Late spring in Orlando - pull-ups vs diapers...?

[MPatelleMom]

Hey there everyone!

Bit of a foolish question, sorry! We were hoping this would be a non-issue by this point with my SN middle foster son. But it appears that isn't going to be the case.

What I'm wondering though, for a 5 year old boy, who's current potty training progress is *shaky* at best-- which would you suggest for a couple of full days at the parks in Orlando? Pull-ups, or diapers (we were thinking huggies little movers..?). Some combination of the two..? Little man is usually OK with #2, and will pee if he's already in the bathroom for #2. But, pee is a whole other ballpark, still have regular accidents even when we're at home, bottomless nearby a bathroom.

We will have a stroller, at least. But still imagine there will be a lot of walking involved in the heat.

This is sort of new territory for me, but thought I'd ask! What would you all suggest, that would be most comfortable for a LO? Are there changing facilities that could accommodate a somewhat older child?

 

[redberyl]

You can change diapers at first aid, but the bathrooms don't have changing facilities for bigger kids. If it were me I would do pull ups at that age

 

[elvispursley]

Definitely pull-ups. I’d hate to be clear across the park and a leap to first aid. Not knowing your little guy, or how big he is, it might be easier to just use pull-ups and not worry about a changing table.

 

[MPatelleMom]

Definitely pull-ups. I’d hate to be clear across the park and a leap to first aid. Not knowing your little guy, or how big he is, it might be easier to just use pull-ups and not worry about a changing table.

That was actually my concern as well! Little man is about 38~ lbs.

We use a confusing mix of all three (undies, diapers and pull ups) at the moment. Usually undies at home, pull-ups in the car, and diapers when at grandparents, and diapers at nighttime- (he's on the ASD spectrum, and has some global developmental delays, but is otherwise just fine.)

I haven't really got the whole 'changing while standing up' down, with the diapers, so I'm thinking that pull-ups might be our best bet as well. Just a bit nervous, because he'd essentially be using them *like* a diaper. I guess we'd just need to bring a few extra changes of clothes to stick in the stroller?

 

[elvispursley]

That was actually my concern as well! Little man is about 38~ lbs.

We use a confusing mix of all three (undies, diapers and pull ups) at the moment. Usually undies at home, pull-ups in the car, and diapers when at grandparents. (he's on the ASD spectrum, and has some global developmental delays, but is otherwise just fine.)

I haven't really got the whole 'changing while standing up' down, with the diapers, so I'm thinking that pull-ups might be our best bet as well. Just a bit nervous, because he'd essentially be using them *like* a diaper. I guess we'd just need to bring a few extra changes of clothes to stick in the stroller?

I think you’ll be fine using them like a diaper. We totally did that back in the day when my kids were at that stage. I would think you’d be fine with some extra clothes. You could also use the waterproof covers that are used for cloth diapers as extra protection as well. Hope you guys have an amazing time!

 

[Angel Ariel]

That was actually my concern as well! Little man is about 38~ lbs.

We use a confusing mix of all three (undies, diapers and pull ups) at the moment. Usually undies at home, pull-ups in the car, and diapers when at grandparents. (he's on the ASD spectrum, and has some global developmental delays, but is otherwise just fine.)

I haven't really got the whole 'changing while standing up' down, with the diapers, so I'm thinking that pull-ups might be our best bet as well. Just a bit nervous, because he'd essentially be using them *like* a diaper. I guess we'd just need to bring a few extra changes of clothes to stick in the stroller?

At that age, DD wore underwear, and we'd put a pull up over the underwear (so her clothes were protected if an accident occurred, but she still was learning the feeling and difference of wearing underwear vs a diaper). We brought 2 changes of clothes/day (both packed in gallon size ziplocks in case anything got wet), but 3-4 pair of extra undies (and small ziplocks for wet undies to be put in if needed).

It worked pretty well in terms of limiting cleanup while not derailing the bathroom awareness process. Hope this helps!

