Potty training is a significant milestone for both children and parents. Whether you’re following Oh Crap! Potty Training, using the language of Good Inside, or following your child’s lead, potty training can be intimidating! We’ve compiled a list of essential items and training tips that can help you and your child feel more prepared and confident during the potty training journey.
Preparation
Potty
A child-size potty adds an element of fun to potty training while also making the toilet more accessible for little bums. Add a tiny potty to your bathroom in the months before training to encourage your child to explore the potty with or without clothes on or simply use the handle to activate the flush sound. Once potty training has begun, this smaller potty makes it easy to travel with you from room to room and the bowl is small enough that your child can carefully carry it to the bathroom to flush the pee or poop down the toilet. This was a huge incentive for our independent toddler and a built-in reward. Win!
Bathroom Essentials
Potty Training Seat
A potty training seat or a 2 in 1 toilet seat can make using the standard toilet more comfortable for a small bum! The handles on either side encourage little hands to take it on and off the toilet independently and helps them stay balanced once they are seated.
Step Stool
Add a step stool to the bathroom to allow little ones to reach the large toilet and sink. This is also helpful to have nearby for grown-ups to comfortably camp out while their child sits on the potty.
Faucet Extender
A faucet extender can make handwashing more enjoyable for little ones, and easier for parents too! This extender easily slides on and off any faucet to allow the water flow to reach little hands. Add a foam hand soap dispenser to make handwashing even more fun!
Wipes
Keep a package or two of wipes nearby to make cleaning up easy and effective. Be sure not to flush, no matter what the package might say!
Board Books
Create a basket of books to read when your little one is on the potty. We added the sound book Daniel Tiger’s Potty Time! Sound Book and the classic Everyone Poops to keep learning our new skill. This also helped recreate the time and connection we had with our toddler during diaper changes, just in a new location.
Clothing Essentials
Underwear
Let your little one pick out their new undies before training begins. This adds an element of excitement and is an easy yet practical reward for them to wear underwear with their favorite characters, color, or design on them. Plan on purchasing three weeks’ worth of underwear to avoid having to launder them every day.
Pull Ups
If you are planning on night training at a later date, you can use pull ups as extra protection while your child is sleeping. It’s recommended to get rid of all the diapers in the house when you start the training process and never look back! Once your child is dry after every rest time, you can ditch the pull ups too.
Extra Clothes
Are you planning on ditching bottoms for the weekend while you potty train? A long t-shirt or sundress will cover their bottom while naked but will often get in the way once they sit down on the potty. Our motto was less is better! A shirt and no bottoms worked well too! Once we started to venture out of the house, we found that loose fitting shorts provided coverage and were easy to pull on and off by little hands.
Home Essentials
Pantry Items
Stock up on your child’s favorite juice or popsicles to stay hydrated and promote frequent trips to the bathroom. We found Pedialyte popsicles were a delicious treat that kept us hydrated and on the go to the potty. Add foods high in fiber to make going number two easier.
Waterproof Mattress Pads
Remove the rugs and cover the the upholstery! Or simply add mattress pads to protect any surface or a mattress during nighttime training. Not ready to invest in mattress pads? Inexpensive shower curtains work too!
Cleaning Supplies
Accidents will happen! They are the best way for your child to learn that feeling when they have to go and the sensation of being wet/dirty. Be prepared with a pack of paper towels and your favorite cleaning supplies for floors, rugs, and upholstery. Don’t forget to respond calmly with love and understanding in those moments. Remember they are learning!
Travel Essentials
Travel Potty
A travel potty made leaving the house a little less terrifying. A travel potty and a stocked trunk organizer were key to quick potty breaks on the road. No need to venture into a random store or fear a long line at the bathroom when your little one really has to go! The compatible disposable bags are created with a small liner that absorbs liquids. Quickly remove the bag, tie it up, and throw it away!
Car Seat Protector
Add a car seat protector to your child’s car seat for accidents on the go. This protector can easily be removed and washed before your next car adventure.
Parent Essentials
Patience
This major milestone takes time, consistency, and a whole lot of patience. Accidents and regressions are part of the process and in time your child will master this new skill at their own pace. Be sure to offer plenty of reassurance and encouragement along the way.
Community
It’s always helpful to phone in a mom friend who has been there and done that with their own child in those moments when you are feeling defeated or just need a pep talk. I’m confident they will remind you that you are a wicked good mom and that you are nailing this potty training business!
