With my daughter bound for preschool, it was time to tackle my toughest mom challenge ( aside from the teenage years): potty training. Aside from big girl underwear, a potty chair is a vital part of our potty training session. When shopping for the best potty chair, I looked at 3 important factors: safety, size, and simplicity.

Low to the ground and easy for my daughter to use on her own, The BabyBjorn potty chair was my potty of choice. One of the reasons I chose the BabyBjorn potty compared to other potty chairs on the market, was for its simple design that blends easily into my bathroom’s decor. With seven colors to choose from, this potty will work with any bathroom decor. I also love that the potty is lightweight and portable- making it the perfect travel potty.

The smooth, rounded design features a high back and generous overall size,  making it extra comfortable for my daughter to sit on. Plus, the seat’s soft shape provides ample leg room. The rubber strip along the base of the potty, means I don’t have to worry about it slipping around in my bathroom, even on my tile floor.

Most importantly, this potty keeps the mess under control: The removable insert makes clean up quick and easy. There are no little places for bacteria to collect. Often times my daughter is able to assist me in emptying her potty. The one-piece base can be easily wiped clean. The plastic used is completely free from BPA, phthalates, lead and other nasty’s and the potty can even be recycled when my daughter outgrows it.

If you’re potty training a boy, you will be glad to know that the BabyBjorn potty chair has a splash guard, which can cut down on post-potty cleanup by helping help keep the pee in the potty.

Having trained two children successfully and now in the process of potty training my third child, I’m no expert. I have allowed her to be present while I am using the toilet.  I train with bribes. I have used sticker books, and chocolate and have told her that she would not be training alone, that we would be training her Cabbage patch doll Sophia too. We have talked and talked about the potty.  We told her big girls use the potty, and read potty books.

However, I have come to learn a few things about potty training that I want to share. Peeing in the potty is a totally different skill than pooping in the potty. Remembering to use the potty while fully commando is an entirely different skill than remembering to use the potty while wearing pants and pull-ups or underwear. For some odd reason, some kids are afraid to poop in the potty.

What do the experts say?

BABYBJÖRN has put together a list of top potty training tips from Dr. Robyn Strosaker, a pediatrician at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital that might just help you.

Potty training: Tips

When?

• Most children can be ready to start potty training between 18-24 months. Children will train easier before 24 months; some can become willful after that point.
• Both the family and the child need to be ready. Review the signs of readiness and make a plan with your significant other.
• If your child is having trouble, stop for 2-4 weeks and then try to restart.
• Find a time when you can be around during the week to start potty training. Summer vacations or holidays are the best times.

How?

• Sticker charts are great. If your child earns a certain number of stickers, they can earn a non-food reward.
• If your child still wants to go in their diaper, take them out of it. If they are wearing underwear, they will feel uncomfortable when they are wet. If you are concerned about the mess, you can put the underpants on under the diaper. For those kids who don’t like wearing underpants, encourage them to wear them for a short time and offer rewards when they keep them clean and dry.

o   As a side note, there is nothing developmentally different between pull-ups and a diaper. Training will go quicker with underpants.

Where?

• If your child has a certain area of the house he/she prefers to go potty in, it might be a good idea to get a portable potty and let him/her try that.
• Put the portable potty in a room where the child typically plays to help them get used to the idea.

Other Considerations

• Most kids aren’t ready to be dry at night until they start waking up dry from naps and some mornings.
• To help keep them dry at night, stop liquids 2-3 hours after dinner, depending on your child’s bedtime.
• When traveling: take a portable potty or potty seat      with you, but you may need pull-ups for long car trips or plane rides.

Why not let us know which potty you are using? What is your least favorite thing about potty training? Do you have any tips?