Using a potty chair while potty training your toddler is a great way to help them learn to use the potty without worrying about the common fear many toddlers have of sitting on a full-size toilet.
But once your toddler is potty trained, there are a variety of reasons your toddler should transition to using the toilet on a regular basis.
Whatever your reason for helping your toddler make the switch, tackling this step of potty training can be intimidating.
While making the transition from potty chair to toilet is a big milestone for your, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here are some tips to follow as your toddler begins their transition from training seat to full-sized toilet.
Why Your Toddler Should Transition to the Toilet
Your toddler is comfortable using the potty chair and they’re not having any accidents, so why mess with a good thing?
Here are a variety of reasons you should consider making the transition from potty chair to toilet.
Preparing for preschool
If your toddler will soon be transitioning to preschool, they’ll be required to use the full-sized toilet during their school day. Make sure they’re prepared to use the toilet during school by transitioning from the potty chair to the toilet before they start preschool. That way, they’ll be comfortable while using the toilet, which may prevent regression when they start school.
Traveling and running errands becomes much easier
Having a toddler that doesn’t require a potty seat to pee and poop makes travel much easier. When you have the option of using a public toilet while you’re out and about, going grocery shopping or out to eat with your toddler will become much less stressful.
Easier cleanup
When your toddler begins using the regular toilet, you’ll no longer be forced to clean up their potty seat after each use. That’s good news for you!
When to Make the Transition
While making the transition from potty chair to toilet has its benefits, knowing when to make the switch is really up to you and your toddler.
If you’re wondering whether your toddler is ready to start using the toilet, these clues will help you decide when to make the transition.
Your child shows an interest in using the toilet
One of the biggest clues that your toddler is ready to make the leap to the toilet is if they’re showing interest in using it. If they ask to sit on the toilet or are curious about how you use the toilet, let them try to sit on the seat and test it out. If they’re not comfortable when they try it out, hold off and ask them again in a few days.
Your toddler has no problems pooping in the potty chair
Since the potty chair is lower to the ground, its position actually makes it easier for your toddler to poop. Sitting in a potty seat allows them to sit in a squatting position, which is the best position for pooping. So, if your toddler is still having issues with pooping in the potty, it may be a good idea to stick with the potty chair for a little while longer. Otherwise, your toddler is probably ready to try using the toilet.
You don’t need to potty train at night
If your toddler is having trouble staying dry throughout the night, you’ll need to work on night training. And one of the easiest ways to help your toddler potty train at night is by placing their potty seat next to their bed. With easy access to a potty in their room, your toddler will be more likely to get out of bed and go instead of wetting their bed while they sleep. Whether your toddler is able to wake up dry each morning or they’re fine with walking into their bathroom to go during the night, if there is no need to potty train at night your toddler may be ready to transition to the toilet.
How to Transition from Potty Chair to Toilet
While switching from the potty chair to the toilet may seem simple to you, it’s probably a big deal to your toddler.
On top of being the perfect size for them, their potty seat is more comfortable and lower to the ground than the adult toilet. So, making the transition from potty chair to toilet may be scary for them.
There are a few simple ways to make the switch a little easier on your toddler.
- Make the transition gradual. If your toddler has been using their potty chair in a room other than the bathroom, start by moving the chair into the bathroom. Make sure they’re comfortable using the potty chair in the bathroom before showing them how to go potty on the larger toilet.
- Demonstrate how to use the toilet. Keeping the bathroom door open as you and other family members use the toilet is a great way to show your toddler how to use the full-size toilet. In addition to helping your toddler during the beginning phases of potty training, this tactic is also great for transitioning them to using the larger toilet full-time. Each time you or another family member uses the bathroom, let your toddler join so they can watch. Show them how to sit on the toilet, flush, and wash their hands when they’re finished. And if you have a boy at home, make sure to allow other boys in the house to demonstrate how to pee standing up to make the transition to the adult toilet a little more fun for them.
- Let them flush. Flushing the toilet is such a fun activity for toddlers! Let them get used to the idea of using the big toilet by letting your toddler flush the toilet after you’re finished using it. And don’t forget to reinforce the fact that they’ll get to flush the toilet every time they use it, too!
- Let your toddler take the lead. One of the easiest ways to transition from potty chair to toilet is to let your toddler decide when they’re ready to make the move. While you can suggest your toddler try the big toilet, letting your little one choose whether they’d like to use the potty chair or toilet is a great way to give them a little bit more control over their potty training.
- Make it easy for toddlers to use. Since the toilet is often larger and higher than the potty seat your toddler is used to, it’s a good idea to make some adjustments in the bathroom to help your toddler use the toilet more easily. Start by getting a step stool that can be placed in front of the toilet. This will make it easier for your toddler to climb onto the toilet seat when they need to go. And adding a child-size toilet seat insert to the larger toilet seat will help make your toddler feel more secure while they’re sitting on the toilet.
- Remove the potty seat. Once your toddler becomes comfortable sitting on the toilet, remove the potty seat from the bathroom. This will help keep your toddler from reverting back to using the potty seat.