When it comes to using the toilet, children are not the most reasonable. I am not saying that is a bad thing, it’s natural for small children to be afraid of the big toilet. I have never met a child who wasn’t scared of climbing the ‘big potty.’ The fear of falling into it is the most common, especially for toddlers who had a bad experience that involved their little behinds in the bowl.
Lucky for parents these days, travel potties have been invented. It’s hard to put a child on the toilet while at home, so you can only imagine the chaos while you are traveling. You cannot carry the potty around with you, but a travel potty is just perfect. It’s compact, easy to clean, and it will spare you some time convincing your child that going potty is better than a diaper.
The advantages of a travel potty
Many parents don’t realize this, but children can be traumatized by bad experiences involving using the toilet. It’s easy to get scared when you are only 2.5 feet. The toilet bowl is way too big for them, which is why toddlers tend to avoid it. However, a travel potty can be really useful when you are not at home and don’t have the potty chair at hand. And here is why.
- It’s easy to transport – I suppose that at some point you tried to travel with the potty chair in a bag, didn’t you? Every parent did. At some point, you decided that it’s a lot easier to do that than convincing your child to sit on a regular toilet. It’s pretty common, so don’t feel like you’re the only one who went through that. However. A travel potty is a lot easier to carry around. That is because it’s compact and fits in a small bag. Nobody will even know what you are carrying.
- You can enjoy your trip without the struggle of convincing your child to go potty – because children are so reserved when it comes to this aspect, a family trip can turn into a nightmare when nature calls. Chances are that before you convince your kid to go potty, he or she already did the deed in the diaper (at best.) Also, if you are potty training your child, you can go on a trip without interrupting the training, which is the reason alone to buy a travel potty.
- It can help children who are shy – that is not uncommon. Some kids would use the toilet bowl at home, but wouldn’t use one in a shopping center or a grocery store. That can easily be fixed with a travel potty. Just take it with you whenever you go out and teach your child that it’s ok to go potty anywhere. He or she is already familiar with the travel potty, so he/she will associate going to the bathroom with a familiar experience. Slowly, the child will leave the shyness behind.
- It can save the day in a place where there are no restrooms – let’s say that you are taking your child to the park and there are no toilets available. What do you do? You cannot teach your child that it’s ok to do his business in a bush, but you can’t let him soil himself either. That is why a travel potty can save the day. No mess, no fuss.
- It’s usually easy to clean – most models come with disposable liners, so you don’t have to do much cleaning. Others must be washed with dish soap and water. Either way, it’s a lot easier than changing a diaper or cleaning a pair of pants. Especially when you are traveling.
What to look for in the best travel potties
When it comes to children, nothing should be random. Travel potties included. Not only that you need to buy something appealing, but you need something practical as well. Fortunately, manufacturers are more than aware of who their target clients are, so they try to keep things interesting for both parties, children and parents alike. Here is what makes the best travel potty.
- It’s stable – nothing is more important than stability. A travel potty that falls apart or that collapses underneath your child is a nightmare. If that happens, you can be sure that your child will not sit on one of those anytime soon. It must not collapse, wobble, or break. Rest assured that there are products out there that have sturdy locking mechanisms. They will not allow your little one to fall down or into the potty.
- Compatible liners – it’s a lot easier to use a travel potty with a liner. Just throw it out after the child is done using the potty and you are done. However, not all products have compatible liners for sale. For example, some are sold with 3 disposable liners, and the manufacturers do not provide the possibility of buying others. Some of them do. Go for the one you are most comfortable with.
- Multi-purpose – if you want to enjoy all the benefits a travel potty has to offer, pick a product that can be used in more than one way. I think the most useful one’s the 2-in-1 model. It can be used both standing by itself, and it can also be used on a regular toilet bowl. When you use it by itself, you need disposable liners, but when you put it on top of the toilet bowl, your child can go ‘grown-up potty,’ but in a controlled manner. It’s an ideal way for your child to grow accustomed to the conventional toilet seat.
Travel potty tips
Traveling with a child who is potty training is not exactly a walk in the park. It can be difficult for both of you. However, there are a few tips you can follow for a trouble-free journey.
- Try to keep the fluid intake of your child to a minimum before going anywhere. 60 minutes before leaving is sufficient. Don’t keep your child thirsty, but don’t let him or her drink as much water or juice as he/she wants.
