Potty training is both an exciting and stressful time for parents. Below I am sharing with you the best potty training essentials for toddler girls that will you help you during this process.
Potty training is that phrase a lot of parents dread or get anxious thinking about because of all the horror stories many of us have heard. It is a whole new season in life for both you and your toddler and is a big life skill we as moms are required to teach our children. Potty training takes a lot of patience, time, and understanding….and it often gets very messy!
I remember when I thought my 25 month old toddler girl was ready to potty train. I was very excited to start….mainly because I was tired of changing her diapers and was stoked to not have to spend money on them anymore! She seemed to show signs of readiness and I felt super prepared with all my potty gear and treats. I was like, “yes!….I am gonna get this done in 3 days and it’s gonna be great!” But after three days in, my husband and I called it quits. And went straight to a restaurant bar to have a couple drinks and celebrate our first failed attempt at potty training.
My little girl just wasn’t ready. I was bummed but also relieved because I was tired of wiping up urine all over the house and feeling the frustrations of her not “getting” it in “3 days” like all the books seemed to say. A few things I learned during that first attempt was this:
- Not all kids are ready when you think they are and it’s a process that often takes weeks or months, not days (so don’t feel bad if it doesn’t happen super quick).
- It’s okay to stop, wait a few more months and try again.
- Find what motivates your child (is it candy or a certain reward system?).
- Day time and night time potty training are two totally different phases. Night time typically comes later.
- Be EXTRA patient and have a bottle of wine ready at the end of the night. You are gonna need it! LOL.
11 Signs Your Toddler is Ready to Potty Train
Everyone who has gone through potty training will tell you, “only do it when your child is ready!” Like I mentioned earlier, I thought my 2 year old girl was ready, but she wasn’t. It wasn’t until she was 3 years old, that we started potty training again. She actually came up to me and told me she wanted to start using the potty! And let me tell you, it made a HUGE difference! She wasn’t fighting or screaming but actually enjoyed sitting and using it like a “big girl.”
Potty training was sooooo much easier the second time around, because she was truly ready. Most toddlers are ready to potty train between 18-24 months, but often times toddlers aren’t ready until they are 3 or even 4 years old. It really just depends on your child! To help you determine if your toddler girl is ready to potty train, here are a list of signs to look out for:
The Signs:
- Urinates a good amount each time.
- Has regular bowel movements at predictable times.
- Has “dry” periods of at least 2 hours or during naps times (shows there bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine).
- Wakes up in the morning with a dry diaper.
- Can pull her pants up and down.
- Dislikes the feeling of a wet or dirty diaper.
- Verbally tells you when they are about to pee or poop.
- Shows interest in normal bathroom habits.
- Can verbally say the words “pee” or “poo.”
- Can follow simple instructions like “pick up that toy.”
- Demonstrates a desire to be independent and takes pride in accomplishments.
Potty Training Essentials for Toddler Girls
Now that you have determined your toddler is ready or close to being ready to potty train, there are definitely a lot of products out there to assist you with the process. It can actually be kind of overwhelming with the amount of information and things out there to buy!
But to help you get through your potty training process more smoothly, I have put together a helpful list of products that I loved using, other moms I know loved using, and that can be beneficial for you as well! I really want to help you out and make your decision making as easy as possible.
In this list you will find:
- Best Potty Training Books for Parents
- Best Potty Chairs for Girls
- Step Stools
- Faucet Sink Extenders
- Potty Training Books for Girls
- Training Underwear and Cute Panties for Girls
- Cleaners and Products for Accidents
- Constipation Must Haves
Best Potty Training Books for Parents
- “Oh Crap! Potty Training” by Jamie Glowacki
This is a great no nonsense, gimmick free, 6-step guide that many parents swear by. Glowacki does not use the reward system and recommends to start potty training between 20-30 months of age for optimal success. Buy on Amazon: $9.33
2. “Easy Peasy Potty Training: The Busy Parents Guide to Toilet Training with Less Stress and Less Mess” by Julie Schooler.
This book is humorous and has a simple easy to follow step-by-step guide to potty training. The training method is broken down into an easy 3 stage approach and comes with helpful tips and solutions for many potty training problems. Buy On Amazon: 9.99
3. “Potty Training in 3 Days: The Step-By-Step Plan for a Clean Break from Dirty Diapers” by Brandi Brucks.
