15 TIPS FOR POTTY TRAINING YOUR TODDLER ON THE GO
The potty training phase is one of the roughest periods for toddlers and parents. So it should go without saying that potty training on the go with a toddler adds another level of complexity to an already difficult situation.
Speaking as a mom that is currently potty training a 2-year-old, it is no easy task. Here are the potty training tips we use to potty train on the go.
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1. Start slow and progress
Most kids like having a routine, so introducing potty training too quickly can make them resistant. Starting slowly and progressing will allow them to become more comfortable and adjust to the different changes.
Your toddler will be most comfortable going to the potty at home, so slowly taking them to other places and letting them go to the potty is a good start.
Going to a friend’s or family member’s house is a good way to expose your toddler to unfamiliar bathrooms.
2. Always go to the bathroom before leaving
A good habit to establish before leaving the house is having your toddler go to the potty before you leave. Having your little one go to the potty before leaving will reduce the likelihood of an accident.
If you make this a habit before you leave, this will become routine for them, so they’ll try to go to the bathroom before it is time to go.
Although it happens, it is a little frustrating for someone to have to go to the bathroom as soon as you get in the car and leave the house.
Save yourself the aggravation of looking for a bathroom by always enforcing the rule that your toddler has to potty before leaving the house.
3. Wear potty-friendly clothes
When potty training on the go, what your toddler wear is crucial to get them quick access to the bathroom.
The easiest thing for your little one to wear is pants or shorts without buttons. You do not want to be messing around with buttons while your toddler is doing the pee-pee dance.
While potty training, our son only wears basketball shorts. They are quick and easy to get off when he needs to go to the potty. For girls, leggings are a great option if they are not fond of dresses.
4. Be prepared for accidents
Accidents are a reality that comes with potty training, so the important thing is to be prepared.
Here are some of the things we always carry inside his diaper bag for those uh-oh moments.
- Extra clothes ( 2 shorts & shirts)
- Wet/dry bag to store soiled clothes
- Toddler Potty Training Underwear
- Disinfectant wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Small towel
- Extra baby wipes
- Potty training car seat protector
Having everything you need when your toddler has an accident will eliminate your frustration.
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Buy a travel potty
Having a travel potty will make potty training on the go a lot easier.
Instead of looking for a bathroom, all you need to do is pull over and let your toddler use the bathroom in their travel potty.
Some of them are even small enough to fit in a diaper bag, so your little one can go to the bathroom whenever they feel the urge to go.
Related Post: Best Travel Potty for Toddlers
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Schedule bathroom breaks
Toddlers have a hard time stopping their playtime to potty, so having a schedule will make it easier to remind them to go to the bathroom.
Knowing your toddler’s potty habits makes it easier to set potty breaks according to their needs.
When we are on a road trip, we pull over for our toddler to potty every 30 to 45 minutes.
The easiest thing to do is set a timer on your phone, so you can remind your little one it is time for a potty break.
There are also toddler potty training watches that will go off when it is time for your toddler to go to the potty. Your little one will get used to the timer and know that it is time to stop playing and go to the potty.
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Related Post: Best Potty Training Watch for Toddlers
7. Make potty time fun
A mistake we made when we first started potty training our son was expecting him to sit on the potty without any entertainment.
Having to sit on a potty is boring, so making it more fun will get your toddler excited for potty time.
Potty time is when he can watch his favorite short story, play with a particular toy, or play a game on his tablet.
Making potty time more interactive and fun will get your toddler excited to sit on the potty instead of dreading it.
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
8. Setup a reward system
Reward systems are great for potty training toddlers on the go.
Potty training while traveling is hard, so having a rewards system that your toddler will enjoy can be fun.
Having a prize bag, sticker chart, or other incentives will help encourage your toddler to go to the potty. We currently use M&M’s as his positive reinforcement for going to the potty.
He doesn’t get to eat chocolate often, so he looks forward to his 5 M&M minis after he goes pee-pee or poo in the potty.
Our son is too young (just turned 2 a few weeks ago) for rewards and incentives, but we plan to set up a reward system in a few months when he is closer to 2.5 years old.
Remember, to associate the reward with the behavior you need to have the “prizes” on hand. When they provide the desired behavior, they should receive their “reward”.
Note: Keeping some treat, rewards, or prizes in a]your diaper bag or purse will ensure you have them handy when you need them
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9. Stay clam, there will be setbacks (regression)
We know there will be accidents when potty training a toddler, so do not get upset if they become frequent.