 

[MPatelleMom]

I think you’ll be fine using them like a diaper. We totally did that back in the day when my kids were at that stage. I would think you’d be fine with some extra clothes. You could also use the waterproof covers that are used for cloth diapers as extra protection as well. Hope you guys have an amazing time!

Oh, that's a great idea!! I kind of forgot those even exist!

Do you happen to know, do they add much bulk...? Still fairly easy for the kiddo to walk around in etc?

I'm cautiously hoping we can still at least try and get him to go on the potty for #2. BUT, given his history, it wouldn't surprise me if he's not at all interested. Especially in an environment like Disney. Trying to sort of hope for the best, plan for the worst, sort of thing?

My husband wants to stick with diapers, but I'm of the mind that it would be way easier to be able to slip a pull up on while he's standing, and *hopefully* we'd only be dealing with wet pull-ups at the most anyways. So my hope is won't need a changing table to deal with a #2 accident, if we try and time things properly.

 

[MPatelleMom]

At that age, DD wore underwear, and we'd put a pull up over the underwear (so her clothes were protected if an accident occurred, but she still was learning the feeling and difference of wearing underwear vs a diaper). We brought 2 changes of clothes/day (both packed in gallon size ziplocks in case anything got wet), but 3-4 pair of extra undies (and small ziplocks for wet undies to be put in if needed).

It worked pretty well in terms of limiting cleanup while not derailing the bathroom awareness process. Hope this helps!

I suppose I shouldn't be describing his 'potty training' progress, that's a bit unfair-- we're not really yet to that point just yet. Little man has some global delays that have made that whole timeline a bit unclear. But, as of right now, he only really uses the bathroom when we sort of physically carry him to it, on a (sort of..) schedule. But for the most part, he's still pretty much in diapers, when we're anywhere outside of our house. He seems like he has little to know awareness of when he needs to 'go' for pee in particular...? Which has always confused me, (because he does OKish with #2!).

Speaking of which... anyone run a rock solid potty training clinic, for SN kiddos...?

 

[elvispursley]

Oh, that's a great idea!! I kind of forgot those even exist!

Do you happen to know, do they add much bulk...? Still fairly easy for the kiddo to walk around in etc?

I'm cautiously hoping we can still at least try and get him to go on the potty for #2. BUT, given his history, it wouldn't surprise me if he's not at all interested. Especially in an environment like Disney. Trying to sort of hope for the best, plan for the worst, sort of thing?

My husband wants to stick with diapers, but I'm of the mind that it would be way easier to be able to slip a pull up on while he's standing, and *hopefully* we'd only be dealing with wet pull-ups at the most anyways. So my hope is won't need a changing table to deal with a #2 accident, if we try and time things properly.

I dont think it adds too much bulk, especially with the new material they seem to use.

I’ll add that my boys, even though not SN, did better with learning to control their bowels long before they could identify when they needed to empty their bladders. Most of the time they were too engaged in whatever it was they were doing before they realized what they needed and then would have an accident. M&Ms were a godsend for getting them to take a break and go to the potty And we went to extra clothes to school with my youngest until about 4th grade. I forget what the exact term was but it was essentially laughter incontinence. All one can do is keep working and have lots of patience, which it sounds like you do

 

[MPatelleMom]

I dont think it adds too much bulk, especially with the new material they seem to use.

I’ll add that my boys, even though not SN, did better with learning to control their bowels long before they could identify when they needed to empty their bladders. Most of the time they were too engaged in whatever it was they were doing before they realized what they needed and then would have an accident. M&Ms were a godsend for getting them to take a break and go to the potty And we went to extra clothes to school with my youngest until about 4th grade. I forget what the exact term was but it was essentially laughter incontinence. All one can do is keep working and have lots of patience, which it sounds like you do

Great news!! (that they're not too bulky) I'll try and research and buy a few in time for our trip!