- Do your homework if your child is potty training. Studies show that parents who do some research on potty training are more successful than parents who don’t. In this case, success is measured in the number of issues the child has after the training is done.
- Always bring waterproof liners to put on the seat of the car, plane, or train. Accidents happen, and you should never punish your child for it. However, it would be best if you took precautions. Making a mess as a means of transportation is uncomfortable.
- Always bring at least one change of clothes. As I said, accidents can happen and you must always be prepared.
Potty training is not a pleasant time for none of the parties involved. It’s stressful for both the child and the parent. However, perseverance is key. And as long as you have plenty of tools to help you, you should be done with it in no time.
What are the best travel potties?
There are plenty of products out there that will do a great job when it comes to potty training. Travel potties are a must now, which is why I compiled a list of three products that should satisfy your needs.
Oxo Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel
As long as you have the Oxo Travel Potty with you, your child can go potty anywhere. It’s easy to carry around, and you can keep it in the trunk of your car, under the seat, or even in the diaper bag. The legs fold, and the potty becomes compact when not in use. You won’t even know you have it on you. The storage bag that comes with the potty makes transportation discreet and hygienic.
The Oxo opens quickly and easily. When nature calls, you need to move fast. A child cannot hold it as an adult can. But rest assured that this product becomes the ideal potty in a matter of seconds. The locking mechanism makes the Go Potty very stable. The child will feel and be safe every moment he or she sits on the seat.
This travel potty can be used by itself, with liners, but you can also put it on top of regular toilet seats in restrooms. You receive an instructional manual that will teach you how to put it in every position. The soft, flexible flaps hold the disposable bags in place, so there is no chance of accidents. The Oxo comes with three disposable bags with absorbent pads, but the manufacturer provides 10-pack and 30-pack refill bags. Using standard plastic bags is also an option.
Kalencom 2-in-1 Potette Plus
Apparently, the Potette Plus is one of the most popular travel potties. So far there have been thousands of satisfied customers. It’s not hard to see why. The price-quality ratio is ideal, and children seem to love it. Parents love it too because it’s easy to carry, and when it’s folded, it can fit almost anywhere. You can put it in a stroller, in a diaper bag, in the trunk of your car, or anywhere else you can think of.
The Potette comes with 3 super absorbents, leak-proof, and easy-to-use liners, but liners from other manufacturers and plastic bags work as well. You can buy refill bags if you like. It is suitable for children who are 15 months of age and who do not weigh more than 50 pounds. It can be used both by itself and on a toilet seat. The conversion is easy. The legs lock when they are in the position you want.
The construction is durable, the seat is comfortable, and the legs have a non-slip feature that will keep your child stable. The seat is contoured so your child can sit as comfortably as possible. The only thing that is missing is a splash guard, but other than that, the Potette is an excellent product.
Graco Twisting Travel Potty
Graco has a reputation for creating superior baby products, from nursery furniture to all kinds of helpful devices. The Twisting Travel Potty is the perfect example. It is a high-quality travel potty that will make your child’s job a little bit easier. And yours as well.
The difference between this product and the other two I described is that the Graco potty can only be used on a flat surface. It cannot be placed on the seat of a toilet. However, using it is very easy. All you have to do is lift up the lid and place the disposable bag. Put down the lid, and the potty is ready for use. After the child is done, just remove the disposable bag and clean the potty with warm water and dish soap.
The Twisting Travel Potty has a sturdy construction. It is made of polypropylene plastic, but it’s non-toxic. It comes with 10 disposable bags, and you can use liners from other manufacturers. They fit just as well. The thing you will like the most about this potty is that it can be adjusted to your child’s height. It is comfortable and easy to take along on trips.
My recommendation
Although all three products seem to do an excellent job, my number one recommendation is the Oxo Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel. It has a compact design, it’s easy to carry, and it comes with a storage bag. In my opinion, this is one of the best travel potties, and I highly recommend it.
Conclusion
Potty training is no easy task. Parents struggle for months to teach their children how and when to use the toilet. Fortunately, unlike many years ago, there are plenty of tools you can use. These tools will help make your job a little bit easier. A travel potty is a perfect example. It will help you potty train your child while you are away from home. Whichever one you choose, I am sure that you will be satisfied with the results.
Last Updated on January 26, 2023 by Marie Francis