Potty chair? Potty learning books?

[mariacm]

I'm wanting to start potty learning with my 12 month old son, and need some recommendations for a potty chair and books about potty learning appropriate for starting at 1 year old.

Any personal tips are also much appreciated!  And success stories from others who've started at 1 year old - i know we missed the early learning window but don't want to wait til 18 months.

TIA!! =)

[Ruthie's momma]

I would suggest using the Baby Bjorn Little Potty.  DD was able to use it from a very young age, it is easy to travel with and move around the house and it is super easy to clean.  Plus, it is very inexpensive. 

http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/bathroom/little-potty/little-potty/ 

[carmel23]

I second the baby bjorn little potty. It is the best for young learners.  Or if you are near an ikea, there is a potty in the kids' section of Ikea that is very similar to the bjorn version for like 2 bucks. 

I don't know if you do any videos or dvds, but the Once Upon a potty movie is good (ad short) because it shows *babies* using potties, and not like 3 year-olds. 

And then see what your library has, we would just get whatever books and videos the library has... there is a priddy book that is good, and an Ernie book (we don't watch sesame street, and just call him ernie or the funny guy) that I like because it shows Ernie washing his hands! 

But just talk a lot about it, read about it. 

I would put my little ones on the potty before putting them in the bath, and then after waking up.  And other wise just let them run naked when they could.... like when it is warm outside! 

[mariacm]

Thanks to both... but isn't it hard to empty when you have to dump it from the whole thing?  Seems like the bigger bjorn with the removable insert would make dumping much easier/less prone to spills?  Tell me how it's gone for you!

[Marissamom]

Originally Posted by mariacm 

Thanks to both... but isn't it hard to empty when you have to dump it from the whole thing?  Seems like the bigger bjorn with the removable insert would make dumping much easier/less prone to spills?  Tell me how it's gone for you!

the entire potty is about the same size as the removable insert in bigger potties, so no issue to dump at all (I think it weighs less than a pound, the plastic is light weight, but strong). I started DD on her little potty at 12 months, I take her when she's getting up, getting in the bath, going to bed, and when I go. I usually go with her, and this seems to really have helped her get the idea. the one thing I will say, is expect it to go slow. at 18 months DD will sometimes go on the potty 8 times in a day, but sometimes only 1 or 2, it depends on what's going on that day. we haven't done any books, movies, or dolls on the potty or anything, just set an example of going at the same time she did. 

[justKate]

Originally Posted by mariacm 

Thanks to both... but isn't it hard to empty when you have to dump it from the whole thing?  Seems like the bigger bjorn with the removable insert would make dumping much easier/less prone to spills?  Tell me how it's gone for you!

We have both.  Actually, two of each now. :bag

I like them both, for different reasons:

The full-size is good because it has a "back" like a chair, and more importantly, it has a rubber griper edge on the bottom, so it won't slip around on tile/wood/linoleum.  This one was easier for DD to back up on to when she was ~14 mos. and still just playing on it. The removable insert will often be used as a hat. Even though it its bigger, DD (now 20 mos.) can still carry it all around the house.

The little potty is great space-wise.  Good to throw in the car if you want to do that.  It doesn't have the rubber grip on the bottom, so it will slide on smooth surfaces.  This makes a loud screachy noise on tile, at least, and can be scary (or worse, wonderful to your toddler who will insist on throwing it around).  I don't like the screach factor because when DD sits with any force, it sometiems slides away from her. The larger one is more stable in that respect. If you get the little one, get it in white so that you can see when there is pee in it.  It's hard to distinguish between pee and say, bathwater, in the other colors (IMO).

I think they are equally easy to dump.

We've both been taking DD to the bathroom with us her entire life, and I try to "show" her how to put pee pee in the potty.  Yesterday she pooped on the floor, so i moved the poop into the potty and showed her that this is where we put poop.  Poop goes in the potty!  And she was very excited.  *sigh*  It will be a long journey!

Good luck!
 

[JudiAU]

Both of the Bjorn potties are great. If he is small guy, go with the little potty. But my 15m who is tall fits on the bigger Bjorn potty fine as well. I'd check all the potty books at the library because honestly, most are terrible so read them first and figure out what clicks. I think Potty For Me was the winner for us. Also, Diaper Free Before 3 has very good advice for early potty training.

Basically, sit on potty at likely times, distract them, wash less diapers. =) A stack of books, a long tower of her brother's duplos to pull apart, and a doodle pro are your best friends.

[texmati]

the little potty can be scooted like a little car. really not funny when it's full.

[elleystar]

We have both Bjorn potties but DS has never really used the little one. He's always used the big one since he was 11 mo but he's off the charts in height and weight so it was right for him size-wise.

I'm not much help on books. I dislike almost every potty book out there for one reason or another. I found this book in the bargain section at Borders recently and we LOVE it.

http://www.christianbook.com/boys-potty-time-with-reward-stickers/9780756658847/pd/658847