Are you planning to potty train your child? If so, you’ll need to get some potty training items to help with the process. With the right potty training must-haves for the bathroom, you and your toddler can get through this stage with flying colors.
Before you start seriously training your child though, make sure that you covered and understand the process. Just because the method is called “potty training in 3 days” it doesn’t mean that your child will be fully trained for daytime and nighttime in those 3 days.
Real Potty Training Tips:
1. Put the potty in the bathroom early.
Introduce the potty early on by having it in the bathroom way before potty training even begins. It will help the child be familiar with it, let them sit on it, so it won’t be as overwhelming when the time comes. I put the potty out at about 14 months.
2. Brace yourself and be realistic
As I said above, your child will get a grasp of potty training in 3 days, but they will still have accidents for months to come. On top of the social skills of using the toilet, the child needs time to figure out how long can they hold and how to listen to their bodies.
3. Realize that there’s no one fits all method
You can read everything there is on potty training and think that your child is ready. Yet, you’ll both struggle. You’ll need to follow whichever rules that work for you. For us, for example, it was drinking before bed. We read everywhere not to give your child liquids after dinner but there was no way this could work for my child who wants to go to bed with a water bottle. Two nights of accidents later we figured to just put a potty in his room at night and then he slowly learned to just go to the bathroom.
4. Don’t be afraid to leave the house.
Don’t lock yourself in the house just because your child is potty training. Taking your toddler into the wilderness of public toilets or trees in the park will make you and him more comfortable faster.
Do you need different gear for boys vs. girls?
It’s not harder to potty train boys, it’s a myth similar one to the “boys learn to talk later”. The concept of potty is the same for boys and girls – it’s about social skills and bladder control.
There are a few things that may help boys as they transition from sitting to standing, more on this further in the post.
Potty Training Essential Items and Must-Haves
Child-accessible potty chair
When it comes to potty training, there are a variety of options available to parents. Some choose to use a standard toilet, making it more accessible for toddlers with the aid of a step stool and a smaller-sized toilet seat. Others opt for a small potty, which can be easier for toddlers to use independently.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the right potty. I will say that while a super cool-looking Paw Patrol potty might seem like a great idea, you also don’t want your child to think of it as a toy. It’s a toilet.
However, I highly recommend using a small potty to start with, also because it’s easier to move it from room to room at first.
A potty chair that is the right size for your child will make them feel more comfortable and confident during potty training. It should be sturdy and easy for them to get on and off of.
Step Stool
A step stool is a must whether you’re going for a potty or toilet seat as it will help your child reach the potty chair or toilet comfortably and safely, but also reach the sink (unless you’re already using a learning tower in the bathroom). It’s important to have one that is sturdy and has a nonskid bottom to avoid slipping and focus on what’s actually important at this stage of learning.
A step stool is a great potty training companion if you choose to use a toilet instead of a potty chair. It will give your child the extra boost they need to reach the seat. A single-step stool may work well for reaching the toilet, but you may need a multistep stool to help your child reach the sink
Toilet seat reducer
A toilet seat reducer is a great way to help your child feel more comfortable using the toilet. It reduces the size of the opening, making it easier for them to use. It is also removable, so you can put it back on when they are ready.
This is a great option for parents who want to start potty training, with the toilet instead of a potty chair. It will help your child feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of them falling in.
You can buy a toilet seat that comes with a mini seat inside, but you can also invest in one of those “take along portable seat reducers”. It’s honestly a must-have to make sure your child is comfortable when using public toilets or traveling, even once fully potty trained. We always bring our portable potty with us when we travel.
Training underwear
Training underwear is a great way to help your child transition from diapers to regular underwear. They are absorbent and designed to look and feel like regular underwear, but have a thicker bottom for leaks. This will help your child feel more confident as they learn to use the potty.
Underwear is a good way to transition from diapers to regular underwear because pull-ups feel too much like a diaper. It’s important to get training underwear that is the right size for your child. They should be able to pull them up and down easily.
