We love our Squatty Potty — hilarious name, practical product! It's a special footstool that wraps around the base of your toilet, allowing you to assume a more natural squatting position to make elimination easier.

From now through tomorrow, December 6, you can save 20% off all orders for giggle.com's friends and family event!

Shop giggle's friends and family event and SAVE 20%.
Hurry! Offer ends December 6.
Promo code INSIDER10 must be entered at checkout.
Some exclusions apply.

And, remember, you can get help for the holidays in finding the perfect gift! Just shop giggle's holiday gift finder.

I really like the products giggle offers and the philosophy behind them:

giggle isn't just a baby store: it's a new parent store.

We do the homework so you don't have to, offering only the best, smartest, and most innovative products out there.

At giggle, part of our job is making your job easier — not by offering every baby product available, but by offering only the best. We carry all your must-have baby items, pre-sorted to include only the most healthy, stylish and innovative products available — from fun, bright bedding and furniture, to gear, toys, baby care, cleaning products, and more.

I love that they have a lot of organic and unique items from smaller businesses that really focus on doing things well.

Here are some of those best-of-the-best products:

They're perfect for holiday gift giving, baby showers, or your own sweet family!



Long-Sleeved Lap-Shoulder Tee in Organic Cotton: Under a jumper or paired with pants, these cool little lap-shoulder tees are a great baby staple. They're also wonderfully soft and healthy, made from 100% organic cotton with no pesticides or chemicals used during the entire production process. 
In my experience, separates are sooo much easier than one-piece outfits for young babies, particularly if you're using cloth diapers or doing elimination communication. And lap tees are wonderful, because they're easy to get over those huge but fragile newborn heads. Win-win! Something like this, with some cute organic pants, would make a wonderful baby shower gift.


Here's a short-sleeved version with a kimono-type opening, so easy for dressing those floppy, chubby little newborns.


Felt Photo Pocket: Have those baby pictures ready to pass around at a moment's notice. This felt photo pouch holds 24 photos for a versatile way to share — especially if keeping a brag book current seems like too much work. And with its simple and sweet applique, it's also a great way to present a set of prints to a loved one!


The Family Book: What kind of family do you have? Big, or small? Messy, or neat? Whatever your family is like, you're not alone! This colorful book by Todd Parr shows all different kinds of families, including families with step-parents, single parents, and same-sex partners. But no matter how different they are, there are some things all families can agree on, and those are the things that really matter.


Babyprints Keepsake: Babies grow up fast, but this wonderful keepsake can serve as a permanent reminder of how tiny they once were. Using baby's hand or foot print, this kit will make a lasting impression! Why it's a giggle pick: This is such a sweet idea, we couldn't resist, and the kit has everything you need to pull it off!


giggle Better Basics Starter Layette Kit: Finding the perfect gift has never been easier! Chock-full of the things every new parent needs, this set includes two long-sleeve baby bodysuits, two hats, a pair of mitts and booties, and a bunny blanket friend, all in an adorable (and durable!) canvas tote. Why it's a giggle pick: We designed this line of organic baby essentials to be the perfect combination of quality and value!


Piddle Pad: The Piddle Pad makes every seat accident-proof. Much easier than washing the whole car seat or stroller, this soft, absorbent pad shields seats with a vinyl layer and even wicks moisture away from baby. The contoured design easily and discreetly fits every child's seat from newborns to toddlers. Accidents will happen, but with the Piddle Pad, cleaning them up is a whole lot easier. Great for ECing babies and potty-learning toddlers.


Taga Stroller Bike: Enjoy the journey with this combination bike and stroller. You and your child can ride to your destination together, then a 20-second conversion switches the bike to stroller mode so you can continue on foot. What a fun way to share together time! Why it's a giggle pick: Taga is a safe, ecological, and innovative way for you and your child to keep moving. Who it's perfect for: The outdoor enthusiast who wants to add biking into their fitness routine, or the car-free parent who wants an innovative way to get around. I have never seen the like, but I know we love our front-mounted bike seat. This is like a two-in-one deal!


