Simple and Inexpensive Supplies
Guaranteed
to Make Your Potty Training Day
Memorable, Joyful, and Successful

As most of you already know, we’ve taken great care in developing our BRIEFS™ potty training system. In addition to our many years of personal experience, we’ve conducted extensive independent – and objective – research on best practices from pediatricians, child psychologists, and most importantly, from moms and dads who have use this system and many others. We sifted through mounds of data, tracked results, and listened carefully to experts across the globe and used that information and advice to develop our approach. Additionally, we update our guide regularly and add and delete steps as new information becomes available and/or other useful and innovative techniques come to our attention.

Our goal is always the same: Help parents teach their children to use the toilet when their own bodies signal the need, with no outside help with any part of the process – from pulling up and down their pants to washing their hands afterwards. When parents understand the system, prepare well in advance, and follow our instructions carefully, the results are phenomenal and they achieve their goals in 24-48 hours!

But, as I suggested above, parents who want to make sure their potty training day is successful should – in addition to following our system – be armed with equipment and other supplies that are either required or will just make their job that much easier. Fortunately, achieving great results with the BRIEFS™ potty training system is not dependent on fancy potty chairs, toys, or dolls. They’re simply not necessary.

We do recommend the following items for your potty training day – some of which you’ll surely have on hand already (and borrowing is allowed and encouraged!). If so, there’s no need to buy new.

1. A potty chair – one that is portable (you’ll need to bring it with you) and preferably has a small plastic “shield” that clips to the front (this prevents messes for little boys who begin peeing sitting down). It does not have to be expensive (you can expect to pay between $22-$30) or elaborate. A surprisingly great place to purchase potty chairs is on Amazon.com. Here are some of my favorites, but let your instincts be your guide.

• BabyBjörn Potty Chair – The one in the photo is blue, but it comes in several different colors. It’s a good, sturdy potty with excellent customer reviews. Even better, the last time I checked it was still less than $30.

• BabyBjörn Little Potty – This is a bare bones, less expensive version of the potty mentioned above. It’s ideal for very petite toddlers, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for older or larger children. Also, doesn’t have a removal bowl for emptying pee or poop – one big drawback in my mind. However, if that’s not an issue for you, this may work just fine, but I’d suggest that you read the reviews first.

• Fisher-Price Potty On-the-Go – This one is more expensive (over $100, but you can find them for far less from resellers on Amazon – another reason I like to buy things there!) but may be worth it if your budget allows and if you’ve got a “travelin’ toddler,” and/or want to ensure that your child has a sanitary alternative to public restrooms. While all of the included features – tote bag, folding legs (it is cool the way it folds up discretely), disposable bag, and absorbency pads – are not “must-haves” for most parents, it’s quite a popular potty and gets great reviews overall.

• Travel Potty – Again, this is a less expensive version of the Potty-On-The-Go mentioned above. Its biggest claim to fame is that it folds up neatly into a “briefcase” size. That’s cool, but I’m not loving the disposable bags – it seems like way too much work for me. I’d much rather have a separate bowl, but that’s just personal preference. For the price (it’s about $25), I’d go with the BabyBjorn potty (#1 above).

• Baby Bjorn® Safe Step Stool White – Although you certainly don’t have to purchase this stool, it’s a great idea to have one like this handy when your toddler begins to use the big toilet. I like this one because it has a skid-free rubber top that keeps it from moving about, even on tile floors.

• BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer Black or White – Believe it or not, your toddler will be using the big toilet sooner than you expect and tools like these can be quite handy. It simply fits over the toilet and makes the seat more child-sized – and less intimidating. I know many kids who use these for months and even years. They’re especially great for petite children or ones who are fearful about using “the big toilet.”

2. A doll – It does not have to be one that wets, but it should be one that your child considers a friend. And it should be at least 7-10 inches tall. And we don’t suggest that you purchase a brand new doll right before potty training – it’s best to use an “old friend.”

3. Plenty of fun drinks for your little person - This will keep the “juices flowing.” Milk (plain, chocolate, or strawberry), water (plain, fizzy, or flavored), juice, and even popsicles are fine.

4. Paper Towels/Rags, Cleaning Fluids, Mops – I promise you, there will be accidents so it’s best to be prepared, both mentally and otherwise.

5. Underwear - A minimum of five pairs, but more is better. The BRIEFS system specifically discourages the use of pull-ups.

6. Potty Treats/Prizes –Choose smaller rewards that you can keep close by – preferably in your pocket. Almost anything will do; I’ve used such things as M&Ms, stickers, action figures, small cars, fruit roll-ups, and crayons. Stickers seem to be a favorite for many of our parents because they’re inexpensive, kids love them, and they don’t get toddlers on “sugar highs.

You can even get special potty training stickers, if you’d like (again, not a requirement). Amazon has some good choices, reasonably priced. Here are my favorites.

• My Potty Reward Stickers for Girls

• Tinkle Time Reusable Potty Training Stickers - Bug Theme

• My Potty Reward Stickers for Boys

7. Books, DVDs, Games, or Music – These are not required, but are extremely helpful ways to keep you and your child occupied and happy between potty times. Obviously, choose ones that engage and entertain your child.

Here are some of my favorites:

• DVD: Sesame Street – Elmo’s Potty Time
• Book: A Potty For Me
• Book: Everyone Poops
• Book: The Princess and the Potty
• Book: What to Expect When You Use the Potty

Once again, I hope you’ve found these tips useful and will check out my other potty training articles on this website and others.