Graco Soft Seat Potty Trainer

For parents who want to transition their child from a potty chair to a potty seat, the Graco Soft Seat Potty Trainer functions as both in one unit. It works as a potty chair when all pieces are assembled together, but the seat can be removed and placed on a toilet for use as a potty seat. It also converts to a stepstool, and since it doesn't require the potty seat to be used in this manner, it can be used in conjunction with the potty seat as an aid to help a child climb up onto the toilet. The inner potty bowl is removable for cleaning when used as a potty chair, and handles on the sides make it easy to maneuver. The Soft Seat Trainer is mostly white, which parents appreciate, because it's not obvious that it's a potty when it's being used as a stool. On the downside, the soft cushion can absorb wetness and odor, and reviewers say the three-piece design has plenty of crevices where waste can accumulate. This potty chair comes in two versions: One comes with reward stickers, and one does not. Otherwise, the two models are identical. Parents looking for a simpler design may want to consider the two-piece Baby Bjorn Potty Chair (*Est. $26), which is constructed of hard plastic and is easier to keep clean.

The Graco Soft Seat Potty Trainer is discussed in one formal review of potty chairs that appears on Bestcovery.com, where Jenny Wagner describes four recommended potty chairs. Beyond this, we found most reviews of the Graco Soft Seat Potty Trainer on consumer-review sites. Owner opinions are valuable when it comes to potty chairs, because parents can attest to how well a potty works for boys versus girls and how well they hold up over time. At the time of our visit, we found approximately 40 owner-written reviews each on Epinions.com and Amazon.com. Further parent opinions are found on Target.com and in a thread on the Berkeley Parents Network forum.