As parents, your little one’s milestones excite you the most—you celebrate them and wish for nothing but your child’s healthy growth and development. One of the most important milestones in a toddler’s development is potty-training, which you can start with anytime between 12 – 18 months, with no one specific age that suits all children. Therefore, as every child is different, the process of readying them for potty-training requires observation and flexibility. Read on to find out more about when to start potty-training your little one and a list of potty trainer options we recommend!
When to start potty training your toddler
While there are many uncertainties around when to start potty-training your little one, below are some indicators to look out for:
- Your child stays dry for at least 2 hours during the day and is dry after naps.
- They can follow simple instructions such as requests to walk to the bathroom.
- They are able to recognise when they have soiled themselves — if they cry, fuss or show any obvious signs of discomfort when their diaper is soiled, they might be ready to start the process.
However, as emphasised, the process and time of potty-training a child differs significantly between people. Additionally, even if your child seems ready to begin potty-training, it might be best to avoid potty-training during stressful or transitional periods, such as when you’re moving or on vacation. Children learn best when they are relaxed and used to a regular routine.
How to choose the best potty trainer
Now that you’re more confident in knowing when and how to start potty-training your little one, here are the two most important features to look out for, when choosing the perfect potty trainer for them!
- Size. There are many different toilet trainers with varying heights and rim sizes, and it is crucial to choose the perfect fit, ensuring your child’s comfort when using it. If your child’s bottom is draping over the seat or barely covering the inside rim, they will feel uncomfortable and anxious using it. The rightly-sized seat will let your child’s bottom rest comfortably and solidly on the seat, with both feet firmly planted on the floor or stool.
- Ease of cleaning. One of the concerns many parents face when choosing a potty is how they should clean it. With ease of cleaning being a big issue, many baby toilets incorporate removable basins and splash guards for a more hygienic and ergonomic experience, making cleaning much more convenient.
How to start potty training your toddler
Once you feel that it is the appropriate time to start potty training your little one, here are some steps you can take:
- Gradually introduce the toilet. You can first start by introducing the topic of toilet training to your child, such as through children’s books, which can help pique their interest. This step will help raise awareness about the concept of going to the toilet, making them more comfortable with the topic.
- Follow a schedule for potty-training. It is important to follow a regular “ritualised" routine so that going to the toilet essentially becomes habitual for your child. You can consider having your child sit on the potty first thing every morning, regardless of whether they have to go.
- Offer praise and rewards. When you’re potty-training, there are bound to be accidents that occur; this may happen even past the ages of 5 or 6, but it’s nothing to fret over. Try to not punish your child for this—they are in the process of learning and sometimes, may not be able to help it. Instead, when your child uses the potty successfully, offer them gentle praise or even a small reward, encouraging their positive behavior.
- Teach proper hygiene. With potty-training and usage of toilets, comes the importance of hygienic habits. To set children up with good hygiene habits that will last a lifetime, it is crucial to teach them how to wash their hands from the start, alongside how to flush the toilet or wiping.
5 Best Potty Trainers in Singapore
Now that you’re better equipped with information on when and how to start potty training your little one, here are some recommendations for the best baby toilet trainers in Singapore.
Best Potty Trainers in Singapore
 | Skip Hop Made for Me Potty Best Designed Potty Trainer |  | View Details | Buy from Shopee |
 | BabyBjorn Smart Potty Best Ergonomic Potty Trainer | | View Details | Buy from Shopee |
 | Oxo Tot Potty Chair Best Potty Trainer for Easy Cleaning | | View Details | Buy from Shopee |
 | 3-in-1 Whale Potty Training Seat Best Toilet Trainer for Child-friendly Cute Designs | | View Details | Buy from Shopee |
 | Beaba Ergonomic Training Potty Best Budget-friendly Potty Trainer | | View Details | Buy from Shopee |
Best Designed Potty Trainer
The Skip Hop potty closely resembles a grown-up toilet with a similar look and feel. It even includes a button at the top for a real flush sound to encourage your child to learn how to flush and build up hygienic habits! Furthermore, this potty boasts of pairing comfort and convenience, featuring smooth, wipe-able surfaces and a removable basin for easy clean-up. Finally, there’s a back compartment that can hold a removable case for wipes. You can even place your child’s favorite books there!
Features:
- Age: Suitable for children 18 months and up.
- Size: 14.5L x 9W x 10H (inches).
- Modern, realistic design.
- Built-in splash guard.
- Removable basin.
Best Ergonomic Potty Trainer
The BabyBjorn potty trainer is known as a “smart" potty due to it’s amazing ergonomic design combining safety with convenience, with soft lines to provide your child maximum comfort, where the smooth, rounded edges of the toilet trainer will not be harsh or pinch the skin. Furthermore, it allows for lots of room for the legs, making it easier to stand up and sit down. Additionally, it’s ergonomic design includes a rubber edging to ensure that the potty will remain and rest firmly on the floor without sliding about.
Features:
- Age: Suitable for children 12 months and up.
- Slide-free.
- Splash Guard to prevent spills.
- Handle on the back for convenience when moving the potty about.
Best Potty Trainer for Easy Cleaning
The Oxy Tot Potty Chair prides itself on being easy-to-clean, equipped with useful side handles that make it much more convenient to remove the inner bowl for cleaning. It also includes a Splash Guard which further enhances easy cleaning, by minimising mess. Additionally, it has a comfortable and convenient design, with an ergonomic high back rest to help support your little one, as well as a main handle on the seatback for easy handling and transporting.
Features:
- Age: Suitable for children 12 months and up.
- Ergonomic, convenient and comfortable.
- Minimises mess.
- Seamless seat design for the child’s maximum comfort.
Best Toilet Trainer for Child-friendly Cute Designs
The main focus of the 3-in-1 whale potty trainer is its stylish and fun child-friendly design featuring an adorable whale, encouraging the child’s curiosity as well as independence. It can double up as a step-stool for usage to access the adult sink and toilet, as well as proving to be a convenient, travel-friendly baby toilet. Moreover, it even consists of ergonomic and practical features such as a backrest and non-slip base for safety purposes, as well as a removable bowl and lid. This means that the inner seat of the potty can be removed easily for cleaning.
Features:
- Age: Suitable for children 6 months and up.
- Size: 13.2W x 13.6L x 8H (inches).
- 100% safe material.
- Splash Guard.
- Made with durable, non-toxic odorless BPA free PP material.
Best Budget-friendly Potty Trainer
The Beaba potty trainer is an excellent choice, being the most budget-friendly one on this list of recommendations, while featuring a well-rounded ergonomic design. It includes a non-slip bottom for safety purposes, helping guarantee your little one’s comfort. Additionally, it includes an easy-clean pan and convenient travel handle, ensuring a quick and easy cleaning process for parents, as well as doubling as a portable potty trainer.
Features:
- Age: Suitable for children 2 and above.
- Size: 13W x 11L x 8.5H (inches).
- Carrying handle at rear.
- Shaped comfortably for both genders.
- Stackable with a 2-in-1 stool.
Price comparison table
To sum up, here is a compiled table of the best recommended potty trainers in Singapore, their various features, and prices to help you make a better decision for your child
Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
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