Potty training while on a cruise and in port

[lanejudy]

PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS POTTY. My daughter nearly had her fingertip sliced off by that exact same one.

I'm very sorry your child was injured so badly! The link you provided, and presumably the product you purchased, is for a 2-in-1 Potette Plus.

That is NOT the foldable potty seat I meant. The one we used folded in quarters, round or oval-shaped (like a toilet seat) and when unfolded it sits flat on top of the toilet; simply creating a seat with a smaller opening facilitating use of the regular toilet. Not something that was stand-alone. Similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Sesame-Street...362087016&sr=1-3&keywords=foldable+potty+seat

 

[manateesmom]

I don't know, we used the Potette for more than a year with no issues. It's still the potty we bring when we're away from home (zoo, etc.). We had problems with the thin plastic one that folded into four quarters, that collapsed under DS's weight and freaked him out.

With the Potette, it seats firmly onto a public seat, so it doesn't slide around like the fold-up ones. It's also thicker.

The side flaps/legs do have to be locked into place if you're using it as a stand-alone potty. When the Potette is new, you need to use a fair degree of force to pull out the side "wings," angle them down, and then pop them into place. That becomes easier with use.

In my experience, though, we use the Potette almost exclusively in the "wings out" position on top of a larger toilet, where there's no danger of collapse.

FWIW, I don't personally have a problem with a little one going potty on the beach, we've all been subject to "offensive odors" from babies' diapers and, frankly, from adults who pass gas or don't wipe effectively. Urine is sterile. Poop happens

 

[lilpooh108]

In my experience, though, we use the Potette almost exclusively in the "wings out" position on top of a larger toilet, where there's no danger of collapse.

I wouldn't have a problem with it if it was marketed as for use only in the wings-out position.

But it is not--it is advertised as a 2-in-1 potty--both as a standalone and as a regular toilet seat cover.

I used it according to their instructions, the design is faulty. My post is to warn other moms not to use it even according to their instructions because it is not safe.

 

[CrusingFamily4]

When traveling with my girls while potty training we used the seat cover that folds into 4. (The same one LaneJudy posted about). I stuck it in a ziplock bag and also carried along a bag of disinfectant wipes to give it a wipe down after every use. As far as the noise goes of the toilets flushing... one of my 4 year old twins will still cover her ears while I flush.

Personally, if it was me, I would expose my daughter to the sounds and let her get accustomed. The portable seat cover worked quite well for us. Good luck with your decision and more importantly- have fun!

 

[CanuckTraveller]

When traveling with my girls while potty training we used the seat cover that folds into 4. (The same one LaneJudy posted about). I stuck it in a ziplock bag and also carried along a bag of disinfectant wipes to give it a wipe down after every use.

That's what we did too. The ziplock bag keeps the germs in the bag, Lysol wipes keep everything as clean as can be when dealing with the bathroom. I would make sure I know where all the bathrooms are in port (a little research will go a long way, it's amazing what you can find on the Internet!), and plan your port activities accordingly.

 

[wallawallakids]

You may be against this, but have you thought about just putting it on hold while on your cruise? Just my opinion but I have potty trained 4 children all within a weeks time. Of course mine were older than your DD is when we started. I waited until they were very interested which usually happened around 2.5 years of age. It seems like she is so young, taking a break during your cruise and then introducing the idea to her again when you get home and she is more comfortable might be a good idea. I never did potty train in public. I really worked on getting it down perfect at home before we ventured out and about. Diapers are just so much easier when traveling!! I miss those days at times. Esp. when I am leaving a line at WDW to run DD or DS to the bathroom!! Either way, good luck and enjoy your cruise.

 

[AZMermaid]

You may be against this, but have you thought about just putting it on hold while on your cruise?

I agree with this too- I feel like potty training should basically be over within a week (for us it was day 4). If it is taking longer than that, I would wait until she is older. I can't imagine 4 months of it!!