Benz Bench: This kid-sized bench is an excellent way to provide extra seating and storage without the waste! Constructed out of sturdy cardboard (it holds up to 300 lbs!) and made from recycled materials, it's recyclable itself, not to mention biodegradable. It's easy to assemble and disassemble, making it an easy fit into anyone's life.
Let me repeat: It's made out of cardboard! And it supports 300 pounds!


My Green Dollhouse: A giggle exclusive! This stylish habitat is a fun and modern update to the classic dollhouse. And not just because it has a fresh, clean appearance in a contemporary brown and pink color palette — it's also eco-friendly! Constructed out of cardboard made from recycled materials, it's recyclable itself, not to mention biodegradable. Easy to assemble and disassemble, with a carrying case for portable fun, this dollhouse is an easy fit into anyone's life.


Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag: Wouldn't this be a lifesaver at the airport? Juggling luggage, a toddler, and a car seat when you travel? Protect the seat that protects your child. When you're packing up the car seat to take on an airplane or train, this carrier will protect your car or booster seat's safety features (not to mention the upholstery!) from the perils of travel. Plus, padded backpack-style straps make carrying it along easier than you would have ever dreamed. Finally — one less thing for your busy parent hands to hold in the airport! The FAA recommends that children under 40 pounds sit in a car seat while flying, so don't skip the car seat, but do skip the extra effort!


Early Rider Lite Bike: Apparently, the hard part in learning to ride isn't the pedaling — it's the balance. Take away the distraction of pedals and gears and brakes, and you give children the chance to learn balance safely and at their own pace. This balance bike is a great choice for your kids' first set of wheels! You can start kids off early on this lightweight, pedal-free bike — as young as 20 months. And the adjustable seat setting lets you continue to use it all the way through age 4! This is a great value for such a high quality item, and it encourages the development of balance, strength and motor skills even in young children. I bet this could help even Mikko!


giggle Reusable Gift Bag: And to put it all in? Got a big surprise for the parents or parents-to-be? No need to struggle with super-sized wrapping paper: Just pop your present into this extra-large gift bag and you're ready to go. It's even reusable, making it the gift bag that keeps on giving! This bag measures 20" x 20" x 46", which fits bigger gear items such as most car seats and high chairs.


Shop now to take advantage of the sale, and remember you can get free shipping on certain essentials every day!

I love it when there are multiple winners, because then I can give more of you the good news!

Congratulations to these fine five folks on winning the On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seat from On-the-Go Inflatables:

• Mamaloo (#5): Oh, oh, oh! Pick me, pick me, pick me!!!!!!! This looks fantastic! I LOVE the blue potty with the character. It's so cute!
• Elita (#12): This is awesome! As someone who is potty training my 2-year-old, I've often dreaded the idea of taking him to use a public toilet and we're not even close to leaving the house in only underwear yet! This sounds great, I'd love to win it in blue.
• Kim (#83): my fave is BLUE!
• Erma (#105): I like the Blue with a character.
• Angela G (#163): I would love blue with a character. This is a fantastic idea. I was wondering what I would do when we go on our first vacation and this would be perfect. Thanks!

Please respond to my email requesting your mailing address. Thank you to Random.org for the random numbers. I thought it was fun that there were numbers from both early and late entries!

And thank you to everyone for your feedback on the potty seat! I will pass it all along to Michael at On-the-Go Inflatables. Here's my summary of your suggestions, and feel free to add any other points. You would welcome:

• Pee shield for boy potty seats to contain the sprinkle
• Canister to help blow up the seat, both for hygiene assuredness and for quick blow-up time for antsy-pantsy, got-to-go toddlers
• Waterproof wet bag to store the seat when deflated
• More color choices, both for personal preferences and for parents who have both boys and girls and don't want gender-specific color squabbling 
• Continuing to offer both the character and no-character options (lots of opinion either way on whether the character would work for individual kids)

But, of course, even the current version is very well-received! We got entries from parents of ECing babes and parents of potty-training toddlers, some of you with multiple tots in the potty-learning stage! And everyone agreed this inflatable seat would be invaluable for pottying while out. So, remember, you can buy your own for $7.99 plus shipping!

