Getting Equipped for Potty Training
Potty training has its own set of equipment and there’s a lot of it. Here’s a buyers guide for first-time potty trainers.
A Potty
This is a stand-alone plastic seat that sits on the floor, with an easy-to-remove container to catch whatever your little one produces. When your child indicates a readiness to start potty training, a potty should be your first purchase because it's the easiest way for them to learn the basics: there’s no climbing up or flushing required. Another advantage to the potty is its portability. Should an urge come out of nowhere you can bring the potty to them, and you can travel with it.
Most potties are designed to be attractive to toddlers; they may be themed with your little one’s favourite characters or make fun flushing sounds. Don’t be afraid to dress it up a bit more with stickers or flair. Anything you can do to make them want to use it is a step in the right direction.
A seat cover
Once your child gets used to the potty process you can move them to the toilet, and for that, you’ll need a seat cover so they don't fall in.
Seat covers are built to fit snuggly on top of your toilet seat. Most come with handles on the sides that make it more hygienic to put on and take off the toilet, as well as splashguards for toilet training boys. They’re light enough for an older toddler to pick up and set on the toilet seat themselves (you should supervise), and they’re easy to travel with.
Like potties, seat covers also come in fun toddler-friendly themes, but remember that you’ll have a seat cover in your house far longer than you’ll have a potty, so be prepared to update it as your little one’s interests change.
A step stool
There are three good reasons to pick up a step stool up for potty training. Firstly (and most importantly) is to promote independence. You want your little latrine learner to be able to get on to the toilet by themselves without needing you to lift them. The easier it is for them to do it, the less frustrated they’ll be and the more success you’ll both eventually have.
Leverage is the second reason to have a stool. It will give your child a surface to support their feet. Also, much like for you, there’s something reassuring about having your feet grounded while you’re sitting.
The last reason is hygienic. Getting your little love into the habit of washing their hands after going to the bathroom is important, and that’s hard to do if they can’t reach the sink.
Consider picking up a step stool for every bathroom in your house so your child gets used to them all. The last thing you want is for them to be only able to go in one place.
Training pants, pull-ups or underwear
Cloth training pants are cloth diapers that toddlers can easily pull up and down. The benefit to these is that your child will feel the discomfort of wetness after every accident so they’re more motivated to learn how to avoid them.
Pull-ups are disposable diapers that your child can take on and off by themselves. Some people feel that because they are so absorbent, the toddler won’t feel wet and won’t have the incentive to toilet train. However, they are very convenient, don’t require washing, and don’t leak. Even if you use cloth training pants, you might consider pull-ups for travel or when you’re in public spaces.
Big kid underwear provides no protection against leaks, but again, helps your child be aware of when he or she is wet.
Entertainment
Potty training shouldn’t be the broccoli of your toddler’s bedtime routine. You might consider some new books or activities to keep him or her busy on the toilet—they may be there for a while.
Patience
This is the most important thing you’ll need while potty training. Your kid’s going to have accidents overnight (which is where waterproof bed mats come in handy) and they may regress after weeks or months of progress. What they should never feel is shame. And don’t worry if potty training doesn’t work the first time you try, or doesn't happen as quickly as you’d like. At some point, your child will want to be potty trained as much as you want him or her to be.