 

[jlwhitney]

You may be against this, but have you thought about just putting it on hold while on your cruise? Just my opinion but I have potty trained 4 children all within a weeks time. Of course mine were older than your DD is when we started. I waited until they were very interested which usually happened around 2.5 years of age. It seems like she is so young, taking a break during your cruise and then introducing the idea to her again when you get home and she is more comfortable might be a good idea. I never did potty train in public. I really worked on getting it down perfect at home before we ventured out and about. Diapers are just so much easier when traveling!! I miss those days at times. Esp. when I am leaving a line at WDW to run DD or DS to the bathroom!! Either way, good luck and enjoy your cruise.

I was thinking this too. Sounds like worrying about it the whole time won't make your cruise as enjoyable as it could be.

 

[Woodmnky]

Don't have any advice, but I wanted to say congratulations on BF'ing this long and for letting your daughter learn to control her body at her own pace

 

[disneypolybride2008]

hi. thank you all for such wonderful responses. i did order the travel potty 2 in 1, but i will send it back. i am so so sorry to hear it hurt your DD. i can just bring along her compact size baby bjourn.. it just barely fits in the diaper bag. i can just dump out what she makes into a bag. my DD is really good about doing her #2 in the potty, and she even only wants to do that in our upstairs potty. so she will get fussy about using the one downstairs if she knows she has to go #2. As far as #1, she just last month started saying 'potty' but sometimes she says if after she just went in her diaper.. so it could work to just have her go in her diaper (pull-up) if we are not in the room. that is probably what will end up happening.

as far as bringing the pop-up infant uv tent, will there be any problems bringing it to the beaches in the caribbean? i sure hope not. it was $50!

 

[disneypolybride2008]

thank you for supporting my breast-feeding of my DD. I'm so glad she is breast feeding. It is the best for her and me! The infant uv sun tent for the beach will give us privacy to breast feed at the beach. On the ship, we'll just have to go back to the room.

 

[Woodmnky]

If it is the little infant tent then you won't have a problem. I even saw one being used on CC.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

I agree with this too- I feel like potty training should basically be over within a week (for us it was day 4). If it is taking longer than that, I would wait until she is older. I can't imagine 4 months of it!!

the first 3 months i would put her on when i knew she would have to go and she would use the potty. the first day she actually used it the whole day and even did her #2 in it! from then sometimes i wouldn't get the timing right and she would go in her diaper. At age 17 months she would say potty, rarely, and more so at age 18 months. At just 19 months now, she gets fussy and cranky if i put her on it. She'll say potty and then happily use it, but i see she wants to use it on her terms now. She still goes in her diaper sometimes. Congratulations to the babies who get it all down pat in a few days.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-Infant-UV-Play-Shade/dp/B0014I4TYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362160675&sr=8-1&keywords=infant+uv+shade

this is what i bought. it says it is for infants. the size is a bit large though.

 

[julieanddanny]

Just back from our cruise. Dd is 2 yrs, 10 months. We've been diaper free since Nov but no where near accident free. I was dead set against reverting to pull ups and used underwear the first 2 days including the plane ride and changed 4 wet pants. It was too stressful to continue to worry a out where she might go and when so we bought more pull-ups. I didn't want a pee soaked stroller, chairs, etc.

I still took her to the potty and all , it just made it a more stress free vacation to use them. I bought a fold up potty seat but she only used it in our stateroom. She used the big toilets and I didn't force her too much when she refused. Luckily the toilets are not automatic so it was stress free for her. Close lid have her step back and it's not nearly as bad as the one in some dept stores. Our first few days were at Disney world and those are some scary toilets! Even my 9 yr old hates them!

We've been back 4 days and she's back on track and doing even better at staying dry than before our trip.

Since she's got to learn to use them at some point, it may be a good time to go ahead and abandon to porta pot.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Oh, Honey, I know you are looking for support on how to potty train and what to use on your cruise. As an experienced Mom, I can say that PTing takes 1-2 days when your child is ready. When they are ready, they are ready and it is done! You are her Mom and surely know what is best for you and your child, I'm just saying that when they are fully ready, they are ready and it doesn't take any time at all.

Good luck and have fun!