Be sure to check my giveaway page for current giveaways, and check back for more!

This giveaway is now closed. View the winners here!


I am happy to be giving away FIVE On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seats from On-the-Go Inflatables.

This is a unique pottying tool that will be useful for the potty-learning toddlers out there as well as those parents doing elimination communication with their babies.

What do you do when you have a potty-training toddler or an EC baby and you want to leave the house?

Michael McGuire, the founder of On-the-Go Inflatables — "For Today's Traveling Toddlers" — found out first-hand when his family went on vacation to a theme park. His wife took their young daughter into a bathroom, and the little girl came out in tears, afraid of the gaping hole of the unfamiliar adult toilet. Adult toilets are just too big for little bums.

Michael asked why his wife hadn't brought a travel potty or seat insert. Lug that heavy, dirty, plastic thing around all day? asked Mike's wife. No thanks!

Mike likes a challenge. When he got home, he took his daughter's toilet seat insert and an old rubber raft, made a pattern, melted the edges of the rubber together, and crafted the first inflatable potty seat insert!

The company started producing the seats for sale last year. Michael was kind enough to send me a sample to try, and here's my honest take on the inflatable seat, as used by my 2-and-a-half-year-old, Mikko.

Mikko usually uses a little potty or a toilet seat insert at home. When we're out, though, we have more of a quandary. He is terrified of public toilets; some of it's the flush, and some of it is that gaping opening that scared Michael McGuire's daughter. So I've taken to lugging around a small potty in the car, along with a foldable seat insert.

But the problems with both are that they're bulky, hard plastic. You can't just toss them in a purse and be on your way. In fact, we've had instances in taking the bus where we've been inadvertently stranded somewhere without a Mikko-acceptable pottying option.


The On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seat is the perfect solution to transportable pottying. Opened up and inflated, it's actually bigger and cushier than a standard toilet seat insert. But deflated, using the quick-release deflating valve on the back, and rolled up, it's only about as long as your hand.

I just measured the deflated roll, and I have dimensions of approximately 7 inches x 5 inches x 5 inches. Everything but the handles is soft rubber, and the handles are a sturdier rubber. The deflated potty seat can easily slip into a diaper bag, purse, or suitcase.

The On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seat solves some of the other downsides to the traditional travel potty options, as well, at least as experienced by Mikko and us! We have one travel potty that requires disposable liners to use it, which can be expensive and is non-eco-friendly. Fold-up toilet inserts often have seams to pinch little legs, and they sometimes are designed so that they slide around on the top of the adult seat instead of nesting inside. If you don't use a flush toilet — if, for instance, you just bring a regular little potty — then you're stuck with the question of what to do with the waste if you're not near a flush toilet. We've made a few surreptitious trips to a handy drain when we've been pottying Mikko in the car. Having a seat insert that works with any standard public or private toilet means it's as convenient to potty your child as it is to go yourself!

But what does all this matter...unless the child likes it? Well, ever since we got it, it's been Mikko's favorite toileting option.

• Why is it Mikko's favorite? I think because it's so nice and cushy. Have you ever slept on an air mattress or bounced on a birth ball? There's something inherently comfy about being suspended on a cushion of air.
• It even has a comfortable back rest, not a feature I've seen on most toilet inserts (or any, come to think of it!).
• Mikko also likes the sturdy handles at the sides. He actually uses them to hang on to as he goes. I don't think he's in any danger of falling off the pot, but he probably likes the feeling of security it gives, considering he's a little guy and therefore high off the ground.
• The inflatable bottom of it (ha ha! I said "bottom" in a potty post) wedges snugly into the toilet opening and doesn't scoot around like plastic versions. I haven't tried it in a wide variety of toilets, but I'm guessing it would adapt well to various opening shapes and sizes, since the air could be squished one direction or another, and you could always deflate it a little if you needed more wiggle room.

