Poo, Pants and Pigs (Tesco Potty)

Member Name: cmh4135

Product:	Tesco Potty
Date:	28/08/08 (225 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Asexual colour

Disadvantages: Wrong shape meaning spills and mess

Until you come to potty train you probably don't think that much about potties. When you do come to potty training you might make the decision between a potty and a child's loo seat (or possibly, if you're mad, an all-singing-all-dancing toy-like contraption) but, aside from colour choices you're probably not going to think much further.

Well, you should.

Boys and girls were not created equal and not all boys or girls were, themselves, equal. What suits one child, might not suit another. And when it comes to potties that can be very messy!

Tesco's own brand potty is a simple thing. Currently in a shade of turquoise and adorned with the "I can do it" pig, the potty is pleasing to look at and OK for girls and boys (if you're worried about looks and colours).

For some girls the potty will be fine, but for boys and girls who "go a lot" there are issues.

The potty is quite rounded, imagine a football, cut off the top 2/3rds and what's left is the shape and size of the potty bowl. There is a fairly low, rounded "splash guard" at the front, designed to stop accidental spills, particularly from boys. There's also quite a high back which is good for emptying the potty and provides some support if your child leans back. There are issues though.

If your child is bigger than about 85cm tall (or shorted with particularly long legs) then the depth of the bowl is only just about sufficient. Boys will find their bits touching the splash guard and if boys or girls want to do a poo then they will be going right towards the back of the potty.

For all children, if you have a child with good bowel control who does big poos then they will, quite literally, end up sitting in it - no better than a nappy in many respects.
Similarly, children with good bladder control may well find that they fill the potty. This becomes even more of an issue when you have an independent child who wants to do it themselves. As they get up the potty invariably gets knocked and the rounded shape of the potty often causes the contents to slosh and spill over.

For boys, the splash guard is not high enough. If you have a curious boy who likes to watch and/or fiddle or a child who is independent and wants to go alone then chances are you'll get spills or have "missed the potty" accidents when sitting down. If your child gets confused and decides to go standing up (as with the big toilet) then be prepared for a lot of splash mess!

From experience we've found that oval shaped potties with flat bottoms and high splash guards are best for boys and, arguably, more comfortable for girls too. Unfortunately, Tesco's potty fails on all accounts and is now only used as our "in the back of the car" potty for emergencies!

Potty training can be easy or difficult but you need equipment that helps, not hinders.

Thumbs down for this one!

Summary: A potty disaster