The Best Training Potty Chair for Toddlers

Children consider potty training to be a transition from being baby to becoming a "big kid."

Learning to use a toilet is a milestone in a child's life. Help your child develop a healthy potty training attitude by letting him pick the potty chair at the store. Children are more likely to use the potty they choose and your child may prize it, much like his first train set. When purchasing the first potty, consider your child's opinion as well as safety, stability and ease of cleaning.

One-piece chairs

Example of a one-piece chair

Simple one-piece potty chairs are perfect for training toddlers. Because of the chair's low profile it's easy to sit in. It's also ideal for small spaces and perfect for travel. The downside is that your child might outgrow the chair quickly. Sit your trainee on different chairs to determine the right fit. The perfect chair will be sized so that your child can rest her feet on the floor and bear down when he wants to start a bowel movement.

Chairs with a removable pot

Some potty chairs have a removable inner pot that makes it easy to dump the contents into the toilet. They are low to the ground but at a height that is comfortable for toddlers to sit on. Some also have an integrated splash guard for boys. These types of chairs are great for an individualist. The child who is fond of the "mine" word will adapt more easily to a potty chair than an adult toilet. A potty that has a rubber bottom will keep the potty in place.

Multi-function potty chairs

Some potty chairs come as a graduated training system. They're designed to start your child with using a potty chair on the floor. The bowl is removable and the contents can be flushed down the toilet. When your child is old enough to use the toilet, the detachable potty seat fits over a regular toilet seat. Once your child no longer needs the potty, the base can be used as a step stool.

Potty Seats

A substitute for the potty chair is the potty seat. Also called a trainer ring, it's convenient and easy to use because it fits right over the standard toilet seat. Many children train on the seat without ever using a potty chair. One feature to look for in a basic seat is a design that allows for easy storage or travel. Some have handles to lift the seat up easily; others come with a hook for mounting onto a wall for storage.

References

• Toilet Training in Less Than A Day
• Toilet Training
• How to select the best potty chair

Resources

• Potty Power
• On Becoming Toddler Wise
• Elmo's Potty Time