapers or pull-ups, in any of these situations, can actually prolong the process. Research backs this up. When a product is so absorbent that your child never feels wet, their brain never gets the signal it needs to start making that connection. So every time we reach for what feels like the "easier, safer" option of pull-ups, like for a car ride, a nap, or a school day where accidents feel too risky, we're accidentally delaying the skill we've been waiting for.
I get why it's tempting. The last thing you want to do is take apart the car seat to clean it or get another bag of soiled clothes sent home from school. It's exhausting to even think about. Not to mention that most doctors say accidents (and bedwetting especially) are normal well into adolescence. So it isn't your fault for wanting to keep reaching for diapers or pull-ups "just in case."
But here’s an important mindset shift for you. Accidents are when most of the learning takes place. Yes, accidents actually speed up potty training! This is exactly why using potty training underwear can be so helpful. Your child still gets that consistent sensory feedback that tells their brain, "hey, you're wet, pay attention to that," which is what builds the skill, in every setting and scenario, not just at home. The right training underwear gives them these learning opportunities while containing the mess enough that leaks stay manageable. Everybody gets what they need: your child keeps learning, in every part of their day, and you're not starting over every time you leave the house.
So, it’s okay to embrace the leaks and extra laundry for a bit knowing that it’s all temporary and will help you to achieve potty training success as quickly as possible!
What Training Underwear I Recommend
My Bee Bear potty training underwear solves this problem in a way I haven't seen from any other brand. Here's what I love about them and what makes them unique:
Adjustable absorbency. These aren't a one-size-fits-all product (just like Potty Training Consultant doesn’t give out one-size-fits-all potty training guidance!). My Bee Bear underwear has a hidden pocket where you can add absorbency pads only when you need them, or even skip them entirely when you don't. That means the same pair of underwear can flex with you through every stage of the process. No more “just in case” diapers! For example: no pads during the day and they act like regular underwear, medium pads provide confidence and protection for naps or car rides, and heavy pads will have you covered for nighttime.
Your child still gets feedback. Even with a pad in, these are made from 100% organic cotton, not synthetic superabsorbent materials. That's a big deal. Your child will still feel some wetness when an accident happens, which means their body is still learning, even during moments when you need a little extra protection. This is the piece that sets My Bee Bear apart from every other "training pant" on the market. They're not designed to make accidents disappear. They're designed to help your child learn from them, while still giving you peace of mind and helping you maintain your sanity throughout the process.
Clear boundaries help build confidence. Here's something I see all the time with my clients: a child who is fully capable of using the potty, but who holds it because they know a diaper or pull-up is coming later. Kids won’t step outside of their comfort zone by choice. If they know that car ride, that nap, or that trip to daycare means a diaper goes back on, some of them will simply wait it out rather than go on the potty. Removing that option altogether by using underwear all day, every day, no exceptions, takes the guesswork out of it for your child. There's only underwear, which means there's only one clear expectation - pee and poop ONLY go in the potty from now on, period. That clarity is often exactly what a hesitant or strong-willed toddler needs to move forward with confidence, because you've taken the decision out of their hands and replaced it with a reliable, consistent boundary they can count on.
Easier Clean-Up Without Losing What Makes Them Work
One of my favorite recent additions to the My Bee Bear lineup is their disposable pad option. I know, I know, some of you are thinking, "Allison, didn't you just spend three paragraphs telling me why reusable and washable is better?" Stay with me here!
The beauty of this brand is that you get to choose what works for your family in the moment. Cloth diapering parents already know and love the washable pad system. But if you're a parent who is drowning in laundry (aren't we all?), the disposable pads let you get the same adjustable absorbency and sensory feedback benefits without adding another load to the wash. You still get the organic cotton underwear against your child's skin, doing the important job of preserving that feedback loop. You just get to throw away the pad instead of washing it. It's the best of both worlds, and it makes this an even more realistic option for busy families who want to do right by their kiddo without adding more to their to-do list (or their water bill).
Created By A Real Mom Who's Been There
I also just love the story behind this brand, because it's so relatable. My Bee Bear was started by Elena, a real mom of two who was exhausted and out of options while trying to manage her own daughter's bedwetting during potty training. She tried everything and nothing worked for her family. So one night, out of pure frustration, she sewed a small pocket onto the outside of her daughter's underwear and slipped an absorbent pad inside. That night, her daughter still woke them up from being wet, but instead of a soaked bed and a pile of laundry, the mess had stayed contained. It was a quick change of underwear and back to sleep for everyone. That simple, at-home fix is what eventually became My Bee Bear.
I love recommending brands that were built by parents solving their own real problems (that actually WORK!), not by a corporation trying to guess what families need. My Bee Bear is still a small, family-owned business today, and you can feel that in the way the product is designed. It's made by someone who has stood in your shoes at two in the morning, and to me, that really matters. Elena truly gets it.
My Bottom Line
If you've been reaching for pull-ups during car rides, at daycare, or overnight because you're worried about accidents, I want you to know there's a better option. My Bee Bear lets you have the protection you need without sacrificing the learning your child is working so hard to do. Trust me, potty training does not look like being perfect or avoiding every single accident. It's giving your child's body and brain the consistent connection it needs to make progress, in every setting, every time.
Potty training isn't linear, and it definitely isn't one-size-fits-all. Your child deserves a product that can flex with them through every stage, and I truly think My Bee Bear does that better than anything else out there right now.
You've got this, and now you've got the right gear to help you get there!
You can check out the full My Bee Bear lineup, including their underwear, reusable and disposable booster pads, and sizing guide, at mybeebear.com/allison.
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