OT: Which potty for potty training?

[Fall1]

I need to start potty training my twin DS and DD. They are 2.5 months old and showing slight interest.

Which potty seat do I use? Should I just do a step stool and the seat that goes on top of the real potty?

Please help, which is the best approach/seat?

Thanks!!

 

[all4fun]

I would just stick with something simple like a Bjorn potty chair. Something that is easy to clean. I say that because we bought this musical chair, I think it was called "The Royal Potty" or something like that, and the thing had so many nooks and crevices that it was horrible to clean. I ended up throwing it away when we were finally done with it. The musical thing was a gimmick that never really worked for ds anyway, not to say it won't work for some kids. DS took a really long time to PT, so I tried everything - we used the little toilet seat insert on the big toilet too. I liked that the little potty can be anywhere. Little kids are easily distracted and might not want to go if they have to stop playing. If the potty chair is right there in the same room, it may be easier to get them to use it. once they start using it, you can move it into the bathroom. You just have to do whatever works for your situation, IMO. 2-1/2 yrs is still young but some kids definitely DO get trained at that age. Good luck!

 

[clori]

My kids wouldn 't use any little potty chair but I preferred the baby bjorn seat for ease of cleaning. They both trained using a seat that stays attached to the toilet seat called something like flip and flush.

 

[aidtrismommy]

I would just stick with something simple like a Bjorn potty chair. Something that is easy to clean. I say that because we bought this musical chair, I think it was called "The Royal Potty" or something like that, and the thing had so many nooks and crevices that it was horrible to clean. I ended up throwing it away when we were finally done with it. The musical thing was a gimmick that never really worked for ds anyway, not to say it won't work for some kids. DS took a really long time to PT, so I tried everything - we used the little toilet seat insert on the big toilet too. I liked that the little potty can be anywhere. Little kids are easily distracted and might not want to go if they have to stop playing. If the potty chair is right there in the same room, it may be easier to get them to use it. once they start using it, you can move it into the bathroom. You just have to do whatever works for your situation, IMO. 2-1/2 yrs is still young but some kids definitely DO get trained at that age. Good luck!

I had the same one for my first son. As soon as he peed and the song played, it would startle him and then distract him from finishing. I took out the batteries because it was such a nuisance. I also bought him the baby bjorn seat to put on the big potty. It is about $30 but worth every penny because it is so easy to clean and sturdy and my son still uses it today. My second son is turning 2 soon so I bought him the baby bjorn little potty to use. He isn't in love with the idea of peeing on ANY potty but he does sit on it and read books. Very simple design and easy to clean. I suggest getting both types of pottys because some kids really want to use the big potty and some prefer the little ones.

 

[sau418]

I totally agree with the pp, go simple and easy to clean. We have two from Safety first. My girls wanted treats after they pottied rather than bells and whistles while they tried.

 

[all4fun]

I had the same one for my first son. As soon as he peed and the song played, it would startle him and then distract him from finishing. I took out the batteries because it was such a nuisance. I also bought him the baby bjorn seat to put on the big potty. It is about $30 but worth every penny because it is so easy to clean and sturdy and my son still uses it today. My second son is turning 2 soon so I bought him the baby bjorn little potty to use. He isn't in love with the idea of peeing on ANY potty but he does sit on it and read books. Very simple design and easy to clean. I suggest getting both types of pottys because some kids really want to use the big potty and some prefer the little ones.

Yeah, we took the batteries out of it, too. It also would play for us any time someone flipped the light on in the bathroom, lol. Nice idea, just didn't work, at all.

 

[tam626]

I must agree with all the pp's; get a simple & easy to clean one. Something they can get on & off of easily too.

 

[ZPT1022]

With my first we had the little potty chair, what a PITA, and I was skeeved out by cleaning it, it was just gross. Honestly, DD didn't really like the potty chairs either. What worked better and what we went right to with the twins was a little seat right on the potty. Much easier and much easier to transition to just sitting right on the potty when they were bigger. Also easier to bring somewhere, and actually since it was so cheap and easy to store, my mom and MIL both just got their own for their houses


Someone mentioned the seat that attaches to the actual toilet seat and flips up and down. DH's cousin had one at her house and maybe I am just a germaphobe but ewww.... as an adult, I don't want that thing touching my back while I'm sitting on the toilet any more than I would want to flip up the regular lid and sit on the bowl. Just seems gross and the one at DH's cousin's house always has pee on the bottom of it from her son. Nasty. I realize that part of the issue is cleaning it but I don't want to have to scrub the toilet and seat every time one of the kids goes to the bathroom

 

[brergnat]

NEITHER of my boys used a "potty". We had three of them total. What a waste of money!

We successfully used (well, still use actually, for #2) a Baby Bjorn brand footstool paired with the Bjorn seat INSERT. This is the best way to go, IMO.

The whole thing about the little potties is that they are not "real world" preparation. Eventually, you'll have to leave the house, and public bathrooms don't have cute little plastic potties. BUT, you can easily bring along the Bjorn insert if you wish, when visiting friends/family, or when travelling. Doesn't take up much room.

