Can you use training pants overnight?

Yes, using training pants overnight is an excellent way to help potty train your kid—after all, they give your child a sense of autonomy when accidents happen and they need to be cleaned up. Lay down a mattress cover while your child snoozes, too, to keep the mattress dry during this time. And, most of all, keep in mind that potty training takes patience. It can take most children until they're between five and seven years old to master the art of staying dry through the night.

When do I introduce pants to potty training?

If your child is showing an interest in potty training, starting to stay dry, or asking to use the toilet, moving to training pants can be a smart transition. This stage is not an age-based milestone and takes place at different times for different kids. Pediatrician Dyan Hes recommends looking for signs of readiness for potty training. “All children potty train at different ages ranging from 18 months to 36 months. Usually, girls are easier to potty train than boys, but that is not always the case," she says. "Signs to look for are 2 hours of dryness, knowing when your child usually has a bowel movement (i.e., 20 minutes after breakfast), when a child tells you she is wet or soiled, and when they run to have a bowel movement in another room, corner, etc.” Also, consider your child’s personality (will an accident in public upset them?) and your lifestyle (is your child in daycare? Do you travel a lot?) to help determine what works best.

How many accidents in a day is normal when potty training?

Every kid is different. But one truth remains the same: Accidents are bound to happen when they're potty training. There's no set number of how many accidents mean they're making good progress versus bad. So, it's best to speak to your pediatrician about your child's progress (or lack thereof) to get their expertise regarding your kid's unique situation.

The 10 Best Potty Training Pants of 2023

When your kiddo is ready to move from diapers to underwear, it’s a great achievement. While the milestone should certainly be celebrated, it’s important to remember, they are still in the process of potty training, and accidents will happen. Potty training underwear (also known as potty training pants) helps absorb small leaks while still feeling and looking like big-kid underwear.

"Training pants or pull-up type pants are very useful in potty training a toddler," says Dyan Hes, MD, pediatrician and medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City. Because there are so many choices out there when it comes to potty training underwear, find the ones that are absorbent and work best for your child, your lifestyle, and your budget. We carefully looked over design, material, value, and any age recommendations when reviewing products.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Gerber Baby Potty Training Pants at Amazon

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Best Coverage:

MooMoo Baby Cotton Training Pants at Amazon

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Best Cloth Training Pants:

U0U Cotton Training Pants at Amazon

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Best Underwear Covers:

Gerber Waterproof Pant at Amazon

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Best for Toddlers:

Hanna Andersson Toddlers/Kids Training Unders at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Thirsties Reusable Cloth Potty Training Pant at Amazon

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Best With Cute Patterns:

The Honest Company Honest Training Pants at Amazon

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Best Disposable:

Pull-Ups Potty Training Pants at Amazon

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Best Overnight:

Goodnites Nighttime Bedwetting Underwear at Amazon

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Best Reusable:

Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Toilet Training Pants at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected Potty Training Pants
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Neutral design
Inexpensive
Made of 100% cotton

Cons

Holds small amount of liquid

The Gerber Baby Potty Training Pants are our top pick because they're just like the classic white cotton baby onesies from Gerber that are soft and last a long time. The unisex training pants are made of 100% cotton panels with an absorbent interlining for the inevitable leak. A covered elastic waistband is comfortable and easy for small hands to pull up and down.

Durable, washable, and reusable, these come in three sizes (18 months, 2T, and 3T) and are sold in packs of three. For a more colorful look, Gerber does make the same style in colored patterned fabrics.

Price at time of publication: $14

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Adorable designs
Extra padding in front and back
Stretchy waistband

Cons

Tight on thicker thighs
Not leak-proof

The MooMoo Baby Cotton Training Pants are about as close to the real thing as it gets. They feature six layers total, with additional padding in the front and back to absorb small amounts of urine. The stretchy waistband and 100% muslin cotton material provide a comfy fit for all-day wear. Available in more than a dozen patterns and several sets, you’re sure to find a pattern your kiddo loves and have enough on hand for accidents.

