Terry nappies

[pohparty]

My daughter works full time and I babysit her son once a week to help with nursery costs. He has just turned 3 and is in disposable nappies full time. My attempts to potty train are failing. He is just not interested. My daughter was out of nappies full time at 18 months, and my son by 2.5. In that time I used terry towelling nappies with plastic pants over. I think it helped with potty training, because they were aware of being wet or dirty, and told me. My grandson is totally oblivious in his disposable nappy. I am minded to buy some old fashioned terries and the pants if they are still available, which may solve the problem. Any other suggestions?

No suggestions but I agree with you about reusables.
DD1 was in reusables and was trained by 18 months, her sister was in disposables and not reliantly dry at night til almost three. But that’s purely antidotal. It’s perfectly possible that it had nothing to do with it.

Also it might make a difference that most mums are back at work so not able to take the time to toilet train.

either way they eventually get there eventually

You can still get them - the Motherease Airflow waterproof outer wraps are good. I use reusables also for environmental reasons, but a middle ground if your DD doesn't want to is to get the training pull-ups that allow the child to feel wet.

DD1 just turned 4 and doesn’t give a 💩 if she’s had an accident. We used reusables from birth with her and potty training has been long and difficult. DD2 has been in disposables since birth and has primarily pooped on the potty since she was 7m. They’re all so different, I would see what your daughter wants to do as you’ll be fighting a loosing battle doing it 1 day per week. Also she would have to be on board with reusables if she’s going to have to wash them..

I think it depends on the child. I have used Terry nappies on both of mine. DD1 4 still in nappies and doesn't care if she is wet or dirty. DD2 almost 2 has been using the potty since she was 18 months and only wears nappies at night.

Glad it’s not just us 😅

I don’t think it’s a bad idea but is your DD up for it?

1. don’t overstep on such a parenting decision
2. grandson would need to be in them at home too as whatever potty training approach used needs to be consistent

Both my boys were in cloth nappies and trained very easily. But I have nothing to compare it to.

You can't extrapolate from two children that it was the nappy that achieved their potty-training. I think you must know that that's ridiculous - all children are different.

Reusable nappies are pretty good now but this would need to be your Dd's decision - she'd need space, time and energy costs to be constantly washing and drying them, plus they're quite a big investment to start off with. As a pp said, consistency is key.

The method of training is also going to make a difference, as well as the child and their physical readiness. You haven't mentioned any of these...?

This ☝️
I used reusable and all of mine were done at around 2, with some differences between them, but I think it came down to consistency. I was able to spend the time to keep putting them on the potty and having a portable one for going out. The first week I blocked everything out so I could put them on the potty every hour. And then not letting up. Unfortunately for many families they just can’t get the time to do that with work etc. Modern society doesn’t make it easy.

Although in saying that, maybe with an older child, the feeling of a reusable will help them to understand what you’re after, even with only one day a week to attempt it.

Many thanks all for your replies. The problem is I only look after him once a week. The other times he is at nursery, or with my daughter. The last time I had him, I tried him in "big boy pants", but he ended up doing a huge messy poo! The problem is he won't tell me when he wants to go, and when I keep asking he keeps saying "no". So it's nappies for the foreseeable future.

You can’t potty train him yourself on one day a week. That’s never going to work and is a complete overstep as a grandparent. I suspect your daughter hasn’t asked you to do this, and you’re just taking things into your own hands because you don’t approve of her decisions. I would suggest you discuss how you can support her doing it properly. If she could take a week off work, or you have him with you for 3 or 4 days in a row, you’d have much more chance. I recommend the ‘oh crap’ method (there’s a book). Took my son about 4 days with this approach.

have you discussed with your DD?
you can get reuseable washable pull ups.
the Motherease ones are amazing. Expensive but amazing.

the nappy lady is best reuseable nappy contact for this type of conversation.