Diapers vs Pullups

From the moment your baby is born, diapers will be a necessity in your daily life for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, there are great options when it comes to covering your baby’s tiny tush, especially as they get older and become more mobile.

This post will help you determine whether diapers or pull ups are a better choice for your baby and your lifestyle while considering their age and phase of life.

We’re breaking down the diapers vs pullups debate and sharing all the nitty-gritty details on the benefits and drawbacks of each type.

The purpose of pull up diapers

Pull ups are designed to help toddlers as they transition from diapers to potty training. Transitioning your child into pull ups from diapers is a big move; it teaches them that they’re growing up and are able to do some things on their own.

Pull ups’ unique design nudges toddlers towards independence — from getting dressed to using the potty, they are able to pull their underpants up and down on their own, which is a huge first step!

The difference between diapers vs pullups

There are a few key differences between diapers vs pullups, so let’s discuss those first.

How They’re Used

Traditionally, diapers are used starting in the newborn stage all the way up to between 2 and 3 years of age.

Toddlers can wear pull ups as early as 12 months, depending on their weight and height. Between 18 months and 2 years is when some children are ready to begin potty training, so it’s an efficient way to introduce the potty and the new form of underpants.

Additionally, many parents experience a change in their baby’s behavior during diaper changes around the 12-month mark; what was once an easy task (unless a blowout was involved!) has become a full-blown wrestling match. Pull ups are an effective transition from the diaper so your child can stand up during changes.

Absorbency

Diapers and pull ups are both made from several layers of absorbent materials and have a waterproof layer for leak protection.

With that said, pull ups are notoriously less leak-resistant than diapers. They’re designed to make toddlers feel slightly uncomfortable if they pee or poop in a pull up (in order to encourage them to use the potty), so they don’t absorb as well as traditional diapers do.

You can determine whether pull ups are a good choice by noting how much pee is in their diaper after a night’s sleep. If the diaper is pretty heavy, pull ups likely won’t prevent leaks the way a diaper would.

Functionality

The key design difference in diapers vs pullups is in the design.

Diapers have two tabs that require fastening for the diaper to stay on, prevent leaks, and support your baby in all their activities during the day. Rolling, crawling, scooting, and (eventually) walking require a leak-proof, snug-fit diaper.

Pull ups mimic the design of regular underwear with two leg openings and a stretchy, elastic waistband. This makes it easy for toddlers to gain independence and become confident going to the bathroom on their own.

Sizing

Traditional diaper sizing ranges from newborn to 6, for children weighing up to 35 pounds.

Pull ups also have weight recommendations for their sizing, starting at 12-18 months and up to 4T-5T (up to 60 pounds).

Pull ups are designed for children beginning at age 1, or around 17 pounds. Traditional diapers are necessary for the first year of your child’s life — but after that, you have options.

When to switch from diapers to pull ups

Most families switch from diapers to pull ups around the time their child shows readiness to begin potty training, anywhere from 18 to 24 months.

However, potty training isn’t the only reason to switch from diapers to pull ups.

Pull ups are also a great tool for particularly energetic toddlers that refuse to lay still for a diaper change. If your child flops and rolls during changes and you have to use all your strength to hold them in place, it’s probably time to introduce pull ups.

Related post: Here’s our in-depth review of Pampers Easy Ups pullups!

Are pull ups necessary?

While pull ups aren’t necessary for every child, they can be very convenient for parents. As your child becomes more active, pull ups make diaper changes quicker.

It’s important to note that some parents feel that using pull-ups makes the training process longer. Because pull ups feel very similar to diapers, using them can confuse a toddler about whether it’s appropriate to pee or poop in one.

If your child is showing signs of readiness to potty train (waking up with a dry diaper, telling you when they’re going to the bathroom, or going somewhere private to do their business) pull ups are a great way to ease in.

Are pull ups better than diapers?

Depending on what you are using them for, pull ups can be a better option than diapers. Pull ups are ideal for potty training children, promoting independence, and active babies who regularly fight diaper changes.

Diapers are ideal for long stretches of sleep, babies and toddlers who cooperate during diaper changes, and for parents who want to save a few bucks per pack.

Are pull ups better than overnight diapers?

Pull ups are not better than overnight diapers because they serve a different purpose. The main function of pull ups is to assist toddlers with the transition to potty training.

Pull ups aren’t nearly as absorbent as overnight diapers because they’re designed to be like everyday underwear… lightweight, easy to slide on and off, and not bulky.

How many pull ups does a toddler use per day?

This answer depends on what age and stage your toddler is currently in. If they are around 2 years old and are showing signs of readiness to potty train, swap out diapers for pull ups to begin the transition to using the toilet.

If this is the case, your toddler will likely use the same number of pull ups as they did diapers. From 18 months to 36 months, it’s common for children to go through 5-7 diapers or pull ups daily.

If you are in the midst of potty training and your child is doing well during the day, you can try pull ups at night.

In the event that they do have an accident while sleeping (which is inevitable), a pull up is there to prevent any mess.

Related post: Pampers Cruisers 360 are the perfect combination of the ease of using pullups with the absorbency of a regular diaper!

What types of pullups can I use?

The most popular brands of pullup diapers or training pants are Huggies and Pampers. Most stores like Target, Walmart, Aldi, and others also have their own store brands of pullups.

Huggies Pull-Ups

Personally, I used Huggies Pull-Ups when potty training my daughter. Mostly because they were available in bulk at Costco. They worked well and we didn’t have any problems with them. They featured Jessie and Bullseye from Toy Story at the time. She always wanted “the horse diapers” and “not the cowgirl diapers,” so the designs were actually a minor drawback in my book!

Pampers Easy Ups

When we were potty training my son, as you can see from some of the pictures above, we used Pampers Easy Ups. They were a wonderful gift from Grandma and Grandpa! They are pretty tall compared to other training pants and are durable, allowing kids to pull them up and down multiple times without wearing out

Store Brand Training Pants

Many big box stores like Walmart, Target, Aldi, and Meijer offer training pants or pullups. Unfortunately, Costco does not, but they do stock Huggies Pull-Ups.

Your mileage may vary, but the store brands tend to be cheaper, not hold up as well, and not as absorbent. Some parents also feel that they leak more. If you are looking to save some money, you might try a store brand during the day and a more durable name brand at night.

Summary

Your child’s comfort and confidence is the only thing that matters when it comes to diapers vs pullups.

If your child seems interested in potty training and likes wearing pull ups, great! Follow their lead and see how they do.

If your child is comfortable in diapers and is easy to manage during changes, awesome! If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

Whether potty training is the furthest thing from your mind or if you are currently deep in the trenches of it, pull ups can be a great way to boost your child’s confidence and ability to do grown-up tasks.

Like so many situations throughout parenthood, trust your gut and do what feels right for you and your family.

Diapers vs Pullups – What’s The Important Difference Between The Two? [Pictures From a Mom Who’s Used Both!]