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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask the etiquette for potty in public place?

135 replies

WhenZogateSuperworm · 30/05/2019 21:15

I’ve read some posts on here really against using a potty in a public place so need some advice. DS is 2 and we have just started potty training. I need to go to the supermarket tomorrow. When he needs to go he needs to go right now.

I have a travel potty and usually would be one saying whipping it out in the supermarket is gross- but it’s going to be that or a puddle on the shop floor which is surely worse?

So... potty in public- when/where is an absolute no no and where is it ok to try and use discreetly?

OP posts:
Ivestoppedreadingthenews · 30/05/2019 22:27

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius
Did you read my post? I advised the OP to put her child a nappy for this trip. I was talking about using a potty in the park with no toilets.

HagridsBigToe · 30/05/2019 22:28

I saw a family take one off the shelf in Tesco, their DD did a wee and they carried it round with them til they paid for it at the til

That is grim. So the cashier had to handle a potty full of piss, or did they empty it?

TheInvestigator · 30/05/2019 22:29

@Champagneformyrealfriends

Swim nappies hold solids. They are not absorbent and wont contain urine so they aren't any use outside of a swimming pool.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 30/05/2019 22:29

Sorry, @Ivestoppedreadingthenews - I should have been more careful.

Champagneformyrealfriends · 30/05/2019 22:31

TheInvestigator - fair enough-that I didn’t know!

JudgeRindersMinder · 30/05/2019 22:33

For the love of god I can’t believe you’re actually asking the question. If you’re needing to whip the potty out the very second he needs, I’d strongly suggest he isn’t ready

BrienneofTarthILoveYou · 30/05/2019 22:33

I think it's grim to even consider it Op - can't believe anyone thinks it's ok to use a potty in any kind of public place but especially somewhere where people purchase food. Just gross!

Potty's should only be used in toilets (or agree with pp about using them in the park). FWIW, potty's aren't necessary to toilet train - I toilet trained all 3 of mine without ever using a potty as did most of my friends.

3in4years · 30/05/2019 22:34

If he wets himself just see it as oart of a learning process. If he is weeing every 20mins there won't be much wee. It won't go everywhere, just get absorbed in his clothes, which you then change. No big deal.

MrsTommyBanks · 30/05/2019 22:34

Back in the day (my dc are all late 20s or older) I just planned for a week at home.
None took longer than 4 days. It's about timing time.

caringcarer · 30/05/2019 22:35

For goodness sake, put him in a nappy. If he is weeing every 20 mins he may not be able to control his bladder yet. I would wait until he could go at least one hour. Make sure you do not give too much to drink before you go. As soon as you get home you can take the nappy off again.

bluebluezoo · 30/05/2019 22:37

The stage when you have literally 15 seconds to get them on a potty is short but important

Is it? None of mine went through that stage. Never used a potty full stop.

I left it until they were very ready. It took 10 minutes and a pack of chocolate buttons. No accidents, no carrying a potty about.

By then they could hold it long enough to find a toilet.

PhillipeFellope · 30/05/2019 22:40

Pants under pull up is a good shout. Or, put him on the potty in the car park before you go in, mad dash, back again?

It's not a new thing carrying a potty everywhere though, I'm 33 and my parents told me they took one everywhere when I was potty training. Caveat to that was I was about 18 months as you had to be reliably potty trained/dry to go to playschool by 2. Also I was in terry towelling nappies, which were a ball ache to wash and dry apparently.

HotChocolateLover · 30/05/2019 22:40

Who are all these people who use travel potties? I’ve only ever heard of them on MN. I started my son the day after his third birthday, he was in nappies right up until then. We went straight to using the loo with a seat and he had the hang of it within 3 weeks. I think it’s because he was ready whereas too many people try potty training too early.

Recavanometer · 30/05/2019 22:45

I don’t get potty training unless it’s warm weather and they can run around at home in the nud. When they’re ready, they’re ready.

goodwinter · 30/05/2019 22:48

I've never heard of, or seen, potties in a public place before reading about it on MN. Is it a common thing?

I'd have thought this is exactly what pullups are for, and like a PP (ha!) says, potties are essentially toilets so I don't think it's really appropriate in a public place. Maybe I should be clutching my pearls?

EmeraldShamrock · 30/05/2019 22:49

I had a travel potty when training Blush
Save them having a pee in a bush at the park. DS would only pee in a potty, he gave good warning, in the supermarket I brought the potty to the nearest bathroom, always in a cubicle.
Let him do a wee before you go or when you arrive in the cubicle.
Then shop like a rocket, we all get there.

bourbonbiccy · 30/05/2019 22:56

If you have a travel potty in the car (as you said where you are going have no toilets )

open the passenger door, potty on floor to have a wee, you stand covering him, job done.

You go off to shop, go back to the car after looking in 2 shops or so if needed.

I wouldn't recommend nappies (pull ups are nappies in my eyes). It's so confusing when trying to potty train IMO, commando when out and about for a bit.

Nofunkingworriesmate · 30/05/2019 23:08

May be started too soon and you are not equipped with pull ups and you need wet wipes to mop up accident
Keep popping him on the loo at every opportunity when you arrive at the supermarket and when you leave
No need to defecate in front of others in public at all

chloechloeharris · 30/05/2019 23:11

is anyone actually pro using a potty in public places?!

Kiakiakia · 30/05/2019 23:17

I like potty threads, people get all sorts of feels and hysteria lol.

Disposables will confuse things, pull ups are a farce as they feel like nappies, too absorbent for learning. Do you have some good training pants, they hold a lot (eg mio) or the swim nappy idea is good.

Theres this idea kids need to be able to train in 48 hours for you to do it right. I strongly disagree you must self isolate and avoid accessing the community until your child is accident free, how rubbish! There will be misses/accidents as your child is learning a new skill and unlearning going in their nappies. But they'll get there. I'd personally be toileting immediately before the shopping and be prepped with spare clothes for any wet pants. But I've pulled a potty out in many places, and have always given zero farts for what anyone thinks at those times I've needed to.

anitagreen · 30/05/2019 23:19

I mentioned this on a thread yesterday but I had a friend who used to carry a potty everywhere and would happily let her kid have a poo where ever he needed one, he had one in the wine aisle in Sainsbury's Shock

Candleglow7475 · 30/05/2019 23:21

Keep a potty in the car, put in the floor well and let him do a wee before you go in and after you’ve been as well.

RoseMartha · 30/05/2019 23:23

If he is only holding it 20 mins you need to put him in pull up pants. Take him to toilet when you get there though.

BeckyAnnLeeman · 30/05/2019 23:27

But I've pulled a potty out in many places, and have always given zero farts for what anyone thinks at those times I've needed to.

Are you one of those weirdos who thinks it's okay for their kid to take a shit in a cafe or restaurant?

TildaTurnip · 30/05/2019 23:31

I think if you need to take a potty out then they’re just not ready for it all!