Potty training regression is normal if there have been changes in their lives. It could be as simple as schedule changes, family vacation, or a new daycare.
The best way to combat this is to get back on your schedule and stay consistent. After a few weeks, things should get back to normal, and your toddler should be improving.
Remember, it is important to remain positive and provide your toddler with validation and not get angry.
10. Ease into public restrooms (they are scary)
Imagine being a toddler and walking into a restroom with strangers, toilets flushing, water running, and paper towel dispensers going.
All of that is very scary and intimidating for a young child, so slowly making them comfortable in the public restroom is essential.
That is why we use a travel potty until he is old enough to conquer public restrooms.
If your toddler is older, putting a post-it over the sensor can prevent the toilet from flushing automatically and scaring your little one.
11. Teach fun hand-washing habits
If the last year and a half has taught us anything, it’s how important it is to wash our hands. Teaching your toddler proper hand-washing is important.
You can make washing their hands fun with a colorful hand sanitizer or cool soap. We’ve been using babyganics hand sanitizer since our son was one, and we love it.
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
12. Don’t forget to encourage your toddler
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in trying to make sure our little ones are potty trained by an arbitrary age that we forget how much of an adjustment it is for them. Remember to encourage you little one and let them know it’s okay to have accidents.
They need to be confident that if they have an accident, that they will not be thrown to the wolves. Let you toddler know you understand, and continue to encourage them.
We all know every child is different and they will be potty trained in their own time. My mom told me I was potty trained in a week, and my brothers took almost a year.
Don’t get discouraged, your toddler will get there in their own time.
13. Potty training songs are your friend
We have learned to use potty training songs to encourage our toddler to tell us when he has to pee-pee.
Our son isn’t talking in full sentences yet, but he can sing songs, so we use Little Baby Bum, Coco Melon, and other kids’ shows on YouTube to encourage him to tell us when he has to go.
You may not think this makes a difference, but it works. Now we ask him if he went pee-pee or poo-poo in his diaper and he can say yes or no. His answer usually isn’t right, but it progress lol.
14. Using pull-ups or diapers doesn’t mean you failed
There may be times where you need to use a pull-up or diaper, and that is okay. Do not feel guilty or feel like a failure. Potty training is a difficult transition for both parents and toddlers, so do not be hard on yourself.
It will take time, and there may be times where a pull-up is better for a particular situation. You are doing great, so do not get discouraged.
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
15. Be patient
The final tip we have for potty training on the go is to be patient. Things will happen, and it’s not the end of the world.
As long as you and are little one are doing the best you can, that’s all you can do.
Do not overwhelm yourself, and do not be concerned with the opinions of others. Your little one will be potty trained in their own time, so don’t worry.
Bonus: Use a potty training mat to protect the car seat
Something that many parents forget is that their car seat needs to be protected from accidents. Using a pee pad for your car seat will help protect it from accidents.
PROTECTING YOUR CAR SEAT WHILE POTTY TRAINING ON THE GO
One thing that needs consideration when potty training a toddler on the go is how to keep protect your car seat from accidents. Taking apart a car seat to wash the cushion is a hassle with a capital H.
Having a car seat cover for potty training toddlers will save you the hassle. Pee pads for car seats will protect your car seat from getting wet when your toddler has an accident.
CAR SEAT PROTECTOR COMPARISON TABLE
Last update on 2024-09-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
THE BEST POTTY TRAINING CAR SEAT PROTECTORS
The car seat waterproof pads below will help keep your car seat protected from unexpected potty accidents.
Most of the potty training car seat protectors below can fit most car seats and are machine washable, so you can put them in the washer when your toddler has an accident.
The best thing about them is the versatility. You can use a piddle pad in your stroller, booster seat, or high chair. Here are the top 5 car seat pads for potty training.
Note: Manufactures do not recommend using a piddle pad. They can potentially compromise your car seat in an accident. There are some brand specific car seat protectors that have been tested for specific car seats, so if your car seat brand has a piddle pad, I recommend purchasing it, instead of an after market brand.
Stream Liners Disposable Car Seat Piddle Pad
Stream Liners Disposable Car Seat Piddle Pads are perfect for toddlers who are mostly potty trained but have a few accidents here and there. These are great for long road trips with toddlers.
This pack comes with five piddle pads, so you can put them in your car seat, stroller, or booster seat to help prevent accidents. The adhesive prevents the pad from moving, so everything is protected to help prevents stains from accidents.
These are great for occasional use, but the cost can add up over time. If your little one goes a lot these may not be enough to stop your car seat from getting wet.