Brucks is a Potty Training Consultant and Behavioral Therapist. In this book, she has put together a 3 day 5-Step potty training plan that will help your child to start using the potty. She gives detailed information that take you through the preparation, the 3 days of training, and what to do after. Buy on Amazon: $10.17
Best Potty Chairs For Girls
1. Fisher Price Pink Princess Step Stool Potty
This was the first potty I got for my toddler when potty training. The princess design is very cute and made her feel like a “potty Princess.” Inside the potty is a sensor, so when your toddler girl goes potty, music starts to play as a reward. It also doubles as a step stool, so when your little girl is ready to upgrade to the big potty, she can use this as her stool too! Buy on Amazon: $34.91
2.Potty Training Seat by Jool Baby Products.
I bought this potty seat for my toddler and it works perfectly for her! It is light weight, secure and has a splash guard in the front. There is also a hanging hook on top, so you can hang it on the wall when done. This is also a great option because it is portable and easy to take for travel. Buy on Amazon: $14.95
3. Potty Training Seat with Non Slip Step Stool Ladder by KIDPAR
This is another great potty chair my daughter enjoys using. It folds up when done, is very comfortable and easy to use. She also can just step up instead of grabbing a step stool, which is convenient for her. Buy on Amazon: $33.99
4. Kalencom 2in1 Potette Plus Portable Potty and Reusable Collapsible Liner by Kalencom
This portable potty chair is a must have when potty training and traveling! I bought this specific one to keep in the car with me just in case my toddler girl had a sudden emergency when we were out running errands. It has been especially useful when going to parks where no bathrooms exist (I just set it up in the trunk and she is able to go). This potty chair is also convenient because you just insert disposable liner bags which you can easily remove and throw away. Buy on Amazon: $29.99
For an extra 30 ct. pack of disposable liners, you can Buy Here for $12.99
Best Step Stools
- Two Step Stool For Kids (2 Pack) by iLove
This 2 step stool is great if you have taller counters or sinks in your home (stool height is 10.5″). It has handles on the sides, so it’s easy for your toddler to lift and is non slip and safe for your child to use. Buy on Amazon: $35.95
2. Kids Best Friend Girls Pink Step Stool by Angels
This step stool is 5″ tall (make sure this is tall enough for your sinks…I made the mistake once of buying a step stool too short for our taller sinks!). It has non slip grips on top and the bottom. It is very safe, sturdy, and perfect for little toddlers learning to use the potty, wash hands, or brush teeth. Buy on Amazon: $9.99
3. Dibsies Step Stool with Storage by Dibsies Personalization Station
This step stool is so cute because you can get it customized with your daughters name! It’s pretty tall too (11.5″ height) and has a storage compartment inside. This is a fun little twist to the traditional step stools for kids. Buy on Amazon: $39.95 (customization included).
Best Sink Faucet EXtender
These Munchkin faucet extenders are perfect for little toddlers! The extender helps them reach the water when learning to wash hands while potty training and is flexible enough to fit on most faucets. Buy on Amazon: $9.99
2. 4 Piece Faucet Extender by Dream Come True
These faucet extenders are fun and colorful for your toddlers to enjoy! They are dishwasher safe, flexible enough to fit on most faucets and comes with a life time warranty. Buy on Amazon: $6.89
Best Training Underwear and Panties For Girls
- Pampers Easy Up Training Underwear
I liked using these at night when we first started potty training. Some parents prefer to go cold turkey and remove diapers completely both day and night, but if you want to just go diaper free during the day and have that night time security, easy ups by Pampers are the best! Buy on Amazon: $36.55
2. Gerber Baby 4-Pack Training Pants
I love these panties for my toddler girl because they are like regular underwear, but with a thicker cotton material and padding at the bottom. The extra thickness helps absorb small accidents and prevents big ones from being huge puddles on the floor. When we were transitioning my daughter out of the night time pull ups, we were putting her in these instead. Lots of parents love these girl panties for that very reason! They also come in a lot of cute designs for little girls. Buy on Amazon: $15.99
3. Sladatona Little Girls Cotton Underwear
This brand Sladatona has the cutest girl underwear designs! All of them are 100% cotton, comfortable, breathable and very soft. If you are wanting unique looks and styles for your little girl, definitely check out this line! Buy on Amazon: $14.99
4. Slaixiu 6-Pack Soft Cotton Little Girls Underwear
This is another company that offers really cute girl underwear! All of there underwear are 100% cotton, durable and offered in many different fun designs and styles for little girls. This is another great company to check out! Buy on Amazon: $12.99
