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Potty Training Gear Guide

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The thought of potty training may seem overwhelming at first. Deciding on what products to buy is a challenge. There are so many products designed to “help” you potty train your child. How do you know which ones to buy? Here is my simple guide to potty training essentials.

POTTY SEATS

A potty seat is essential. Your toddler is too small to use a normal adult-sized toilet. The 3 categories are:

1. Over the Toilet - A small seat that goes over an adult toilet seat. No dumping necessary. Everything goes straight into the toilet. If you choose this method, make sure you use a step stool to prevent your child’s legs from dangling. The step stool will add support.

Loves

Baby Bjorn Toilet Trainer - Not bulky, fits well on almost any seat, so easy to use your toddler can do it.

Baby Bjorn Safe Step - Has a rubber bottom to prevent slipping, super simple, lightweight making it easy to move around.

2. Traditional Potty Seat - This is a small child-sized potty that sits on the floor. It’s the perfect size for little ones. You dump the contents into the toilet and clean the potty.

Love

Baby Bjorn Smart Potty - Small, simple and works great for boys and girls. Inner potty system makes it super easy to empty contents.

3. Travel Potty - A travel potty is portable enough to use when traveling. This is an essential item from early potty training stage until your child can easily use an adult toilet.

Love

My Carry Potty - Perfect potty for home, traveling to the supermarket or on vacation. It is bag-less making it environmentally friendly. I love that this potty is small enough for a toddler to carry ensuring that they are involved in the process. Check out my original My Carry Potty review here.

WHAT TO WEAR

You don’t need special training pants or pull-ups to potty train. Regular underwear will do. However, the right training underwear can make life a little easier.

Training Underwear - Help hold accidents much better than normal underwear, but allow the child to still feel wet.

Loves

GroVia My Choice Trainer - Washable, one-size, easy for toddler to pull up and down, inner layer ensures child will feel the wetness, waterproof on the outside so accidents don’t go through clothes, snaps off easily making accident changes super easy when out and about, side plus panels allow them to grow with your child or work with a an older toddler.

Blueberry Trainers - Washable, partially waterproof, look and feel like normal underwear.

ACCESSORIES

There are many potty training accessories on the market today. I recommend getting only the essentials.

Flushable Wipes - Great for the transition out of normal disposable or cloth wipes to toilet tissue. You get the best of both worlds.

Love

Kandoo Flushable Sensitive Wipes - Small enough for tiny hands, yet sturdy enough so that they don’t fall apart, flushable, refillable container and travel packs available. Perfect for home or on the go!

Cleaner - Cleaning solution to help clean up the accidents and messes that go along with potty training at home.

Loves

2am Miracle Nursery Cleaner from Better Life - Contains all natural and safe ingredients that can be used in the nursery or anywhere else, no mixing or rinsing needed making accidents easier to clean up. Chamomile and lavender added for a refreshing scent.

Vinegar - Good old fashioned vinegar is great for cleaning up messes and safe for baby. Mix it with lemon for a hint of lemon scent.

Disinfectant Spray and Wipes - Great for wiping down potties and hands when away from home.

Love

Cleanwell Disinfectant Spray and Wipes - Perfect for wiping down portable potty, toilets seats and changing tables. 1oz spray and small wipes pouch fit easily into a small bag or purse.

Hand Sanitizer - A must-have when you are away from home. Sometimes soap and water is not available.

Love

Cleanwell Hand Sanitizer Spray and Wipes - Perfectly safe for babies, no harsh chemicals, gentle on skin, small spray and travel pouches fit easily into a small bag or purse.

Wet Bag - A washable zippered bag that holds soiled clothes and training pants. Better for the environment than disposable plastic bags.

Loves

Planet Wise - Available in 3 sizes, water proof so no leaks, cute designs.

Itti Bitti Luxury Wetbag - Leak proof, beautiful bold colors and patterns

DEALS GOOD ENOUGH TO PASS UP

Saturday, February 04, 2012
Buying necessities and gear for babies and toddlers can be overwhelming and expensive. It’s no surprise that parents want to cut corners and purchase some items second-hand. There are some products that you never want to buy used. Safety is the priority. Here are some essentials and “bargains” that you should skip at that garage sale or online auction site!

Crib
Avoid buying a used crib. You don’t know if the crib was put together properly originally which could affect its wear and tear. Is there a loose screw somewhere? You may never know until it falls apart. Furthermore, you would want to ensure that the crib has not been recalled.

Breast Pump
A non-hospital grade breast pump with the exception of the EnJoye Professional-Grade Breast Pump by Hygeia, should only be used by one person. Bodily fluids may transfer into the pump. There is no way to clean and disinfect standard breast pumps. Infectious diseases may be transferred. Also, the manufacturers warranty is usually violated. If you have issues with the pump, you will not get any assistance from the manufacturer.

Mattress
Can you say bed bugs? Dust mites and germs can easily harbor inside a mattress. Was it cared for properly? Stored in a moldy place? You will never know so just buy a new one. The mattress could also be contaminated with chemicals which would increase baby’s risk for SIDS.

Car Seat
A car seat should not be used again if it has been in an accident. A crash can cause visible or non-visible structural damage. A new car seat has its advantages. You know the expiration date, have a warranty, and you know it hasn’t been in a car accident. Unless you absolutely know the history of a car seat, buy a new one.

Helmet
Helmets, like car seats, shouldn’t be used after a car crash. A helmet may have non-visible damage preventing it from providing necessary protection. Helmets contain EPS foam inside. EPS is only meant to protect one crash only. Sometimes, the damage can be hidden. Also, some manufacturers recommend to replace a helmet every 2 years due to natural breakdown of components, whether it has been in a crash or not.

Shoes
Yes, kids grow out of shoes at the blink of an eye. Despite this, buying second-hand shoes is not a good option. Shoes that have been worn have already been shaped and molded. Buy new. Otherwise you are forcing your toddler to mold into the shape of someone else’s foot.

By: Sheneq Aranda

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