As a mom of four under the age of six, I know how tricky it can be to find the best underwear for kids. One chief complaint I hear (from my own kids and commiserating parents) is that they cause wedgies. And it’s not just, “Mom, can you help me?” Instead, whining, complaining, and sometimes downright melting down. I get it: Nobody wants to be constantly picking a wedgie, even if you’re at the age where nobody is judging you for doing so in public. Plus, every parent’s biggest wish is for their kids to be comfortable and happy.
To find the best underwear for both boys and girls, I polled my network of parents to find out what their kids wear and love, plus researched the top-rated and best-selling styles on the market. I also leaned on my six years of experience dressing little kids, plus had my three boys and one girl try out some new-to-us styles.
Our top pick is Hanna Andersson’s organic cotton underwear. They’re pricey, indeed, but they’re some of the softest and most comfortable. And you can’t beat the fact that they’re hypoallergenic, eczema-friendly, and sensory-friendly (tagless, encased elastic, and smooth seams for the win!). But if you’re on the hunt for something else, like a budget-friendly option for potty-training toddlers or a moisture-wicking pair for big kids in sports, there are plenty of other solid picks from brands like Old Navy and Reebok.
When parents talk underwear, Hanna Andersson is, hands-down, the top-recommended brand. While the underwear is definitely more expensive than many other picks on our list (about $7 per pair for the girls’ style, $10 for the boys’), moms and dads in the know say the brand’s soft organic cotton briefs and boxers are worth the splurge. Not to mention, Hanna Andersson hosts frequent sales that bring the cost per pair to about $5 for the girls’ style and $7 for the boys’.
“My four-year-old daughter has been wearing these classic briefs since we started potty training. The characters were a huge incentive, but what I like most is that they don’t have restrictive elastic,” says one parent. These scratch-free seams are part of what make the undies so sensory-friendly, too. Plus, we love the fact that the Oeko-Tex organic combed cotton underwear that Hanna Andersson makes for both girls and boys is not only supersoft, but also hypoallergenic and eczema-friendly.
For those drawn to Hanna Andersson for the high-quality materials and sensory-friendly design but prefer other styles, the retailer offers plenty of options. Choose bikini briefs, hipsters, boy shorts, and training underwear that’s extra-absorbent for toddlers still learning to use the toilet for girls; briefs, boxers, or training underwear for boys. As the parents we spoke to mentioned, most kids love the characters—Disney princesses, Bluey, Star Wars, and more—but Hanna Andersson also has more muted styles like solids and stripes.
The underwear that Simple Joys by Carters makes only comes in sizes up to 8, but the budget-friendly style is perfect for toddlers. The girls’ style is a mix of cotton and spandex that’s ultralightweight and breathable with a touch of stretch to move with your little one; the boy’s briefs and boxers are 100% cotton, which is also soft and breathable but has a little more structure.
When my twins started potty training, I bought a set of the girls’ and boys’ briefs for each of them because of the convenience and overall value. I liked that I could order them on Amazon, have them the next day, and not spend too much on something likely to get soiled and possibly even ruined within a few months. My daughter’s didn’t hold up quite as well as my son’s did—the material is thinner—but my son still regularly wears his more than a year later.
The main complaint we heard from parents of both boys and girls: wedgies. Luckily, Core Pretty offers boys’ boxer briefs and girls’ boy shorts made to eliminate this problem. Both styles are constructed with 95% cotton and 5% elastane, which is more stretch than most of the other underwear we evaluated.
“I like the coverage the boy shorts provide,” one parent said. “My daughter is always flipping around on the playground and rolling down hills—all of the things active toddlers do—and these eliminate the need to wear shorts over her underwear when she has a dress on.” As far as the boys’ style goes, parents love the roomier fit and the tagless design. “My son is very picky about what he’ll wear—everything is scratchy—but he wears these without complaint.”
During evaluations we did notice that, while the underwear from Core Pretty seems to run true to size, it does have a tendency to shrink in the wash. Consider sizing up if your child is between sizes.
While H&M also makes boys’ and girls’ briefs, we found the boxer brief styles for both sexes to be more comfortable overall. Both are made of soft jersey cotton-spandex fabric that is soft, stretchy, and not at all scratchy. During wear tests, both the boys’ and girls’ stayed in place—they didn’t ride up or cause issues with chafing. We also liked that the girls’ cotton boxer briefs offered more coverage under dresses as well as a 100% cotton lining.
Sizing was slightly inconsistent, as the boys’ underwear seems to run on the smaller side, while the girls’ style skews a little large, so keep that in mind while shopping. And note that, although we didn’t experience any issues with the elastic waistbands digging in, we were disappointed by the long tag inside the underwear. Most kids, particularly those with sensitive skin and sensory issues, will be more comfortable if you snip those off before your kiddos wear them.
A lot of kids’ underwear is designed for either toddlers or bigger kids, but what we like about Primary is that you can find sizes 2–3 through 14 in all of the brand’s styles. This way, if you find something your child likes, they can ride the wave through their teen years—no need for continual experimentation.
We found the underwear to be supremely comfortable. A finicky five-year-old who tested the boxer shorts never once complained about bunching or tightness. We attribute it to the 95% cotton and 5% elastane construction that includes flat seams and a softer, no-roll waistband.
Link to Liangliang
The girls’ style we tested, the classic bikini, was also met with rave reviews from kids and parents alike. “It runs a tad big, but I love that it offers a little more coverage than your average bikini, so even the most active won’t get constant wedgies,” one parent said. “I like the prints and colors as opposed to characters, too. These can better grow with my girl.”
