The Pros And Cons Of Potty Chairs And Potty Seats

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When your toddler finally begins to show signs that they are ready to begin potty training, you can ensure their success by choosing the right potty for them to practice on.

Potty training always begins with an introduction to a potty chair or adult toilet with a potty seat attached, and each has its own set of pros and cons.

It’s important to know that there is no right or wrong choice when purchasing a potty training device, and it all comes down to what you and your child are most comfortable using.

In my household, my son potty trained using a potty seat, while my daughter used a potty chair. My son was always a tall child, and sitting on the adult toilet with a portable potty seat made him feel more comfortable. My daughter, on the other hand, is petite, so the height of mom’s toilet was a bit intimidating for her.

So, to help you decide on what might work best for your household, I’ve listed all the advantages and disadvantages to using a potty chair and a potty seat.

POTTY CHAIR

Pros Of Using Potty Chairs

Portable and easily accessible—can be placed in any room of the house.

Less intimidating and easier to use than a full-size toilet.

Less scary because it does not flush and make a loud noise.

They are safer than toilet rings because they are lower to ground—reducing any risk of injury.

Cons Of Using Potty Chairs

Potty chairs have to be cleaned manually—poop takes extra effort to clean out because it sticks to the plastic.

They are bulky which means that they can take up floor space in a small bathroom, and can be inconvenient to travel with.

Even if your child masters the potty chair, they will eventually have to transition to the toilet—the beginning of another challenge.

Recommendations

Baby Björn Potty Training Chair

Little Chicks Easy-Clean Potty

Fisher-Price Sea Me Flush Potty

POTTY SEAT

Pros Of Using Potty Seats

Potty Seats are much easier to clean up because waste goes straight into the toilet.

They are travel friendly because they’re flat and can be stowed into a tote bag.

They facilitate an easier transition to the toilet because your child is already used to sitting on it.

Cons Of Using Potty Seats

Toilet rings must stay in bathroom, and aren’t as convenient as potty chairs which can be used in other parts of the house.

Using a potty seat requires the need for a sturdy step stool to be placed next to the toilet so that your child can have easy access.

The height of mom and dad’s toilet can be intimidating to your child and this can deter them from using it.

The height of an adult toilet can also be unsafe. If the potty ring isn’t sturdy, or if a child squirms too much, they can fall off and hurt themselves.