Disposable potty training pants
The disposable potty training pull-ups are a great way to help your child feel more confident during potty training at night. Most parents opt to wait a few months before removing the diaper for the night, so disposable ones work best as they’re basically diapers looking like pants.
Wipes and toilet paper
Potty training is one thing, wiping training is a whole different story. Wipes and toilet paper are a must-have for any parent who is potty training their child so it’s safe to say that you’ll be “correcting” the wiping job with wet wipes a LOT.
As moms, we all know how important hygiene is. That’s why wipes and toilet paper are a must-have for any parent who is potty training their child.
Faucet extender
A faucet extender is a great way to help your child wash their hands after using the potty. I’is easy to install and use as it will also help your child reach the sink easily.
A faucet extender is a must-have for any parent who is potty training their child. It will help your child wash their hands easily and prevent them from getting sick.
Potty training urinal for boys
A potty training urinal is a great option for boys who are potty training. I’is a small, manageable size, easy to clean that they can use easily.
Boys generally have an easier time using a urinal than a toilet. If you have a boy who is potty training, a urinal is a great option to consider. Take it from me, my sons used a urinal when he was potty training and it made things a lot easier.
Waterproof mattress covers
In the beginning stages of potty training, accidents are bound to happen. Waterproof mattress covers are a great way to protect your child’s mattress from any accidents during naptime and bedtime. They are easy to install and use.
Putting diapers or pull ups on for naptime will ony delay the full potty training, so a cover is a MUST HAVE item. You will thank me later.
Easy-to-remove clothing
Easy-to-remove pants is a must-have for any parent who is potty training their child. It will help you quickly and easily change your child’s clothes if they have an accident and they’ll be able to undress themselves as well.
If you decide it’s time to potty train, say bye to footies and rompers because undressing with it on, even with a double zipper, it’s practical for either you or the child. Same goes for bodysuits. Pants with drawstring waist will be your new best friend.
I’ve had to change my son’s clothes many times during potty training, and I am so glad that I chose clothing that is easy to take off. It has saved me a lot of time and frustration.
Extra Tools for Potty Training
You can add a few extra things if the standard training fails and the child still resists doing their business on a potty.:
Potty training chart
A potty training chart is a great way to help your child track their progress. It can be used to mark when they have a successful potty break. This will help them feel motivated and encouraged as they continue to potty train.
A potty training chart is a way addition if your child struggles. It can motivate the child by getting stickers and putting them on their chart proudly.
Timer
A timer is a great way to help your child learn how often they need to use the potty. It can be used to remind them to go potty to develop a regular schedule.
There are multiple potty watches that go everywhere with the child. It works much better than a stationary timer.
- Potty training book
A potty training book is a great way to help your child learn about potty training. It can be used to teach them the basics of using the potty. It is also a great way to bond with your child during this process.
A potty training book is fun yet an educational tool for parents, it can be used to teach your child the basics of potty training.
I, myself, love reading, so when my son was potty training, I would read him a potty training book every night before bed. He loved it and it really helped him in his potty training journey.
Rewards
Rewards are a great way to help your child stay motivated during potty training. They can be used to reward your child for having a successful potty break, even if it’s just one M&M or other small candy like a TicTac.
Potty training rewards can be anything from a candy your child enjoys, to a special toy or treat. Choose something that your child will be excited about to help them stay motivated.
Encouragement and patience are essential for any parent who is potty training their child. Be sure to give your child plenty of praise and encouragement throughout the process.
Potty training should be a fun and positive experience for both you and your child. Do not get frustrated if accidents happen, they are a part of the learning process. Encouragement and patience are essential for any parent who is potty training their child, your child will get it eventually.
There you have it, everything you need to know about potty training. With the right tools and attitude, you can potty train your child in no time. Good luck, momma, you got this!
Great tips! I found the section on choosing the right potty very helpful. It’s so true that comfort and familiarity can make a big difference for little ones. Thanks for sharing these essentials!