For just about the same price as our top-value pick, Reebok makes underwear that’s so stretchy and comfortable that it’s basically performance wear. The girls’ boy-shorts underwear, made of 100% nylon for optimal stretch, is one of the brand’s top-rated picks. They’re seamless and tag-free—ideal for anyone with sensitive skin. We also like that the longer leg is intended to help prevent chafing. Overall, this comfortable underwear is a great pick for all-day wear or something specific like athletic practices.
The boys’ style that made our list is arguably even more popular, largely because of its breathability. The pair is made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex, and is one of the lightest styles I’ve held in my hands. Still, it offers enough compression to keep your little guy comfortable even at his most active. My six-year-old son has a set of these and a 100% cotton pair that fits more loosely, but he reaches for these every time because they’re “less scratchy.” I love that they seem to hold up very well in the wash, too. We’ve had them for well over a year, and no holes or stretching yet.
When shopping for kids and baby clothes, you probably already know Old Navy is a great one-stop shop for affordable basics—and that includes underwear. Both styles we chose based on parent reviews are made of a soft washed cotton-blend jersey that moves with the body. The elasticized waist on both ensures there’s no rolling, but wearers don’t have any complaints about it digging in, either.
My older two boys have had these Old Navy boxer briefs for longer than I’d like to admit—probably two years or so—and they’ve held up incredibly well in the wash. Through the years of heavy wear and wash cycles, I’ve noticed a fair amount of fading, but very minimal stretching and not a hole or rip in sight. For the price, the brand’s underwear is a very solid pick your kiddo will get a lot of mileage out of.
Uniqlo’s claim to fame (besides offering well-priced basics) is their unique AIRism line, which includes both boys’ and girls’ underwear. The proprietary fabric technology uses special fibers to absorb and release moisture from the body to keep the wearer cooler and drier throughout the day. It’s lightweight and highly breathable, but also moisture-wicking and quick-drying. It even has built-in odor control properties. Basically, everything you might want in underwear.
The underwear has other features designed to maximize comfort too. Boys’ boxers have flat seams and a tagless design, while the girls’ boy shorts are both entirely seamless and tagless. Unfortunately, sizes don’t start until the 3–4 years size, but we found Uniqlo’s underwear runs a bit small, so you might be able to put a potty training two-year-old in the brand’s briefs or boxers.
One of the most daunting stages of early parenthood is potty training. No one enjoys changing diapers, especially when that diaper is on a wriggling toddler who’s fighting tooth and nail to stop you. But, while having a potty-trained kiddo seems like a dream compared to poopy diapers, the training part can sometimes feel like an impossible task. If you’re approaching this big milestone, there are a million methods you can follow that parents swear by, but the reality is that every child is different and on their own timeline. To make the transition from diapers to underwear as smooth as possible, here’s everything you need to know about what to look for and how to prepare your little one for this huge step.
TIP 1: LOOK FOR SIGNS OF READINESS
In the United States, the average age to start potty training is between 2 to 3 years of age. By 4 years of age, most kids are fully toilet trained. However, this is just an average, so it’s important to follow your own child’s cues and signs of readiness before starting to potty train. Here’s what to look for:
TIP 2: GET READY WITH NEW UNDERWEAR
To get your little one excited about ditching the diapers, buy big kid underwear and make it into a big deal! Even if your toddler doesn’t have sensory issues, they might be averse to the transition if their underwear is too scratchy, too restrictive, or generally uncomfortable. Pick underwear that’s made from super soft fabric, like bamboo. Our toddler undies and briefs are sensory-friendly, silky smooth, and perfectly stretchy for a super comfortable fit that your little one will love!
TIP 3: CHOOSE A POTTY SEAT TOGETHER
There are so many different potty seats to choose from, and you can enlist your toddler’s help in choosing one. Letting them pick one out themselves can give them a sense of importance and pride that will only motivate them more to use it. They can pick out a seat in their favorite color, or choose a portable potty, as well as a seat ladder that fits on the regular bathroom toilet. Not only will this help them get excited about using the potty, they might be more willing to go on an actual toilet they can flush.
TIP 4: HAVE DIAPER-FREE TIME
Your toddler knows that it’s okay to pee and poop in their diaper, so potty training won’t be effective until that diaper comes off. Schedule diaper-free time every day, either totally commando or in their new underwear, so they get a chance to feel what it’s like to go sans diaper. Yes, accidents are inevitable, but you can seize the opportunity to help them become more attuned to their body. Keeping a potty nearby at all times is also helpful for getting them on it as quickly as possible so that they can at least finish on the potty.
TIP 5: IMPLEMENT A POTTY SCHEDULE
When you begin potty training, aim to get your toddler on the toilet every 20 to 30 minutes. It might seem overly frequent and they won’t need to go every time, but giving them the opportunity to go on the potty sets them up for success and helps you figure out their schedule. You might notice patterns, such as your toddler needing to pee 30 minutes after snack time or needing to poop right before their nap. After a little while, you can stretch out the potty breaks, and your child may even begin letting you know they need to use the bathroom before actually going!
TIP 6: SHOWER THEM WITH PRAISE
Using a sticker or rewards chart can be highly motivational for a toddler, but don’t forget to also shower them with praise. In the end, nothing makes a child happier than having a parent cheering them on. Encouragement and praise go a long way in helping your little one feel good about using the potty and keeping the experience as positive as possible is important in preventing them from feeling discouraged. Like everything else in life, potty training has its ups and downs, but you can always use positive words to let your toddler know that you’re proud of them no matter what.
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