How to Start Potty Training a Boy: Helpful Tips and More
Thinking of getting rid of diapers and potty training your little boy? Thinking about the potty training process is exciting, in part because it’s a major developmental milestone for your toddler. And let’s face it, parents have been changing diapers for two years (or more!) now and are probably more than willing to part with the chore.
When you start thinking about potty training your little boy, don’t fall for tired gender stereotypes. Being male isn’t necessarily why your son can train later than his sister, although some major studies have found that boys potty train six months later than girls, on average.[1]
But all children are different, and several factors will influence their interest in potty training. Your best bet is to focus on your son’s physical and emotional readiness and then move on from there. Good luck in your endeavors!
When to start potty training a little boy
If you’re looking for a hard and fast answer as to when to start potty training a little boy, you’re going to be a bit disappointed. In truth, when you start discarding diapers and using a child’s potty doesn’t just depend on age.[2]
While many toddlers show signs of being ready for potty training between the ages of 18 and 24 months, some boys may not be ready for the task until the age of 3. The average age for girls to master potty training is 35 months and for boys it is 39 months.
You can gauge your child’s willingness to potty train by looking for some of the most common signs, including staying dry longer, having predictable bowel movements, and using the right words, albeit in his own adorable tot-speak (“My Poop Big ! “). If your little boy can also pull down his pants and underwear himself, he’s probably ready to use the potty.
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Tips for potty training boys
If your little fella has some of the ready signs above, understands basic directions, and can tell you to go, give the process a try. Here are some potty training tips for boys:
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Open the store. If your boy seems interested, let him come with you when you buy him a training seat or mini potty. He might also like to choose baby wipes and big boy underwear in his favorite color or themed like dinosaurs or smileys.
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Try the equipment. Place the seat or potty in the bathroom and let your toddler sit on it, fully clothed. He can also help empty it into the larger toilet and flush it (that’s the fun part!).
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Decide on your terms. Will you teach him words like urine and stool? Or do you use pee and poo? Either way is perfectly fine (just don’t use negative terms like smelly, dirty, or gross).
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Read all about it. Toddler storybooks about learning to use the potty can help. And if you’re comfortable, you can let your son watch you leave so he gets the hang of it.
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Choose simple clothing. Potty training clothes for boys should not include a belt in his jeans or clip-on overalls. Instead, choose quick-release pants or shorts with an elastic waistband.
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Pay attention to clues. Does your little boy start holding or making noise when he has to walk? Or does he retreat into a corner? Catch him when it happens and put him on the potty.
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Bare everything. Walking around the house without a bottom can help your little one use his body’s cues. And being undressed at least from the waist down makes walking easier since you don’t have to take off anything.
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Try pull-ups. These training pants are a great intermediate stage as they absorb accidents. However, they can still be pulled up and down like cloth underwear.
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Sit, then stand. When potty training your son, teach him to sit in the sitting position for both peeing and pooping. Once she has mastered the seated potty, she can attempt to pee standing up.
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Aim carefully. Teach him to point his penis in the toilet. And when he gets up, he can have fun directing his jet at scraps of toilet paper or even Cheerios in the bowl.
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Learn the rules. Instruct your little fella to raise the seat when he’s standing to pee, then gently lower it when he’s done. Make sure he’s not just holding the seat while he’s going to the bathroom, but put it all the way up as it can bind him and really hurt. Teach him how to slowly fold the seat down when he’s done so he doesn’t accidentally fall on him. Supervise your tot if he has problems. Next comes the rinse, followed by thorough hand washing.
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Offer lots of praise. Be exuberant when your son makes it to the potty on time and achieves his goal. And if stickers or small rewards help motivate him, give them out. A potty training chart to track his progress can also be useful.
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Be quiet. Know that accidents are a part of potty training for boys, so try to roll with humor and encouragement with everyone. Try to stay calm and not lose your calm!
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don’t fight it If there are tears or other stress surrounding the potty process, take a little break. And check if external factors might interfere with your efforts, such as: For example, the arrival of a sibling, another babysitter, a vacation, or a move to a new house.
When can boys learn to potty stand up?
Once your boy has mastered peeing and pooping while sitting on the potty, he can move into the standing position when he needs to pee. If he is restless while sitting, offer him a book to look at or something to play with while he tries to walk.
If, once your little guy is ready to stand, he can’t reach far enough over the toilet to direct his jet into the water, offer him a small stool to climb on.
How long does it take to potty train a boy?
Because every child is different, the duration of potty training will vary. In most cases, you can expect potty training to last anywhere from three to six months, although some children may need more or less time to remove their daily diapers. Staying dry overnight can take several months or even years to achieve.
You can always contact the doctor if you are concerned about your little boy’s potty training progress, especially if he is 4 or older and is out of diapers.
As you begin potty training your young son, remember that patience is an important part of the job. Deal with setbacks matter-of-factly and keep praising him even if he doesn’t potty train every time. Before you know it, your big boy will be using the potty like a pro.
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