5 Potty Training Must-Haves (That Actually Helped Us!)

Potty training takes patience. Every child learns on their own timeline, and what motivates one toddler may not motivate another. There isn't one "perfect" method, but there are a few things that made a huge difference for our family.

When I potty trained my oldest, I actually did it alongside my best friend's toddler. They encouraged each other, celebrated every success, and honestly made the whole process so much more fun. We went through plenty of treats and watched lots of potty-themed YouTube videos.

If you're just getting started, my biggest piece of advice is this: don't be intimidated by the messes. Accidents are part of learning. Your child doesn't want to have an accident—they're figuring out a brand-new skill, and that's something to celebrate.

We used the "naked method" with both of my kids, and while there were definitely accidents, it worked really well for us. I also chose to completely ditch pull-ups during the day (keeping them only for bedtime). We just... went for it! Once they were consistently using the potty at home, I started taking them to places like Target or the zoo without a pull-up. Was I nervous? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes.

When accidents happened in public, we stayed calm, cleaned up, and moved on. It became another learning opportunity instead of something scary or embarrassing.

One challenge I wasn't expecting? Toddlers who like to poop under the table or hide in a corner! If your child likes privacy, don't be afraid to work with that instead of against it. We even moved our little potty into unconventional spots around the house because sometimes that's exactly what they needed.

Here are my five favorite potty training must-haves!

1. Lollipops (or a Reward They LOVE)

For my toddlers, sitting on the potty was often the hardest part. A lollipop was the perfect reward because they could enjoy it while sitting on the potty, giving them a reason to stay put long enough for their body to do its job.

Whether it's stickers, bubbles, a small treat, or something else your child loves, find a reward that truly motivates your little one.

2. A Potty Ladder

We also used a little potty, but adding a potty ladder to our regular toilet was a game changer.

My oldest was nervous about the big toilet, which also made public restrooms feel overwhelming (especially with all the loud flushing!). The potty ladder helped build confidence using the regular toilet from the beginning and made transitioning to public bathrooms much easier.

Another unexpected bonus? My kids saw me using the regular toilet too, and I think watching Mom use the same potty helped everything click.

3. A Foldable Travel Potty Seat

This was one of those purchases I wasn't sure we'd use... and now I recommend it to everyone.

A foldable travel potty seat is lightweight, fits easily in a diaper bag, and gives your toddler a clean, familiar place to sit while you're away from home.

It wipes clean in seconds, takes away some of the fear of giant public toilets, and gave my kids so much more confidence when we were out running errands.

4. Potty Books & Videos

Our absolute favorite book was Potty Time with Bean by Ms. Rachel. It was relatable, engaging, and even taught a fun handwashing song that my kids still remember.

We also watched Ms. Rachel's potty training video more times than I can count! Having familiar songs, characters, and routines helped reinforce everything we were practicing throughout the day.

(And yes... we also had the Bean potty-training stuffed animal and tiny toilet. They were adorable!)

5. An O-Cedar Spin Mop

Hear me out. An O-Cedar Spin Mop.

Accidents happen. Lots of them.

The telescoping handle can be adjusted short enough that my toddlers could actually help clean up their own accidents. It wasn't meant as a punishment—it was simply part of the learning process. They helped wipe up the mess, we cleaned everything together, and then we moved on.

It gently reinforced that accidents create extra work while also teaching responsibility, all without shame or punishment.

Plus... if you don't already own an O-Cedar Spin Mop, you're seriously missing out.

Final Thoughts

Potty training isn't about perfection—it's about progress.

Celebrate the little wins. Stay calm during accidents. Give yourself grace, and remember that every child gets there in their own time.

Some kids potty train in a weekend. Others take weeks or months. Neither timeline is wrong.

You've got this, and so does your little one. ❤️

Shop my ENTIRE potty training Idea list HERE.