Pull-Ups iGo Potty – Review & BIG Giveaway!
Written by Heather Leister
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Screenshots
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I was recently contacted and asked to review the new Pull-Ups sponsored app, iGo Potty. I’m no potty training expert and my three experiences were all different. I think the only thing I can claim to have learned is that my kids have to do it on their own terms. You can lead my child to the potty but you can’t make them use it. What I’m trying to say is that I took a look at this app through my practical mom eyes. Would this be something that I could see myself using when it comes time to tackle the issue with Baby J? The answer is yes.
iGo Potty is a free app (hooray!) and it allows you to set a schedule of reminders for when it’s potty time. Potty reminders can be set anywhere from 30 minutes to ten hours apart. The times are set in half hour increments and can be adjusted using a slider. The app is courteous enough to let you set a time span of when you would like your reminders. This means you can eliminate reminders in the middle of the night.
When it’s time for a reminder Patty the Potty will appear on the screen with an “It’s Time to Go Potty!” message. Here you (or your child) can tap “Not Now” or “Answer”. If you choose to answer then Patty will put up a screen message that says “Potty in Progress”. Tap the done button and Patty will want to know how your child did. The answer choices are “I went potty!”, “I tried to go!” or “I didn’t go this time”. If your child went to the bathroom they will earn a new virtual sticker. When they’ve earned nine stickers they will unlock a game. The app tracks three rows of nine stickers and you can always wipe the record clean and begin again.
The app has a “Progress” screen that will display a bar graph showing how many times your child has successfully used the bathroom. This graph can be emailed out. When your child has finished their training you can use this section to create a diploma with their name on it. In iGo Potty’s settings you can personalize the app with your child’s name and photo. Here you will choose the ringtone you’d like to hear when the app reminds you it’s potty time. Choose from the “I’m a big kid now” song, a flushing noise or my favorite, the slide whistle.
Overall iGo Potty is very easy to use and I appreciate it’s regular reminders. I would like to see push notifications that would send me reminders when the app is off. Besides that the only thing that I didn’t care for much is the style of graphics. They’re made to look as if a child has drawn them and I understand why, they’re probably very appealing to children. But I prefer a cleaner look and I’ve got to be honest, the design wasn’t really my style .However, the app functions great, it provides an excellent service, keeps track of potty trips, provides encouragement and rewards and it’s free. Most definitely worth a try by any parent who is attempting to tackle toilet training.
**CONTEST**
Now I get to announce an exciting contest! Pull-Ups is sponsoring a give away for iPhone Mom readers. The Grand Prize is a brand new Flip video camera and three free Pull-Ups coupons. First Prize in the contest is a $50 Visa gift card and two free Pull-Ups coupons. Thanks Pull-Ups!
Here are the details. To enter I’d like you to download the iGo Potty app (found here in iTunes) and then leave me a comment letting me know what you think. Likes, dislikes, be honest. Please only enter and leave feedback if you have had some experience with potty training. This could include experience from the past or anticipated experience in the near future.
It would also be great if you could thank the good folks at Pull-Ups for allowing me to conduct the giveaway. You can reach them at their Facebook page or via the Twitter handle @PullUpsBigKid.
The contest will run through Labor Day, September 6th. That evening I’ll use random.org to select the two winners. Good luck everyone!
Price when Reviewed: FREE
Seller: Joule
Disclosure: Pull-Ups training pants provided me with a Flip camp and product coupons to try out the new iGo Potty iPhone app and conduct a reader giveaway with a $50 Visa gift card and product coupons. However, my opinions on the product are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards Pull-Ups or their products.
By meeyeehere on Aug 30, 2010
Um, well It is good to get all the tips I can.My son just turned 2 and we started potty training just a few days ago. I really don’t know what I am doing and although they give good advice it just doesn’t answer my questions which are related to having a son and trying to figure out the best way to start training him.It’s so simple yet so complicated and not easy to do.
By Mami2jcn on Aug 30, 2010
I potty trained my first child when he was 3 (I started when he was 2 1/2 but he was terrified of the potty and didn’t feel at ease until age 3) so I think this app would have helped him because of the rewards.
I have a 1 year old daughter and I’m not sure when she’ll be ready to potty train (maybe at 2 years old since I hear that girls are easier to train). This app will come in handy then.
