Moving from nappies to underpants

Switching from nappies (including pull-up nappies) to underpants is a big and exciting step in your child’s toilet learning journey.

Start with daytime

• begin with daytime underpants first
• keep using night-time nappies while your child still needs them for sleep.

Choose the right clothing

Examples might be:

• underpants that your child will feel comfortable in:
  • try different styles: knickers, jocks, full briefs, boy-leg or boxer styles
  • let your child choose colours, fabrics or fun characters they like.
• clothes that are easy to manage:
  • loose shorts or pants with elastic waistbands are best
  • avoid tight leggings, long shirts or dresses that make it hard to get to the toilet quickly.

Look for signs of readiness

Look for your child’s signs of readiness for daytime underpants:

• doing some wees or poos in the potty or toilet each day
• going to the bathroom happily 3 to 4 times a day (with or without help).

Tips to help with switching to underpants

• keep the new underpants with your child’s clothes and show them to your child during dressing. Perhaps try them on over the nappy
• talk positively about learning to wear underpants instead of nappies
• read books about wearing underpants
• start wearing underpants at home first, then try short outings in underpants. Slowly increase this time outside the home
• let carers (childcare, preschool, school) know about the change
• mark a ‘special day’ for underpants on the calendar. Count down the last nappies together
• celebrate the switch with your child!

Be prepared when going out

Pack a toilet time bag with:

• small toilet seat insert (if needed)
• change of clothes
• hygiene wipes
• hand sanitiser
• wet clothes bag
• comfort items or distractions (if needed).

If your child is sensitive to new toilets

Some children may feel nervous or uncomfortable using unfamiliar toilets outside the home. Some tips to try:

• choose quiet, clean toilets outside the home (parenting rooms or disability toilets are often better)
• bring familiar items in your child’s toilet time bag
• let your child watch you use the toilet first
• practise hand washing in the new bathroom before expecting your child to use the toilet.

Reduce possible sensory discomfort

• avoid loud hand dryers or fans. Use headphones or earmuffs if helpful
• bring a torch for dark bathrooms
• use a room spray before walking into the bathroom
• use hygiene wipes to clean the toilet seat, or try disposable toilet seat covers
• use hand sanitiser gel instead of washing hands at the washbasin, if preferred.

A useful resource to help find suitable public toilet facilities is the National Public Toilet Map. It is a free website and app that shows the location of more than 25,000 public toilets across Australia.

Expect wetting and soiling ‘accidents’ – and stay positive

All children will experience some wetting and soiling while learning to use the potty or toilet:

• keep extra underpants, clothes, wipes and a wet clothes bag in the bathroom
• stay calm and encouraging: “You’ve done a wee or poo. Let’s go clean-up”
• use clean-up time as a positive teaching moment, not a time for shaming or punishment
• quietly help your child change clothes and clean up gently
• let your child sit on the toilet again – sometimes more wee or poo might come
• encourage your child to finish the routine: pull up pants, flush, wash and dry hands
• talk about trying to get wee and poo in the toilet “next time”
• remind them about learning to stay “clean and dry”. Acknowledge that learning takes time.