Which Potty Chair is Best for Potty Training?

Your little one is ready to start potty training. One of the most helpful tools for this important stage of life is a potty chair. A toddler potty chair is less intimidating than a regular toilet. Plus, they make it possible for your child to do everything "all by myself." which is a must for toddlers.

In my experience as a mother to three and former Montessori teacher, I've seen plenty of potty chairs. Which is the best potty training chair? Here's everything you need to know about choosing a potty training toilet and when to introduce it.

How to Choose the Best Potty Chair

When starting your potty training journey, there are a few things to consider in a potty chair. Here are some top tips:

• Look for a splash guard.
• Consider if you need a non-slip bottom.
• Consider your child's preferences.

Once your child successfully potty trains, you may also want a toilet seat topper. This can make the regular toilet safer and easier for your child to use.

Ideally, your little one is excited about potty training. Consider choosing a color or style that your toddler is excited about to boost their interest.

When to Introduce the Potty Chair

Potty training or toilet learning is a unique process for every child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children begin to have control over their bladder and bowel between 18 months and 2 years of age. Potty training your toddler is also more successful when your child shows signs of readiness. These signs include:

• Interest in using the bathroom. Your child might follow you into the bathroom and show interest in learning about how to use the toilet. For example, your child might want to flush the toilet.
• Dressing skills. Potty training your child is easier if they know how to pull their pants down and back up.
• Signs of bladder and bowel control. Your child might adopt a certain posture or hide when going number two. Or, your child might complain about a wet diaper. Another sign is waking up dry after a nap.

When your child starts showing these signs, you can introduce your potty chair. Waiting for these signs is ideal, as it can boost your chances of success. If you start potty training, but your child isn't interested or seems to struggle, you can wait and try again a few weeks later.

How to Introduce the Potty Training Chair

Introducing a potty training seat is an exciting step in potty training. As a former Montessori teacher, I took used Montessori approach for toilet learning with my children.

To introduce the potty chair, I simply put it in the bathroom. As toddlers, our kids often followed my husband and me into the bathroom. We used this as an opportunity to model using the bathroom. Then, I would invite my kids to sit on the potty chair, even with their clothes on.

My oldest was a bit more nervous about using the potty. We dressed up one of his stuffed animals with underwear and he had the stuffy sit on the potty chair. We moved the potty chair around the house so that he could get comfortable with the idea.

Potty Training Tips with a Potty Chair

A potty chair can make potty training easier. A full sized toilet can be scary and intimidating for young children. Also, a smaller potty makes it easier for older toddlers to use the bathroom independently. You may also want to add a step stool or helper tower to your bathroom set up so your child can also wash their hands independently.

Here are some of my top tips for using the potty chair:

1. Let your child get used to it first. Your child needs to be comfortable with the idea of potty training and the chair first. Get it out a few days before you plan to start potty training.
2. For potty training boys, allow them to choose whether to sit or stand when urinating.
3. Introduce underwear as well. You might invite your child to help you shop for their new underwear.
4. Consider starting potty training during a weekend at home. This way, you can easily handle accidents.
5. When your child starts using the potty chair, consider having your child wear only underwear, no pants. This makes it easy for your toddler to manage undressing before using the potty chair. During the first few days, your child might not have much warning before they need to use the toilet, so the fewer garments the better.
6. Celebrate success. Don't overdo it, but some verbal affirmation such as "You did it!" can reassure your child they're on the right track. Using the potty can feel disconcerting and strange, so it's important to reinforce success.
7. Accidents are a normal part of potty training. That's why the ease of cleaning of your potty chair is an important consideration. Whether the accident happens near or away from the chair, try to handle it calmly.

You can simply say "Oh, you had an accident, let's get cleaned up." Involve your child in the clean up. Even toddlers can help put clothes in the laundry and flush the toilet.

Need more tips? See our full potty training post outlining Montessori toilet training.

The Best Potty Training Chairs

Discover some excellent potty training chair options for your little one:

1. Best Potty Chair Overall: BabyBjorn - $30

This no frills potty chair gets the job down without a fuss. Small, yet sturdy, BabyBjorn's potty chair is also comfortable for little bottoms. It won't occupy tons of space in your bathroom, which is essential as you'll likely use your potty chair for several months.

We especially love the non-slip feature which helps your little one stay sturdy while using the potty.

Features:

• Choose from 6 color schemes
• Includes splash guard
• Easy emptying and cleaning
• Features a rubber strip on the bottom to prevent slipping

2. Best Potty Training Kit: Frida - $59.99

Get everything you need for a successful potty training journey with this kit. It includes a potty chair and toilet topper as well as a step stool. Once your child is ready to graduate from the potty chair to the regular toilet, simply transfer the toilet topper. This helps prevent your child from falling into the toilet while sitting.

As far as cleaning, it does include more pieces and steps than other options.

Features:

• 3 in 1 product for all your potty training needs
• Includes a splash guard
• Design ensures little mess

3. Best Multi-Use Potty Chair: Munchkin - $31.99

This potty training chair turns into a step stool and also includes a lid. Also, you can remove the chamber pot after flipping the lid and seat up. Plus, the toilet seat also serves as a toilet topper when your little one is ready to try the regular toilet.

Although the potty makes a great stool, your little one may want to use the stool before emptying the chamber pot. This may cause a bit of a mess or accidents if your child moves the potty.

Features:

• 3 in 1 product for all your potty training needs
• Includes a splash guard
• Design ensures little mess

4. Best Toddler Potty Chair: Squatty Potty - $29.99

If your little one likes animals, try this adorable pup-themed potty. The stool has a fun feature of a dog's face to make it friendlier.

Buy the stool on its own or include a toilet topper as well.

Features:

• Toilet topper and stool
• Includes a splash guard
• Fun design

5. Best Wooden Potty Chair: Little Colorado - $90

Stick with a natural aesthetic with this wooden potty chair featuring a removable chamber pot. Complete with a back and armrests, this chair is simply adorable. As a bonus, it's also practical and easy to clean.

Features:

• Made of birch plywood
• Removable chamber pot
• Adorable chair-like design

6. Best Potty Training Toilet: BEABA - $24.95

This ergonomic potty chair offers a practical design that's easy to use and clean. Choose from the various colors to find your little one's favorite. We love that this model also features a rubber base to prevent slipping on bathroom tiles.

Features:

• Choose from 5 colors
• Includes splash guard
• Easy emptying and cleaning
• Features a rubber strip on the bottom to prevent slipping 

Choosing the Best Potty Training Chair

Any of these potty training chairs can make your experience with potty training easier. Which will you choose?