Potty Training - Uncomfortable in Underwear

Jackson is sensitive to many sensory stimuli. He's gotten better as he's gotten older, but still very sensitive to certain things.

His latest is freaking out when he tries on underwear or swim diapers. We have tried them on several times when they expressed interest in the potty, just to let them try it out. In the process, we've learned that he can't stand underwear! At first, I thought it might just be a new sensation, but he is pretty consistent no matter what the circumstances, and we've tried several times. We've tried every type of undies - 5-pack elmo cheapies (compared to the velour he likes, noted below), Hanna Andersson's luxurious organic cotton... and everything in between. For two kids who aren't even potty training, we have quite the underwear stash.

We use cloth diapers, and he is fine with those, but not with anything that is "tight" around his crotch or his waist, like normal, well-fitting underwear have to be to stay up!

The only undies I can find that he will keep on for more than 2 seconds, without flipping out, are THESE. Yes, they are velour inside and out! :lol: I don't mind accommodating his comfort, but they are expensive, and he can't wear them forever (can he?).

Anyone else go through this? What did you do? Will my son be wearing velour underwear when he goes to college? I really do fear this might be an exception to the "oh, don't worry... he won't be doing it in college" saying. Is there a college for nudists? *sigh* :huh:

Is anyone has any good suggestions of reusable swim diapers with a very soft inner, please share. The ones I bought did not pass his sensitive boy parts test!!

 

The only thing I can think of is have you tried boxer-style underwear? Those at least would not be tight around his crotch/legs and maybe he would cope with the feel of the waist band.

 

QUOTE(Twin nanny @ Mar 26 2009, 05:01 AM) [snapback]1244876[/snapback]
The only thing I can think of is have you tried boxer-style underwear? Those at least would not be tight around his crotch/legs and maybe he would cope with the feel of the waist band.

I'd try this, too. They also make boxer-briefs for kids.

My DS doesn't like underwear, either, but I think it is a fear thing because he doesn't have the safety net of a diaper.

 

I was going to suggest boxer briefs one size too big. My boys prefer their undies loose and those are their favorite -- they just barely stay up but they don't mind a bit.

I don't know what kind of swim diapers you bought but ours were the Target ones (sorry, can't remember the brand) that are a soft terry inside and puffy enough that there is no snugness around their parts. No complaints here! My friend told me that when her boy PTed, she had a heck of a time with swim trunks because they all have that mesh "underwear" inside. She had to cut the mesh out and let him hang loose :lol:

 

We had the same problem with DS. He eventually grew out of it. We tried a bunch of different types but eventually, when he was finally ready to be trained (at almost 3.5), he was ok with the normal briefs. I do try to buy them a bit bigger but he doesn't complain anymore.

Good luck. Maybe you just need to give it another try in a few months. In the interim use the soft ones that he does like.

 

QUOTE(debid @ Mar 26 2009, 11:07 AM) [snapback]1245248[/snapback]
I was going to suggest boxer briefs one size too big. My boys prefer their undies loose and those are their favorite -- they just barely stay up but they don't mind a bit.

I don't know what kind of swim diapers you bought but ours were the Target ones (sorry, can't remember the brand) that are a soft terry inside and puffy enough that there is no snugness around their parts. No complaints here! My friend told me that when her boy PTed, she had a heck of a time with swim trunks because they all have that mesh "underwear" inside. She had to cut the mesh out and let him hang loose :lol:

I had some washable swim diapers. I bought them online, but I've seen them in several different stores including Target. They might be better if he is used to cloth diapers. I loved them because I'm cheap and we swim almost every day in the summer and I can't afford that many disposable swim diapers.

 

Are you handy with a sewing machine, or do you know anyone that is? I bet it wouldn't be too hard to make some underwear out of velour, if you have to...

 

I would try boxers or boxer briefs. My son loves his boxer briefs and my sisters son loves his boxers.

 

If it helps, I hate underwear too and no one makes fun of me (to my face anyway). I haven't worn underwear in 15 years or more, except when I HAVE to like after having babies and in skirts when I'm not wearing hose. To some it is gross, but I can't stand underwear.I have to wash my pants/shorts more often than most, but it's worth it to me. I literally can feel them on every second of every day I wear them, they ALL ride up or they fall down or are too lose or too tight. I can't win with undies, so I just don't wear them. Now, my 5 year old hates them too, but he will wear them to school or over to a friend's house. When he is at home he takes them off and he rarely sleeps with them on under his pj's. He just told me they don't feel good and I see him constantly picking at them when he has them on. I SO understand how he feels, so I don't make a big deal about it. We have tried every style of underwear over the past couple of years, but none are great. he loves boxers, but not under pants because they bunch up. He really is just like me. I wish I had seen those velour ones when he was training, they look comfy!

I say don't give up yet, he will get used to underwear once he finds the kind he likes. It will liekly be a slower process for him since he has sensory issues. Don't push it, just encourage him to keep trying new types. I know it stinks to buy undies, I did the same thing. Good luck!

Kelly

 

My son hated the whitie tighties--that's what we called them--but he loved the boxer briefs. They were less tight around the crotch area, have you tried those? Harder to find in smaller sizes but so worth the search effort for us. He still prefers them to this day.

 

Target sells Hanes boxer briefs in smaller sizes. We have a lot of those and DS likes them.