Setting up a toddler-friendly bathroom for potty training

Setting up a toddler-friendly bathroom for potty training

A toddler-friendly bathroom comes down to four things: your child can reach what they need, sit or stand securely, find spare clothes without asking, and wash their hands at the sink. You do not need a renovation, only a few small changes and a place for each item. This guide walks through the room from toddler height, including options for small and shared bathrooms.

Look at the room from toddler height

Crouch down and look around. What can your child reach, and which of those things should they not be able to reach? Move cleaning products, razors and medications out of sight and out of reach, or into a cabinet your child cannot open.

Check the floor too. Small rugs that slide and wet tile are easy to slip on, so use a non-slip mat or remove the rug. Check the tap temperature before your child uses the sink, and stay close whenever your child is on a stool or near water.

Potty chair on the floor or seat on the toilet

If you choose a potty chair, give it a clear patch of floor beside the toilet, away from the door swing, on a surface where it will not slide. If you choose a toilet seat reducer, the child-size seat that rests on the regular one, decide in advance where it is kept between uses and where the stool lives. Either way, keep yourself within arm's reach at first.

Read the maker's instructions for how each one is set up and cleaned, and wash your hands after emptying or wiping.

A stool for the toilet and the sink

A stool does two jobs: it lets your child climb onto the toilet and rest their feet while sitting, and it lets them reach the tap. Choose one that does not wobble or slide, with a surface wide enough for both feet.

Test it with your child before you rely on it. At the sink, check that they can reach the tap handle and the soap without stretching on tiptoe. At the toilet, check that both feet rest flat on the stool once they are seated. One stool can serve both places if you move it, or you can keep one in each spot so that it is always ready.

Wipes, toilet paper and a bin within reach

Put a roll of toilet paper at toddler height, and keep wipes where you can both reach them. A refillable dispenser keeps wipes tidy, and one option is the Lijroavy Refillable Baby Wipes Dispenser with Sealing Lid, White. For the wipes themselves, the baby wipes collection lists what we carry.

Check the wipes pack and your municipality's guidance before flushing anything except toilet paper. A small lidded bin beside the toilet settles the question for used wipes and, if you use disposable pants, for those too. Look at the pack for disposal directions.

A basket of spare underwear and clothes

Leaks happen at the least convenient moment, so keep spare pants, socks and a top within reach in the bathroom. That way you are not leaving your child to fetch a change from another room. A basket or caddy works well. One option is the KiddyCare Woven Diaper Caddy Basket with Lid, Large, Gray.

Short on floor and shelf space? An over-the-door organizer with clear pockets lets your child see what is where. One option is the Vesta Baby Over-the-Door Nursery Organizer with Clear Pockets, and the diaper storage and organizers collection has more.

Shop this guide

Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.

Soap, towel and a handwashing routine

Handwashing is part of every bathroom trip, whether or not anything happened. A routine helps it stick:

  1. Climb onto the stool at the sink.
  2. Wet hands, add soap and rub them together, including between the fingers.
  3. Rinse, then dry on a towel hung at your child's height.

Singing a short song gives your child something to count along with. Keep soap in a pump, which is easier for small hands, and hang a hand towel on a low hook. Using warm water, and making sure it is not too hot, makes washing more pleasant.

Making it work in a small or shared bathroom

A small room does not rule out potty training. A few ideas:

  • Keep the potty chair in a hallway or bedroom and carry it to the bathroom to empty it.
  • Fold or slide the stool away between uses, so adults can move around the room.
  • Use hooks, an over-the-door organizer or a basket under the sink instead of floor space.
  • Keep the toilet seat reducer on a hook or beside the toilet, whichever its design allows, so it is easy to reach and to remove for other users.

In a shared bathroom, a routine matters more than the layout. Agree that everyone puts the stool and the reducer back after use, and keep the spare clothes where the child can reach them.

If your sleeping floor is not the one with the bathroom, a second sitting spot closer to the bedroom may be useful, though you do not need it at the start.

Common questions

Should the potty be in the bathroom?

Many families keep it there so that the routine matches the real toilet. Some start in another room because it is closer to where the child plays. Either can work.

Do I need a stool if I choose a potty chair?

You will still want one for the sink. It will also be needed when your child moves to the regular toilet.

How do I stop my toddler playing with the toilet paper?

Expect some curiosity. Keep a small amount of paper within reach, and show your child how much to take. If it becomes a problem, keep the roll just out of reach and offer it when needed.

Do I need to child-proof the bathroom further?

Look at cabinets, the toilet lid and anything breakable with your child's reach in mind. Your public health nurse can answer safety questions specific to your home.

For help picking storage or wipes that fit your bathroom, write to us through the contact page. We answer within one business day.