Now, we first tested it cozily at home, because, as I mentioned, Mikko has a strong fear of public restrooms. I thought we could start small and test it at someone else's home next, which is an unfamiliar bathroom but not quite as scary as a public toilet.

But we were once again out in such a way — on a walk through the rain — that necessitated streamlined pottying. I was meeting friends at a restaurant, and there was no way I was lugging his plastic potty along with me. The On-the-Go Inflatable Seat slipped into the stroller bag, easy as pie, and we were off.

I lucked out that the restaurant had one of those single-stall deals, more like home than business and with no automatic flushes, so we could lock the door and take our time. I fully expected a screaming fit from Mikko, and he didn't disappoint me as I used the toilet myself. I told him he didn't have to go, that we would just wash our hands. He consented to that and calmed down a little as we soaped up at the sink.

Then I pulled the bright blue On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seat out of the bag. Mikko watched, intrigued, as it slowly inflated.

I fit it snugly into the big toilet and then calmly reached over and got him ready. He let me pick him up and settle him onto Big Blue (there — I've given it a nickname) without a murmur, and within seconds there was a merry tinkling.

Success!

I can't tell you how high I was off this, because if only you knew the tears and drama we always go through in public restrooms! For Mikko to actually pee in a foreign toilet was an astounding feat, and I have to give credit to the novelty and comfort of the On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seat (aka Big Blue).

Now, what would I change about the seat?

1. One thing that's unfortunate for us about this seat reducer, as with ALL seat reducers and ALL infant potties is that the opening is actually a little too small for Mikko. I don't know if we have a particularly large-bottomed child or what, but I always have to scootch Mikko way back till his butt's past the opening, and then lean him forward. Especially considering he has boy parts and there's no pee shield, this is the only way to avoid unintended splashiness. Like I said, this is a problem we've had with every single potty and seat reducer we own, so quite probably Mikko's large size is skewing our results, but I did want to point it out.
Sam having absolutely no problem blowing up the potty seat, apparently from the mouth of a cave.
2. The other issue I've had is that I found the seat a little hard to inflate. You're supposed to gently squeeze the base, to open up the valve slightly, while blowing in. My husband has no problem getting just the right amount of pressure going, but I found it trickier.

I actually contacted Michael of On-the-Go Inflatables about both issues, and he was very understanding and friendly and had these responses:

1. I am, indeed, the only person who has yet complained about the size of the opening! So I think we have to chalk this one up to Mikko's tremendous size. That said, Mike did suggest that they will consider adding a pee shield sort of flap to future models of boy-specific seats, so give feedback to On-the-Go Inflatables if that's something you'd desire.
2. There have been a very few complaints of valve tightness and difficulties inflating. The newer batch being manufactured now has bigger valves to help with this problem. If you have trouble inflating your potty seat: First of all, follow directions to gently squeeze at the base of the valve. Secondly, the valve should loosen up over time and make things easier. Thirdly, another change in production is that the company might potentially include an air canister to help you pump up the seat. Fourthly, Michael said to please feel free to call or email him personally to get a replacement if the valve is a real problem for you. He was telling me that On-the-Go Inflatables is a small, family-owned company, that he loves interacting with customers, and that he doesn't go to sleep at night until all his phone calls are returned. He encouraged me to share this full contact information with you: company number: 1.877.OTG.POTY (684.7689); his direct cell phone number: 630.688.5818; his email: mike@onthegoinflatables.com

Since this is a small company that's just starting up, Michael would welcome your feedback and reviews of the product. Future innovations On-the-Go Inflatables is considering, some of which I mentioned before, are a pee shield, an air canister to help with inflating, a carrying pouch, and an animated life for the logo character — the cute little zooming potty seat — that will include a DVD and other learning helps for guiding kids through potty training.

