When it’s time for potty training, getting little tushies onto big toilets presents a substantial challenge. Toilet seats designed for toddlers provide a sturdy and comfortable seat for your little one as they learn to use the big-kid potty. These seats have a large surface area and a smaller cavity, making any toilet seat safe for little bottoms to rest on.
Toilet seats for toddlers come in a variety of styles and are fitted with different features, so finding the perfect one can be difficult. Our top pick, the BABYBJORN toilet trainer, works for any kid.
Often referred to as potty training seats, toilet seats for toddlers can provide a smooth transition from diapers to the toilet. Many parents think of a potty chair as the go-to choice for making this transition, while others opt for a toddler toilet seat.
Potty chairs are stand-alone units that sit close to the floor and have a tank you must manually clean after each use. They are easy to move around the house and small enough that a toddler can usually sit on them without any help. Although potty chairs have the benefit of being less intimidating for young ones, the cleaning involved can be more intimidating for parents and guardians. If you don’t mind cleaning it and have the extra floor space, a potty chair may be a good option for you.
Toilet seats for toddlers are seats designed to fit onto your existing toilet seat, creating a comfortable space for your child to use the toilet. Toilet seats take up less space than potty chairs, have little to no maintenance and get your young one used to an actual toilet sooner, rather than having the potty chair in between. With the addition of a good step to help your little one get up on the toilet, there aren’t many downsides to a toddler toilet seat.
Toilet seats for toddlers come in a variety of styles, from traditional seats that aren’t much different from a normal toilet seat to padded seats featuring their favorite TV show character.
Some toddler toilet seats have an adjustable fit, allowing them to accommodate toilet seats of varying styles. The actual size and shape of the seat remain the same, but the arms on the underside of the seat can be adjusted to deliver a snug fit to any toilet.
Since sitting on the toilet is often scary for little ones, having handles on the side can be helpful for making them feel more secure. Additionally, handles give the toddler something to grip onto when it gets hard to go potty. Overall, handles make kids more comfortable.
For kids who would normally urinate standing up, potty training can be very difficult. For this reason, many toilet seats for toddlers have a splash guard, which is positioned in the front center of the seat and works to contain errant splashes of urine. There are some permanent splash guards, while you can remove others for cleaning and convenience.
Expect to spend $10-$50, depending on the style, quality and additional features. For less than $15, you’ll find lower-quality seats with limited features, but they do the job and come in a lot of design options. For $15-$25, you can find pretty much any style of toilet seat for toddlers, although the quality increases with the price. Fully adjustable seats, hinged seats and seats with step stools typically cost $25-$50.
A. Liquid can drip down through the plastic covering and into the padding, making it impossible to clean deep down. Some padded seats have removable padding, which solves this problem.
A. It depends on your needs. Some kids will be enticed by the ladder-style steps of a two-in-one seat, which can be an added benefit. Alternatively, while a two-in-one eliminates the need for a separate stool in the bathroom, you may still want a separate step stool for other rooms in the house.
What you need to know: This adjustable and ergonomic toilet seat has all the basic features and comfortably fits all types of kids.
What you’ll love: The gentle contoured shape of this seat improves comfort and encourages correct position. The adjustable bottom fits securely to most toilets without sliding or wobbling. The splash guard prevents spills, and the built-in handle allows for easy use and storage.
What you should consider: It doesn’t have any handles for kids to hold onto.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Munchkin Sturdy Potty Training Seat
What you need to know: This affordable seat for toddlers offers substantial functionality and features compared to other models in its price range.
What you’ll love: With a non-skid edge that keeps it in place, this seat has a contoured design for comfortable sitting, an integrated splash guard and side grips to give kids a sense of security. You can use this seat with a deodorizing disc.
What you should consider: Some users found it didn’t fit on smaller toilets.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
GrowthPic Potty Training Seat With Ladder
What you need to know: This two-in-one seat and ladder has all the features you could need and makes climbing up to the toilet fun.
What you’ll love: The height-adjustable ladder makes it easy for any kid to climb up to the toilet. Nonslip pads keep the seat securely fit to the toilet and feet keep the ladder from sliding. It has a comfortable seat cushion you can remove for easy cleaning. Assembly is easy.
What you should consider: Although it folds up for storage, the footprint is still quite big.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Collette Bliss writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
