Potty Training In Cloth Nappies: Everything You Need to Know

It has long been said that cloth bummed babies potty train earlier, and was true in my experience - I have three children, twins in disposables who potty trained at 2 yrs 3 months and 2 yrs 11 months then 5 yrs later their little brother in reusable nappies toilet trained at 16 months, led entirely by him.

Modern cloth nappies provide a natural and tactile experience that helps children develop a stronger mind-body connection, making them more aware of their bodily functions. This increased awareness can lead to earlier and easier potty training readiness. In this post, we’ll explore how washable nappies support potty or toilet training and share practical tips for you to make the journey successful.

Do Cloth Nappies Make Potty Training Easier?

Yes, they do! Cloth nappies have several advantages that can help you start potty training:

They Encourage Awareness

Unlike the super absorbent polymers in disposable nappies that suck moisture away instantly, cloth nappies allow children to feel damp when they wee - fleece liners can then let this moisture through so they don't get uncomfortable. This sensation helps them recognise when they need to use the potty, building the mind-body connection essential for potty training success.

Easier Pattern Recognition

Cloth nappies make it easier to notice when your child tends to wet their nappy as the wetness is clearer. Recognising these patterns can help to time potty breaks more effectively, missing some of the inevitable accidents..

Cost Savings 

Potty training with reusable diapers saves money compared to single use nappies. They have a higher short term cost but can be bought second hand making them budget-friendly long term and can also be used for siblings or future children - really cost effective.

Environmental Benefits

Cloth nappies reduce your environmental footprint and avoid contributing to landfill waste. You will have a planet friendly carbon footprint and as a bonus you won't have stinky nappies in your kitchen  bin - just flush the poo and dry store til wash day.

Tips for Potty Training with Cloth Nappies

Here are our top tips to help you get started:

1. Check the Fit

Ensure your child’s cloth nappies fit comfortably but snugly. Poorly fitting nappies can lead to leaks and wet clothes, making it harder to manage potty training. 

Opt for adjustable nappies that grow with your child, ensuring a secure fit at every stage.

If nappies are too tight your little one will struggle to pull them up or down, there are pull up versions available or additions you can snap onto the hip to make your normal nappies into pull ups.

2. Recognise Patterns

Cloth nappies make it easier to observe when your child wets. You can track their habits over a few days to identify patterns. Schedule potty breaks around the time you know they are likely to poop! Catching that first one is sometimes a light bulb moment for little ones.

3. Ask How Their Nappy Feels

Encourage your child to describe how their nappy feels after they’ve gone. This practice builds awareness of the connection between the urge to go and the sensation of wetness, a critical step in potty training. Prompt them to let you know if they can BEFORE they go as well as after.

4. Start with Daytime Training

Begin potty training during the day when you can actively monitor and guide your child. Tackle night times once daytime potty use becomes consistent. Prepare for this to be much later than daytime dryness as it is hormone led rather than self will - however most kids naturally do both at the same time. Wetting the bed can continue long beyond the toddler age.

5. Use Training Pants

Consider switching to cloth training pants. These are less absorbent than regular cloth nappies, encouraging children to use the potty while still offering protection against accidents. They look more like big kid pants so your toddler will feel grown up.

If you are out and about take spare pairs of training pants and bottoms. They are only designed to hold one small wee.

6. Make Potty Time Fun

Create a positive experience around the potty training journey. Use rewards, praise, or fun books to motivate your child. The goal is to make them feel proud of their progress. Don't bellow too loud with excitement if they pee on the potty or you'll put them off!

If needs be, play with water to speed up that first attempt!

Child friendly toilet seats stop little ones feeling like they are going to fall into the loo.

7. Be Patient

Every child learns at their own pace. Wait for signs that your child is ready.

Be patient and supportive, even if accidents happen. Celebrate small wins to keep your child motivated. I just kept a stack of cheap pants and trackie bottoms handy and we seamlessly changed and carried on playing, even if we were out - a wet bag is an easy way of carrying extra clothes and wet bits.