For older toddlers, these are great for accidents every so often. If your little one is new to potty training, a reusable piddle pad may be more cost-efficient.
Pros
- Universal fit
- Multi-functional
- Adhesive prevents moving
- Absorbs a good amount
Cons
- Not reusable
- Expensive over time
- Could be longer
INFANZIA Dry Seat
The INFANZIA Dry Seat is the car seat protector that we recently started using with our potty training toddler. We’re still in the beginning stages of potty training, so it hasn’t gotten much use.
I got this brand because we will likely use it more in our stroller than our car seat, so we wanted something more comfortable. It was an affordable option, plus it stays in place. Our son loves to move around, so we need a car seat protector that will stay in place.
This piddle pad isn’t great for beginning potty training toddlers, so we plan to hold off on using it for a little while. Our little guy pees a lot, and these are meant for a full bladder, but they’re perfect for accidents on road trips.
If you are looking for a piddle pad that offers protection, comfort, and an affordable price, our favorite is our favorite.
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
- Universal fit
- Anti-skid design
- Anto-leak buckle protection
Cons
- Not for full bladder
- Not great for really hot places
Beaniara Car Seat Protector
The Beaniara Car Seat Protector is a new brand that looks to be promising for newly potty trained toddlers. The 5-layers of protection offer more absorbency at the same price of the other piddle pads on our list.
We plan to purchase this piddle pad when our son is a little older, and we are using car seats more often. At this moment, we live in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, and rarely use a car seat.
What we love is how their products are safety tested, so I feel confident they do not interfere with the effectiveness of the car seat. They fit in a car seat, booster seat, stroller, or even high-chair.
You can see this piddle pad covers more area on the seat, so it is protected from accident and even annoying crumbs.
Pros
- Five layers of protection
- Very absorbent
- Crash tested
- Universal fit
Cons
- More xxpensive than others
Britax Car Seat Waterproof Liner
The Britax Car Seat Waterproof Liner is the most popular piddle pad for car seats. Unlike the other car seat protectors on our list, this one was tested just for the Britax model car seats.
The no-slip grip makes it easier to stay in place. If you have a Britax car seat, this is the best piddle bad for your potty training toddler. Since this has been designed and tested for this brand, you don’t have to worry about fit.
Many parents love how this piddle pad protects this car seat from unexpected accidents. This is the best overall car seat protection cover for toddlers.
If you have a Britax brand car seat or stroller this is a no brainer, I definitely recommend this car seat protector.
Pros
- Great absorption
- Stay in place better than others
- Crash tested
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Designed & tested for Britax car seats
DiONO Dry Seat Child Car Seat Pad
The DiONO Dry Seat Child Car Seat Pad is the most affordable piddle pad on our list for potty training toddlers. Their unique designs makes it easier to contain accidents in the car, stroller, or even high chair.
I like the additional padding so this piddle pad is more comfortable than the others on this list. For parents looking to protect their car seat at an affordable price, this is the best piddle pad for car seats.
This piddle pad is perfect for minor accidents. If your little one pees a lot, then this may not protect your car seat. If your little one moves around, it may not stay in place, but that’s expected with toddlers.
For parents looking to avoid spending a lot of money, this piddle pad is the most affordable. You can avoid having to clean the car seat after every accident.
Pros
- Affordable
- Additional padding for comfort
- Universal fit
- Easy to clean
- Provides additional protection
Cons
- Bunches up with movement
- Doesn’t hold large amounts of pee
- Fits best with DiONO car seats
Bear and Care Car Seat Protector Piddle Pad
For parents lucky enough to have more than one toddler in potty training years, the Bear and Care Car Seat Protector Piddle Pad set is the best overall value for you. If you are potty training multiple little ones at once, these car sear protectors will make it a little easier.
These piddle pads have been tested on different brand car seats and strollers, so they are expected to fit most brands. Like the other car seat protectors on our list, it is machine washable and easy to clean.
Many parents rave about the customer service, so if you have any issues with this car set protector, you can reach out to the company. Also, they tested this product voluntarily to meet the FMVSS213 Crash Test Pulse.
Pros
- 1-year replacement warranty
- Universal fit
- Customer service
- Cover a large area
- Meets safety requirements
Cons
- Sides are low
- Some stitching issues
Hi! Please specify in your post that many car seat protectors are not recommended by car seat manufacturers and can be dangerous in an accident. There are a select few that were made by a certain brand and are to be used only with that brand, but any off market items should not be used with car seats for safety reason. Otherwise, great article! Thank you.
Thank you, I’ve updated the article to include that information.