What Do You Put in the Toilet for Potty Training?

Most children are ready to start toilet training around 18 months.

Focus on encouraging toilet sits and avoiding power struggles. Show your child how to use the potty and encourage them to watch their older sibling or friends.

According to BullsEye, when your tot has a poopy diaper, dump and flush it to teach them that pooping goes in the toilet.

Seat Reducers

Some children, particularly boys, have a hard time sitting on the potty to pass urine. Using a seat reducer helps them feel more secure and can help them learn how to sit on the potty for longer periods of time. Some even have handles to hold onto. These are usually made of plastics or foam and can be placed on top of a regular toilet seat or elongated toilet seat. Some models require you to have a step stool to reach them, while others can be used on their own.

Many boys also have a difficult time passing feces on the toilet, particularly if they try to stand up to do so. Providing a toilet target, which may be either a vinyl sticker or a floating target that goes inside the toilet bowl, can help them aim better and keep them from getting wet or messy. Some parents also find that using a pull-up or panty with big, colorful cartoon characters on the front can encourage them to sit down and stay seated.

A good way to teach your child the word “potty” is by reading a book on the subject, such as the popular Oh Crap Potty Training, which comes in paperback and Kindle versions. It will explain the difference between wee and poo and what your child should do if they think they might be going. It’s also a great read for adults since it’s chock-full of humor and helpful tips on potty training.

Another must-have is a wet and dry bag, which allows you to stash your toddler’s spare clothes in case of accidents. Some of these bags come with a pouch for wet underpants, while others have separate compartments for dry and soiled clothing. These handy make it easy to grab clean clothes if you need to leave the house or take them with you in the car while traveling.

A few other important items to have on hand include a small container of kid-specific soap, which will encourage them to wash their hands after using the bathroom. And finally, you’ll need a supply of wipes that can be flushed, as these disintegrate much faster than regular toilet paper and don’t create the same mess in your pipes.

Foldable Seat Covers

For kids who are not yet ready to use a potty chair or toilet seat, a foldable seat cover makes it easier for them to sit on the bathroom floor. A cover also protects your child’s clothes if they have an accident. Some covers are designed with handles, so your child can hold onto them and feel more secure. Others have a nonslip surface, which is especially important for toddlers who are still learning to keep their balance.

You can also find potty training products that make it easier for children to reach their feet, such as a small plastic or wooden stool. This can help them get up on the toilet or a potty reducer, and it can also boost kids up to sink height so they can wash their hands. Some potty chairs convert into a stool so that you can save space in your bathroom.

There are also a variety of potty-training books, toys, and characters that can help your kiddo feel more comfortable with the process and make it seem less scary. These can be great incentives to encourage them and to let them know that once they are out of diapers, they’ll be able to wear exciting big-kid underwear with their favorite characters on them.

A potty watch or timer can help you schedule regular potty breaks. It can remind you to take your kiddo to the potty at two-hour intervals, first thing in the morning, or right after naps. Some even have a light-up or audible alarm that can alert you if your child has an accident.

Some children are ready to start potty training at about 18 months, while others aren’t until around two years old. Look for signs that your kiddo is ready, such as pulling down their pants or walking to the potty on their own. They may also express an interest in being naked or start complaining about having to wear diapers.

Once you’ve bought the proper supplies for your potty, set up a private area in your home where you can train your kiddo. You’ll probably need to stay at home for a few days as you teach your little one how to use the potty, but once they’re getting it down, you can try taking them out to public toilets and other places where you know there are toilets for young kids. Be sure to bring a change of underwear for them and extra towels in case of accidents.

Stand-Alone Potties

Aside from the basic potty you’ll need for every bathroom in your home, many other products can help with the potty-training process. Some products are designed to make your toddler feel safe and comfortable while using the potty, which can be a major factor in whether your child succeeds. Some of these products are shaped to look more like toilet seats than others, and some have fun designs that appeal to kids. You can even find potties that can be hung on the wall and flipped up or down when not in use, making it less likely that your toddler will accidentally fall off it.

Another important aspect of a good potty is that it should be the right size for your toddler. This depends on where you plan to place it in your home, as well as your toddler’s height and other physical traits. If you’re choosing a small potty, avoiding any features that might distract or confuse your toddler is important. Instead, aim for a simple, straightforward, clean design, without any characters or other elements that might distract their attention from its function.

It’s also important to be aware that your child may need a stepping stool or some other type of assistance while using the potty, especially at first. This can be a major obstacle for many children, especially if they’re used to being held and diapered. You can try to help them overcome this hurdle by bringing them into the bathroom with you and showing them how to sit on the potty. Some toddlers are also highly motivated by observing the behavior of older siblings and their peers, so you can encourage this by letting them see their sibling or peer sitting on the potty.

It’s also helpful to give your child a reward each time they successfully use the potty. This can be as simple as a sticker or other small toy, but you can also reward them with kid-safe treats like candy or all-natural fruits. Once they’ve mastered the basics, you can start rewarding them with more substantial rewards for meeting specific potty goals, like five days of no accidents or peeing in the potty 25 times.

Flushable Wipes

Whether your child is getting ready to potty train or they’ve already mastered peeing and pooping, teaching them how to wipe their bum correctly can be an important part of the process. Many children struggle with learning how to properly wipe because it requires a lot of fine motor skills to move the toilet paper in the right direction and then check that the area is clean. Use the visuals below to help your child understand the proper way to wipe. Simply download and print to give your child explicit instructions on how to get a clean bottom.

When it comes to wipes, make sure you’re using a brand that is safe for sewer systems. While a lot of adult wipes and even some baby wipes are advertised as flushable, they may not break down like toilet paper and can cause clogs in your home’s plumbing or septic system.

A better option is to buy flushable wipes made from cotton, a biodegradable material that won’t harm your pipes or septic system. These are a bit more expensive than regular paper wipes, but they can be easier for your child to use. Make sure to throw away the used wipes in a trash can that has a lid, so your child’s pets or siblings cannot reach them.

When your child is ready to use the toilet, set up a bathroom routine to help them remember to take care of their business. Try to get them into the habit of using it upon awakening in the morning, after meals, before and after naps, and before bedtime. Also, teach them the words for wee and poop so they know what to say when they feel those urges.

Some children might have accidents or setbacks, but be patient and don’t punish them for those mistakes. Just encourage them to keep trying and set small, achievable goals (for example, peeing on the toilet 25 times a day) that can be celebrated with rewards. This will give your child a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence as they continue to make progress with toilet training.