8. Offer Frequent Potty Breaks

Give your child plenty of opportunities for sitting on the potty throughout the day, especially during normal times we'd use the loo - like before meals when you are hand washing or before naps.

9. Stay Consistent

Being consistent is key to successful potty training. Stick to a routine, and involve anyone else who looks after your toddler - nursery, childminders, Grandparents should all be on the same page.

10. Communicate with Your Child

Talk to your child about potty training in simple, encouraging terms. Help them understand what’s happening and why it’s important. Get them to tell you when they think they need to go, let them hang out with you while you go (they probably already are!)

Recommended Nappies for Potty Training

Here are some of our top picks for reusable absorbent pants to use during potty training - all are available on the site under potty training:

Bright Bots Training pants:

These are lightweight, easy to pull up, and designed for toddlers transitioning to the potty. They will catch the leaks that happen as you rush to the toilet keeping outer clothes dry. Available in size S (12-18 months) -XL (3-4 yrs) in bold primary colours.

A super value and effective pull-up, which we estimate will hold one wee, change as soon after an accident as possible to avoid leaks (this aids your child's awareness of the fact that they have wet)

£4.95 per pair

Bells Bumz Training pants:

With adjustable side snaps, and a pocket for extra boosting these reusable potty training pants are perfect for growing toddlers. 

They help bridge the transition from nappies to big kid pants, they are pull up style with an underwear like fit. Available in two sizes— aged 18 months to 3 years and 3 to 5 years.

Unlike disposable pull up nappies, the natural fabric provides a "wet underwear feel," which is important for toddlers to recognise the sensation of wetness, prompting them to use the potty.

£8.99 per pair

My Little Training Pants:

A versatile option that works well for both day and night training. 

These pants can be used on their own. Check out the My Carry Potty range if your nipper is potty ready!

Washable training pants work differently to disposable pull-ups. Allowing your child to feel wet promotes recognition of bladder leaks. This helps to speed up toilet training. The pull-up style, helps your little one feel independent as they look and feel like pants.

We recommend wearing with nothing over the top to start with so they start to understand when they are going. They will hold one little wee, and then need changing.

£14.95 for three pairs

Bells Bumz Pull Up / Swim Nappy:

Available in birth to potty 10-40lbs and junior size  35-75lbs, these versatile reusable pull up nappies double up as a swim nappy too. Essentially a pull up pocket nappy, just add inserts to make it absorbent. The outer layer of the nappy is made from a stretchy PUL with a stay dry athletic wicking jersey inner.

£9.95-10.95 per pair

Cheeky Wipes Kids Pants:

Great for potty training as your child moves from pull-up style pants to big kid pants?

Perfect if your new school starter can't make it through the day without a little dribble.

Designed to be gender-neutral and have an underwear like feel, choose black shorts or red briefs. Perfect for children who need a little extra confidence when starting school or while managing occasional nighttime bedwetting.

£11.49 per pair

Each of these products is designed with comfort, durability, and ease of use in mind, making them ideal for potty training.

Potty training with cloth nappies doesn’t have to be a challenge. By fostering awareness and consistency, cloth nappies can make this milestone more manageable for both you and your child. If you have questions or experiences to share, feel free to leave a comment below. For more tips and resources, explore our other blog posts or contact us directly. We’d love to hear from you!

You can read more of our blogs for helpful tips and guides:

Potty training on the go

What are potty training pants

How to Choose a Great Reusable Nappy

Why are Children Potty Training Later? And How to Help

Potty Training: When and How

Avoid plastic waste travelling with babies

About the Author: Kirstin on our customer services team loves spending her days helping customers with their reusable period product needs and advising cloth nappy using families. Kirstin lives with her three teenagers and loves walking, cycling and sea swimming year round in our beautiful bay.She is excited to share her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for all things reusable, helping a new generation of parents navigate eco-friendly choices for their children.