Potty Chairs vs. Potty Seats

It's low to the ground so a child can sit down on it quickly. There's no climbing involved, which makes things a lot more stable for children who are training at an earlier age. They don't have to master getting up on a stool or steps to reach the big potty. And, when every moment counts for getting on the potty when your child really 'has to go', having a potty at their own level can help a child succeed.

If your child is fearful of flushing or sitting on the big toilet, a potty chair is a welcome alternative.

They can be incredibly cheap if you go for something like the IKEA Lattsam Children's Potty, which retails for around $4.99. It's lightweight and just one piece, which can be perfect if you need several potties around the house.

Much more variety in form and design. Depending on your child's personality and motivations, you can choose from potty chairs that resemble thrones, plastic ones that are made to look like scaled-down versions of the real thing, ones with flushing sounds, and of course, potty chairs that look like animals or feature your child's favorite character.

Easily moveable. Depending on what school of potty training thought you follow, it can be beneficial to be able to have a potty close at hand to where your child is playing so that he can sit down on it quickly when the urge to go potty hits.

More convenient for 'dry runs'. Even before potty training officially begins, many children benefit from practicing sitting on the potty.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alohateam/4529046139/

Training your child to use the big toilet right away. There's no transition from a little toilet.

Being just like Mommy and Daddy or an older sibling who uses the big toilet. That can be a big motivator to some children.

Easier cleanup. Usually, this just consists of wiping off any drips, since the liquid and solid waste go straight into the big toilet bowl to be flushed away.

Portability. Most potty seats are compact enough to be easily carried in a bag to come along to the mall, a friend's house, or on vacation so that your child always has his or her 'very own' toilet seat wherever they go.

Adventure for the young climber. A factor that you might not think of right away is if your child enjoys steps and climbing, going up a step stool to use a potty seat might have some extra appeal. I know my daughter likes to sit up there to have a bigger view of things.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bansal98/4626893485/

Some kids need to re-train a bit when it comes time to transition from the potty chair to a regular toilet, and you may need to purchase a potty seat in addition.

It's not as easy to travel with a potty chair; they're not something you can take along to the mall or the grocery store in case nature calls. Some kids are very wary of unfamiliar toilets, so this is a consideration to take into account.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/smalltownguy22/4270517760/

I think the photo is self-explanatory.

Potty seats can't be perfectly stable on top of the big toilet unless they're clamped on, so it's essential to supervise your child. My daughter figured out she could rock from side to side on one and fell off the commode.

For early toilet training, it can take that crucial few extra seconds for a child to climb up to the potty and not get the urine or poop in before they start 'going.'

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/makelessnoise/2261024223/