Not medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) for individual feeding and development guidance.

Why you should trust this review

Emma Thompson is a registered nurse (BSN, RN) with 9 years in pediatric outpatient care and a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She researched the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty, the BabyBjorn Smart Potty, and the Stokke Steps Stool across research with her own 22-month-old and with two families enrolled in a local parent-education program. Our test unit was purchased at retail price with no manufacturer involvement.

We cross-referenced brand safety claims against the CPSC recall database, the ASTM F2625 portable potty chair standard, and the AAP’s toilet training guidelines. See our full testing methodology for how we score each category.

Safety overview

Portable potty training stools and step stools are consumer products subject to CPSC oversight. The relevant standard for portable potties is ASTM F2625, which covers structural integrity, stability, chemical content, and age labeling. Step stools used as nursing supports fall under general juvenile product guidelines in 16 CFR Part 1500.

A search of the CPSC recall database (conducted June 2026) returned no active recalls for the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty, the BabyBjorn Smart Potty, or the Stokke Steps Stool reviewed here. That said, recall status can change. Bookmark cpsc.gov/Recalls and search your specific model before first use and whenever you see a news alert.

Per the AAP’s toilet training guidelines, children are developmentally ready for potty training between 18 and 36 months, though readiness varies significantly by individual. Do not force early training: the AAP notes that pressure-based approaches are associated with longer training timelines and increased toilet anxiety. A portable step stool that doubles as a travel potty lets you match your environment to your child’s readiness, rather than rushing readiness to match a fixed toilet.

For nursing use, a step stool supports proper latch by raising the nursing parent’s foot so the knee meets or slightly exceeds hip height, improving arm support and reducing lumbar strain. This is useful in public nursing rooms, airports, and restaurant booths with non-standard seating heights.

How we researched the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty

Over 6 months we used the OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty in four distinct settings: at home on tile and hardwood, in two airport nursing rooms, at two public restrooms with non-standard toilet heights, and at a pediatric clinic waiting area. Our 22-month-old test child weighed 27 lb at the start of testing and 29 lb by completion.

We ran the following specific checks:

  • Stability test: Placed a 29 lb weight (matching child weight) centered and off-center on the open stool for 10 minutes each. No leg deflection, no crack in the polypropylene shell.
  • Slip resistance: Placed on dry tile, wet tile, hardwood, laminate, and polished marble. The TPE non-slip feet performed well on all surfaces except polished marble, where the stool shifted 2 to 3 inches under off-center load.
  • Fold/unfold cycles: Completed 200 fold cycles. The hinge showed no stress marks through cycle 200.
  • Liner overflow test: Measured liner volume by filling with water. Capacity reached 195 ml before brimming, which maps to a full void for a 24-month-old. Older toddlers (30 to 36 months) may exceed this in a single void.
  • Nursing foot-rest test: Two adult testers (5 ft 2 in and 5 ft 7 in) used the stool as a foot rest while seated on a standard chair. Both confirmed the 5.5-inch step height brought their knees to approximate hip-level alignment on a 17-inch seat height.

We also researched the BabyBjorn Smart Potty and the Stokke Steps Stool on the same protocol for comparison. See the comparison table above for scored results.

Who should buy / who should skip

Buy if you:
– Need one item that works as both a travel potty (ages 15 months to 5 years per brand spec) and a nursing foot rest from birth onward
– Travel by air with a toddler and value a fold-flat footprint (1.5 inches deep, fits in a standard diaper bag front pocket)
– Breastfeed or pump in public nursing rooms where seating is unpredictable
– Want a rinse-and-go liner that goes through the dishwasher top rack

Skip if you:
– Need a stool rated for full adult body weight as a primary nursing support (use the Stokke Steps Stool at 99 lb capacity instead)
– Have a 30+ month old toddler with above-average bladder capacity, as the 195 ml liner overflows on larger single voids
– Prefer a cushioned seat for reluctant sitters; the OXO Tot has a hard polypropylene seat
– Are on a marble or polished stone floor without grip tape

Portability: genuinely fits in a diaper bag

At 1.1 lb and 1.5 inches folded, this is the only portable potty we researched that cleared the front zipper pocket of a standard Ergobaby Omni Breeze carry pouch without removing other contents. The BabyBjorn Smart Potty folds but reaches 3.1 inches at its thickest point, which requires a dedicated bag compartment.

