When and how to introduce underwear while potty training

If you’re planning to potty train your toddler soon, you may be wondering how the heck to go about introducing underwear. The idea of wearing underwear for us as adults seems so ordinary, but for toddlers who have been wearing diapers their entire lives, it can bring up a LOT of questions.

When it comes to introducing underwear to your toddler, you may be wondering:

• Should I let my toddler go commando or put them in underwear right away?

• What happens if my toddler keeps having accidents in their underwear?

• What age should my toddler start wearing underwear?

And on and on and on. Who knew the topic of underwear could be so complicated?!

As a pediatric occupational therapist and potty training expert, I can help. I have worked with hundreds of families to help their children move through the potty training process and eventually work towards the end goal: wearing underwear underneath their clothing with ease and without accidents.

Should toddlers wear underwear while potty training or go commando at first?

There are generally three different options when it comes to introducing underwear to your toddler during the potty training process:

OPTION 1: Remove daytime diapers and switch to underwear right away.

OPTION 2: Do a few days of bottomless (naked from the waist down) time at home, and then add in underwear and pants.

OPTION 3: Do a few days of bottomless time at home, then add in pants-only (go commando), and THEN add in underwear.

The reason that some parents choose to wait to introduce underwear is that for some children, the sensation of tight-fitting underwear mimics the sensation of a diaper and, therefore, can cause more frequent accidents than if a child is bottomless or commando. Some children need a few days or even a few weeks to get the hang of potty training before adding in underwear.

Other children love the idea of underwear and can’t wait to wear it. They may be so excited to wear something new that is their favorite color or has their favorite character on it. 

How do you know which option to choose? It depends on your child’s personality and your preferences as a parent or caregiver when deciding which to do. It’s truly a case-by-case situation. All are valid options!

If you do introduce underwear and you notice your child seems to be having more accidents than they were previously, it’s always okay to re-do a few days of bottomless time or go commando for a day or two, then add it back in.

Does my child HAVE to eventually wear underwear? What if they protest it in some way?

Wearing underwear underneath clothing is important for general hygiene purposes. Underwear protects bodily fluids such as sweat, urine, and feces from getting onto your child’s skin and clothing.

However, it is not uncommon for children to resist wearing underwear, especially at first. If your toddler doesn’t want to wear underwear, this is often due to a sensory sensitivity - they dislike the feeling of underwear on their body. The tight-fitting nature of underwear as well as the feeling of the seams can feel uncomfortable for some young children.

If your child seems to dislike the sensation of wearing underwear and therefore refuses to wear it, it’s a good idea to try out a few different styles, brands, and textures of underwear in order to find one that they accept. Oftentimes seamless underwear (with no tags) made of 100% cotton or nylon are the most comfortable option for children with sensory sensitivities.

Deciding when and how to introduce underwear while potty training your toddler is a personal decision that truly depends on each unique child and family. Learning about the different options in advance and understanding how to navigate any underwear-related challenges can help!

If you’re planning to potty train your toddler soon but aren’t sure where to start, check out my Potty Training Bootcamp Course! You’ll learn my routines-based, developmentally-friendly, step-by-step potty training method to say good-bye to diapers once and for all.

If you’re ready to dive in, check out my 4-Week Potty Training Pod. I guide you through the process in REAL-TIME over four weeks using my routines-based, developmentally-friendly, step-by-step potty training method. Next pod starts is coming in early 2025!