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10 Potty Training Supplies You Can’t Go Without

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Your toddler is showing allll the readiness signs.

It’s time to start preparing for potty training!

But if you’re a first-time mom, you probably have a million questions running through your mind.

What potty training supplies do I need?

What’s the best toilet training seat?

Training pants? What kind?!

Fret no more. This potty training checklist includes everything you’ll need to start potty training your toddler.

Top 10 potty training supplies

Must-haves for the perfect potty training kit

1. Potty training pants

The first item to check off your list? Potty training pants!

Whether you choose to use disposable potty training pants (Pull-Ups) or cloth/reusable potty training underwear– That is completely up to you.

However, as a mom who’s been there twice, this is the conclusion I have come to:

Cloth potty training pants are best for daytime potty training.

And Pull-Ups are best for traveling and sometimes nighttime. (But you can absolutely potty train without Pull-Ups altogether if you want– See #10)

For one main reason:

You’ve probably heard this before, but yes– Toddlers tend to treat Pull-Ups just like a diaper. Because, well, they are very similar to diapers.

In my experience, training with underwear helps it to “click” faster since it’s not very comfortable when these become wet or dirty.

We used these potty training pants for our 3-year-old. The extra layer of cloth makes them perfect for transitioning from diapers to underwear.

While these will catch small leaks, they are not as absorbent as a diaper or Pull-Up. So be prepared for a few puddles in the beginning.

2. Potty seat or potty chair

Next, you will need a potty.

Not just ANY potty, but you will need the right potty for your toddler.

Overall, you have two main types to choose from:

A.) A stand-alone or mini potty chair

B.) A potty seat that goes on top of the toilet

Which one should you pick?

If your toddler is scared of the “big potty” or is on the smaller side, a freestanding potty chair might be best.

Another pro of using a potty chair is portability. Some moms swear by having one of these close by– at nighttime especially.

The only downside is they have to be emptied after each use, and they’re usually outgrown quickly.

A potty seat that fits on top of your toilet might be the best choice if your toddler is eager to use the potty. He’ll be able to use it for much longer and there’s no dumping– just flush as you normally would!

Most importantly, no matter the type of potty you choose, I highly recommend you take the time to sift through some reviews before you buy one. (You learn the most from the 3-4 star reviews!)

Here are a couple of considerations as you’re doing your research:

  • If you’re starting with a potty seat that fits on top of your toilet– What kind of toilet do you have? Some potty seats do not work well for certain shapes.
  • Are you potty training a boy or a girl? If you’re potty training a boy, be sure you’re choosing a potty seat with a high enough splash guard.

3. Toddler step stool

Another handy tool to include in your potty training kit is a step stool.

The potty seat we used had an attached ladder, but our son still uses his step stool for handwashing, brushing his teeth, and standing to use the potty (he’s still just a bit too short to reach it without).

You won’t regret it!

4. Faucet extender

Next, if you have tall sinks or a tiny toddler, faucet extenders are a big help.

Before we moved into our current house (when our son was a bit shorter), we purchased these faucet extenders:

Super cute and easy to install!

There’s just one thing to watch out for if you go with these– If your toddler ever figures out that these have a bit of a spring to them– You might get soaked. My son thinks this is hilarious.

5. Comfy clothes with stretchy waistbands

You will also need comfy clothes you toddler can easily pull up and down.

Those classic overalls may be adorable. But when you’re potty training a toddler– Stretchy waistbands will make everyone’s lives much easier.

6. Potty training chart

Does your toddler love stickers?

A potty training chart (also called a sticker or reward chart) is a fun and easy way to practice positive reinforcement when you are potty training your toddler.

Yes, I realize a potty training chart isn’t completely necessary, but it may just be the extra boost of motivation your toddler needs.

7. Toddler books about potty training

While we’re on the topic of motivational tools to get your toddler excited to start potty training– Books are excellent choices as well.

Especially when they’re easy to understand and fun to flip through.

Toddlers love to imitate everything they see. If Elmo happily uses the potty in their favorite book, it’s highly likely they’ll want to give it a try too.

Reading to toddlers also helps expand their vocabulary and may even help them do better in school later on (source). It’s a win-win!

Here are a few of our top picks:

8. Travel potty solution

Next, you will need a travel solution for those times when you’re away from home and it’s suddenly potty time.

A portable potty chair that folds up is great for younger toddlers who are new to potty training.

Once your toddler is more comfortable with the potty, these extra-large toilet seat covers should do the trick.

And if you have a little boy– once he is comfortable standing– These portable urinals are a genius idea!

9. Cleaning supplies

You’re probably fairly stocked up in this department (considering everything that’s going on in the world at the moment), but I still felt it was worth mentioning.

Here’s what you need specifically for the perfect cleanup kit:

10. Mattress protector

Mattress protectors? Do I still need them if I’m using Pull-Ups at night?

Even if you are using Pull-Ups at night, I still recommend some kind of mattress protection.

If your toddler has a full bladder and then has an accident in her Pull-Up during the night, it’s common for them to leak. It’s happened to us several times!

There are absorbent bed pads you can use to protect your toddler’s mattress, but I was afraid those would slide around too much for my wiggly toddler.

We have a couple of waterproof mattress protector sheets, and they haven’t let us down yet!

These are our top 10 potty training essentials for toddlers.

After you’ve stocked up on these, you’ll be ready to begin potty training and kick the diapers for good!