Some parents rely heavily on pull-ups. The fact that they are made up to size 5 doesn't put a sense of urgency on potty training.

Parents who are new to the potty-training phase of parenthood are given a lot of options these days. Depending on where they look for advice, they could end up with a potty chair, a potty seat, or just using the regular toilet.

One thing is certain, though, most parents know about pull-ups. There are many brands to choose from, just like diapers. All of them have the same main features. They are designed to be a transitional undergarment between the diaper and underwear stage. Easy to pull on and off to prevent messes during potty training.

Pull-ups can be found in sizes ranging from 2T-5T. Does that necessarily mean all children will wear them until the age of 5? How can a parent tell if pull-ups are doing more harm than good?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics ​in order for a toddler to be successfully potty-trained, they need to be able to sense the urge to go, be able to understand what the feeling means, and then be able to verbalize that they need your help to make it to the toilet and actually go.

Pull-ups are similar to a diaper. They differ in the fact that they do not have as much absorbency as a diaper and have elastic sides. Most parents use pull-ups these days, as they seem part of the social norm. They are not, however, necessary for potty training. Pull-ups, in theory, are meant to make a child uncomfortable when they are wet; essentially encouraging them to use the potty vs going in their pants.

Yet, according to WebMD, many professionals recommend skipping pull-ups for daytime potty training. Instead, go straight to underwear, so your baby understands how it feels when they pee.

Parents might question at what age they stop using pull-ups. The answer to this is easy, yet complicated. Some parents rely too heavily on pull-ups. The fact that they are made up to size 5 doesn't put a sense of urgency on potty training.

Author, Psychologist, and Teacher Dana Obelman says, kids can become just as dependent on pull-ups as they were on diapers. The trick with potty training, as with so many aspects of parenting, is consistency. Once you make the decision to go diaper-free and commit to potty training, give it 100% and don't look back. You might have a few weeks of extra laundry, but before you know it your child will get the hang of it.

UC Davis Health adds that most children complete potty training by 36 months. By all means, parents who choose to make potty training a fun experience for their children should do so. Pull-ups do help with that. But beyond age three, unless there are underlying issues, or a child still needs them at night, they should not be needed.

According to Mayo Clinic, after a couple of weeks of successful potty breaks and remaining dry during the day, your child should be ready to trade training pants for underwear. This should be a celebrated occasion. Again, nighttime potty training may take a little longer, in which case a pull-up would still be fine to use.

There is absolutely no reason for any parent to feel like a failure if it takes their child longer to potty-train. When children are developmentally ready, they are ready. The AAP says, some things that may prolong potty training are:

When all is said and done, it is up to each parent to decide if and when their child is ready to move on from pull-ups.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, WebMD, Mayo Clinic, UC Davis Health, Dana Obelman

I am the mother of four boys. They were all born very premature. Two singletons and twins. I am very passionate about raising awareness for prematurity and mother's mental health. One of my sons has special needs as well. I have seen a different kind of motherhood than most, but very much enjoy writing articles to help parents of all kinds.