Price at time of publication: $28

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Extra padding in front and back
Multiple styles
Very absorbent

Cons

Bulky

With the feel and look of big kid underwear, these training pants are super absorbent and super cute. Each set comes with four pairs in a range of colorful patterns. The triple layer of fabric in the crotch area catches any small leaks but will feel wet enough to remind your kid to head to the bathroom. The training underpants are made of 100% cotton, machine washable, and come in sizes 2T, 3T, and 4T in packs of four.

Price at time of publication: $20

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Easy to clean
Versatile
Fully waterproof

Cons

Bulky
Cannot be used alone

The idea of underwear covers is to literally cover the kid’s underwear and provide an extra layer to stay dry. Some parents may find this technique a little outdated, and it can be bulky and uncomfortable for kids. They do have their place, though, like for long car rides, travel, the first few days of preschool with underwear, or other times when it’s important to stay dry.

This Gerber two-pack is affordable, machine-washable, and easy for small kids to pull up and down.

Price at time of publication: $5

Courtesy of Hanna Andersson

Pros

Multiple styles
Very soft

Cons

Limited size range

Help picky toddlers transition from diapers to underpants with this stylish and super comfortable potty training underwear. Made with a super soft four-ply knit construction, the absorbent poly interlining never touches the skin but keeps your kiddo protected every step of the way. The training undies come in extra-small and small toddler sizes.

Price at time of publication: $32

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Four layers of fabric
Multiple styles
Made in the U.S.

Cons

Size down for smaller kids

A popular, made-in-the-U.S. option, these training pants are constructed with 100% certified organic cotton. The wet zone (or crotch area) is lined with four layers of cotton and a waterproof laminate that helps to keep clothes dry in case of an accident. There is gentle elastic along the legs and waist, so it’s easy for kiddos to pull the pants up and down.

Thirsties are not intended for overnight use. Kids with thinner legs or kids between sizes should wear a size down. The training underpants come in four sizes—small (20 to 27 pounds), medium (26 to 35 pounds), large (33 to 45 pounds), and extra-large (42 to 56+ pounds).

Price at time of publication: $22

Courtesy of The Honest Company

Pros

Multiple styles
Disposable
Suitable for overnight use

Cons

Single-use

Five super cute patterns and three sizes will ensure there’s a pair of Honest Training Pants for every toddler out there. Disposable training pants are similar to diapers, except they look a little more like underwear and have stretchy sides so kids can pull them up and down by themselves. These have a super absorbent core, so they can even be used overnight (if your child wets a lot, though, it’s best to use an overnight diaper).

Price at time of publication: $28

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros

Disposable
Suitable for overnight use
Multiple styles

Cons

Single-use

A reliable drugstore favorite, Pull-Ups are a helpful, mess-free way to move toward potty training. The soft, stretchy sides are comfortable for kids to wear and easy to pull up and down. If your child is showing signs of potty readiness, like knowing when to go, asking to try the potty, or inquiring about underwear, Pull-Ups can be a great first step to test their readiness (and avoid lots of extra laundry and accidents).

Price at time of publication: $36

Amazon

Pros

Multiple styles
Suitable for overnight use
Widely available

Cons

Single-use
May be bulky for daytime use

A cross between underwear and diapers, these training pants are specifically made to use overnight. It’s quite common for kids to be potty trained during the day but not at night. Sleeping right through urination is a developmental stage, and for most kids, nighttime wetting goes away with time.

To avoid wet pajamas, blankets, and sheets, disposable overnight underwear is a perfect solution. For frequent night wettings, go for these until your child shows less nighttime wetting and more readiness for training pants or underwear. They come in three sizes—extra-small (for kids from 28 to 43 pounds), small/medium (for kids from 43 to 68 pounds), large (for kids from 68 to 95 pounds), and extra-large (for kids from 95 to 140+ pounds).