I think one of the single most disgusting things is seeing parents who actually BRING and SET UP plastic potties at public places, like the park! Or, even worse, in the BACK of their cars. Ewwwwwww.

 

[tartemis]

IMHO, just use the regular toliet with a kids seat that you can take on and off couple with a foot stool to help them get on and off. We use the Bjorn seat. We put a nail in the wall next to the toliet that our DD hangs it on when she is finished.

The thought of having to dump and clean a little potty grossed me out. Plus, this way you eliminate the second transition to the adult toliet.

 

[squirrel]

I like the kid sized seat on the regular toilet.

My sister has the one that flips down and is attached to the toilet. She has girls and it works fine for them. It would be gross if you go to use the adult one and find pee all over the seat.

 

[liznboys]

Which potty for potty training? The one already in your bathroom.

I never used a potty chair with my boys. I agree with the pp. They are gross and they create an extra step.

I used a potty seat insert with my older two sons, but then with my 3rd and 4th sons, I just went straight to the real deal. I do have a step stool in front of the toilet (the Ikea one that is curved so it fits well there) so my 3 yr old can get up there.

You can do potty training with very little "stuff". The simpler the better IMO.

 

[jennyleettu]

We started with the Bjorn, Avery PT really young (along with be really short) it was one of the few she could sit comfortably at. We still take it in the car with us everywhere we go because it is so easy to clean.

When she got a little older she started wanting to sit on the big potty so we got one of those seats that fits on the top but it folds up, it was/in wonderful because she can use it at home with a stool but then if we are going shopping or (Disney) then we can fold it up and put it in a ziplock and take it with us for public potties!!

 

[disney_family_1247]

I have three potty-trained children, and I cannot say enough-use the stool and sit on top seat for the real toilet!!! Your children will be able to use public toilets and toilets at other people's houses. Buy a portable, fold up seat to put on them (like $15 at Babies R Us or Walmart). If you use the small potty, they will learn to use it, then have to learn to use the other one later. Why add a step?

My oldest was 100% trained at 34 months, second at 28 months, and youngest at 23 months, and all went from diapers to underwear in one week

 

[mom2maggie]

We used the boon potty bench and loved it. She uses it now as a stepstool.

 

[KateMW]

I am another vote for the real potty with a seat insert on it. It's better for using the potty in public and it's so much easier AND cleaner then a potty chair. Also, I would wait until they are 3ish. 2.5 yr olds who potty train easily are the exception, not the rule. Oh and potty training in the summer is much easier then the winter. Less clothes to get off when the urge hits them!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Neither of my kids used a potty chair but, they did use a little seat that attached to the regular toilet seat. We also used a little kids step stool for my son (so he could reach).

*The one thing that worked great for my son and nephew when learning to pee was placing cheerios in the toilet for them aim at. It made it like a game and they were always willing to try. I know they make a paper "target" I think they are called tinkle targets but, I think cheerios work just fine.

 

[CLR4321]

I had this one for my son http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Fun-To-Learn-Potty/dp/B000BGJSE2 , although he only used it a few times. He wanted to use the regular toilet instead, probably because they were helping to train him at daycare, and she just had him use the regular toilet.
I thought this one was cute, and he actually still uses it as a stepping stool in the bathroom while washing his hands and brushing his teeth. He is actually 5 now. So I got my money's worth by him using it as a stepping stool. It is cute though to have in the bathroom next to the big toilet!

I have heard good things about the Baby Bjorn potty http://www.amazon.com/BABYBJÖRN-Lit...ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1258260911&sr=1-3 although have heard that it doesn't do as well for older toddlers who are potty training. Baby Bjorn also makes this one http://www.amazon.com/BabyBjörn-055115US-BABYBJÖRN-Potty-Chair/dp/B000056J7L/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_b which is a little bigger and will accommodate older toddlers.

 

[RSADP]

I have three potty-trained children, and I cannot say enough-use the stool and sit on top seat for the real toilet!!! Your children will be able to use public toilets and toilets at other people's houses. Buy a portable, fold up seat to put on them (like $15 at Babies R Us or Walmart). If you use the small potty, they will learn to use it, then have to learn to use the other one later. Why add a step?

My oldest was 100% trained at 34 months, second at 28 months, and youngest at 23 months, and all went from diapers to underwear in one week

LUCKY!

 

[geauxpink63]

My DD is 2 (will be 3 mid January) and she was fully PT in September. We bought the seat that goes on top of the regular potty and put one in each bathroom. I did get a little potty and I keep that in my car (along with Clorox wipes, plastic grocery bags, and toilet paper) when we are out and about, its a lifesaver when potties are few and far between.

For traveling in the parks get the fold and go seat that sits on top of the regular potty. If you use this method at home, it shouldn't be too much of a distraction.

Also, I never used pull-up style diapers with my DD. Only panties and regular diapers (at night) until she was ready to go all night in underwear. She knew the difference between the pull-up and underwear and would potty in the pull-up each and every time I placed it on her. She was PT (days) in August (took 2 weeks) and was FULLY trained (all day and night) in September.

GL with your PT days! Its hectic, but SO worth it