Friday’s Favorite Five: Potty Training Must Haves
If you are currently staring down the barrel of potty training—or if you’ve already started and your living room rug has seen better days—this one is for you.
As a seasoned childcare provider who has successfully potty trained hundreds of toddlers across commercial centers and my own in-home daycare, I know exactly what kind of junk products are clogging up your Amazon cart. You do not need musical toilet bowls, elaborate charting systems, or expensive electronic timers that just stress your kid out.
Every Friday, I share five thoroughly tested, battle-approved items that actually earn their keep. Today, we are breaking down the tools you need to survive the diaper-free transition without losing your sanity. I have personally attached purchase links to each item below so you can easily grab these daycare secrets for your own home!
Thick, Padded Cotton Training Underwear
As I’ve said before, once you officially start potty training during awake hours, pull-ups are completely banned. You need real underwear so your child can actually feel when they are wet. But to save your couches and sanity, you need Padded Cotton Training Underwear. These are made with extra thick layers of absorbent cotton. They absorb enough of the liquid to stop a major floor flood, but crucially, they don't chemically lock away moisture like a diaper. Your toddler will feel the cold, heavy discomfort of the accident, which is the exact biological trigger their brain needs to head to the bathroom.
A Simple, Secure Toilet Seat Attachment
Please skip the tiny plastic novelty floor potties. They are a sanitation nightmare to clean, and they don't exist in public targets or restaurants! Instead, grab a Toddler Toilet Seat Attachment that places right onto your actual porcelain throne. It reduces the size of the opening so your toddler doesn't feel like they are falling into the abyss. They learn to respect the real toilet from day one, making public restroom trips infinitely easier.
A Sturdy, Dual-Height Step Stool
A toilet seat attachment is useless if your child's legs are dangling in mid-air. When a toddler's feet are hanging, their pelvic floor muscles tense up, making it physically harder for them to fully release their bladder or bowels. Invest in a stable, slip-resistant Dual-Height Step Stool. This gives them the independence to climb up by themselves and provides a solid base for their feet to rest flat while they handle their business.
Heavy-Duty Waterproof Car Seat Protectors
Accidents happen—especially when you are buckled into traffic on the highway. Do not risk having to strip down and scrub your entire car seat frame. A Waterproof Car Seat Liner Pad is an absolute lifesaver. These are designed with crash-tested safety cutouts for the buckles, catching any sudden leaks before they soak into the expensive vehicle upholstery. You just pop it out, toss it in the wash, and keep driving.
Wet/Dry Zipper Travel Bags
When you venture out of the house during the early weeks of potty training, you need to carry at least two full changes of clothes. Instead of tossing soiled, wet clothes directly into your nice diaper bag, pack a few reusable Waterproof Wet/Dry Travel Bags. They feature sealed, leak-proof zippers that completely lock in moisture and odors, keeping the rest of your cargo clean and dry until you get back to your washing machine.
Potty training doesn't have to be a battlefield. With the right routine, an emotional flat-line, and these five simple tools, you will be diaper-free in no time.
Disclaimer: Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products that I have personally used and thoroughly vetted in my own childcare programs!