These Potty-Training Buys Will Save Your Sanity
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Do the words “potty training” invoke a sense of impending doom for you? Yeah, me too. Because here’s a fun fact most parents learn the hard way: Even if your kid is pee trained, it doesn’t mean they’re poop trained! And even if they’re great at the potty in the morning, the chances of that wearing off by naptime? Pretty strong. Yup. If you’re considering just keeping your little one in diapers until they’re old enough to reason with, you’re not alone. But don’t panic. Instead, help potty training become second-nature with these life-saving items.
After all, there are so many methods of potty training, from the “they-just-won’t-wear-pants-for-five-days” method to the “everyone-holes-up-in-the-bathroom-with-2-gallons-of-juice” tactic (what, you don’t know that one?). However you decide to pursue getting your tot to wee in the toilet, the entire experience can be made so much more tolerable for you and your kiddo with a few key buys. Because really, if you walk out of this with your sanity intact, it’s a win, right?
Whether or not you go through an entire bag of M&M’s as bribery and still wake up the next day to find little Isabella has used your closet as a choice spot to relieve herself, we feel your pain. And we salute you.
The Real Deal (Basically)
The Jool Baby Real Feel Potty Chair is basically an actual toilet. I mean, look at that shape! Look at that “water tank” that can hold wipes or books or whatever toy holds the kiddo’s attention long enough for them to sit and go. Plus, there’s a retractable toilet paper rod, and the coolest feature by far is the flush handle that makes a real flushing sound and says, “Hooray! You did it!” after each successful sit.
Training Pants With A Toy
Speaking of the power of distractions, these Play-Doh-patterned training pants from Hello Bello come with a can of Play-Doh for kids to enjoy while they pop a squat. The box also has a QR code that directs parents to an online potty training portal that includes tips and tricks from Dr. Jazmine of The Mom Psychologist. Hello Bello co-founder Dax Shepard said these partnerships are what makes Hello Bello “the first training pants company to be rooting for you to no longer need us!”
This portable potty seat has a large flush button that not only makes a flushing sound, but it also makes the seat light up and play songs as a nice little reward. It’s no wonder it has more than 4,500 5-star reviews on Amazon. “I tried several different [seats] for my son and THIS 1 IS PERFECT!!!! 🥰 It easily fits but is snug so kids feel safe when sitting on it. It lights up AMAZINGLY and my son loves dancing to the light show.”
If your kiddo puts up a fight every time you tell them it’s time to sit on the potty again, it’s time for this watch. Just set a timer and the “big kid” accessory will do the reminding. And yes, kids are more likely to listen to this than an adult (*sigh*). This “miracle worker” has gotten thousands of rave reviews on Amazon. “This watch has helped our potty training journey so much! My daughter gets excited to use the potty now!”
Kid Urinal
This tiny frog-shaped urinal for little guys teaches them the art of peeing while standing up and has a fun whirly target for them to aim at to keep focused (and hopefully prevent them from getting their pee everywhere but where it’s supposed to be).
Portable Potty Training Seat
You know your kiddo will need to go as soon as you leave the house, so having a portable potty seat like this one from Jool Baby is great to keep their tush in place and off of icky public toilets. It folds into quarters, making it easy to stash in the included travel bag. “This product is terrific for on-the-go use,” one happy Amazon shopper said. “We took a vacation with our twins while they were potty-training, and this thing was a sanity-saver!”
Emergency Potty
If your toddler needs to pee as soon as you’re in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the interstate, these emergency mini-toilets provide relief. Just please don’t confuse them with the sippy cup.
Waterproof Car Seat Liner
In case even the emergency potty wasn’t quick enough, this waterproof car seat liner that has nearly 2,000 5-star reviews on Amazon will save you the hassle of having to take apart your kid’s soaked car seat and wash all the various parts before putting it back together.
Color-changing Potty Light
To make nighttime bathroom trips more enticing, hook this color-changing toilet light under your toilet lid and voilà: a rave while you pee. This has 16 different colors to choose from and is motion-activated so your tot can easily see the bowl.
Top Seat Toilet Seat
Sick of trying to balance or attach a kid-size toilet seat over your bigger one? This top-seat toilet seat solves that problem and then some, with a smaller toilet seat that simply folds down on top of the normal-size seat. No slipping, sliding or fear your kid will end up with a soggy bum and an aversion to toilets.
Potty Training Seat With Step Stool
Kids are tiny, and they need a leg up to get them cozy on their porcelain throne. This all-in-one potty seat and stepladder also has handles for the easiest access.
Absorbent Mattress Pad
While potty training, making it through the night while staying dry is an epic ordeal. To cut out having to change their sheets at midnight, toss this absorbent mattress pad over their bed or a bed away from home. Bonus: The pads are reusable and machine washable!
Touchless Toilet Flusher
It’s magic! OK, its not, but believe us when we say your kids’ minds will be blown when the toilet flushes with just a wave of their hand. It might even make them want to go just so they can watch it magically flush away without touching a thing. *Fingers crossed*
Potty Training Pajamas
The perk of these Peejamas — aside from being quite cleverly name — is that they are made from a super-absorbent fabric that holds up to 10 ounces of liquid. It’s not quite as much as a diaper, and that’s intentional. Children will feel wetness and that will hopefully make them want to get up and head to the bathroom. They’re very cozy and comfortable, so even when your kid is completely potty trained, you can go on using them.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
A version of this story was originally published in January 2019.
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