We're right in the same group with him! *Sometimes* even when he has a diaper on, he'll still tell someone, and go to the bathroom when it's poop. But, for whatever reason... pee, he just doesn't care! No matter what he has on.

We even have times where we'll ask him "Hey, bud... need to go potty?" he'll say no-- and then 2 minutes later, he'll have wet underwear/pull-up, etc.

He swears to us that he 'can't hold it' a lot of the time. So we try our best not to get upset or anything-- just... obviously it's a bit tricky, while in the parks! He hasn't really used the bathroom outside of our house at all lately, which is a huge bummer... because I was kind of hoping we wouldn't be dealing with this by the time our trip rolled around.. But, here we are I suppose.

He also wet every. single. night. without fail. Sigh. (we're planning on bringing diapers for bedtime.)

 

[elvispursley]

Great news!! (that they're not too bulky) I'll try and research and buy a few in time for our trip!

We're right in the same group with him! *Sometimes* even when he has a diaper on, he'll still tell someone, and go to the bathroom when it's poop. But, for whatever reason... pee, he just doesn't care! No matter what he has on.

We even have times where we'll ask him "Hey, bud... need to go potty?" he'll say no-- and then 2 minutes later, he'll have wet underwear/pull-up, etc.

He swears to us that he 'can't hold it' a lot of the time. So we try our best not to get upset or anything-- just... obviously it's a bit tricky, while in the parks! He hasn't really used the bathroom outside of our house at all lately, which is a huge bummer... because I was kind of hoping we wouldn't be dealing with this by the time our trip rolled around.. But, here we are I suppose.

He also wet every. single. night. without fail. Sigh. (we're planning on bringing diapers for bedtime.)

Sounds very familiar! We did diapers at night and it was quite a while before we had “dry nights”. We started buying those really large water proof pads to put across the sheets so I didn’t have to launder ALL the bedding everyday. Boys can certainly take a lot longer than girls to “get it” and make it to the potty. I’d expect it could be even longer for little guys with needs.

 

[MPatelleMom]

Sounds very familiar! We did diapers at night and it was quite a while before we had “dry nights”. We started buying those really large water proof pads to put across the sheets so I didn’t have to launder ALL the bedding everyday. Boys can certainly take a lot longer than girls to “get it” and make it to the potty. I’d expect it could be even longer for little guys with needs.

Oooh those waterproof pads are a genius idea!! We'd used those once long in the past, following a (planned) hospital stay, but to be honest..I forgot about them!! Might invest in a pack of those to bring just for nighttime for this trip. I'm sure Disney is understanding about wet beds, but--would still rather avoid that, if at all possible!

Do you mind if I ask what diapers you all used at nighttime? We've been fumbling around trying every which one that we can still find in his size, but never really landed on anything that works more often than not. Pull-ups have been a complete disaster at nighttime, for whatever reason.

Actually getting close to the point where it may end up causing us to need a new laundry machine! If my hunch is correct and my current one is truly on its way out! Oy vey.

 

[elvispursley]

Oooh those waterproof pads are a genius idea!! We'd used those once long in the past, following a (planned) hospital stay, but to be honest..I forgot about them!! Might invest in a pack of those to bring just for nighttime for this trip. I'm sure Disney is understanding about wet beds, but--would still rather avoid that, if at all possible!

Do you mind if I ask what diapers you all used at nighttime? We've been fumbling around trying every which one that we can still find in his size, but never really landed on anything that works more often than not. Pull-ups have been a complete disaster at nighttime, for whatever reason.

Actually getting close to the point where it may end up causing us to need a new laundry machine! If my hunch is correct and my current one is truly on its way out! Oy vey.

My new house must have your washing machine!!! Yeah, the oullups at night never worked until we started having dry diapers. We really only had luck with one brand of diapers and it was Pampers. When I worked in the hospital, hey had bigger diapers for the bigger kids but can’t remember what brand they were. I wonder if medical supply company would have them?

