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Potty vs. Toilet Training: Pros and Cons

A comprehensive comparison of potty chairs versus toilet training with potty seats to help you make the best choice for your child.

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Potty Training

Using a standalone potty chair for training.
Pros
  • Child-sized and less intimidating
  • Portable and can be placed anywhere
  • Child feels more secure with feet touching the ground
  • Often comes with fun features (sounds, lights, music)
Cons
  • Requires cleaning and emptying after each use
  • Creates a messy, unpleasant cleanup routine
  • Takes up extra space in your home
  • Additional expense for something temporarily used

Toilet Training (with potty seat)

Using the regular toilet with a child-sized seat insert.
Pros
  • Teaches children to use the real toilet from the start
  • No messy cleanup - just flush and go
  • More hygienic overall
  • No transition period needed later
  • Cost-effective long-term solution
Cons
  • May initially seem intimidating to small children
  • Requires a step stool for independence
  • Toilet seat may feel too large at first
  • Flushing sounds might startle some children initially

Why Toilet Training Often Works Better

Potty chairs aren't real toilets, and they give children the wrong idea that they'll always have access to their special potty whenever they need to go. Eventually, you'll have to transition your child from potty to toilet anyway. Why create extra work for yourself? Plus, cleaning poop from a potty chair is absolutely terrible. Bottom line: Teaching children to use the real toilet with a potty seat from the beginning eliminates the need for double-training and messy cleanup routines.
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