Toddlers and Public restrooms...yuck!

Here's a working definition of IRONY: Women who hover and and leave their pee behind on toilet seats, because they're afraid of pee on toilet seats.

Hey, ladies, PLEASE lift the seat if you're not going to sit on it. Or at least WIPE THE SEAT afterward. I am physically unable to hover, and can't tell you how many times I've sat, or my grandson has sat, in pee in poorly-lit stalls. You can carry wipes with you if the possibility of germs freaks you out.

Hate to tell you it's not the toilet seat that is so dirty. It's the door handle! Sorry about that.

You girls that hover make it really bad for those of us that don't. What do you think is going to happen if your precious thigh touches a toilet seat? Well, I'll tell you what happens when you don't.... I have to wipe your urine off the seat before I can let my little girl sit down on it. 3/4 of the people on the planet don't even have running water. Just use the bathroom and wash your hands. It's not that serious. I've never met anyone that caught anything from a toilet seat. You're at a much greater risk turning on the faucet to wash your hands, because flu bug may be lingering there.

The foldable portable potty seat with hygienic handles, I used it with both of my kids and it is THE BEST... it is sanitary and shields an entire public toilet seat. It fits on securely; hinges are pinch-proof. Folds compactly for storage. Supports kids up to 40 lbs.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

I grew up in California and EVERY public restroom has toilet seat covers. I moved to TX, and they are rarely found! If I were you, I would carry some clorox wipes or something (I have seen them in a to go package for your purse.) and wipe down the toilet seat real quick before she sits on it. I was a little freaked out too at first with my little girl, but its something I had to get over.

You can buy foldable potty seats that fit in a diaper bag. You set it on the adult toilet seat. It has the benefit of making a huge adult toilet a better size for toddler bottoms so they don't feel like they're going to fall in or anything and they aren't sitting straight on the seat. I've had one since my first child, I'm on #3 now, though she's too young for the potty yet ;) I used it until they were too big for it.

You can buy disposable, portable potty seat covers at Target, Babies R Us, etc. I take them everywhere because I don't want an "incident" if one of my boys needs to poop -and the youngest still sits to pee and is actively training now. If you're REALLY bothered, you can get Clorox wipes to go in travel packets in most stores near the travel-sized section or in the cleaning section. You can wipe the seat down before!

I don't know if this will help you - but did you know that human urine is sterile? I know the thought of someone else's urine on your body is gross, but it isn't going to make you or her sick.

I always just made sure they washed their hands really good, and if it still grosses you out, carry wipes in your purse and wipe her bottom with wipes - any germs picked up are taken care of!

I carry those HUGE bacteria wipes and a small bottle of that wonderful Clorox anywhere spray. I spray down the potty, wipe and use a paper seat cover if they offer it and wash the heck out of our hands when we are done!
I tried using those plastic folding seats, hated them. Those things sit on a dirty potty seat. Yuck.
I also used a travel Baby Bjorn potty and got some of those disposable covers for changing tables for public restrooms. I would then use the large stall and sit the clean travel potty on top of the cover so it was not sitting on the floor. When potty time was over I would put it in the big potty, wipe out the potty with the travel size Clorox spray and flush. Throwing the paper changing table cover in the trash. I did this for a good long while until they just got too big for it. They potty is great. It has no cracks to clean out, just smooth plastic. Got mine a Babies R us.
Best Regards,
C.

Wow, If it is really like that for you then bring the potty seat with you, I know of some people who carry one in thier car so they always have one available. I am sorry but that is just a touch extreme for me but I am not a germaphobe, just aware of my surroudings.

I am so with you on this one. I haven't read the posts; however, we buy the potty seat covers that they sell at target. They are with the little potties. They have tabs and will stick to the seat. I also keep one of those trial size lysol cans that they sell at the registers in my purse. Good Luck!

I HIGHLY recommend, getting a portable car potty. It is a LIFE saver... we have one and all my friends have one too.
If you look on Amazon, put in the search words "on the go potty" and many will come up.

My kids are now 4 and 8 years old... and we STILL use it and have it in our car, since my daughter was 2 years old.
AND it is great for times when you are stuck in traffic or on the road and no bathroom is nearby, or if at a park where there is no toilet or a dirty one. Many times, at toilet training age... my kids and me, would simply go to the car, to pee.

Also, keep in your car, extra clothing, hand sanitizer etc., sanitizer wipes and what not.
For me, I also carry purse sized Lysol spray, and hand wipes that comes in packet sized packets.

all the best,
Susan

One step Ahead has some great traveling products! Take a look!

You can buy disposable children's toilet seat covers at Babies-R-Us. They are extra large so the child can still hold on to the sides of the toilet when sitting and their hands are protectd. The seat covers come with adhesive strips on the underside so they stay in place. Just throw it away when they are done! I carry one in my purse all the time.

Just so you know, the studies out there have said that those toilet seat covers actually do nothing to protect your butt from germs.
That being said....I have my own hand sanitizer in my purse and whenever I go to the bathroom I sprinkle it on the toilet seat and then clean it off with a paper towel. Whether or not that really does anything...I don't know...but I feel better about putting my butt on the seat!
I know that when my boys were learning that I did carry the potty around in the back of my van...but then when they went it was a bit nasty, where do you dump the pee???
L.

Use toilet paper to cover the seats

I am a germophobe when it comes to my son using public bathrooms. when he has to go #2 is when i freak out the most. i usually hold him up in the sitting position so he doesnt sit on the seat. i dont let him touch anything ie, the flushing knob, the toilet paper holder, the latch for the door, the sink facuets,etc. i do it all for him and really scrub his hands when were at the sink. Also as soon as we get home he goes into the tub. i also use an extreme amount of the germX. Good Luck

I hover too..sorry to those out there that don't! Honestly I look at it as something that while I don't want to touch the toilet it really isn't THAT bad ie my kid can touch it and I make sure they clean their hands. So, my daughter can climb up on the seat all by herself (I make sure there is nothing obviously gross) she does her business, and I help wipe (so far I have touched toilet paper and maybe a door handle) I flush with my foot, and then we walk out of the restroom where I promptly clean everyone's hands with sanitizer. Works for us! For a while I had a 10-12 month old in the bathroom with us when my dd first potty trained, and if I had to pee too...YUCK!!!!!!

So I see you got your answer! There are these portable potty solutions...and just make your own kit of clorox wipes or get them in small packs (do they come that way?? I think a well labled zipper bag in you KIT you make would be just great and less expensive).

Rather than diapers and such in your bag..have your portable potty seat, clorox wipes, baby wipes, change of clothes (don't forget socks!..everything runs SOUTH!)..hand sanitizer is neer a bad idea..and some plastic bags (for wet stuff). Be prepared and it will be no big deal!

Good Luck!

If you find yourself without toilet seat covers, which I know is often, use the toilet paper to line the seat ! My kids and I do it all the time , thickly ! I think it is better than the seat covers, cause they are too thin. But, I think the most important thing after you wash your hands , is to use a paper towel or toilet paper to open the door when you leave, because it is really true that , that is where all the germs are !!!!