Pull ups are gender-specific and are designed for boys and girls entering their potty-training phase. Pull ups serve as an affirmation where you recognize that your little one is growing up. They have different target absorption points for boys and girls, which makes them easier to use for a specific gender, although gender-neutral pull ups exist as well. In the end, it’s a personal choice.
Like everything, conventional diapers serve a purpose, and most diapers are gender-neutral, particularly the smaller sizes.
Pull-ups differ as they are designed with absorption points which differ between boys and girls.
However, many first-time parents will often purchase pull-ups believing they function the same as regular diapers, which is not true.
Let’s delve deeper into the purpose and design of pull-ups.
What’s the purpose of using pull ups?
The big question is when to put regular diapers to the side and introduce pull-ups.
Yes, pull ups can be extremely convenient and save a bit of time, which is great, but diapers are easier to change, thanks to the removable side panels.
However, timing and understanding are essential to comprehend the exact purpose of pull-ups fully.
Pull-ups are designed differently for boys and girls, focusing primarily on adsorbing pee while offering an easy clean-up solution for the occasional solid poo accident.
In essence, pull-ups promote “hassle-free” potty training for toddlers.
Infants develop at a relatively uniform pace but may vary in development which many different factors can influence.
Biologically, boys and girls require absorption in different diaper/pull-up areas, which is why gender-specific pull-ups were introduced.
Diapers vs. pull ups
Diapers are designed to be used from birth to the point where your little one is ready for potty training.
This transition period usually begins at about two years old but is a phased developmental milestone aided by improved communication skills.
During the day, your little one may give you signs or say baby words to let you know they want to use the toilet.
This is the time to transition to pull-ups as they serve more as padded underwear than function as a diaper.
Here are a few concerns parents tend to have:
Cost
Cost is a big concern for many parents, and pull ups are generally more expensive than regular diapers.
However, the cost over time evens out as pull-ups can be pulled down and up again after your little one has used the potty.
You use fewer pull-ups the more potty-trained your little one becomes.
Diaper sizes compared to pull-up sizes
As mentioned, diaper sizes begin from newborn to size 7. Pull ups are designed for toddlers and usually start at size 3 or 4 and go up in size.
Comfort
This is another issue that concerns parents. While diapers are comfortable for infants, pull ups are more comfortable for toddlers as they offer greater flexibility for a mobile toddler.
There is an ongoing debate about whether pull-ups are as absorbent as regular diapers.
Both are made with the same absorbent material (sodium polyacrylate) and, therefore, should function identically.
Parents claim that diapers are less prone to leaking and absorption is better than pull ups which confirms the actual function of each.
Diapers
Diapers, particularly the smaller sizes, are designed to absorb pee and some moisture in runny poo to a degree.
This helps to mitigate the onset of skin irritation or a rash developing, especially on sensitive skin.
Unisex diapers are highly absorbent and have a large absorption area from the front to the back to accommodate both boys and girls.
Diapers have convenient side flaps that can be stuck back into place after mom checks her little one’s diaper, only to find it’s still dry and clean. Diapers should be changed when wet or soiled.
The shape of girls’ and boys’ diapers differ, but the difference is hard to spot as they look almost identical.
But boys’ diapers are usually rectangular or square-shaped, while girls’ diapers are usually rounder. This subtle difference allows for a more comfortable fit.
Pampers and Huggies introduced unisex diapers in the mid-1990s, but before that, diapers were designed specifically for each gender.
The logic behind gender-specific diapers was that boys and girls have different areas needing more absorbency.
The logical process was to target the absorbent materials where they most needed them.
Technology advancements changed science a tad and created a single gender-neutral design.
But biology and science always prevail, evident in the pull up gender-specific design.
Some brands still produce gender-specific diapers, which help once your little one begins sleeping through the night.
Generally speaking, diapers and pull-ups can be measured by their absorbency level, but more importantly, by the areas where absorption is the greatest.
