Best toddler potties for potty training
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from parents getting ready to potty train is: which potty should I get?!
With SO many different options on the market, it can feel overwhelming and confusing to know which one to choose.
Here is the low-down from yours truly (a pediatric occupational therapist, potty training specialist, and mom of two) on which potty to choose to make the potty training process smoother and less stressful for everyone.
The two main types of potty seats to choose from are a separate, stand-alone kids potty or a toilet seat attachment or insert. Both options have pros and cons depending on your child’s size, body type, developmental level, and preferences, as well as your bathroom size and home lay-out.
Ergonomically-speaking, the most important factor in determining which potty to buy is your child’s body position while sitting on it.
There are three key elements for proper body positioning when your child (or any human!) is sitting on the toilet:
Feet flat and supported. Your child’s feet should not be dangling while they are sitting on their potty. This can make them feel unstable and sometimes feel like they’re going to fall in!
Knees higher than hips. This helps take the pressure off of their legs and shifts their body and internal organs into proper alignment, allowing pee and poop to most comfortably flow out without excess straining or pushing.
Trunk supported and stable. This allows for trunk control and proper core activation which will help your child feel secure while sitting on their potty.
Make it stand out
Without proper potty positioning, a child can feel unstable and uncomfortable while sitting on their potty and therefore often won’t sit long enough to actually go.
For most toddlers, I generally recommend starting with a separate small potty (rather than an attachable toilet seat) because it’s much easier to achieve proper positioning.
However, there are other factors to consider, so read on and and then make the choice that feels like the best fit for your child, your family, and your home.
SEPARATE, STAND-ALONE KIDS POTTY
Pros:
Easier to achieve proper positioning
Feet likely touch floor without need for extra stool
Can easily move around from room to room
Child feels more independent
Cons:
Takes up more space in the bathroom
Extra time to clean
Requires additional transition to using the regular toilet in the future
Some of my favorite options:
Jool Baby Real Feel Potty - I love that this one looks like a regular toilet, has a splash guard and removable inner bowl for easy cleaning, and makes a flushing sound (but no annoying music 😅) when flushed.
Summer Infant Potty Seat and Step Stool - This is a simple, no-frills kids potty that also acts as a step stool when you close the lid. Great option for those with smaller bathrooms so you don’t need to buy a separate stool for your child to wash their hands.
Sesame Street Elmo Potty Chair - A great option for Elmo lovers! This separate potty has a great splash guard (perfect for boys) and a removable bowl insert for easy cleaning, and also becomes a step stool with the lid closed.
RIM SEATS AND TOILET ATTACHMENTS
Pros:
Less equipment so better for smaller bathrooms
Less cleaning required
Child learns how to use regular toilet from the start, making it easier to use public restrooms
Cons:
Requires footstool and/or additional equipment to achieve proper positioning and foot support
Some are bulky and not visually-appealing
Need to move out of the way when adult uses the toilet (unless it is build-in like the Bemis)
Some of my favorite options:
Skyroku Training Seat with Step Stool - This is a toilet insert seat with a built-in ladder, which provides foot support and allows your child to climb on and off themselves.
Bemis NextStep2 Potty Training Seat - This is a toilet seat and smaller seat insert 2-in-1 design that your child can push down when they have to go and push back up when they’re done! It has a slow-closing lid and magnet attachment to minimize pinched fingers and loud slamming sounds.
Jool Baby Folding Travel Potty Seat - This is a great option for travel or when on-the-go. Fold it up, throw it in your diaper bag, and use it in any public restrooms.
It’s also not uncommon to have more than one potty option for your child, particularly when just beginning the potty training process. Many families choose to have one potty on every level of their home, or in each bathroom that their child may use. Other families may choose to keep a small potty out in the living room or kitchen while potty training, and have another potty option to stay in the bathroom. Feel free to mix and match to find what works best for you!
As with any parenting topic, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to potty training. I have helped families successfully potty train using lots of different types of potties and toilet set-ups!
If you’ve picked out your potty and you’re ready to dive in, check out my 4-Week Potty Training Pod. I guide you through the process in REAL-TIME over four weeks using my routines-based, developmentally-friendly, step-by-step potty training method. Next pod will be in early 2025!
More questions on which type to choose? Have a favorite you used with your child? Comment below and share with us.