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Potty Seats
Everything You Need to Know
By Kelly Burgess
It's all about independence. That's the word on potty seats from family practitioner and parenting expert Dr. Jody McVittie.
"Parents need to take a pretty casual attitude toward using the toilet so the children take it for granted as well," says Dr. McVittie. "That means providing them with something they can use by themselves, whether it attaches to the toilet or is a small chair that stands alone, showing them how to use it, then letting them use it without interfering too much."
Dr. McVittie notes that when her three children were toddlers, chairs for potty training were pretty limited. Nowadays there are plenty of choices for parents and kids ready to embark on the potty training adventure.
In general, potty seats can be divided into two categories:
- Stand alone: These are just small chairs with a hole and a removable pot for cleaning. They are particularly good for children just starting out with potty training because they're extremely stable, easy to use and don't require any climbing or flushing. They're very portable and can be moved between bathrooms or even taken to a relative's house when visiting. On the negative side, they do have to be emptied and cleaned. Choices within this category include:
-Chairs that play a tune.
-Chairs featuring cartoon characters.
-Folding travel chairs with handles.
-Extra stable chairs, some with seatbelts, for special needs children.
- Toilet adapters: Also known as toilet seat reducers, these fit over the big toilet and make the seat smaller. These adapters help children transition to the big toilet, and waste can be flushed away immediately. They may be more difficult for children to use in the early stages of potty training and usually require a step stool to make the potty more accessible. Some interesting choices in this category include:
-Padded potty seats.
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