Price at time of publication: $30

Courtesy of Kanga Care

Pros

Multiple styles
Great size range

Cons

Doesn't completely absorb wetness

Test the waters of potty training with these cute patterned training pants. The built-in IMWET technology lets your toddler still feel the wetness when they have an accident, but the pants are made to avoid leakage. The sizes range from extra-small to extra-large, and they fit kids from as light as 15 pounds to as big as 70 pounds.

Price at time of publication: $28

How We Selected Potty Training Pants

We chose the best potty training pants by studying the design and features of more than 20 options on the market and researching reviews from customers and competitors. We also monitored shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offerings on potty training pants. We considered size, design, age recommendations, material, ease of cleaning, and overall value when reviewing products. Moreover, we also spoke with Dyan Hes, MD, pediatrician and medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City, to find out what to look for in potty training pants.

What to Look for in Potty Training Pants

Absorbency

It's no secret there's a lot that goes into potty training. There are different types of developmental milestones your child needs to reach, both physical and psychological, before they try to toilet train. No matter when your child starts, look for training pants that are absorbent as this can make a big difference in your little one's potty-training journey.

While it may take some trial and error and will continue to evolve, find the right absorbency and fit for your child’s age and stage. The goal is to absorb leaks but still allow your child to feel the wet sensation in order to discourage accidents.

Dr. Hes says training/pull-up pants are useful when it comes to potty training. "First, they can be pulled down like a pair of underwear, so the child can learn to do this independently," she explains. "Second, they are not as absorbent as diapers, so the child senses the wetness. Some diapers are so absorbent that the child never even senses being wet or soiled.”

Fit

Training pants should fit like underwear. Too tight, and they’ll be uncomfortable and difficult for your child to maneuver. Too loose, and they’ll fall down or leak. Sizing varies, so use a size guide based on your child’s height and weight, which is more accurate than age, to get the right fit.

Aside from checking the manufacturer's sizing recommendations, read reviews from other parents and caregivers to see if they had to size up or down for their own child.

Cost

Similar to diapers, training pants come in a wide range of price points. Find something that works for your budget. While reusable training pants may be a more expensive investment than disposable options upfront, but they're a one-time expense, and don't end up in a landfill.

If disposables work best for your family, that works too! Just remember: Disposables will likely cost you more in the long run. While they're not as environmentally friendly as reusable training pants, they're convenient, especially for families on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use training pants overnight?

Yes, using training pants overnight is an excellent way to help potty train your kid—after all, they give your child a sense of autonomy when accidents happen and they need to be cleaned up. Lay down a mattress cover while your child snoozes, too, to keep the mattress dry during this time. And, most of all, keep in mind that potty training takes patience. It can take most children until they're between five and seven years old to master the art of staying dry through the night.
When do I introduce pants to potty training?

If your child is showing an interest in potty training, starting to stay dry, or asking to use the toilet, moving to training pants can be a smart transition. This stage is not an age-based milestone and takes place at different times for different kids.
Pediatrician Dyan Hes recommends looking for signs of readiness for potty training. “All children potty train at different ages ranging from 18 months to 36 months. Usually, girls are easier to potty train than boys, but that is not always the case," she says. "Signs to look for are 2 hours of dryness, knowing when your child usually has a bowel movement (i.e., 20 minutes after breakfast), when a child tells you she is wet or soiled, and when they run to have a bowel movement in another room, corner, etc.”
Also, consider your child’s personality (will an accident in public upset them?) and your lifestyle (is your child in daycare? Do you travel a lot?) to help determine what works best.
How many accidents in a day is normal when potty training?

Every kid is different. But one truth remains the same: Accidents are bound to happen when they're potty training. There's no set number of how many accidents mean they're making good progress versus bad. So, it's best to speak to your pediatrician about your child's progress (or lack thereof) to get their expertise regarding your kid's unique situation.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. Her kids all went from diapers to underwear during the day and stayed in diapers at night for a while. For them, underwear was an easier way to feel grown-up and understand when accidents happened. Just be prepared for a few messes, more laundry, and bring extra clothes (and socks!) when you go out.