Is it worth getting a portable potty for out and about?

[breatheslowly]

We are going to start potty training soon. Is a portable potty a must-have, nice-to-have or waste of money?

[FranKatzenjammer]

Read the 'river of sweetcorn' thread in Classics: I guarantee that will put you off!

[bunnymother]

We used it quite a bit when potty training DD1 last summer . Found it really handy when at the park and there is no toilet in sight and you don't know how long they can hold on for.

[Branleuse]

i found it a godsend for a good few months, especially for ds2 who took longer to be able to hold it in, so it was definitely a case of he asks and i whip the potty out ASAP, so i used to just keep it in the back of the pushchair.
I also liked the fact they do it in a bag, so you can just tie it up and put it in a bin rather than finding somewhere to tip a wee/poo out of a normal potty.

[MrsApplepants]

A godsend and reassuring to know that DD could always have a wee, wherever we were. I'd recommend.

[christinarossetti]

I potty trained my two without one as couldn't face carrying one around in addition to all the other kit that two small children need.

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

If you buy the right one then you will never look back. The children are now 13, 11, 8 and 8 and I still can't bring myself to get rid of it because we still use it occasionally and when we need it, nothing else will do: car sickness, night-time wees when camping etc.

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

The one we have is non-spill, has a sealable lid, and can take an adult's weight!

[WhyMeWhyNot]

The fold up ones are invaluable and after can be kept in car for any toilet or sickness emergencies. By anyone in the family!

[breatheslowly]

Thanks for all of the responses, please could you let me know which brand/ model you have as I don't want to get the wrong one!

[Pootles2010]

We have one that takes little bags with liners in, I wouldn't get it again I'd get this one. Problem with ours is if you run out of the little bags, its useless, whereas the one from boots is also a loo seat, so you can use it without the bags, if that makes sense?

[pinkpeony]

I got the one from Pootles' link (Potette) and using it on 2nd DC now. Definitely handy and great as can be used as either potty with the little bags (that are cheap and easy to find) or as loo seat.

[ThreeBeeOneGee]

The one we had was the Posh Potty model made by Tuff & Tumble. Would totally recommend it, but not sure if they still make them.

[foreverondiet]

Depends on your child.

DC1 - DD - great bladder control, never needed to buy one even though harder for girls to wee when out and about. Never had urgent poo or poo accident.

DC2 - DS1 - poo accidents for ages, so even though he could wee in the gutter, often suddenly said "I need a poo" so had to carry the travel potty around for ages.

DC2 - DS2 - bought more liners for the travel potty but like DD, he has great bladder control and never had poo accident or urgent poo. Never used any of the new liners I bought!

[Primrose123]

No, I never used one. Trained my DC on a toilet, they didn't like the potty. We never had any problems, and found staff in shops and cafés very helpful if the children were desperate.

[DorsetLass]

Never used potty at home but occasions when out pottette as recommended above brilliant - and we had a very easy time with our DD. dreading the same with our DS this summer - going to be a whole different experience I think!

[aPseudonymToFoolHim]

I had a folding potty (Tommee Tippee I think) that I found invaluable. as to replacement bags, a nappy sack would just about stretch over it, and I would use cheap sanitary pads to absorb the liquid.
Definitely worth it, even if you only use it a few times - what's the alternative for a toddler being caught short for a poo? :)