Experts say choosing a potty-training product is a matter of personal preference. Parents should determine whether they prefer to train their child in a potty chair, transitioning later to an adult toilet, or to train them to use the toilet right away with the aid of a potty seat that sits directly on the adult toilet seat. Potty chairs require more clean-up; once a toddler has done her business, parents must clean out the potty. Other parents prefer to use potty seats like the Baby Bjorn Toilet Trainer for this reason and the fact that they won't have to get their kid used to using the toilet after being potty trained.

Potty chairs do offer advantages, however. Some children love the idea of having their very own potty, especially children who are frightened of full-size adult toilets. Potty chairs come in a variety of styles, some of which feature music, sound effects, lights or stickers to encourage toddlers, but this can be a distraction. For children who require concentration to do their business, plain potties work best, such as the Baby Bjorn Potty Chair, which comes in a variety of colors and is simply designed for easy cleaning and minimal distraction.

If you're not sure what to buy, you can opt for a convertible potty that can be used as a potty chair but has a removable seat that also functions as a potty seat, such as the Graco Soft Seat Potty Trainer, which converts into a stepstool that can be used with the potty seat or at the sink for brushing teeth. Travel potties are also available for parents who want to be prepared for those inevitable potty emergencies when stuck in traffic or on a highway. Models like the Travel Potty by Cool Gear fold compactly or are small in size so that they don't take up much space in the trunk of a car, and some even use bags or liners to collect the waste, allowing for easy clean up.

Keep the following tips in mind when shopping for and using a potty chair or potty seat:

  • Be sure your child is ready to begin potty training. If your child isn't mature enough to understand potty training, a potty chair or ring can't help. These items are only useful for training children who are physically and cognitively ready for the process.
  • Be aware that a potty with a lid means your child will have to master an additional step. Potty chairs with lids appeal to some parents because the toilet area itself isn't exposed, but bear in mind that you will need to teach your child to lift the lid each time he needs to use the potty, which can complicate the learning process for some children.
  • Choose a potty with a deflector made of flexible plastic. Some parents report their sons being injured when sitting in the chair by the splash guard, which can cause the child to fear sitting on the seat. Flexible plastic is less likely to cause problems.
  • If you have multiple bathrooms, consider buying more than one potty chair. You'll want to have easy, quick access to a potty when your child tells you he needs to go.
  • Test out a floor-style potty chair to be sure it's steady and won't slide around on the floor. Select a chair with a steady base that doesn't tip or rock when you push on the sides. A sliding potty could cause your child to fall onto the floor when she tries to sit on it.
  • Choose a potty chair or seat with few seams and detachable parts. Simple designs are easier to clean and don't have crevices that can trap germs and pinch skin.
  • If you spend a lot of time in the car, you might find use for a travel potty. Travel potties are smaller than regular potties, making them easy to transport. Some, such as the Kalencom 2-in-1 Potette Plus fold so compactly that they can fit in a diaper bag, and they function as both a potty chair and a potty seat for use on an adult-sized toilet.

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