MomTricks TeamThe potty training experience is one of those necessary evils all parents have to go through. And when you’re going through this wonderful period, a potty seat or chair is indispensable.
But what are you supposed to do when you’ll be away from home?
Luckily for you, there is a solution: a portable potty chair!
The Compact Fold-up Option: Travel Potty Seats
If you need a solution that will fit in your diaper bag, a folding potty seat is a great option. These can sometimes be a little bit daunting for toilet-training kids, because they’ll have to use a public toilet with the seat, but it’s still a good and cheap option if you can pull it off.
Our Choice For The Best Travel Potty Seat: PRIMO Folding Potty
We love the PRIMO folding potty (click here to see the price) for a few reasons.
First of all, it’s a fold-up seat and should fit pretty easily in most diaper bags. This makes it a great option for taking everywhere while you’re out with your child. The folding hinges are designed to be pinch-proof, too.
It has handles built in, which makes it easier for kids to use, and makes them feel safer, and lets them use the toilet without holding onto the dirty toilet bowl. It also has a rubbery non-slip underside that grips the toilet seat, and it overhangs the front of the toilet to hold it in place.
If you’re worried about the “dirty” factor, this travel potty seat has an impressive design. The part that comes into contact with the toilet is on the “inside” when the seat is folded up, so it won’t make a mess of your diaper bag.
Also, if you get enough practice, you can unfold the seat without ever even touching the bottom side. We’d recommend putting it in a large ziploc bag just to be safe, though.
Given that this is made out of hard plastic by necessity, it’s not the most comfortable seat to use, but it gets the job done and you’re not going to be using it at home anyway; just during emergencies when you’re out and about.
All in all, we think that this is the best portable potty seat you’ll find.
The Full-sized Option: Travel Potty Chairs
If you need a portable potty to use when camping, traveling or staying the night at someone else’s house, you’ll probably be more interested in a full-sized portable potty chair. These are more expensive than seats, but they’re often much easier for children to use, and much less scary.
Our Choice For The Best Travel Potty Chair: Summer Infant Lil Loo Potty
While this isn’t strictly a travel chair, we think the Summer Infant Lil Loo Potty (click here to see it on Amazon) the best option for parents who want one. It’s very lightweight, compact and simple in design, which makes it perfect for a travel potty.
Unlike many potties, this one has a splash guard for boys that is about 2 inches tall. The inner pot is easy to remove and super easy to clean, which is great. It has a very simple design which is a plus, and the high back seat makes it easier for kids to use.
What’s also nice about this portable potty chair is that it can also work at home if need be. It’s solid enough that it can function as your primary potty, but it’s also portable enough that you can take it for a weekend at grandmas.
The Lil Loo Potty comes in multiple colors, but as a warning, I’d recommend avoiding the white model, as it will stain over time.
Don’t Feel Defeated If You Need To Use Pull-ups
It’s okay if you feel the need to put your child in pull-up diapers while you’re out.
Potty training can be a stressful time for both parents and kids alike, and sometimes they might just not want to use their potty when out and about, or you might not be able to bring it with you.
You might want to use pull-ups just for the assurance that there aren’t going to be any accidents; there’s no need to feel ashamed if you need to!
Lo Mansfield, MSN, RN
Sarah Bailey-Martin
Natalia Guilmino