When it comes to potty training, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to use a potty chair or a potty seat.
Both the potty chair and seat are helpful ways for your child to use the toilet but they are different.
And both have their pros and cons, which we will explore in this article. By the end of this article, you should be able to decide which option is best for your child.
| Potty Chair | Potty Seat |
|---|---|
| Less portable | More portable |
| Suitable for younger kids under 3 years | Suitable for older kids above 3 years |
| Suitable for kids with a small stature | Suitable for kids with a big stature |
| Less easy to clean | Easier to clean |
| Height is less intimidating and doesn’t require a step stool | Height is more intimidating and requires a step stool. |
| More stable and secure | Less stable and secure |
| Doesn’t require a toilet bowl | Not compatible with all toilet bowls |
| Can be used anywhere | Can’t be used anywhere |
| Doesn’t slide during use | May slide off the toilet bowl during use |
Potty Chair and Potty Seat Comparison
Are you thinking of which fits your child better between a potty chair or a potty seat? Here is a detailed comparison based on different factors:
1. Design
A potty chair is designed as a portable and standalone bowl that sits by itself firmly on the floor. Like a normal chair, the child sits in it and poos. Though it may feel a bit unstable for older children, it is safer.
The potty seat, on the other hand, is designed to be mounted on top of an existing adult toilet seat.
However, some potty seats have a portable design and are more stable for healthy children. Based on the design, a potty chair feels more secure for young children than a potty seat.
More so, a potty chair can be moved around easily and used at any convenient location.
Your child may feel intimidated by the height of the potty seat on the adult toilet. This can lead to fear and your child may not feel comfortable using the toilet.
2. Age
The age of your child is another important factor to consider when choosing between a potty chair or seat.
A potty chair is more suitable for younger children who are just starting to potty train. It is also helpful for children with special needs such as wheelchair users.
On the other hand, a potty seat is more suitable for older children who are toilet training. It is also a good option for children who are uncomfortable using a potty chair or who need extra support to sit on the toilet.
3. Size
The size of your child is another important factor to consider when choosing between a potty chair and seat.
A potty chair is bigger and can accommodate a larger child. It is also easier for a child to get on and off the potty chair.
A potty seat is smaller and can be used by a smaller child. However, it may be more difficult for a child to get on and off the potty seat.
4. Ease of Use
A potty chair proves to be easier to use than a potty seat except you’re dealing with older kids. You can place and use the potty chair anywhere and at any time, so your child doesn’t need to rush.
You need to pick the potty seat from where it’s kept and place it on the toilet bowl or seat.
The child also needs a step stool except you’ll need to carry and support the child. Older children, who are familiar with the adult toilet may find a potty seat easy to use.
5. Ease of Cleaning
Most potty chairs (not all) feature a removable bowl that you can easily remove, empty, and clean.
Nevertheless, it can feel unpleasant to always clean poop out of the bowl, especially for older children. Unless you’re dealing with children under the age of three, potty chairs aren’t easier to clean than potty seats.
However, keeping a little water in the potty chair makes it easy to clean. The potty seat, on the other hand, requires less cleanup as you won’t have to transfer or dump the poop.
6. Comfort
This depends on the age and size of your child. A child under the age of 3 will often find it more comfortable to use a potty chair. Whereas, a child above the age of 3 will often find using a potty seat more comfortable.
But just as the age of your child matters, the size also matters. A child with a big stature will prefer a potty seat while a child with a small stature will prefer a potty chair. Sometimes, it depends on your child’s preference for a potty chair or potty seat.
For a younger child, the potty chair will allow his/her feet to touch the ground. This makes him/her feel more comfortable and secure. Whereas, an older child will feel uncomfortable and unstable on a potty chair.
5. Convenience
This relates to how you find using the potty chair or potty seat by your child convenient. For a potty chair, you’ll have to constantly dump pee/poop into the nearest toilet followed by cleaning. This may look more unpleasant than changing a diaper.
Even if your child has to dump the potty chair by himself/herself, you would still need to monitor him/her sometimes. All of these can cause a sort of inconvenience.
But for a potty seat, you’ve got nothing to dump as your child’s poop goes directly in the toilet bowl. Though you may need to rinse off urine spillage sometimes.
However, you may need to hold your child for safety and confidence until he/she finishes pooping on the potty seat.
Using either of the two can be both time-consuming and complex depending on the age and size of your child.
6. Portability
Generally, potty seats are more easily portable than potty chairs. Though there are some potty seats with weird designs that are difficult to move around. You can easily fold up potty seats into a compact and portable form to move around.
Potty chairs can’t be folded up into a compact shape. Traveling with a potty chair can be very difficult.
Conclusion
I hope you found this post helpful in picking between a potty chair and a potty seat for your child. While both of them are a great way of potty training your child, they have their pros and cons.
A potty chair is great for younger kids who need a short and easy-to-reach potty. A potty seat is ideal for older kids who need little/no help climbing and sitting on the potty seat.