Learn more about the company and the product through an online radio show March 2 from 6:30-6:45 p.m. EST on BlogTalkRadio.

The company is based in Illinois. The product is made in China and is BPA- and phthalate-free and non-toxic. You can hand wash it with soap and water and towel or air dry.

You can read my background on this giveaway and our potty-learning history at Hobo Mama. You can also leave comments on that post about any features you'd like to see added to the seat.

BUY IT!

You can buy the On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seat, either from the company's website for the low introductory price of $7.99 plus shipping/handling or through Amazon for $9.99 plus s/h. On-the-Go Inflatables will be donating $2 to Haiti earthquake relief per potty sold through Feb. 15.

WIN IT!

For your own chance to win an On-the-Go Inflatable Potty, enter in the comments below! There are FIVE potty seats being offered, so that's (do the math!) FIVE chances to win!

MAIN ENTRY: I was all prepared to demand that you do complicated gymnastics to qualify to win, but Mike's requirement is simple: Tell him what color you prefer: 

• Blue
• Blue with a character
• Pink
• Pink with a character

I was wondering what the character was exactly, so that's what I ordered for my free sample. Turns out it's great big googly eyes and a wide smile (as in picture). Far from frightening Mikko (Sam's worry), it has delighted him. So, go to On-the-Go Inflatables and tell me which color you would choose from the four options. This entry is required to win.

Leave an email address in your comment if it's not clearly visible on your profile or linked web page so that I can contact you if you win.

BONUS ENTRIES, to increase your chance of winning:

The character I'm referring to is the one on the seat.
• Follow www.HoboMamaReviews.com publicly through Google Friend Connect, or subscribe to the Hobo Mama Reviews RSS feed in a reader or by email.
• Follow www.HoboMama.com through Google Friend Connect, or subscribe to the Hobo Mama RSS feed in a reader or by email.
• Follow @OTGInflatables on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in the comment.
• Follow @Hobo_Mama on Twitter and leave your Twitter name in the comment.
• Tweet this giveaway. This may be done once daily for still more entries. Leave the direct URL, which can be found by clicking the time stamp under your Tweet. You can create your own text or copy/paste this: Win one of FIVE On-the-Go Inflatable Potty Seats from @OTGInflatables & @Hobo_Mama for portable #pottytraining! http://bit.ly/cbyCNZ {2.11}
• Become a fan of On-the-Go Inflatables on Facebook.
• Become a fan of Hobo Mama on Facebook.
• Follow Hobo Mama on Networked Blogs on Facebook.
I fully support any product that inspires someone in this house to clean a toilet afterward.
• Do something lovely for this post or a post on Hobo Mama (StumbleUpon, Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Technorati, etc.) and let me know what it was and which post in your comment. There is a Share button below each post. You can gain up to 3 entries this way.
• Put my Carnival of Natural Parenting button on your website for 2 extra entries. The HTML code is in the sidebar. Leave your site URL in the comment.
• Include this giveaway in a post on your own blog for 3 extra entries. Leave the direct link in your comment.

RULES:

• Contest open to US and Canada. (International readers farther afield can still order a seat from the company!)
• Leave each entry as a separate comment so I can count them all.
• For actions like following and subscribing, if you already follow or subscribe, just let me know in your comment.
• For tasks that garner you multiple entries, say something like "I blogged [link here] #1," "I blogged [link here] #2," etc.
• You don't have to do any of the bonus entries, but you do have to complete the first mandatory one.
• I will pick the winners through random.org after the contest closes and send an email to notify them. Leave an email address in your comment if it's not clearly visible on your profile or linked web page so that I can contact you if you win. If I can't reach any particular winner or don't hear back within a couple days, I'll draw a new name.
• Any questions, let me know: mail {at} HoboMama.com