By tara on Aug 30, 2010
I LOVE the app!! I actually downloaded it on tuesday and its been soo helpful. I cant even begin to say how helpful its been. Since Wed. we’ve had NO accidents [i'm not counting bed time yet, i still keep her in an overnight diaper]. I dont space on the last time I took her to the potty and it is GREAT for when we are out&about b/c it tells me right there on my phone time to go potty! and she loves the potty dance. lol. its fun to dance to the bathroom.
By Ummmmmmm on Aug 30, 2010
Why, if you already have an iPhone, would you want a Flip? The flip is a nearly perfect subset of the iPhone thus making it redundant and irrelevant.
By amy on Aug 30, 2010
I will take a look at this and leave comments. My son at 2.5 years is potty trained but needs to be reminded, if not many times will have an accident. This could be helpful.
By amy on Aug 30, 2010
I will take a look at this and leave comments. My son at 2.5 years is potty trained but needs to be reminded, if not many times will have an accident. This could be helpful.
By Kristine on Aug 30, 2010
So far I like it! I like the “im a big kid now” ringtone as it’s a popular commercial jingle so my 3yo knows that it’s potty time. we haven’t unlocked any games yet, but the reminders are great!
By Missy on Aug 30, 2010
I just down loaded this app! I like how you can schedule the timer…my 3 year old is very curious to see how it irks!
By amy on Aug 30, 2010
The first thing that I had a hard time with is that the shortest time frame you can set for is .5 and hour. I think you should be able to set it for any length of time, in minutes. If he drinks a lot, my son will need to go every 20-25 minutes, 2 -3 times in a row, esp at night.
By Sarah on Aug 30, 2010
LOVE this app! I’m in the middle of training my 2.5 year old son. I was using little charts that I printed out from the Internet…until today! My little guy LOVES my iPhone and so far has excitedly responded positivey to “trying” since obviously the iphone has more authority than mama! This makes it super fun…just wish I could set the timer for shorter increments of time.
By The iPhone Mom on Aug 30, 2010
@Ummmm – Since I got my iPhone 4 I do use it for video more than the Flip. But my kids use the Flip all the time and it’s nice for times when I want to take video and don’t want to risk losing my phone. Until recently I had the iPhone 3G and couldn’t take video with it so this was a nice solution for our family.
By Jamie on Aug 31, 2010
What a great contest Huggies!!!
)
I’ve been slowing introducing my youngest to the potty chair, and been meaning to look for an app… (didn’t have my life controlled by an iphone with my other 2
I’m downloading the app now, I’ll write back with a review!
By Amanda on Aug 31, 2010
I am in the process of potty training my 2 year old, the app is great and hoping with the interaction will help with her wanting to go more!
I do agree and think the graphics could be better!
By Katie on Aug 31, 2010
I think it’s a great idea and will be giving it a try with the grandkids, who are interested in being potty trained but by no means “there” yet!
By Marion on Aug 31, 2010
I think the app is great, I love that there is a timer for the mom and rewards for the kiddo. I don’t know what it is about virtual stickers, but my 3 year old son is a sucker for them. Hooray for potty rewards that are free and not food!
By Nicci on Aug 31, 2010
I’m super glad its free and am definitely going to attempt it with my 2.5 year old little girl. I always heard girls were easier but she is being very stubborn about potty training.
By -kim on Aug 31, 2010
in the process of potty training #4, and you think i would know what i am doing this time around…but i don’t! this app has been great so far. i agree that non-edible rewards are the best! thanks for all the great info!
By Kristine on Aug 31, 2010
Downloaded it and tested it out. Man… Where was this 1 year ago?!? I was desperate for help then! My little guy loves the iPhone so he surely would have been motivated by this! Will pass the suggestion on to other moms!
By Jessie C. on Aug 31, 2010
I potty trained DD1 by using the reward system and I kept track on the process. DD2 is very into my iPhone, I’m glad I have an app for her. The timer and reward are two big plus of this app, and it would make my life easier.
By Walkwy on Sep 1, 2010
This is great. Any kid of help or a fun way to try and teach her (2 1/2) the better. We love the fun cartoonish look and the song and dance.
By Lubsy on Sep 1, 2010
What a great contest!!
