What’s the best age to potty train?
Potty training age is usually being the ages of two and two-and-a-half, but will depend entirely on your child. Indeed, many parents don’t even think about potty training until nearer their child’s third birthday, while other children are completely dry before age two.
What to look for when choosing a potty
As well as thinking about which type of potty will suit your toddler best (see below), it’s worth considering size and where it’s going to live. If you have a tiny bathroom, for example, something that can be hung on the wall or sit neatly in the corner might be a good idea. Think, too, about how long you want to use it for. If you’re aiming to use the potty as a short step to a toilet training seat, something small and budget-friendly will suffice. But if you think the potty might be a longer-term prospect, or if your toddler is on the taller side, consider a sturdy potty with plenty of height so that their knees aren’t round their ears when using the loo.
Check the quality of the potty you have your eye on before you buy – does it look flimsy or have bits that might snap off easily? Also look for a rubberised base that will stop the potty from sliding around on hard floors; grips or handles to help your child get up from the potty once they're done; and any extra features that might make potty training easier for your child.
What are the different types of potty?
Potty chair – very popular with parents, and usually has arms and a backrest, making it a very comfy option for children who like a good, long sit.
Mini toilet potty – these look like tiny toilets and, while they don't actually flush, they can be very appealing to toddlers. They often have sounds, lights and more to encourage children to potty train.
Travel potty – some fold out and have disposable bags inside that can be tied and binned after use, while others can be carried like a bag, opened up for use and then emptied into a public loo.
Many potties also have inserts, which can be removed for easy emptying, or pour functions that prevent dribbles when emptying contents into the loo.
Toilet training seat - goes over your usual toilet seat, making the hole small enough so that your toddler can comfortably sit over it
When should I buy a potty?
It’s a good idea to have a potty or potty training seat lying around the house a few months in advance so that potty training doesn't seem too new or scary. It also gives your toddler a chance to become familiar with it, and they might even like to have a go on it in a low-key way before you start training properly.
Lots of parents find offering children the chance to sit on the potty before a bath regularly helps to make it a habit and often means they manage to get their first wee on target before potty training fully kicks in, giving them a much-needed confidence boost.
What’s the best potty to buy?
The best potty is ultimately one that your toddler is happy to use, but there are a whole host of potties that come highly recommended by parents.
We think the BabyBjörn Potty Chair is the best all-round potty to suit most families, thanks to its robust construction, handy removable inner and tasteful muted colours.