Potty Training Tips for Public Restrooms
Potty training in public restrooms isn’t optimal, but when armed with antibacterial wipes and a folding potty seat, toilet germs can be avoided.
Potty training is challenging in the best of situations, but taking potty training to a public restroom adds a new level to the challenge. Public restrooms aren’t known to be the cleanest of places, but toilet germs pose a special threat to a potty training toddler. Automatic toilets are scary to small children. A few potty training tips will help ease the transition so the experience will be as pleasant as possible.
Automatic Toilets
Automatic toilets can scare the oldest of children and can prove terrifying to a small child. Prepare the toddler ahead of time so he’ll will know what to expect. Let him know that even if it flushes while he’s on it, it won’t affect him. A piece of paper with adhesive on it can be tacked across the sensor which will help prevent the toilet from prematurely flushing.
Folding Potty Seat
Portable folding potty seats are available in most children’s departments. Some of these seats are made from hard plastic while others are cushioned. The seats are easy to wash and sanitize after a family outing. The germy surface folds in on itself so only the cleaner side is facing out. For additional germ protection, carry along a plastic bag to place the folding potty seat in after each use. This will keep the other items in a diaper bag clean and sanitary.
Related: Potty Training Tips for Girls
Anti-Bacterial Wipes
Anti-bacterial wipes are wonderful for sanitizing surfaces that the folding potty seat won’t cover. Toddlers are notorious for touching everything in sight. Wipe the toilet seat, the outside front of the toilet bowl and any other surface within a toddler’s reach.
Toilet Germs
Toilets are by nature germy places, but public toilet germs seem worse than familiar home toilets. Teach the toddler to be careful when entering a toilet stall. Explain about toilet germs and that even if he can’t see them, the germs are there. Teach him to be careful when he’s pushing down his pants so his underwear won’t touch against the unsanitary part of the toilet. If at all possible, don’t let his pants or clothes come in contact with the floor.
Hand Sanitizers
Even if a sink with soap and water is expected to be available, carry along containers of hand sanitizer for the times the soap dispenser is broken or empty. Hand sanitizer should be used with caution. The solution contains alcohol and can make a toddler sick if he ingests it. Some sanitizers smell so good that the toddler might want to take a taste. Let him know that isn’t a safe practice. Make sure the solution air dries completely for maximum effectiveness.
Public restrooms and their toilet germs can be avoided by following these simple potty training tips. Replace the diaper bag with a smaller tote bag and fill it with the folding potty seat, anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizers and a self-adhesive notepad. The potty training can continue with relative ease.