This post was in partnership with Pampers but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"My husband and I spent an entire holiday break potty training our son, what we affectionately refer to as Holiday Hell Week. He’d been showing developmental signs of readiness for a while, such as being able to communicate more clearly, showing interest in the toilet when we used the restroom, and announcing when he dirtied his diaper. So we decided that we’d use our breaks from work as an opportunity to introduce him to the potty. But let’s just say we did not have a relaxing at-home vacation.
I’m the type of mom who needs to feel over-prepared in every new situation, so I took a potty training course, printed helpful materials, and purchased various products before beginning. I knew that our strong-willed little boy would need plenty of prep and patience from our end if we were going to take this step, especially since he has historically struggled with major life changes. I expected he would be resistant, but man, I was not prepared for his level of willpower. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least.
Now that I’m on the other side of it, I’ve at least gained a wealth of knowledge on how to adequately brace yourself for what lies ahead in this process. So let’s dive into my must-have potty training tips and products.
Stock Up on Training Undies
Even if you use the naked method for the first few days of potty training, your child won’t be pants-less forever (even though it can feel like it!). Make sure to grab a couple of packs of training undies (like Pampers Easy Ups) to help ease into the process. Even if you choose to skip using them during the day, they’ll still come in handy for nighttime accidents. Once your little one is fully potty trained during the day, you can start tackling nights, but Easy Ups are a great solution to help with the transition.
My kids love Easy Ups because they’re extra soft and comfy, and I love them because they’re more affordable than other brands we’ve used. Parents often find that training pants feel too much like diapers, but Easy Ups solves this with their soft, cotton-like material that feels more like real underwear. With dual leak-guard barriers and up to 100 percent leakproof protection, they’re perfect for overnight use or any accidents during outings. Easy Ups also feature a 360-degree stretchy waistband, making them easy for kids to pull up and down—key for those last-minute dashes to the potty! Plus, when accidents happen, the easy-tear sides allow for quick removal (a lifesaving feature, truly).
Pampers
Available in fun Bluey designs your kids will love, they add a playful touch to potty training. We recommend introducing Easy Ups before officially starting training to help your child get through this big transition as seamlessly as possible.
Find The Right Potty
Choosing the right potty can make all the difference when it comes to potty training success. With so many different styles and features, it’s important to find one that fits your child’s needs and your training approach. For example, if you’re opting for the bare-bottom method, a lightweight, portable potty is ideal for easy access around the house, helping to prevent accidents. On the other hand, if you prefer a more gradual or parent-led method, a potty seat that attaches to the regular toilet might be the better choice. Or, for parents who want their kids to take the lead, character-themed potties can be a fun, motivating tool to encourage excitement about using the potty. No matter your approach, there’s a potty out there that’s the perfect fit for your little one’s needs:
Summer by Ingenuity
With its lifelike design, this potty helps kids feel like they’re using a real toilet. It includes a convenient flushing handle and removable potty seat that can transition to a standard toilet, making it very versatile for long-term use.
Jool Baby
If you’d rather skip the mini potty, this seat fits securely on top of most adult toilets, eliminating the need for a separate potty.
Frida Baby
Ideal for families on the go, this foldable potty seat fits easily into a diaper bag and provides a clean and secure spot for toddlers to use public restrooms. It’s lightweight yet sturdy, making it perfect for travel!
Make Potty Time Fun
Once you’ve purchased your little one’s potty, put together a potty basket with engaging toys to keep them entertained and motivated. We all know toddlers are notorious for their short attention spans, so it’s essential to have an array of items that can keep them seated for long periods. You want to opt for toys that are easy and safe to use while on the potty, just to avoid any accidents or too much distraction:
Melissa & Doug
Keep your little one entertained with this fun, hands-on sensory board that helps with fine motor skills.
Gigglescape
A mess-free way to encourage creativity and keep toddlers busy during potty breaks.
Gigglescape
This fidget box is a perfect distraction to keep your child entertained while working on potty training.
Read Potty-Themed Books
We started reading potty-themed books right after our son turned 2 years old and purchased a couple more right before we began training. They have been very helpful in making him understand his bodily functions and the actions of using the potty. We also kept these in his potty basket for a simple, easy-reach way to relax him while he sat. Here are our favorite potty reads:
Becky Davies
A light-hearted and helpful storybook to ease your child into the potty training process.
Sara Conway
This book has step-by-step instructions for littles, which makes it very simple to understand and follow along.
Leslie Patricelli
Our son has been quoting this book since we purchased it last summer. It’s adorable and engaging, and it made him excited to wear undies.
Be Prepared for Accidents
Accidents are unavoidable during potty training—there’s really just no way around it. But the best way to not freak out every time they happen is by keeping all your cleaning products together in a mobile caddy. It’ll make cleanup way simpler when everything is easily accessible in a designated spot. We also moved our main rugs to the garage to avoid having to remove stains until he got the hang of it.
Pampers
These gentle wipes are perfect for sensitive skin and essential for any potty training journey.
Lynmark
Protect your car seat from accidents with this waterproof, easy-to-clean cover.
CleanSmart
Just remember to take a deep breath and keep the disinfectant spray close.
When in Doubt, Get Creative
Even though teaching your little one to use the potty is a natural part of the toddler stage, it can still feel very scary to them. They’ve been using diapers their entire life, and having to go through this huge change can be very difficult for them. I know it was for our son. He tried to resist every step of the way, so we had to get very creative with our methods. I didn’t feel comfortable resorting to bribery, so we developed other ways to get him excited about his potty. We kept bubbles, sprinkles, and stickers in his potty basket so he could use all these special things while seated or after he successfully used the potty.
However, I’d like to add that no matter how much you prepare yourself and your toddler for this new change, you can’t force another human being to do something they simply don’t want to. And this doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you or your child. Potty training is stressful enough as is; let’s not put any more additional pressure on ourselves for something our kids will eventually learn. So take a breath, mama, because they won’t be in diapers forever—we promise.
Fizzy Star
Make potty training fun with these colorful, dissolvable targets for little ones to aim at.
Barts
Drop these tabs in the potty to create fizzy fun that encourages kids to use the toilet.
Melissa & Doug
Use stickers to decorate their potty or create a sticker chart as a simpler reward system.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steph Alleva Cornell, Branded Content Editor
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph has found joy in creating beautiful yet relatable content surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She believes showcasing both the wonders and struggles of being a parent helps other mothers understand that they are not alone in their journey.
This post was in partnership with Pampers, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.