Travelling with a Toddler: Helpful Potty Training Tips for on the Go!

Are you a parent gearing up for a family trip with your potty-training toddler? The thought of hitting the road with a little one in the midst of mastering the art of using the potty may seem daunting at first, but fear not! I have plenty of helpful potty training tips and tricks to navigate this adventure like a pro.

Pros and Cons of Travelling with a Potty-Training Toddler

Pros:

• Learning Opportunity: Travelling exposes your toddler to varied environments and routines, providing ample opportunities for learning and practicing potty skills.

• Bonding: The shared experience of travelling can strengthen the bond between you and your child as you navigate this new phase together.

• Adaptability: Through travel, your toddler learns to adapt to different bathrooms and situations, honing their ability to use the potty/toilet in diverse settings.

Cons:

• Stressful Moments: Travel can disrupt routines, leading to occasional setbacks in potty training progress.

• Limited Restrooms: Finding suitable restrooms can sometimes be a challenge, especially in transit or at certain destinations. But a decent travel potty can help you overcome this...see below for my recommendation.

• Accidents Happen: Be prepared for the occasional accident during travel; it's a natural part of the learning process.

When your little one is ready to potty train they will probably tell you, both of mine have made their decision when they wanted to start. From around 18 months I have left pottys around so they are familiar with them and we talk about what they are for but we have never forced them to start using them. When your toddler is ready to start potty training though you want to embrace it and not let the opportunity pass so if you have a trip coming up you just have to roll with it.

Helpful Potty Training Tips to Make Travelling & Potty Training Easier

• Pack Essentials: Stock up on travel-friendly potty training essentials which I list below.

• Frequent Pit Stops: Plan for regular breaks to let your toddler use the potty; familiarise them with public restrooms to ease the process.

• Positive Reinforcement: Encourage your child with praise and rewards to reinforce successful potty usage while travelling.

• Familiarisation: Try to use the travel items as much as possible at home before your trip so your little one can become familar with them.

Best Items to Pack for a Smooth Journey

• Pull-Ups: While pants are great for when you are staying in one place, when you are starting out on your potty training journey pull ups are a much 'safer' alternative if you are on the move. I favour the Kit and Kin Nappies as they have great eco friendly credentials and are the only nappies that have worked for my children, their pull ups are great and you can find them here

• Travel Potty: A portable potty ensures you're prepared for any situation, whether it's a long car ride or a delayed flight and there is no better travel potty (in my opinion) than the My Carry Potty. They are brilliant if you are in a situation where you can't empty the potty straight away, you close and lock the lid keeping everything inside until you find a toilet to empty it. There are some brilliant designs, why not look through the options with your toddler and let them pick the one they want to use, take a look here

• Wipes: Essential for quick clean-ups, wipes are handy for maintaining hygiene while travelling. I only use Water Wipes, both for their pure ingredients and biodegradable fibers. Take a look here

• Change of Clothes: Accidents happen, so pack extra outfits

• Nappy bags: Essential for any soiled clothes until you can clean them properly. The Eco by Naty Nappy bags are brilliant, you can take a look at those here

• Antibac Spray: A travel size spray to refresh your potty or even your hands after sorting out your little one is a great idea. I love the Vial Baby Aquaint Sanitising Water Spray as it comes in a handy 50ml size and can be used on everything from surfaces to hands. Take a look here

• Travel toilet seat: At home we favour the My Carry Potty seat which you can see here. But for travelling we always pack a fold up seat that we can use anywhere and it even comes with a little bag you can pop it in. This is the one we have been using and think is great here

• Tissues: For all sorts of reasons but for wiping round the potty after spraying if you are out and about

• Swimming nappy: Personally I don't like disposable swim nappies I think the reusable ones are much more secure not to mention more eco friendly and you'll never run out while on the road. Our favourite are the Splash About Happy Nappies which you can see here

My favourite items to pack when you have a little one potty training

Conclusion: Embrace the Adventure!

Don't be put off, travelling with a potty-training toddler will have its challenges, but it's also a rewarding experience filled with shared moments and milestones, plus you'll have lots of stories to tell. By being prepared, patient, and positive, you can turn this journey into a memorable adventure for both you and your little one. So, pack those pull-ups, grab that potty, hit the road, and enjoy the ride!

Embrace the adventure of potty training

Now you're all set to embark on your potty training travel escapade. Bon voyage, and may your journey be filled with potty training progress and unforgettable family memories! 🚗🧳👶🚽