Potty training — a monumental milestone in both the life of a parent and a child. Is your child showing the readiness signs for potty training? When the time has come to take that first big step towards independence (the first of many), it’s helpful to have all of the proper tools for success at your disposal. If you want to survive without pulling every strand of hair from your head, that is. Check out some of our potty training product must-haves below!
A Kid-Friendly Potty
Buy Babybjorn Potty Chair Buy Puj Easy Seat
Our first must-have on this list is a no-brainer. We love the Babybjorn potty chair — we have a pink potty for our girls and a blue potty for our little boy. The Puj Easy Seat is another great option if you’re tight on bathroom space and would rather not have one more piece of baby gear in your home. It has a built-in splash guard, is easy to keep clean, and hangs for easy storage. It’s also the perfect potty solution for travel!
Big Kid Underwear
Buy Book Buy Undies Buy Disposable Undies Buy Training Pants
We’ve always used the “Potty Train in Three Days” method. On Day One, we “throw away” all of our diapers and put on our brand new, big girl/boy undies. We also love these disposable underwear options. We drink as much liquid as possible to encourage as many trips to the potty as possible. Training pants are another great item to have on hand — especially for naps and bedtime so that you’re avoiding returning to diapers. Most children will not be capable of daytime and nighttime potty training simultaneously — experts say that nighttime potty training has a lot to do with the bladder’s maturity, and every child develops at his or her own pace.
Potty Prizes
We printed and framed a cute little Potty Chart I found on Etsy. Instead of gold stars, we’ve employed reusable Disney Princess stickers — my big girls have the same stickers for their own charts (to earn screen time and allowance for good behavior and helping out around the house). We usually reward the first “potty” with a big prize — every potty after that earns a small piece of candy or a trip to the Potty Prize Bag. These are usually smaller prizes purchased ahead of time to encourage and reward good potty behavior.
Flushable Wipes
For some kids, using regular toilet paper can prove too difficult — especially when it comes to wiping poop. Trust us; it can get a little messy! A biodegradable, flushable wipe is a great alternative. Many of my mommy friends swear by the Target brand.
Step Stool and Hand Soap
Anything you can do to encourage self-sufficiency is always a plus! A cute step stool to help your child reach the toilet or the sink is always helpful. If your kiddos are anything like mine, they will love washing their own hands after a trip to the potty — or just any time in general! (Sometimes, it gets a little out of hand.) Feel free to purchase cheesy character soap. Anything to make them happy and encourage the ultimate goal: potty training success!
Extra Sheets and a Waterproof Mattress Cover
This is a must! Especially as you embark on the adventure of nighttime potty training! We generally try to conquer daytime potty training before moving on to nighttime potty training. There’s no special prize for accomplishing everything at once. Do what is best for your child and your family.
Toilet Targets
Having all girls, I have no experience with this just yet, but I will soon with my baby boy! Many of my boy mom friends have said that it’s easiest (and way less messy) to start by teaching their sons to potty sitting down. Once they have mastered this, you can move on to standing. At this point in time, using “toilet targets” can help with aim. Make it a game! Toddlers love games. You may even want to pick up a few extra toilet targets for your husband. Kidding!
What items are on your Potty Training Must-Have List? We’d love to hear! I’m getting ready to potty train baby girl number three. Wish me luck; she is definitely our feistiest little to date! I may have some new tips and tricks to share after this latest potty training adventure. 🙂