Once again, the logic is that the more adsorbent the diaper or pull up is, the longer it will keep your little one dry during the night.
It’s important not to depend on absorbency to limit or reduce the number of diapers or pull up changes during the day and at night.
Every mother knows how regularly their little one pee and poop.
Diapers and pull ups should be regularly checked to avoid possible skin irritation. The cardinal rule is not to push adsorption to the limit.
Pull ups
Pull ups are mostly gender-specific, meaning they have focused areas of absorption that target pee points.
Boys’ pull ups have high absorbency in the front, while girls’ pull ups have it in the middle.
Although pull ups function the same as diapers and can be used as such, pull ups are transitional diapers to regular underwear.
Having said this, every child develops at their own pace, and there is no rule for when to begin using pull ups.
Pull ups have side tear points that allow for clean changing when soiled in the same manner as a regular diaper.
This is great but once torn, the pull up cannot be used again unless you use tape, which is not recommended for obvious reasons.
The tear points are there for when an accident happens and is all part of potty training.
Absorbency points for boys and girls in pull ups
We have established that most diapers are designed for both genders and soak up any moisture expelled by the body.
This is consistent for newborns and infants, but as your little one gets bigger, they begin mastering their bowel movements.
The occasional accident may still occur, but this will become less and less until your little one transitions to regular underwear.
Pull ups designs
For boys, extra absorbency is focused in the front, while for girls, extra absorbency is placed in the middle. Enough absorbent material is used across the pull ups to limit leaks.
Let’s take a look at two popular brands:
Huggies pull ups
The Huggies range has several varieties that include Cool and Learn, Learning Designs, and Night Time.
Cool and Learn lets toddlers know they have just made an accident by allowing for a brief period of coolness and wetness.
Learning Designs pull ups have a design that disappears when the diaper is wet. Night Time diapers are extra absorbent and keep your little one dry for long periods.
Huggies has introduced refastening hook-and-loop sides to change diapers without undressing your toddler.
Pampers Easy Ups
These are training underwear with a slim profile that feels like underwear and have a stretchy waistband that toddlers can easily pull down and up again.
They are designed with a double leak barrier around the legs with extra absorbent zones.
Easy Ups are designed with easy-rip seams to allow hassle-free cleaning when an accident happens.
Helping your toddler with potty training
Transitioning to pull ups shows your toddler that you acknowledge that they are growing up. This is a big psychological boost for toddlers who frequently focus on being big.
Your little one will demand their own “big” bed even if it takes months of coaching to sleep overnight in their bed.
Dressing up in mom or dad’s clothes is another example of acting and feeling big.
There are many examples of how our little ones focus on growing up and becoming independent.
Pull ups allow our little ones to do things for themselves while offering a clean-up solution for accidents.
FAQ’s
Are the pull ups’ tear points strong enough not to tear when my toddler uses the potty?
Yes, the tear points are specifically designed to withstand pulling on them.
You need to use two hands to tear the point apart, not a motion that children can easily master.
Why do pull ups leak more than diapers?
This is a technical question, but to put it simply, the material used is identical in both, and if you are using the correct size and gender type for your little one, then there should be no problem.
Older children will pass more urine than younger children, especially with a full bladder at night.
Both diapers and pull ups have a threshold to how much liquid can be absorbed before leaks occur.
Wrapping up
Conventional diapers mostly accommodate both genders, while pull ups are usually designed as gender-specific diapers.
The objective is to keep your little one dry, fresh, and happy. The question about which is better for your little one is a personal choice.
If you follow the needs and development phases of your little one, then pull ups should be considered from about the age of two.
The biggest concern that parents should focus on is keeping their little ones dry and comfortable.
If you find pull ups work better for your little one during the night, don’t do this to avoid getting up to check on your little one and to change their diaper if need be.
Pull ups are a great learning tool for your toddler, and like regular diapers, they are easy to change.