ETA: just googled diapers for older kids and it came up with quite a list of brands. My bet is you might even be able to have h to em delivered to the resort so you’re not having to pack to rm in your luggage

 

[Mommb]

Are there changing facilities that could accommodate a somewhat older child?

There are companion restrooms near many of the restroom areas in the parks and some hotels. I don’t think they have changing tables, but they would give you more space to work with pull-ups.

 

[MPatelleMom]

My new house must have your washing machine!!! Yeah, the oullups at night never worked until we started having dry diapers. We really only had luck with one brand of diapers and it was Pampers. When I worked in the hospital, hey had bigger diapers for the bigger kids but can’t remember what brand they were. I wonder if medical supply company would have them?

ETA: just googled diapers for older kids and it came up with quite a list of brands. My bet is you might even be able to have h to em delivered to the resort so you’re not having to pack to rm in your luggage

Will absolutely give them a try!! We're currently using the Target brand 'overnight' diapers at nighttime, and a weird mix of Cuties size 7 diapers (through his insurance) and pull-ups during the daytime.

He actually still fits just fine in the usual 'baby' brands still (just in the biggest sizes). But for whatever reason, I don't think we've ever tried Pampers before!

Delivery to the resort is a great idea! I was worried about packing diapers/pull-ups, because they're one of those items that take up a lot of space. Buying them in the area is always possible I suppose, but it makes me nervous, because finding the size 7 diapers in his size is always a bit hit or miss, when it comes to the big box stores it seems.

 

[MPatelleMom]

There are companion restrooms near many of the restroom areas in the parks and some hotels. I don’t think they have changing tables, but they would give you more space to work with pull-ups.

Honestly he would probably be annoyed about lying down on a changing table anyways (we usually only change diapers at home or at grandmas on the bed/carpeted floor these days). So no big loss not having those there!

I'm for sure leaning towards pull-ups at the parks themselves. Only DH is of the mind that they're going to leak, and be a headache, (if he's basically using them as a diaper).

I figured we'd be fine, though-- because we'll have other kids with us, and can simply change him pretty frequently, any time an older kid needs a bathroom stop.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I suppose I shouldn't be describing his 'potty training' progress, that's a bit unfair-- we're not really yet to that point just yet. Little man has some global delays that have made that whole timeline a bit unclear. But, as of right now, he only really uses the bathroom when we sort of physically carry him to it, on a (sort of..) schedule. But for the most part, he's still pretty much in diapers, when we're anywhere outside of our house. He seems like he has little to know awareness of when he needs to 'go' for pee in particular...? Which has always confused me, (because he does OKish with #2!).

Speaking of which... anyone run a rock solid potty training clinic, for SN kiddos...?

I'll be very honest - we were at a similar place with DD when we did this. Set schedule, specific timing - doing this is what helped her to get the awareness she needed to be able to be more independent.

 

[KPeterso]

Do you mind if I ask what diapers you all used at nighttime? We've been fumbling around trying every which one that we can still find in his size, but never really landed on anything that works more often than not. Pull-ups have been a complete disaster at nighttime, for whatever reason.

I had a family I babysat that double diapered at night with one of their kids. Regular diaper with a nighttime one over it. Not the best option but might help with less laundry. I think she resorted to that when she was washing sheets every morning from the time he was a small baby.

 

[MPatelleMom]

I had a family I babysat that double diapered at night with one of their kids. Regular diaper with a nighttime one over it. Not the best option but might help with less laundry. I think she resorted to that when she was washing sheets every morning from the time he was a small baby.

Thank heavens we're not quite to the point of having leaks/laundry *every* single night, but I'd guesstimate that it is somewhere around 2-3 times a week that a leak happens!

Doubling up actually might be possible! I'm not 100% sure if it would work with his current nighttime diapers, just because he's already wearing the largest size (size 7), so fitting one over another might be a bit tricky. But, if it means not having to do laundry at Disney, I'd absolutely be willing to try! If little man is OK with the additional bulk sensory-wise.

Thanks for the suggestion!!