Anyone who has ever potty-trained a young child or spent any amount of time in the bathroom with a young child will tell you that one of the “challenges” is making sure that little kids are comfortable and secure on the toilet. Alyssa was two months shy of three when she was potty-trained, and one of the things she complained about was not feeling safe on the toilet. She was anxious about falling off — or worse yet, falling in. We did have one of those potty rings, but it tended to slip around, and on one occasion it managed to pinch her thigh, so after that she pretty much used her hands to “grip” the sides of the toilet, and when we were out in public I would actually hold her on the toilet so she felt secure.
Ryan was three and a half when he graduated from diapers to the toilet, and while he was nearly a year older than Alyssa was and thus a little bigger, he too had issues climbing up on the toilet and staying in place.
Parents and caregivers find different solutions to helping kids use full-sized toilets, including stools. Stools are nice because they give kids a boost — literally — which allows them to use their legs to brace themselves and remain stable while doing their business. But stools aren’t usually compatible with the round shape of toilets, and so them shifting or sliding away can often make kids feel even more unstable.
Enter the Little Looster, a half-circle shaped step stool that is designed specifically to be used in conjunction with toilets. The Little Looster fits directly against standard toilets, and its strong design and textured surface provide stability for little kids. For adults, its flush design means no awkward stepping or sitting, or the inconvenience of having to move and then replace the stool.
I recently received a Little Looster to try out, and I’m definitely impressed with the quality of the design and attention to detail. Alyssa has gotten a little leggy over the last few months, so she didn’t really have a need for it, but Ryan definitely liked it. He climbs right up now and is able to go to the bathroom hands-free, without dangling legs that can sometimes lead to that irritating pins-and-needles sensation.
The Little Looster is available for $39.99 at littlelooster.com.
Rating: 
