If you are just beginning the process of potty training your child, you likely realize it is rarely an easy task. Beyond the inherent challenge of getting a toddler to cooperate, there is no universal strategy that works for every family. According to NYC Potty Training founder Samantha Allen, the most vital aspect is to “stay calm throughout the process and find ways to set clear expectations without making kids feel pressured or forced.” Potty-training consultant Allison Jandu notes that the ideal method is one that aligns with your child’s temperament and your household’s daily routine. Regarding the timing, Allen suggests that as long as a child can walk to the restroom and follow basic directions, “they can learn to use the potty.” Jen L’Italien, a certified consultant in the Oh Crap! potty-training method, notes that the optimal window for starting is typically between 20 and 30 months, though she adds that you aren’t necessarily at a disadvantage if you begin earlier or later. Whether you choose a three-day intensive approach or a scheduled sitting routine, Allen, Jandu, L’Italien, and five other experts suggest keeping specific supplies on hand to make the transition from diapers to the toilet go more smoothly. From potties and seat inserts to step stools, underwear, and books, here is everything the experts recommend for effective potty training.
While some experts, including Allen and parent coach Laura Lynn LaPointe, prefer starting toddlers directly on the adult toilet, L’Italien finds a small potty beneficial for several reasons. “Offering choice is always helpful for a toddler in any stretch of life, but certainly when you’re trying to get them to do something new,” she says. “If you can offer the options of a small potty or the toilet to a toddler, there’s at least some realm of choice.” She adds that small potties are “pretty much mandatory” for nighttime training once you have removed diapers, as you will want a unit placed right next to the child’s bed for easy access. “It makes for a much smoother process,” she promises. While L’Italien does not favor one specific brand, Jandu recommends the Learn-to-Go Potty from Summer Infant, which she used for both of her children. “It’s lightweight and looks a lot like a regular toilet,” says Jandu. “It’s also very easy to clean and portable, so you can keep it within arm’s reach during those initial days of potty training.” Lifestyle influencer LaTisha Guster, the blogger behind BlushingBlack.com, also utilized a Summer Infant potty for her two daughters. “The point was to buy a potty that did not make sounds, whistle, blow confetti, or remotely look like a toy,” she says. “I wanted something as plain and boring as possible to stay intentional about what the potty is meant for.”
Jandu suggests the Super Pooper Plus Potty Seat for children who may have difficulty with bowel movements. “This potty has a built-in footrest that helps kids get into a natural squat position, which makes it easy for them to be able to poop on the potty,” she explains. The fact that it resembles an adult toilet “makes the transition from the potty to the toilet a little bit easier when the time comes,” she adds. To further assist with that transition, the seat is removable and can be placed on a standard toilet. While Guster avoided training potties that added entertainment value, Jandu appreciates that this model includes two buttons to engage children: one produces a realistic flushing sound, while the other plays cheering noises, which she notes can make the experience more enjoyable for toddlers.
Once your toddler has moved past diapers, you must be prepared for outings. “There are so many different situations you’re going to come across: long lines at restrooms, uncomfortable toilet seats, being at a public beach or in the car with nowhere else to go,” explains L’Italien. This is where a travel potty becomes essential. While the Summer Infant model is portable enough for a vehicle, if you want a dedicated travel option, Jandu and Vox Creative engagement editor Ellie Rountree recommend the OXO 2-in-1 Go Potty. It features foldable legs that allow it to function as a standalone unit. When the legs are folded flat, it converts into an insert for a standard toilet, and Jandu notes that the unit includes nonslip rubber to ensure it stays in place. When not in use, it collapses compactly enough to fit into a backpack or diaper bag. It includes three disposable liners with absorbent pads, and additional liners can be purchased separately. Rountree calls it “magical,” adding: “You can just put a plastic bag in it and you’re golden. It’s saved us so many times.”
If your child dislikes the sensation of sitting on a crinkly plastic bag, or if you prefer to avoid disposable liners, L’Italien suggests this travel potty featuring a reusable silicone liner she describes as “nice and soft.” Like the OXO version, it has foldable legs that allow it to be used as a standalone potty or as an insert for a traditional toilet. It can also accommodate plastic or disposable bags if necessary. “It saved my life so many times when I was going through the process of potty training,” says L’Italien.
For those who do not require the versatility of the previous travel options, you can save money with this portable toilet-seat insert recommended by Kristin Knight, a project manager at Vox Media’s Concert and programmatic platforms. The seat features suction cups on the underside to keep it secure on a standard toilet and folds flat for storage. “It’s simple, comes with a case, and makes using public bathrooms so much easier for littles,” promises Knight.
Whether you intend to start training on the adult toilet or are transitioning your child to it, experts suggest a seat insert to help them feel secure and prevent them from falling in. Jandu recommends having both a small training potty and a seat insert available: “That way, kids are getting the convenience and accessibility of the small training potty, but also getting some exposure to the regular toilet,” which prepares them for using restrooms outside the home. Allen’s preferred insert is the BabyBjörn model, which L’Italien also uses. “It’s the only one that can be adjusted to fit the toilet seat, keeping kids sturdy and safe,” Allen says, noting that it includes a built-in splash guard to reduce messes.