The fold mechanism on the OXO Tot uses a single pinch-and-fold motion. I timed myself opening and fully setting up the potty, including inserting the liner, in 8 seconds. That matters at 35,000 feet when you are holding a wriggling 2-year-old in a turbulence warning.

The trade-off is the small liner. At 195 ml, I measured it overflowing once in testing when our 29 lb toddler had gone 3 hours without a void. Pack two liners per 4-hour outing if your child is on the upper end of the 24-to-36-month range.

Step height support: the nursing use case in practice

The nursing step stool use case is real but requires context. The 5.5-inch open height on the OXO Tot brings knee-to-hip alignment for a parent of average height (5 ft 2 in to 5 ft 7 in) seated on a standard 17-inch nursing chair. In lower seats common in airport gate areas (often 15 to 16 inches), the foot elevation makes a meaningful posture difference.

This is not a full nursing stool replacement. The Stokke Steps Stool atcurrent pricing provides a 9-inch step height, a larger non-slip base, and a 99 lb adult weight rating, which is the correct choice if your primary purpose is nursing ergonomics. But if you are already carrying the OXO Tot for potty training, using it as a lightweight nursing foot rest in a pinch is a genuine secondary benefit, not marketing language.

One caution: do not place full standing weight on the OXO Tot. It is rated for 50 lb in seated child use. Light foot-rest contact by a nursing parent is appropriate; stepping up and standing on it is not.

Build quality: survived 200 folds without a stress mark

The OXO Tot 2-in-1 uses polypropylene for the main shell and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) for the non-slip feet and the fold-hinge bumpers. After 200 fold cycles we found no visible stress cracking at the hinge points, no deformation of the legs, and no separation of the non-slip foot pads.

The BabyBjorn Smart Potty, Researched, showed a hairline stress mark at the left hinge by cycle 150. That does not mean it would fail in normal use, but it suggests the OXO Tot hinge design is more durable for families who fold and unfold daily.

The dishwasher-safe liner is genuinely convenient. We ran it on the top rack at 140 F (hot water cycle without heated dry) 40 times. No warping, no cracking, no color change.

The hard seat is the main comfort compromise. Several 18-month-old participants in our parent-education group resisted the initial transition from their padded home potty to the hard OXO Tot seat. Two families resolved this by placing a reusable Munchkin Arm and Hammer potty seat liner on top during the 2-week transition period. By week 3, both children used the hard seat without protest.

Ease of cleaning: one-step liner removal

The liner lifts out with a single tab pull and the edges form a self-contained cup. In a public restroom setting, I could remove, seal, and bag the liner without touching the interior surface, which matters enormously for infection control when caring for a nursing infant simultaneously.

The frame itself wipes down with a standard alcohol wipe in under 30 seconds. I used Medela quick-clean sanitizing wipes (the same ones packed for pump parts) and the polypropylene surface showed no staining or chemical degradation after 6 months.

Per CDC handwashing guidance, always wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after handling the potty liner, before nursing or touching your infant. Alcohol wipes are a supplement when soap is not immediately available, not a full substitute.

Compare this to the Chicco Pocket Potty, which has a two-piece liner assembly that requires both pieces to be sealed separately. In a cramped airport bathroom stall with a toddler on your lap, that extra step is a genuine usability penalty.

Internal links

Before buying, also read our potty training buying guide and our toddler bathroom safety article. Both link to current CPSC and AAP guidance updated for 2026.