Clothes for a potty training toddler can help or hinder the potty training process. As your toddler gets close to the age when potty training is likely, you should start buying clothes with potty training in mind. That way, when your toddler shows signs of readiness, you won't have a closet full of clothes that are too difficult to remove quickly when it's potty time.
Toddler sure look cute in overalls, don't they? I loved the ease of dressing my daughter in overalls at that age, until it was time to potty train her. It was impossible for her to get the overalls off by herself if she realized she needed to use the bathroom, and in public restrooms I was always afraid the dangling straps would dangle their way right into the line of fire in the toilet. A little forethought on her wardrobe at the age when potty training was likely would have saved me some trouble, and some money.
Potty training clothes should be pretty basic and easy to remove. Ideally, your toddler shouldn't have to fuss with any buttons, snaps or zippers, so pants with elastic at the waist tend to work best. While you'll probably be right there helping your toddler use the potty at first, the time will come when he or she will realize what that feeling is, and head for the potty alone. That's when the ability to push those little pants down quickly becomes important.
For girls, simple skirts can be good potty training clothes, but it's best if they aren't too long, full or ruffly. Keep in mind that she'll have to get panties down and hold her skirt up, so anything long that might wind up in the potty isn't a good choice.
Potty Training: The Naked Version
Lots of parents get potty training started by letting their toddler run around naked for a weekend. This gets the little one used to the idea of no diapers, and it makes the accidents pretty obvious, so toddlers can make the necessary connections faster. It's a great method for some families, and you may want to give it a try. However, that doesn't mean you won't need to worry about potty training clothes for your toddler at all. Potty training is a process, and sometimes it can take a while. You'll probably need to leave the house at some point, and taking a naked toddler with you may not be the best idea (at the very least, the other play date parents might be a little angry about having to tell their toddler why he or she can't play naked, too). It's still a good idea to have some toddler-friendly outfits ready to go for excursions, and for the post-naked potty training phase, when your little one is still getting the hang of using the potty independently.
Good News for Your Toddler Clothing Budget
Don't pack away your toddler's outgrown clothes just yet. When potty training happens and the diapers go away, most kids can drop back a size in pants, and all of them will get a little extra wear out of their current size.
