We started potty training Luke at around 2.5 years old. A few months after, we had a scheduled trip to Hong Kong and we were pretty nervous. What if he pees on his chair on the plane? What if he suddenly wants to poo at the most inconvenient times?
Here are some tips that really helped us keep potty training while we were traveling. It’s not easy, but trust me, it can be done!
1. Bring a Portable Potty Seat
Luke uses a kid-sized potty at home but it’s too bulky to bring during trips. We got an OXO Tot Go Potty and it was so useful for us. I love that it folds flat and comes in a bag, so it’s easy to pack. It’s also so easy to open; you just literally snap the legs in place!
It’s so convenient and that’s why it’s one of our must-brings now when traveling.
The way it works is that you have to put plastic underneath it to catch the poo (sorry if that’s tmi haha!) You get 3 bags already when you buy the Oxo Tot Go Potty but if you run out, you can always buy refills or, if you have a lot of old plastic bags, you can use those as well. You can also put the Go Potty on top of an actual toilet bowl if your toddler likes that better.
(For Philippine residents, you can get one at Mothercare, selected Baby Company branches or directly at www.oxototph.com)
2. Schedule it: Poop before you go
… or at least, try! This will really require a lot of patience as it could take a looong while. But you have to give him time, even if it means that everyone has to wake up a little earlier OR leave a little later.
To give you some perspective, just think of all the hassle (and the time wasted) if he suddenly said he had to poo in the middle of riding “It’s a Small World” at Disneyland.
Keep them sitting in the potty! Let them read a book or play with some toys. You can also entice them with a small reward after a successful session. Luke’s reward was that he could watch one short video on my phone. Whatever works, right?
3. Bring a portable urinal: For Boys
Seriously one of my favorite items is this portable urinal! We can pee anywhere because of this and I love it! Haha. When Luke was just starting to potty train, it would be hard for him to hold his pee. If he has to go, he has to go! So whenever the lines are long at the bathroom or when we’re in places where it’s hard to find one, I just whip this out and ta-da!
We used this on the plane ride home from our last trip when he suddenly just HAD to pee and it was almost take-off. I unbuckled him, quickly let him pee and then put him back in his chair, all before the plane took-off. Phew.
(For Philippine residents, you can get this from Baby Mama)
4. Pull-ups for long plane or car rides
During the day, Luke would just wear briefs and we’d be okay. I’d say 98% of the time, no accidents. But just to be absolutely, absolutely sure, we would put Luke in pull-ups for plane rides and long car rides, in case he falls asleep.
It would just be too much of a hassle to clean (much less use) a wet plane seat or car seat!
5. Start practicing waaaay before you leave for the trip
A trip is not the time to start practicing them to potty train. There’s too much going on when you’re traveling so it would really be much wiser to start training them way before you leave. At least at home, it’s much easier to clean up messes and everything is within reach.
We started potty training Luke by setting a regular schedule for pooping first. Then little by little we started to remove his diapers during the day and replaced them with briefs to train him to be aware and tell us when he had to go. By God’s grace, he learned pretty fast. I think it’s also because he’s pretty OC and doesn’t like it when he’s dirty or wet! Haha.
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Have you traveled with a potty-training toddler? How was your experience? Would love to hear your stories and tips as well so leave them in the comments below!
31 Comments
Vivain
November 21, 2017 at 6:39 pmOmigosh this is so useful! It may sound weird as our boy is just 7,5 months old, but I’m getting headache if I think of potty training haha! The portable potty is so handy and I need to get my hands on one too! The portable urinal sounds amazing too! Thanks for sharring beautiful mommy!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 21, 2017 at 9:07 pmSure thanks Vivain!! Wow if your boy is potty trained at 7.5 months old I am super impressed!! Luke started when he was already 2+!
