Training Pants

What are they?
I was a little reluctant to go into training pants because that‘s a little past the “diapering stage”, but it was requested, so here we go. Training pants are what are used when starting to Potty-Train a child. Some training pants are simply glorified underwear (my Mother just used regular underwear for us), but in order to really call it a “training pant” the underwear must have a water-proofing layer. This makes them a little like rubber-pants, but that’s OK.
The Point of training pants is to prevent his clothes, etc, from getting wet, while still allowing the child to feel wet so he will be uncomfortable enough to want to use the potty.
They are made of one Waterproof layer and one or two absorbent layers (again, the absorbent layers need to make the child feel wet). The legs and waistband are elastic and they don’t have any velcro or snaps on them because they are meant to go on like regular underwear.

How are they Used?
Most training pants go on like regular underwear (the disposable equivalent would be pull-ups). This teaches the child, not only how to feel when he’s wet, but also how to use underwear because he/she will be pulling them down to use the potty and up when he/she is done. Brilliant!

Sizes
These will be sized just like underwear. They go by the age of the baby. They generally start around 24 months and go up to 3T. The sizes correspond pretty well with whatever size regular pants your child is wearing. I.E. My niece is in a 3T shirt, but still a 24 mo pant because her waist is so small, so her training pants would be 24 mo.

Materials Used
Since the absorbent layer is meant to do less wicking (to help the child feel wetness) it is normally cotton as opposed to flannel or fleece which would wick too much. Wool, is almost never used because of its wicking affect. On the bottom, there is a water-proof layer (generally PUL or something of that nature.)

Sewing Training Pants
I haven’t done this yet, so I can’t technically tell you how easy its gonna be, but the principles don’t seem too hard for a skilled seamstress. You have to deal with casing around your elastic, but sometimes I think that’s easier than sewing the elastic to the diapers that I’ve been sewing.
Anyway, here are the steps.

1. Cut out all pieces
-1-2 layers regular material
- 1 layer waterproof
- Elastic Bands (in order to measure these, Wrap the bands around your child so that they fit comfortably without leaving red-marks, but still being able to hold up a diaper/underwear.)
2. Sew all layers together, making sure to leave room for casing.
3. Sew wings together
4. Put Elastic inside casing and sew closed.