Choosing a Potty for Your Toddler
Alpine Village Family January 27th, 2008
Baby potties are a necessity, and something we probably don’t think about until it’s time to get one. Finding the right potty can make all the difference in the world when it is time to start training a toddler out of diapers. If you have the wrong potty, it could actually make matters much more difficult than they need to be and cause you and your child a lot of needless frustration.
Baby potties make excellent baby Christmas gifts. Many experts agree that one can never have too many baby potties, as one goal of training baby to use the toilet is to give the baby success experiences. In the early days of training, a potty will need to be available as soon as the child expresses the need to go, so having more baby potties will increase the chances of making it to the potty. Therefore, if you are searching for baby Christmas gifts, baby potties are always an appropriate choice. If you do not wish to buy a baby potty, potty training accessories such as books or dolls are also great baby Christmas gifts.
There is a dizzying array of baby potties currently available on the market. Experts say that you should seek a model with firm back and thigh support. Arm rests or handles can also make the child feel more secure. If you select a standalone unit, make sure that there is an adequate splashguard and a removable bowl for easy cleaning. Some baby potties teach children to flush as well, using music as an incentive for pushing the handle.
Baby potties haven’t always been the user friendly models we see today. In earlier times, a potty chair may have been made from wood with leather padding and a ceramic or plastic bowl inserted under the center of the seat. Modern methods of construction include molded plastic shaped to fit the curves of your child’s body or soft, cushioned rings.
Another design idea that is quite popular in baby potties is the trainer seat. This seat snaps onto a traditional toilet, over the regular seat. The trainer seat is small and comfortable for a child. Better models include handles and even leg/foot rests. Most trainer seats snap into the toilet lid to get them out of the way for adult toilet use.
Toilet training baby boys can be a challenge. They might see their father or brothers standing at the toilet and wonder why they can’t do that too. There is a product on the market that could help, and it is called the mini-urinal. The mini-urinal attaches to the front of the toilet and hangs low enough for a young boy to use, however, you will have to offer some explanations to your guests if you have only one bathroom. In the end, all that matters is your child’s comfort so he or she can learn more easily. Baby potties need to be one that the child will actually use.
