When I had my children, I used glass feeding bottles and terry towelling nappies. I didn't do this by choice, I did it because that was what was available then.

Now, I think you can buy just about anything, for a baby or toddler. When the time came for my grandaughter to be toilet trained, my daughter bought two pottys. One was a standard potty and one was a travel potette.

When she told me at first, I must admit that I laughed. I thought, "I've heard it all now". How could a child use two pottys at the same time.

However it didn't take long for me to realise what a Godsend this potette was going to be, and how much easier it would make my life, when I was looking after my grandaughter.

My daughter bought the potette, in Mothercare, and it tells you on the packaging, that it is a Fold Away Travel Potty.

It comes in either blue or pink, and has a wipe clean, white, plastic, carrying bag. It is made of hard plastic and, as it's name suggests, it folds flat.

I found it very simple to use. All I had to do was remove it from it's bag and snap the two side 'legs' into place. The 'legs' are broad and run the full length of two sides of the potty.

Then I simply, put a nappy bag inside the top of the potty and secure the handles of the nappy bag under the 'legs'. Then I put a liner into the bag and it's ready for use.

My grandaughter is more than happy to use her travel potty and it goes everywhere with her.

When she has used her potty, all I have to do is, release the handles of the bag and tie them securely. Fold the potty and put it back into it's carry bag. I can then dispose of the bag easily.

I have found lots of advatages in having one of these when I am out with my grandaughter. I have no messy potty to clean, it is extremely practical, it can be used almost anywhere, it is great when travelling on a long journey, and my grandaughter rarely has an 'accident'.

My daughter bought the potette in Mothercare and it cost her £10.99. This included the carrying bag and three liners. The liners are a thick nappy like material and are very absorbent. They have pictures, on them, of little green frogs with umbrellas.

My daughter bought extra liners from Mothercare and they cost her £2.99 for a packet containing ten. Neither she or myself have bought any more.

This is because I have since discovered that, if I use three or four sheets of absorbent Kitchen Towel and double them over, that they work just as well as the liners.

If you are not too fussy about the frogs with umbrellas, then I think this is a far more economical way to use the potty.


This potette was the, November 2007, winner in the Practical Parenting Magazine.

In my opinion this is a must have for any mum or dad who is potty training their child. You will no longer have to have a detailed map, highlighting baby change facilities and toilets, each time you go out the front door.