How can a small toddler use a big toilet without falling in?!

[Flingmoo]

I can't figure out how how to help my 2 year old sit on a big toilet without a little training seat. We have one at home which my recently potty trained toddler happily uses, but what about public toilets? I can't bring the training seat with me every time...

I know about the Pottette, and I'm considering getting one, but how long do people use these for? My son is so little he'd fall right into the toilet... Surely it'll be at least another year or two before he can sit unassisted on a big toilet. A friend of mine with similar age toddlers says they lean forwards to be supported by a parent but I can't see how this works.

Sorry, I know I'm probably being really stupid We've had a week of successful potty training and now it's time to start leaving the house and going about our normal lives and I'm going to need to take him to public toilets. And this is making me avoid going out anywhere!

One more question - will my life now revolve completely around toilets and staying within a short distance of one?!

[rosewineisgreat]

We have the popette. Just starting out with potty training though so no other advice!

[AdventuresInHifi]

On public toilets I just sort of hold him over it to stop him holding onto the toilet to stop falling in! If I have the pushchair I take the potty in the bottom in a plastic bag with some wipes to clean in.
Sorry nothing better but watching in interest!

[Getnakedorgohome]

Just stand in front of them and help them/hold them. My 2yo ds doesn't like help but will cling to my leg like a monkey.

[Goingtobeawesome]

I've just googled and there are loads of foldable toddler seats.

[WhirlwindHugs]

In reality I found carrying a potette around for 2-6mths or however long it takes them to be confident using a normal loo is not particularly unusual!
Drawstring bags are handy to carry them in.

[AllTheBabies]

You hold them!

[CointreauVersial]

I had a little foldable training seat which fitted into a changing bag. This sort of thing.

Or you just perch them on the edge and hold them under the arms.

[Doje]

We had this:-

www.amazon.co.uk/Babyway-Little-Wonders-Foldable-Toilet/dp/B002FP22AO/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1483373956&sr=8-5&keywords=Toddler%20portable%20toilet%20seat&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Admittedly, I had to buy two in the end as it's a bit flimsy, but worked pretty well for us. It folds up and fitted in my changing bag.

In answer to your second question - errrm yes!! For a while you'll be very aware of how close to the closest toilet you are!! However, after a while I realised as long as I took DS for a wee before we left the house, he rarely needed one when we were out. I was also acutely aware of how much liquid went into his body! And in the early days, when we passed a toilet, we went regardless of whether he 'needed' one.

[Bambooshoots14]

Either sit them right at the back so they can have bum on back too so don't fall in

Or legs wide apart and hold onto sides

Or lean them forwards so they hold on to you

[CactusFred]

I still take a loo seat out with me in rucksack and ds is 4 next week! He refuses to poop without and I can't bear him clutching the seat. It's a pain but preferable!

[Artandco]

Out and about just hold them on public toilets

[paddypants13]

I just used to hold dd and I made sure I tore some toilet paper off for her first.

(Carry some anti bac wipes with you for grotty public toilet seats. I didn't realise how many people can't use a toilet correctly until I potty trained dd.)

[sotiredbutworthit]

The potette is amazing! You can get them from Mothercare xx

[Poppytime]

We also used the potette and now dd is a little older (3.4) she can perch there and hold my legs if she wants to. Yes to tearing off toilet paper first! Def think about a potette - we just bunged it in the bottom of the buggy in its bag. Didn't really use the portable potty part of it but handy in emergencies too!

[Flingmoo]

Okay we've ordered one now!

It's funny how everyone tells you life is going to be so much easier once your child is potty trained. In reality it's not exactly convenient having to think about potties and toilets constantly!

[Flingmoo]

paddypants13 Oh yes I'll have to start packing wipes. Normally I'm not a big germophobe but when it comes to public toilets I'm a bit squeamish.

[BrollyXmas]

We never had a toddler toilet seat - they just held on to my legs or held themselves up. I wouldn't buy a special seat for out and about - I'd just hold him.

[farfarawayfromhome]

We still use the potette and DD is 3! In a public/big toilet we hold her. Any reason why you can't?

[minipie]

I stopped taking the potette out once DD could reliably hold on till we found a loo. Can't imagine carrying it everywhere.

I just held her under her armpits to stop her falling in.

[Flingmoo]

farfarawayfromhome

Not sure if it works for us - I've sort of tried it and toddler is worried he's going to fall in. I feel like it's kind of precarious too! I will have to keep trying I suppose.

[JellyWitch]

I just hold on to my 2 year old. We have an integral little seat at home but out and about isn't a problem. I don't even carry a potty.

[farfarawayfromhome]

Mamushka mine was worried too bless her but it's remarkably easy. i kind of hook her with one arm and wipe with the other. can't say it's a thrill having my face quite so close a toilet bowl on a regular basis, but needs must!

i do like how we have a lovely snuggle whilst i'm holding her :)

[SofiaAmes]

My dc's were both toilet trained on a regular sized toilet by their child minder. They just balanced themselves on the toilet with a hand on either side. Not so hygenic, in a public setting, but thorough hand washing after was much easier than hauling around a potty with us.

[MoggieMaeEverso]

We did a lot of bush wees until he got bigger.

[Mol1628]

I took the potty whilst he was training, then when he got a bit bigger I would just hold him onto the toilet.

It does get easier when they're fully trained. But the first few months of being potty trained are a nightmare. Nappies are easier than that.