There comes a point in our little one's lives when we must introduce them to certain processes that us grown-up folks take for granted. Alright, I'll drop the pleasantries, we're talking toilets here people. Isn't it amazing how that transition to parenthood removes all taboos that come with talking about bodily function?
There are methods galore from raising diaper free babies from birth, to slowly following your child's lead and interest, to waiting until your babe is not such a babe and taking care of the whole diapers to toilet process in one day. We know that different methods work for different families, so we're not here to push any one your way. But speaking from experience with our pooping prodigy, naked booty's and LOTS of cleaning supplies are a good start.
If you're in need of little help, we've put together some fun stuff that should make this stage a little easier.
Essential #1: Reading Material
Judging by hubby's mini-library next to the commode, this is one area to be taken seriously.
One of our favorite parent reads Elizabeth Pantley's No Cry Potty Training Solution. This
easy to read guide by a true parenting pro provides gentle guidance in making potty training a
simple pleasant process.
For the kids we're huge fans of Taro Gomi's Everyone Poops, because well, they do. And
the great Mo Willems Time To Pee, provides positive prose for your little whizz-ard. (that was too
much wasn't it)
Essential #2: The Perfect Throne
Accommodating your bathroom for it's newest occupant is a must in successful toileting. There are tons of options out there, (we even spied a potty that lights up, sings and does a little dance) but we think simple is good.
The Baby Bjorn Little Potty is a favorite amongst EC guru's and we love it's sleek simplicity. It's the perfect height for your little one to keep her feet firmly planet on the floor and the built in splash guard helps keep little boy's sprinklers at bay. Best of all the one piece design makes dumping and cleaning a breeze.
Similar in styling to the BBLP is the ingenious Clear Potty by Babywunder. Sometimes it's hard to tell if your tot is done doing his business, mama lifting him up in the middle can be annoying and sitting there until he tells you he's done can mean spending hours in the bathroom. For obvious reasons, this one makes things pretty clear.
If you're looking for something a bit more substantial the Boon Potty Bench is for you. A favorite of modern moms this complete potty features side storage perfect for special books, toys or wipes and even features it's own toilet paper holder. We found the "deflector" a bit awkward as our little one sat down but it can easily be removed. Our favorite feature is the fold down lid that transforms the Boon into a sturdy stool, making it fun to go from wiping to washing in one simple step.
For those that would rather use the "big" potty the Flip N Flush will easily attach to any standard toilet creating a smaller seat for smaller bottoms. Best of all it's made of non-toxic, recyclable plastic and can be folded away when not in use.
The creme de' le' creme in the realm of potty seats, however, is Kohler's Transitions Quiet Close Toilet Seat with Quick Release Functionality. This all in one seat has a standard size ring for adults and a smaller one for the kids. The quiet close feature means it won't slam shut squishing fingers or scaring children and the quick release hinges allow for easy cleaning tough to reach spots.
Where to go on the go? Public restrooms can be a little frightening to little ones, with the shared space and auto-flush toilets I don't blame them. We recommend keeping an extra Baby Baby Bjorn Little Potty in the car for pit stops. We were, however, at a loss at what to do with the pee until we got home, I guess you could dump it on the side of the road but that's just not acceptable in the grocery store parking lot. Travel John to the rescue! The disposable urinals are a little advanced for our toddler to use as is, but it's perfect for dumping the potty into on the go. The spill proof bag is non-toxic, biodegradable and is safe to toss in the trash.
Essential #3: Ditch Those Diapers
Your potty trainee will love the big kid adventure of going diaper free. If you're not quiet ready for undies a few pairs of good training pants are a must, they look like the real thing with a little added protection for accidents. Good ol' fashioned Gerber's will do, but we love Bright Bots colorful options and Fuzzies Fleece are super soft and snuggly. 
And when you are (finally) ready to completely ditch those diapers, celebrate by crowning your King (or Queen) of the Throne with a special tee from Cute as a Bug, a cute little tee shop from one of our favorite bloggers. Oh, and these Tiny Undies are just way too precious not too mention.
Win it!
We're giving away 3 potty training packs including a Flip N Flush Toilet Seat, Travel John Jr. and Toilet-Time Targets! Just send an email to reviews@mamaspeaks[dot]com by Midnight October 25 with "Number 1" as your subject