My 3-year-old is trained, but my son just turned 2 so we’ll be starting this soon! The app looks fun and helpful — I can see how it would be motivating for kids to get the stickers and achievements of games, etc. And the reminder idea is great! Not letting your child go too long is one of the keys to avoiding accidents, but it can be so hard to keep track of! Well done, Pull Ups!
By Michelle on Sep 1, 2010
My husband and I have been sort of attempting to potty train our son for a while now. I say sort of because we try and he shows he is absolutely NOT READY so we wait another few weeks to try again. Well son will be 3 in December so this app could not have come at a better time! We used it this morning and I explained to him that we’ll get new games the more we use the potty (he loves playing games on my iPhone). He seemed to be very excited about that (he went on the potty!!). I am anxious about getting rid of those diapers!!!
By Melissa on Sep 1, 2010
This is a great app!!! My son loved looking at it and listening to the song! Thanks Pull-Ups for this great giveaway opportunity!!!!
By Jamie on Sep 3, 2010
review time….
I used the app a few days and decided my son is not ready for it!
I can see how helpful this app will be when he is, and plan on keeping it on my phone for that time.
This is a great system to remind you, to remind your child. Timing is half the battle.
It’s not a great system to introduce him to the potty chair. If this had something to do (game or even a timer) it would be helpful in that aspect.
By Erin on Sep 3, 2010
What fun!! With my son I was all about letting him set the pace, and though I am not really wanting to push it with my daughter, she already liked to “practice” – this makes her like it even more and creates more consistency. She loves my iphone, and I love free apps for the kids! Great to have one that is useful too!
By SP on Sep 3, 2010
Thanks for the app recommendation! I will be great for incentive with training #4! I think the reminders are great. For some reason keeping track of time is difficult for me and I am not sure why……..maybe it is 4 kids…….
I’d love a new camera. They quite making tapes for my ancient one awhile back and I would love a new one.
By Angella Hopkins on Sep 4, 2010
I have potty trained 2 girls so far both of them potty trained at different levels, the first one potty trained both day and night at the same time, the second still wets the bed and has a few accidents. noe that it’s time to start potty training the third this is going to help me soo much, i am a busy mom and carry the ipod touch with me everywhere just for their entertainment so now i will be able to potty train anywhere. I babysit also and have to help with the potty training with them also, so this will help with that also……I am soooooo excited.
Thanks pull ups
By amy on Sep 4, 2010
pk, so I see how to change the “next potty in” timer to less than .5 hours, but I wish I could change the “go every” timer to less than .5 hours, the way it is intended to be used. Also, changing the “next potty in” is hard for a specific time, it is really sensitive to touch, too sensitive. I like that you can wipe the info if you want, and the games are fun, but I think parents should say how many stickers you need to get to be able to play the games, 9 stickers is a lot for some kids going beyond an intensive to just frustrating.
All in all, a good job esp for free, but as I said before, my son needs to go every 20-25 minutes when he drinks a lot, esp at night. I wish you could program the “go every” for any time length in minutes, not just .5 hours.
By Lacey on Sep 4, 2010
The potential this app has is great if used regularly! I am anticipating beginning potty training my first child probably in a few months when she is 2, or maybe a little later. The fact that this app has reminders is great! I also like that it has rewards to help the child want to continue. My child loves playing with my iPhone, so anything she gets to use the phone for is exciting to her! Thanks for the app recommendation!
By Matt on Sep 5, 2010
The first thing I noticed about the app was it’s childish design. While I appreciated it at first it soon became somewhat annoying to use over time. While we have two older children and one in the oven now I didn’t get a chance to use for real, we used the app as if we did have a child potty training. I think the design should be more adult oriented as it wont be a child using the app. I can understand the kid ringtones to play for a child, but we don’t need the cartoonish desgin throughout the entire app.
The second thing we noticed was the “fun stuff”. While it is a nice reward for kids, even if it is a virtual sticker, I think that there shoulld be at least one game unlocked from the beginning for kids to play with. With them all being locked it either makes kids sad that they can’t do anything if they don’t potty or it forces the parent to lie on the app in order to unlock a game to give to their crying kid.
The third item of interest is the ability to schedule potty times. As we were simulating the potty training experience this came in handy as we didn’t have a young tot who had to pee at random times. When we would remember we would take a virtual trio to the potty, otherwise we relied on the push notification. This could come in very handy for parents on the go or who are simply busy.
