Potties come in a dizzying array of types, shapes and sizes. We’ve done the research and come up with five potty picks, one for every type of toddler.It may seem like you’re going to be changing diapers forever, but the day will come when your toddler is ready for potty training. Every child matures at his or her own rate, so don’t let (not-so) well-meaning parents of precocious toddlers pressure you into starting your child on the potty too early. Instead, look for signs that your baby is eager to take that next step:Even if your child isn’t totally ready to start, you probably want to start potty shopping so you can be ready for that momentous milestone. Potties come in a dizzying array of types, shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one for your child can be difficult. We’ve done some of the research to save you time and come up with five potty picks for every type of toddler.Toddlers like how the soft, cushiony seat on the Prince Lionheart pottyPOD cradles the tush and feels comfortably soft, no matter how many potty songs you sing together and books you read.
The pottyPOD is also the only anti-microbial potty on the market, as the seat is treated to inhibit the growth of microorganisms that can cause odors and mildew – a big selling point for us. Like most potties, the bowl and optional deflector shield remove easily for clean-up; but the pottyPOD’s foam seat is also removable so you can give it a deep-down clean. This one’s great for older toddlers, as the non-skid base flips over to add height for a little more legroom. On the other hand, this can make it a little big for the youngest tots. Comes in green, blue and pink.The Safety 1st Smart Rewards Potty is the ideal choice for gadget-loving toddlers. This interactive trainer helps guide the just-ready child through each training stage with all kinds of bells and whistles, rewarding her with phrases, songs and stickers as she develops new potty habits; she’ll hear a greeting when she sits down, a song when she goes and a reward and flushing sound after she’s done. When your tot’s ready to move to the grown-up toilet, the trainer seat lifts off for an easy transition.
This potty’s bowl is removable for fast and easy clean-up; there’s also an optional deflector shield. We love this potty’s bells and whistles, but it’s easy to see how the music can drive some parents – and their kids, too – crazy after a while. Note to Safety 1st: Add a volume control!The BABYBJÖRN Toilet Trainer is perfect for when your child is ready to transition to a grown-up toilet. The ergonomic design of the Toilet Trainer ensures your child is correctly and comfortably seated, while keeping him safe and secure. The seat has a built-in, angled splash guard to keep things neat and tidy, and a smaller opening that leaves plenty of room for wiping. This adapter seat soared to the top of our list because it fits toilets of all sizes and requires adjusting only before the first use. Built-in handle makes it easy to remove and store.We love the Hoppop Donut Potty not just for its sweet name, but also because it’s simple and beautifully designed – in fact, it won a 2011 red dot design award, joining the ranks of products like the Apple iPad and Dyson vacuum cleaners.
The Donut Potty sits low to the ground and has a wide base that won’t topple over easily, so it’s great for little ones who are just starting out on their potty-training journey. On the flip side, there is a chance your baby will outgrow it before she’s fully trained. The one-piece bowl/seat lifts out easily for cleaning and has a built-in splash guard to keep messes to a minimum. Comes in lime, aqua and fuschia.Perfect for the type of tot who will only go in his or her own potty, My Carry Potty is a lightweight, portable training toilet that’s leak- and odor-proof. My Carry Potty (we think this neat invention should be called the iCarryPotty) is designed to fold up neatly with a watertight seal so toddlers can tote it around to the park, the beach, on car trips or even from room-to-room – even after they’ve used it. We love that this ingenious model doesn’t require liners or bags, unlike other portable potties, so you’ll save money and the environment, and never be caught off-guard when your child needs to go.
Comes in yellow, blue and pink.With my daughter bound for preschool, it was time to tackle my toughest mom challenge ( aside from the teenage years): potty training. Aside from big girl underwear, a potty chair is a vital part of our potty training session. When shopping for the best potty chair, I looked at 3 important factors: safety, size, and simplicity. Low to the ground and easy for my daughter to use on her own, The BabyBjorn potty chair was my potty of choice. One of the reasons I chose the BabyBjorn potty compared to other potty chairs on the market, was for its simple design that blends easily into my bathroom’s decor. With seven colors to choose from, this potty will work with any bathroom decor. I also love that the potty is lightweight and portable- making it the perfect travel potty. The smooth, rounded design features a high back and generous overall size, making it extra comfortable for my daughter to sit on. Plus, the seat’s soft shape provides ample leg room.
The rubber strip along the base of the potty, means I don’t have to worry about it slipping around in my bathroom, even on my tile floor. Most importantly, this potty keeps the mess under control: The removable insert makes clean up quick and easy. There are no little places for bacteria to collect. Often times my daughter is able to assist me in emptying her potty. The one-piece base can be easily wiped clean. The plastic used is completely free from BPA, phthalates, lead and other nasty’s and the potty can even be recycled when my daughter outgrows it. If you’re potty training a boy, you will be glad to know that the BabyBjorn potty chair has a splash guard, which can cut down on post-potty cleanup by helping help keep the pee in the potty. Having trained two children successfully and now in the process of potty training my third child, I’m no expert. I have allowed her to be present while I am using the toilet. I train with bribes. I have used sticker books, and chocolate and have told her that she would not be training alone, that we would be training her Cabbage patch doll Sophia too.
We have talked and talked about the potty. We told her big girls use the potty, and read potty books. However, I have come to learn a few things about potty training that I want to share. Peeing in the potty is a totally different skill than pooping in the potty. Remembering to use the potty while fully commando is an entirely different skill than remembering to use the potty while wearing pants and pull-ups or underwear. For some odd reason, some kids are afraid to poop in the potty. What do the experts say? BABYBJÖRN has put together a list of top potty training tips from Dr. Robyn Strosaker, a pediatrician at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital that might just help you. o As a side note, there is nothing developmentally different between pull-ups and a diaper. Training will go quicker with underpants. A family owned company headquartered in Sweden, BabyBjörn has been producing innovative childcare products since 1961. Today, BabyBjörn works with an international network of pediatricians to develop products that reflect its core philosophy of quality, safety, and style.