Mica
November 21, 2017 at 8:09 pmOh these are good tips! I wish we had read this for our Sydney trip – we spent much more of it than I expected in bathrooms with the toddler haha!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 21, 2017 at 9:06 pmHahaha oh my I hope you still had a nice trip anyway! 😉
parentingpassage
November 22, 2017 at 2:30 amThanks for the great tips and for sharing information on Oxo Tot Go Potty. It looks very useful and easy to handle.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 22, 2017 at 9:12 amYes it really is! Such a great buy!
Susie @ Mile High Dreamers
November 22, 2017 at 4:34 amThese are such good tips! I worked in early childhood education for a few years and I saw how tricky it could be to schedule around potty training! The portable urinal is genius haha. Saving this for our future (traveling!) kiddos!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 22, 2017 at 9:13 amI’m sure your kids will be great travelers! Hehe! Yes you need to schedule your activities around potty training hahaha!
wendee
November 22, 2017 at 5:24 amthanks for these tips. I’m gonna start potty train soon although I’m not sure when to start
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 22, 2017 at 9:12 amAwesome, try it out at home first and see if your baby is ready!
Jeanne
November 22, 2017 at 7:27 amAwww what a cutie! Always helps when your kid doesn’t like being wet or dirty. Lol
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 22, 2017 at 9:12 amHaha you got that right!
Ankita Bardhan
November 22, 2017 at 8:40 pmAwww his expressions though haha! He’s so adorable! And I had no clue potty training or raising kids for that matter is so tough. I am not even dating anyone but this gives me a headache lol! Kudos to you for being an awesome mom!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 22, 2017 at 9:11 pmHaha! Thanks Ankita. Well, raising kids is definitely not easy, that’s for sure!! 😀
Mercy
November 23, 2017 at 10:08 amThis is so useful, I actually delayed potty training my toddler because we recently just travelled. But I’m starting him now and hopefully he’s set by the end of the year. Thanks for the tips as these make me not hesitant to travel again.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 23, 2017 at 8:20 pmExcited for you for new adventures with your little one!
Cris
November 23, 2017 at 4:11 pmOhh I remember those days. Training is so important. Just have fun with it. No stress. You are amazing. xoxo Cris
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 23, 2017 at 8:20 pmAww thanks Cris; yes that’s really the trick isn’t it? Just have fun in everything!
mahryska
November 23, 2017 at 4:27 pmhahah such a cutie!!
Nancy
November 24, 2017 at 6:24 amLuke looks so adorable in the header picture! I am learning so much about parenthood from you XD. I wouldn’t like having to leave any ride so suddenly if my kid needs to go potty! Luke doesn’t have accidents most of the time thanks to the good potty training from his parents ;). Glad to hear that he learns fast :).
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 24, 2017 at 9:09 pmThanks Nancy! Hehe that’s so sweet. Only by God’s grace that he doesn’t have a lot of accidents! Haha!
Courtney Hardy
November 24, 2017 at 10:29 pmPotty Training while traveling sounds like a disaster but these things make it more bearable.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 25, 2017 at 8:32 amHaha! I wouldn’t say a disaster but it’s not easy for sure! 😉
Esther
November 24, 2017 at 11:47 pmOh I wish I had all these tips and gadgets when my now grownup son was so little.
Have a fantastic weekend.
Love, Esther
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 25, 2017 at 8:31 amHaha thanks Esther.
Ashley
November 26, 2017 at 1:43 amI bet that portable potty seat is a life saver!
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 26, 2017 at 9:34 amIt really is!!
Doreen's Style Diary
November 26, 2017 at 3:16 pmOmg your son is adorable. These tips are so helpful. My son just started walking a few months ago. We’ll probably be getting ready to potty train him in a few more months.
Sheena Sy Gonzales
November 26, 2017 at 11:08 pmGlad you found this helpful Doreen!!
Rosanne Binuya-Sales
November 25, 2019 at 2:53 pmVery helpful tips! I have yet to find a urinal for my little girl. I also still pack one diaper if in case we get stuck in traffic or still in transit and she got to go. But she still prefer the toilet. ?
Mama_telyamzon
December 3, 2019 at 6:40 pmThe photos of Luke is really cute hehe.:)