We’re knee-deep in potty training around here. Er, that didn't quite come out right, but moving right along...
Part of our strategy involves having potties located conveniently throughout the house. So we got to thinking, if potty chairs are going to loom large on our visual horizon, wouldn’t it be great if they looked kind of cool? You know, to distract us from what goes inside them. We've rounded up our favorites below the jump.
Little Colorado Classic Potty Chair ($79.95)
This is probably the same kind of chair your grandparents potty trained with. If you can get past that mental picture, the chair’s simple design would look great in a modernist setting.
Baby Björn Potty Chair ($24.99)
This Panton-esque model seems to be the new classic among most parents we know. (A smaller version is available for $9.95.)
Boon Potty Bench ($34.95)
We blogged this sleek-looking model (pictured at the top of this post) a while back. We liked that not only does it have drawers for containing potty-related paraphernalia, it also can act as a bathroom bench when its lid is closed.
Travel Potty by Cool Gear ($24.95)
It’s portable, which is fantastic. It comes with its own briefcase-style carrying case, also fantastic. But the best thing about this potty is the fact that it has a magazine holder.
Potty Scotty Musical Chair ($19.95)
In looks, similar to the Bjorn, but the Potty Scotty also provides an additional incentive by playing “Old Macdonald Had a Farm” when its sensor detects moisture in the bowl.
The pickings are slim, and of course, at the end of the day, we'd probably endure whatever garish atrocity it takes to get the job done. Any recommendations?
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We have the Boon. We like it, but it's a bit too large. The step stool aspect comes in handy though for washing up at the sink.
We have the Baby Bjorn one. Perfect size, easy to clean, and compact. I loved the look of the Boon...but frankly, that drawer for "deposits" just icks me out! I imagine that could be a pretty disgusting situation.
I think I may skip these altogether and use a toilet insert.
We have the Boon, too. I like it well enough, especially being able to use it as a stool for the sink, but the side slides don't lock into place anymore so it looks more sloppy than sleek at our house.
I do wish we'd never gotten one and just went straight to the real potty.
If you're looking for simple styling, small footprint, and inexpensive, I recommend the Ikea LATTSAM potty. And not that you need me to point it out, but it was featured in your last potty round-up here.
This is perfect if you want to skip the potty chair and just go to the real toilet. We found it at BRU.
http://www.safety1st.com/product/detail.asp?ID=114
We have the Boon but it's been barely used with two boys. They prefer the "real" potty and you know what? I do too, because there's no clean up. We do have the little IKEA potty in our car ($4!!!), as we travel a lot and I thought it'd be good for emergencies. We just got it though, so I can't report on it's actual handiness.
We have the Summer Infant All-in-One Potty Seat & Step Stool by Summer and love that we can use the seat as a big toilet ring and it also works as a stool when it is closed. The best thing is that it only cost $11.99 at kmart.com.
we love the boon potty bench!
check out ikea's new potty too (plastic, about $5)
at the last potty roundup, there were quite a few comments about the boon potty's pee guard & how it actually hurt little boys sensitive parts...
at the last potty roundup, there were quite a few comments about the boon potty's pee guard & how it actually hurt little boys' sensitive parts...
"If potty chairs are going to loom large on our visual horizon, wouldn’t it be great if they looked kind of cool?"
I say, wouldn't it be great if you could barely see them at all? I've been ECing my two boys since they were each 5 months old and I got tired of seeing potty chairs all over the house. Solution: a clear potty, called the Babywunder Deluxe. You can look at them here:
http://www.theecstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26&products_id=493
Also, as to potty seats, I really believe that potty chairs are better to help a toddler be able to go by themselves, which is the ultimate goal. Seats are fine for older kids, like 4 year olds and maybe some sturdy 3 year olds. But I wouldn't want my 2 year old climbing on the toilet by himself and sometimes he wants his privacy, and I'm happy to give it to him.
Our son uses the adjustable Bjorn potty ring along with a small stool and that combo has worked well for us. That said, he wasn't potty trained until he was 3, so it wasn't a big deal to have him climbing on a stool to use the toilet. (Actually we did have a couple falls, but that taught him to be more careful.)
For boys especially, I would strongly suggest getting one-piece potty chair or ring. The first time a kid gets pinched by something, like the pee guard or the removable cup, they can become very hesitant to use that potty again. I'll probably start my daughter a little earlier with the potty, and will most likely go with the Bjorn chair, although the $4 Ikea model looks good too.
We bought the boon a year ago because it seemed like an attractive potty as well as it is a step stool. My son doesn't use it- He would rather sit on the big potty like mom and dad. I'm going to purchase the bjorn adjustable ring. Also the boon's splashguard is not great- It gets in the way and is another hurdle in an already unfamiliar process.
Our children have never taken to potty chairs. My daughter's Montessori, which essentially did the potty training for us, used a regular toilet without a ring, and with a little step-stool. All the children learned to sit sideways, and not fall in. (it was great for travelling -- we had no toilet issues, and she travelled extensively).
While we are not as lucky with such an amazing infant Montessori program for our son, at 18 months he started being interested in using the toilet on his own. We tried ti get him to use a Baby Bjorn potty, but no go. He wants the real deal.
None of our friends used potty seats for their children either -- only rings. I think it is a growing trend -- maybe dictated by the older age at which most children are trained.
We use a Baby Bjorn Little Potty--they are one piece and about $10. We did EC and she liked having something that allowed her feet to be squarely on the floor when she was smaller. We also use an insert on the big toilet and she has no trouble using one or the other. For outings, I just hold her on a toilet.
Just a warning that I have heard that the Ikea potties are a bit shallow. I've heard of, uh, y'know... stuff getting all over.