Potty training is something we all have to think about eventually. Are you about to get started but don’t know what equipment to buy? Lara Green, mum of two and consumer editor at Babyworld.co.uk has some advice. Along with a parent panel she’s been testing out potties currently on the market.
Are there many potties out there?
There is a lot of choice. There are themed potties, there are others that work as a potty but then work as a step as well. It’s worth looking around to see what styles are around.
Which potties did you look at?
We had five - three very basic potties, an extra comfortable potty from Blooming Marvellous and we also had more elaborate potties including The Fisher Price Royal Potty. This potty plays a song when they go on the potty. It has lights too. Some of our testers thought it was a bit much and a bit distracting but others thought it was really good. It’s all down to the child.
How much would you expect to pay for a potty?
Anything from £5.99 up to £19.99 which was the price of the Fisher Price Product.
What did your testers look for?
We looked for something that’s easy to use, something that’s comfortable, something that’s designed well, that’s easy to clean, quality and value for money.
Which product did they prefer?
The Baby bjorn splashproof potty came out best. It was practical and easy to clean. It’s got a rounded seat which made it more comfortable for girls and boys.
You’ve been through potty training. What would your advice be?
Don’t push them into it until they’re ready to do it. You really need to let them do it at their own pace and expect to have accidents. Maybe take the nappy off for a few hours a day to see how they get on.


I think the best time to start getting babies familiar with the potty is when they start to sit, because they feel so proud to sit anywhere, specially on the potty “like a big person” and this way they become familiar with it very early so by the time you want to train them they are not afraid. I personally used, for my baby boy, the one made by Munchkin; it’s very comfortable and it has a cushion made of rubber that stays warm so it’s not shocking cold like the plastic ones, and it is also easy to clean, and it serves as a step for when they grow old enough to reach the sink to wash their little hands.
Maria E. Gomez, from Cincinnati, Ohio
Good idea. My daughter wouldn’t sir on a potty so she went straight on the toilet.
We are using the fisher price potty at the moment, I think its great - much better than the simpler potties I used for my older children.