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Splashing the Potty: Splashguard Skirmishes!

Oh the splashguard... such a controversial little piece of plastic! On one hand it can be so useful in helping little boys avoid spraying pee everywhere when they're learning to go on the potty. What parent wouldn't want to minimize the mess? On the other hand, one "mis-sit" near a splashguard can lead to a painful (or at the very least uncomfortable) outcome. Not only do we want to prevent our children from getting hurt, we also want them to have a pleasant and positive experience on the potty in order to keep them coming back!

So what's the potty with the best splashguard? That's what Just for Parents is here for, right...? I wish we had an easy answer, but unfortunately the reality is that no single splashguard (or potty) is going to satisfy everyone. However, we can help you sort out the issue so you are able to make an informed choice about what might be right for your family!

The two main issues are 1.) size and shape of the splashguard and 2.) whether it is removable or not. The perfect splashguard walks a fine line between big enough to prevent stray spray from getting everywhere and small enough to allow for safe and comfortable seating. While a 12" splashguard would certainly be an effective blocker, it wouldn't matter because no child could negotiate such a huge hunk of plastic! Because there doesn't seem to be a universally perfect size, the shape of the splashguard and the seat picks up where size leaves off, creating just the right circumstances to optimize peeing IN the potty. Many of the most popular potty seats have a nice contoured seat that fits little bottoms and angles everything the right way to enhance a smaller sized splashguard!

The other issue, removability of the splashguard, is fraught with more dilemnas. Non-removable splashguards tend to be smaller and therefore potentially less effective, but also less of a hazard. They are typically just a smooth molded bump that is built into the potty. The key to using them successfully is to supervise your little boy and teach him to tuck his privates down. A taller splashguard that provides more splash protection is potentially more hazardous, but often removable. If you're just going to take it off, why bother having the extra splash protection? Because you can start with it on in the beginning when you are always right there to position your child, and then when it is no longer needed the splashguard can be removed. Again, the key is supervision because you want to make sure your little one doesn't harm themselves sitting down. When toddlers are first learning to use the potty, they need a lot of supervision anyway. So take the time to help them get on and off the potty safely, an also teach the little man to point his 'hose' down! Once he learns to do this, you can remove the splashguard.

The Just for Parents Potty Training Package includes a Baby Bjorn Potty Chair, which has the molded splashguard built into it. Once your child graduates to the big toilet, the Disney Soft Potty Seat (Cars or Princess) is a great way to help them transition. Little boys who still need the help of a splashguard should be closely supervised so they stay safe and don't remove/play with the splashguard while they're sitting on the Disney Potty Seat. As they grow more independent and are able to 'tuck' by themselvews, just take the splashguard off. Two other Just for Parents picks based on effective splashguards and overall excellence are the Fisher Price Precious Planet Froggy Friend Pottyand the Primo Ducka Toilet Seat Reducer. Both have received great ratings, are cute and appealing to kids, and do a decent job of splash prevention!

Good luck and remember, don't splash the potty! If you've subscribed to this blog, you can now find us on our very own website at www.justforparents.com. We invite to stop by and subscribe to the blog at our new location!