They have done a good job in their initial design and are doing the right thing by looking for comments from users to improve their app, something we can greatly appreciate as a developer myself. I look forward to seeing this app mature and put it to use once our little one pops out and is ready for the dreaded potty.
By Milcah on Sep 5, 2010
I think this is pretty neat. I like that it has how often your child should go potty, and not only that, but a count down timer. I like that it can be personalized for your child, and that they earn games as rewards for getting a set number of stars. I would like to be able to adjust the number of stars to earn before a reward can be earned. I thought that I saw 9, but upon going back and taking a look, I couldn’t seem to find it. A feature such as this would be great for those who may happen to have children close in age who are potty training, but where one may be a little older and therby slightly more advanced. A great app created with moms in mind that will help my child succeed at potty training for free. This is great!
By Robin on Sep 6, 2010
The app is very cute! Unfortunately, my son is now at the ‘only has accidents when he is sleeping too deeply at night (about once every three weeks or so)’ stage. I would have LOVED this app several months ago though
I like that you can select the ringtone for the alert.
It would be nice to be able to allow the child to pick their own sticker (like a lot of the educational games) as further incentive. My son LOVES picking the truck or animal stickers and putting them on the ‘sticker page’ of other apps.
By Sara on Sep 6, 2010
So far it’s a great app, my two year old likes to push the buttons when she goes potty and even dances to the tunes. We took her picture next to the potty for the app. It was super cute. Only downer is that the app doesn’t do any notifying when the app is closed and you actually need the alarm to go off. I’m hopeful when we are in heavy duty potty training this will be an upgrade, like next month. Also, we were joking about it at home and started calling it “iPotty.”.
By Ann on Sep 6, 2010
It’s been years since I potty trained my own children but as a grandmother this app will be beneficial to me with my grandkids. When I am watching them it is usually not just one at a time and with all of the things to keep track of in a day it’s easy to slip by the time to take the one in training to the potty. With this app I can set a reminder and keep myself and the child on schedule. My grands are always looking for my phone so why not use it to make training fun for the little ones.
By Samantha on Sep 6, 2010
I have not had any experience with my own children with the potty training process, but I have had to help students with disabilities learn how to toilet train. One of the most difficult tasks is the consistency of the process. This app would have been a great app to have when I was teaching some of my students how to toilet train, like everything else time gets the best of us and its difficult to remember when you last put the student on the toilet. With the time set feature I can set when the student will go to the toilet next, and to set the timer to go to the toilet every __ hours. I also enjoyed the charting feature which is great feature for progress monitoring. There are so many other students who could greatly benefit from this app at my school when they learn about the toilet training process.
By Brittny on Sep 6, 2010
We downloaded it and love it! We think that will work great with #3. We’re excited to use it and feel that it will help a ton on getting our little princess trained and on her way. Thanks for sharing this wonderful app with us!
By Selena on Sep 6, 2010
What a great idea for an app & contest! I just started potty training my son (he’ll be 3 next month) & so far so good. He hasn’t had a lot of accidents overall, unlike when my daughter was potty training. I love the reminders on the app but unfortunately he won’t go when we ask him too, only when he wants too. But the reminders are good for night time, as we’re waking him up between 4:00 & 6:00 am to go potty. But that only works when we wake up! Also, I think because we waited, he doesn’t need any rewards as an incentive, but we did do that with my daughter. Overall, great app. Thanks for doing this contest! I love your website.
By Heather @OurKidsMom on Sep 6, 2010
I’ve potty trained 3 kids now.. heading for my 4th (and final.. yeah!). The rewards and reminders are GREAT and it gets them proactive in the process.
By Kirsten on Sep 6, 2010
I’ve potty-trained 2 boys….and this app would have been a great help during that time! I think the ability to schedule reminders for shorter amounts of time would be helpful. When I started with each of my boys, we set the microwave for every 15 minutes. Child #3 is only 14 months, but I will DEFINATELY keep this app in mind for when she’s ready! I think the games & jingle will be a great motivator in the future! Fun & very useful app!
By The iPhone Mom on Sep 6, 2010
I visited random.org tonight and had their generator select a random comment number…..and…..Congratulations to Nicci on being the Grand Prize Winner of the Flip cam and Pull-Ups coupons! Random.org then chose another number for me and congratulations go to Angela for winning the First Prize!
Thank you everyone for your comments! ~Heather