traveling by plane with beginning potty learner - would you pack a potty?

[moonjunio]

My daughter is 19 months and over the last few weeks has shown interest in the potty. She's done pee and poo in her baby bjorn potty quite a few times and also at day care. She's still wearing diapers but tells us about poos. However the thrill of sitting on the potty seems to be wearing off somewhat.

We're traveling (by plane) for 6 days this week, so my question is.... should I buy and pack a mini bjorn potty for the trip? Or should I let potty learning "slide" for this short window of time? My only concern is that her interest will evaporate if potty's not available... but on the other hand maybe it will be a nice break from any (unintentional) pressure she might be feeling.

I've considered and discarded other options (fold-up seat, or buying online and delivering to destination, or rental/borrowing...). I would definitely reuse a portable bjorn, just not sure it's worth the suitcase space.

What do you think, is 6 days too long to take a break at this early stage? What if she asks to go potty and I have to say no? The big toilet is too overwhelming right now.

[ShyDaisi]

I wouldn't take the break. If you feel that in order to bridge the gap you need the potty, I would get it/take it.

I traveled with Micah on a plane not long after he was potty trained and he just used the regular toilets...(not suggesting for you as you have discarded it, just sharing our experience) We just made regular often trips - as soon as we got in the airport, just before security, after finding our gate, just before boarding, just after seatbelt sign went off, etc...

[Grace and Granola]

I would take it as long as you have you room. I wouldn't pay the $50 or whatever to take an extra bag! As long as she's still in diapers for the plane ride, it should be a smooth transition if she has her regular potty on vacation.

[sapphire_chan]

I took a folding toilet seat reducer. We didn't use it on the plane, but it was great for the airport and hotel toilets.

In the hotel, I wouldn't have minded her sitting where she could mess with the floor (and in fact sat on the floor myself while she was on the toilet), but at the airports it was good to have her up where I could squat to play with her and read her books.

Oh, you already decided against that reading comprehension fail, I thought you were still considering it.

Honestly, the bblp, while small, isn't all that compact. The people who carry one in a diaper bag generally have relatively large bags without much other stuff. So whether it's worth taking is really going to depend on what you'd have to give up to fit it in.

[moonjunio]

Thank you everyone! This is my first time with potty learning, so it's great to hear these tips. I probably will try and squeeze a potty in the duffel bag.

[Kirsten]

I'm confused - do you want to use it on the plane or only when you get to your destination?

There is NO space to use it on the plane, and I wouldn't try an early learner in the regular plane bathroom with or without an adapting device - because it is 1) loud and 2) cramped in those plane bathrooms. I'd be afraid of scaring the daylights out of the kid, and of regression due to that.

I'd carry a foldable reducer in your bag for airPORT bathrooms but just use diapers on the plane. I'd have a friend or relative buy one at the destination (or buy it online now and deliver there) or buy it yourself when you arrive if you know no one there.

[moonjunio]

Yeah, just destination. Diapers are fine for the airport, plane etc. Husband couldn't get over the idea of shipping a potty to our relatives for just 5-6 days of use.....

This morning I tried sitting -with- her on the real potty with her in front of me, I've heard it works for EC... no results but she was intrigued anyway :-) If only there was a little more room for two tooshies LOL! And there's no "splashguard" so.... hm

[lnitti]

honestly, I would try hard to get her used to a regular toilet. Even when not on your trip, it IS something she will need to do eventually.

I'd put her in pull-ups and take her potty every time you go using the regular toilet. Even on the plane I would do it too. Just make sure she exits the bathroom before you flush so it doesn't scare her - and warn her that it will be loud before you use the bathroom. If you are up for it, take her extra times too - before boarding, before descent, etc.