We’ve tried several different cloth trainers over the years and I’ve enjoyed sharing my feedback with you.

Today I’m reviewing the sized Tinkle Time Trainers by Ladder Hill Design. You can order custom daytime or nighttime trainers with lots of different options – pull-up styles, snapping styles, fold-over-elastic pants with or without snaps, and trainers with stuffable pockets. Ladder Hill also offers bamboo fleece soaker pads for extra absorbency.

If you are interested in obtaining the pattern for these trainers, you can contact Ladder Hill Designs for a seamstress license.

 

Because of all the size options and customization that goes into the trainers, they range in price from $18.95 to $33.95. Of all the trainers we’ve tried, these are the priciest, but they are also VERY high quality and well-made.

We used Tinkle Time Trainers to potty train Benjamin. Here he is at age 3 (that was over a year ago) sporting his cow print day trainers with snapping sides:

In this photo, the trainer is opened up to show the inner layer of cotton velour (so they can feel wet). Hidden inside is an additional layer of Zorb, a highly absorbent but trim synthetic fabric. The leg bands can be made of cotton or poly fleece; we chose the latter to lessen the chance of moisture wicking out onto Benjamin’s clothes.

He also had a second pair for nighttime; they were pull-ups with no snaps and could be stuffed.

Things I love about the Tinkle Time Trainers:

• The customization options are incredible: you get exactly the size you need, in the fabrics and prints that you want AND with the style options that work best for your child.
• The way these trainers fit is unbeatable. Even though Benjamin was very skinny, they hugged him snuggly yet comfortably. Not once did the trainers sag or droop or puff out.
• They don’t look like diapers, even the snapping versions that making cleaning up number 2 so easy.
• The customer service Hope offers at Ladder Hill is super fast and highly professional. She kept in constant touch about my order and double-checked twice over to make sure all my specifications were met before sewing AND after completion.

Anything I would improve on? Not really. I know the price is high for training pants, but you get what you pay for. These are ideal for very early potty learners and for heavy wetters because they are SO incredibly absorbent, and the vast array of prints makes boys and girls (even those who are older) eager to use and wear them. They are so well made that they will easily last for more than 1 child, even after heavy use.

Add to that Hope’s personal service and the high-quality materials she uses, and you can see the value is built into the price. It’s no wonder that most of the trainers on her site are sold out almost as soon as she lists them. Thank goodness for custom work, huh?

Granted, we were only able to afford 2 of these. I wish we could have gotten more, especially because 2 trainers don’t last very long with many accidents at the beginning.  So I guess if I could make one suggestion to Ladder Hill, it would be to offer some kind of price break on multiple purchases, or maybe a “package deal” of trainers when you buy 4 or more.