Potty Training Books and Video For Girls
- Potty Power DVD for Boys & Girls
This Potty Power DVD was the first potty training material I bought for my toddler and she really loved it! As a parent watching it, it’s super cheesy but the songs are very catchy and fun for kids. I actually played this video for her a couple months before we started potty training to help get her used to the idea of it. And when we started potty training, my daughter would sing the Potty Power songs while she was using the potty which was hilarious! Buy on Amazon: $12.49
2. “Big Girl Panties” by Fran Munushkin
“Big Girl Panties” has a fun and positive approach to potty training that will help motivate your little girl to want use the potty. It is a simple and funny story that puts emphasize on the privilege of wearing big girl panties. Buy on Amazon: $7.81
3. “Princess Potty Time” by Sue DiCicco
“Princess Potty Time” is a very cute Princess themed board book with interactive flaps, tabs and wheels. It walks your little girl go through the process of using the potty “Princess style.” My little one loved this book! Buy on Amazon: $7.99
4. “P is for Potty” (Sesame Street) by Naomi Kleinberg
This Sesame Street themed book has Elmo teaching boys and girls how to use the potty. Who doesn’t love Elmo?! Inside this book your child will have 30 flaps to find and open, making this a book that educations potty time in a fun and interactive way. Buy on Amazon: $5.99
5. Princess Potty Training Gift Set by Tickle and Main
This is an all inclusive Princess themed potty training gift set that will keep your toddler girl engaged and excited about potty training! This set comes with a rhyming story book about a little girl learning to use the potty, a chart with magnetic reward stars to keep your toddler engaged and excited about using the potty, and an adorable Potty Princess felt crown. Buy it on Amazon: $22.99
Must Haves for Accidents and Cleaning
- Eco-Friendly Plant Based Stain and Odor Remover for Toddler and Pet Urine by Good Life Solutions
Potty training means that you will be cleaning up accidents through out your house! This Stain & Odor remover is great because it is plant based, non-toxic and safe to use around your children and pets. It is also safe to use on carpet, upholstery, hardwood floors, and fabrics. Definitely a must have when your kid pees all over the floor! Buy on Amazon: $17.97
2. Cottonelle Flushable Toddler Wipes
Cottonelle’s flushable toddler wipes are great for young toddlers learning how to use the potty and clean themselves down below. These wipes are hypoallergenic, fragrance and alcohol free and great for sensitive skin. They will help with hygiene and preventing toddlers from feeling “itchy” down there. It is definitely a must have if your toddler has a sensitive bottom or needs that extra help to stay clean while potty training! Buy on Amazon: $14.72
3. MoMa Waterproof Crib Mattress Cover
Having accidents in bed are very common for toddlers while potty training. I bought this 2 pack of waterproof crib sheets (fits on any crib or baby bed) and am so thankful I did! Buying two makes it easy to switch out when you have an accident in the middle of the night. This particular crib mattress is hypoallergenic, super absorbent, water resistant, breathable and machine washable. Buy on Amazon: $29.99
Must Haves for Toddler Constipation
- MiraLAX Laxative Powder
During potty training, my toddler had a difficult time going #2 (this is pretty common). For some reason, she was always afraid to go poop in the potty and would hold it in for days! It was affecting her eating habits and caused painful constipation which made the situation worse. She didn’t like drinking prune juice so this was the other solution her doctor gave us (it’s tasteless) and totally worked. If your child has constipation issues, this may be a solution for you (make sure to talk to your pediatrician first of course). Buy on Amazon: $15.29
2. Pedialax Children’s Liquid Glycerin Suppositories
As a mother, I had no idea giving children suppositories was even a thing! Like I said earlier, my little one had constipation issues and when she would go 4 days without going #2, I had to use these things. They are a life saver and a must have in every parents home. I am going to be honest…they aren’t fun to give to your child and probably more traumatizing for the parents, but when they are suffering in pain from constipation, these suppositories work in minutes! Buy at Target: $6.99
Hope you found this list of potty training essentials helpful!
Potty training is not easy, but there are many resources and products out there to help make the transition as easy as possible. The most important thing to remember is to not force it on your child and to make sure they are truly ready to start potty training. And once you and your little girl make it over that mountain together, it is the best thing ever! Good luck mama’s and I hope your potty training journey is a positive one 🙂
