It's not super compact (though worked great in the little backpack we used ad a diaper bag) is the Potette Plus. We've used it at the park ad a little potty when the toilets were closed or Shen DS wouldn't use the big potty. It's great as it's both a seat and potty. We live in Wyoming and sometimes there is no potty for 50 miles so we pull this out for #2 every once in a while. I just keep a couple of grocery bags handy that he goes straight in.

I found that my son had a hard time aiming with these little seats. Sitting backwards on the toilet actually was easiest for him until he learned to pee standing up!

I thought this seat was great! It folds up compactly enough to fit in a large purse or diaper bag, which is where I kept it at all times, ready to go. It also fits inside a gallon size zip-loc bag so that everything stays clean. My daughter liked using the seat. She never felt like she was going to "fall in." I could relax when we were out running errands because I knew I had everything she needed in order to use the bathroom.

Is anyone else grossed out about the idea of putting the potty on a public toilet and then back into your own personal bag? We use one at home but I wouldn't want to use it in public and then put it back in purse. Just my opinion, but I get heebie jeebies about public toilet seats.

I've found that my people feel totally comfortable on the public toilets if I sit first and have them sit between my legs on the toilet. They're not going to fall in or have the sensor trip early or whatever. It's a little trickier in a skirt/dress, but still do-able in a pinch. And you don't have to carry anything around. :)

I'm not saying this is a bad idea, but it never occurred to me to use anything like this with my son. We just helped him up and held him steady if he seemed less secure. It was really never an issue.

I had one of these because (not puffy) but similar designed because my daughter was frightened of big potties; but mine didn't seem to work well on the elongated potties and those with split seats that are most common in public places.

At the preschool I work at we only have a regular ol' big potty. Parents never complain, kids never complain (kids as young as 16 months use it with a step stool- really) and it works out fine. Parents are actually shocked to find out that their newly potty trained kids use a regular potty. I really think you can avoid a lot of these contraptions if you just encourage normal use of the toilet from the beginning.

My daughter has been comfortable on a big potty since 16m. She is really coordinated though. She still prefers the Bjorn big potty at home though because at 23m do everything herself, including clothes and underpants.

My older son potty learned at the same point but is much less coordinated and also physically large. We had to carry the big ol' bjorn insert for at least 8m to hold him securely. He still struggles with his clothes at 4.

We carry the small Bjorn potty in our car. It has been a lifesaver a million times and really helps little kids.