RE: favorite potty seat?
Melinda-
I bought the Baby Bjorn potty insert after reading reviews here. I think it was Julie (JoolsPlus2) who said she had spent money on so many cheap ones that slid all around and wish she had just spent the $30 first on the Bjorn one (sorry for the misquote, Julie). If you go looking, $30 will seem like a lot to spend once you see that there are several others for $10-20, so I was glad I was prepared for the sticker shock. Bought it and have no complaints. It does not slip at all. Got a cheap step stool at IKEA.
Beginning at 12-18 mos, however, we put J on the little Bjorn chair ($10) and it was a great size for her. She still uses it at 2.5, though it is tiny. The nice thing about a separate chair is that she would sit on it while I used the regular potty, so she was able to learn by imitation a bit.
It is nice though, for the reasons you mentioned, to teach them to use the big potty early.
Fancy Nancy 8/04
Snuggle Puppy 5/07
"You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway."