Potty Training Tips: Shopping for a Potty Part IV

One further thought on your potty purchase.  If you do choose to go the potty seat route, then don't forget to get a step stool.  This way your toddler can climb up him or herself, further asserting their potty independence.

We ended up with a "Rhino" folding step stool.  These are nice because you can just fold them up to store next to the toilet.  We also figure that once our son grows up, we'll still be able to use this type of stool in contrast to some other step stools, which are toddler exclusive in the sense that an adult of average weight couldn't stand on it.

Potty Training Tips: Shopping for a Potty Part III

What type of potty to get -- a potty seat or a potty chair -- is really a preference, and it is up to you and your toddler.

We started out with a potty chair.  But it turned out that our son wasn't much for the potty chair.  He used it periodically, but it never caught on.  Instead, he really started to get interested in the potty when we had him work with a potty seat.  We think he just enjoyed being able to go potty where his mom and dad do.

In addition to our son's personal preference, we also have to point out what is probably obvious -- you have to empty out the potty chair into the toilet.  And then you have to clean out the potty chair.

That can get pretty nasty.

Shopping for a Potty, Part II

The second major category of potties for toddlers are really just toilet seats that fit onto a standard size toilet seat.  Technically, these are "potty seats."  The first category of stand-alone potties, which I discussed in a prior post, are "potty chairs."

Here's an example of a Disney "Pooh" potty seat:


 













Generally, one potty seat is pretty much like another.  The technology is pretty simple.  The color of the seat, or the art on the seat, is the biggest difference.

If you go this route, we recommend also getting a potty hook.  Otherwise you keep having to put the potty seat on the ground or you forget about it, with adverse consequences once your toddler starts doing his or her thing on his or her own.

Potty Training Tips: Shopping for a Potty

We were surprised at the variety of different types of potties available for toddlers.  In general, they really just break down into two big categories.

The first is a small potties that don't drain into a toilet. 

 

These typically can just sit in a bathroom.  Some parents are willing to put these potties in another room, for toddlers who aren't comfortable with the potty process and prefer to try to use the potty in a room in which they feel more comfortable.

One example is the Baby Bjorn Potty Chair.  Here's a picture and a link:

We started with the Bjorn.  There are lots of other stand-alone small potties on the market.  Some are shaped like animals (Fisher-Price has a frog shaped potty called the "Froggy Friend":

Potty Training Tips: How to Start

We suggest that you plan an upcoming "start" date for potty training.  This gives you a chance to create a potty training plan.  All participants get a chance to prepare for this developmental stage -- you are giving your toddler a chance to get psyched up!

Set up a week to start when you and any other caregivers can remind your toddler about going to the potty roughly every 1-2 hours during the day.  Before that start time, you can visit the potty periodically with your toddler to get ready, trying it out occasionally.

It may take some time for the first several sessions.  Be prepared to keep your toddler company.  Read to him or her -- have some books about the potty really close to the potty to read during these times of day.

Consider using a chart to mark your toddler's progress.  This isn't a new idea -- keeping track of progress by handing out star stickers is as old as adhesive star stickers.  But it works!  Kids just like getting stars.

Consider setting up a reward system, too.  For our son, we agreed that we would get him a present once he reached the ten star mark.  We had him pick out the present before starting out -- he picked a wooden pirate ship as his goal.  That was a pretty big step -- a few intensive days of potty training.   Other rewards might include a special event -- a beach day.  A trip to get ice cream.  A fun time in the backyard or a nearby park.  We suggest that it be someplace that the toddler can try out his or her new underwear for a day.

Potty Training Tips

We came by most of these tips by trial and error.  We also got advice from discussions with friends and exchanged ideas at play dates.

• Look for readiness.  Every child is different!  Don't worry about whether it is too early to start, or whether it is taking too long to start.  
• For example, start a potty training library, reading one book at a time.  Look for readiness and interest when you read to them.
• Plan on this process taking lots of time.  
• Empower your child.  Get them on board.  One way to do this is by making it more like a game.
• Shop for potties with your child.  Or, have one appear as a gift from a special family member or good friend.