Potty training-chairs or regular potty with child seat?

My twin boys just turned 2 and I found out I'm expecting again so I want to have them trained by the time the baby is born. I mentioned "potty" to one of them and he ran in there and sat on a child seat on the toilet that we used for my older daughter. He isn't quite big enough and when I push him back so his "friend" will aim into the toilet, his legs are sticking straight out and he just looks uncomfortable. He didn't do anything, but wanted to sit there for a while which is a good sign. My other twin freaked when I tried to sit him down on it. I used the child seat on the toilet for my daughter, but I'm thinking maybe potty chairs would be better for them? It would be more comfortable for the twin who was happy to try. And maybe the one was scared of the big potty, wouldn't be scared of the potty chair. What do you think? Another question is, how do you get them to switch later on to the toilet? And what do you do if you're out and about someplace and there's only a public bathroom?

 

First of al...Congrats on the pregnancy!!

I started with a chair, they make some "cute" ones that might help to ease fears and increase their interest in using the potty. I didn't use it long though, I got tired of (and grossed out :bad: )cleaning it out ALL the time! I bought one that could convert into a step stool, and when they were fully trained, I bought a child toliet seat that folds up into the lid of a regular seat, so it is whole-family friendly. They converted easily to using the big potty once they were fully trained.

And as far as getting the aim down, you just have to teach him to push it down between his legs when he sits down! Hope this helps!

Good luck!!

 

I have no experience with training boys, and my girls trained relatively late (we started encouraging them to use the potty around 20 months, but they didn't give up diapers till around age 3), but FWIW... We had both a potty chair and a potty ring that goes on the big toilet. (Both Baby Bjorn -- we love them!) The girls still seem to prefer the potty chair when we're at home, but when we were out, I just held them up on the big toilet so they wouldn't fall in. They never really minded it. Now, at age 3.5, they can finally climb up there and hold themselves up, which is a lovely development. But even before that, we managed.

So, I think they can learn either way. But with twins, it might be nice to have at least one potty seat so that if they both want to go at the same time, you don't have to make one wait or (if you have more than one bathroom) be running back and forth trying to help both of them.

 

I would maybe get only one potty chair and see from there if you need another one. I only used one chair and then we had the insert for the big potty. All three of mine started with the small one but quickly started using the big potty, my girls would fight over who got to use the big potty when they were both trained. When were out we had a portable potty seat that went on the big potty. I know they sell (I am sure someone else can tell you what they are) portable small pottys that you can keep in you van (I don't know if it would work with a car) and then you can have your child go in the van before going into a store or right after you come out. It uses bags so you can just throw it out after the child goes and your car won't smell and there is nothing to clean.

 

I bought 2 potties (one for each - duh and we were given a ring from a friend. They use each intermittenly. DS would ONLY use (practice on) the ring for 9 months; now he loves his potty. DD ONLY practiced on her potty for 8 months; now will use a big toilet with and without the ring, as well as her potty.
My only advice is to get each of them a potty if you decide to go that route. It eliminated any fighting b/c they had their own one.
I also have to remind DD to push his penis down between his legs; it never seems to be a problem luckily!
As far as being out, I forst brought the ring with me, but they refused to go on another toilet. So now I bring their actual potties and they will gladly go on them ANYWHERE. Every kid is different though. (I need another potty for the car, huh?)

 

We weren't going to use the potty seats but we did finally cave and get one with a good size pee guard (splash guard). It's the Fisher Price Cheer for Me Potty. It's cute, because it sings for them every time they pee and its a different song for poop (based on the weight I think). My Kevin really took to it. I am hoping it will work well with Patrick too. The only thing that stinks is that you have to empty it. The seat comes off though and fits on our toilet seat too.

Good luck! :good:

 

We went straight to potty rings but that was due to me not wanting to clean a potty chair (or two). My kids both did great with them. We removed the guard because my son kept peeing upwards due to it. Once we did that, life was great. We actually started him out standing most of the time so he only sits when "necessary". I was also too lazy to teach them how to use the potty chair and then have to teach them to use the regular potty. A potty ring and step stool worked for us. Good luck with your decision!