If you prefer not to constantly install and remove an insert on a shared toilet, Jandu suggests this adult-size seat that features a built-in miniature seat, allowing you to replace your existing hardware entirely. “The toddler seat is magnetic,” she explains, “so it just kind of slips down from the cover and it makes the potty kid-size.” Converting it back to an adult seat is as simple as “flipping it back up,” she adds. “It’s nice that it’s all one piece.” Melissa Young, a director of engineering on Vox Media’s revenue product team, also uses this seat, noting that it is easy to install and suitable for everyone in her home, “from the 2-year-old, to the 6-year-old, to adults.”
Several experts note that when children use the adult toilet, they often require assistance to reach the seat. This option, recommended by Jandu, combines a seat insert with a step stool featuring side handles, which she says “provides a lot of added stability for your child, which is important when they’re sitting on the toilet because they feel more secure.” In addition to handles that “help kids climb up on their own,” the seat is padded, and the steps double as a footrest that Jandu says places children in “prime poop position, which is really important.”
Experts note that step stools are useful not only for reaching the toilet but also for washing hands afterward. If you are looking for affordable options that serve both purposes, Allen recommends “step stools with rubber gripping on the bottom” for extra stability, a feature found in both of these inexpensive models.
For those needing extra height, Allen suggests this two-step stool, which also features a grippy rubber lining on the base.
If you have multiple bathrooms, Guster recommends this set of two step stools. Each features a rubber lining on the bottom, and she keeps one by the toilet and the other by the sink.
Most of our experts suggest bypassing Pull-Ups and training pants in favor of going straight to underwear. As Allen explains, “To most kids, Pull-Ups are diapers with more fun designs, sending a mixed message: They decrease the incentive to stop playing to use the potty.” Accidents are a standard part of the process, and wearing underwear—rather than absorbent diapers—helps children understand that they should use the toilet. “Accidents are a huge learning opportunity,” LaPointe explains. “They teach kids to use the potty because they don’t like the way it feels to have wet underwear or pee running down their leg.” Guster also advocates for moving directly to underwear. Regarding the type to purchase, Allen suggests “regular thin-cotton pairs that allow kids to feel uncomfortable when wet.” Guster says her favorite potty-training underwear from Cat & Jack is “super cute, soft,” and affordable enough to buy in bulk for accidents.
If the transition from diapers to underwear feels daunting, consider these cloth “training pants” as an intermediate step. They are essentially thicker underwear with an absorbent panel that can manage “dribbles,” as L’Italien puts it. She notes that these pants provide “a little extra insurance” during accidents, as their thicker construction can prevent clothing from becoming soaked. L’Italien also finds them easier for toddlers to pull down than standard underwear, which often has a tighter waistband. Jandu also uses cloth training pants, noting that she “tends to keep them on hand for emergency situations” and suggests them to “families who want to wait and do their nighttime training at a later time.” Her preferred cloth training pants are from MooMoo Baby, which she says offers “nice, comfortable, absorbent” pairs in a variety of prints.
Books that explain the process can help children understand what is happening and make the experience feel more engaging, according to our experts. L’Italien considers this one of her favorites because it guides the child through every step using mice holding signs. “Giving the child some visuals can help spark conversations,” she adds.
Guster says this interactive Elmo book with flaps “was always the star of the show” when she potty trained her daughter. She advises maintaining a mix of titles—not just those about potty training—to keep children interested. Additionally, Guster suggests sticking with board books because “they are a breeze to clean if there are any mishaps.”
For a more interactive Elmo experience, Jandu recommends this version, which features buttons that trigger flushing, washing, and other sound effects. “Kids tend to really like it,” she says.
Taro Gomi’s classic Everyone Poops remains a favorite among our experts, particularly for children curious about the mechanics of bowel movements. “This was a huge hit in our household and helped the kids get it,” says Rountree. This writer (Lauren Ro) also owns the book and can confirm that her 2-year-old enjoys learning about the different ways animals and humans poop.
Leslie Patricelli’s Potty is another reliable choice. “Kids love her books,” says Jandu—this writer’s toddler being one of them.
Rewards for successful trips to the potty can help reduce anxiety during the training process. According to LaPointe, they serve as a form of reinforcement. “In terms of behavior, a reward increases the likelihood that a kid is going to do whatever you’re training them to do both right now and in the future,” she explains. “Some kiddos don’t have that self-motivation.” Jandu also utilizes a reward system, specifically this “mash-up between a sticker chart and an Advent calendar” from Lil Advents. “As kids use the potty, they earn a sticker and then get to open a little door, where there’s a really cute wooden figure inside,” she says.
If you plan to use a travel potty, L’Italien recommends purchasing a wet bag to accompany it. She favors this model from Marley’s Monsters, which features a cotton cover, a food-safe interior lining to prevent leaks, space for wipes, and a variety of patterns.
Young also suggests using a wet bag. Her preferred option is more budget-friendly and comes in a set, making each bag less than $10. She suggests “keeping one in the car” and “carrying the other with you everywhere.” The bags are large enough to hold a change of clothes, a towel, sanitizer, and wipes. “You’re going to need them for accidents on the go,” she promises.
For highly curious toddlers, a doll that can drink and wet might serve as a motivator or simply a fun toy. Jandu enjoys these versions from Corolle, which are available in both boy and girl styles. “The dolls are great because they’re anatomically correct, which is hard to find,” she explains. “They’re nice for potty training because they help kids understand that water goes in my body and then it has to come out somehow.” Because the water exits the doll in the same way it does for a child, she notes, “You can start preparing your child for the potty-training process by making it fun at the same time.”
