Potty Training for Boys

Updated on November 03, 2008
E.M. asks from Long Beach, CA
8 answers

Should I teach my boy to pee standing up or sitting down? I feel silly for even having to ask this, but I really don't know if I should start him off sitting down, and then have him transition to standing later, or if I should just have him stand from the get-go. We are just starting to work on potty training, I have a hard time knowing if he may need to pee or poop, so sitting seems kind of like the right thing to do, so he can just do either.

Any ideas would be helpful.

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So What Happened?

I just saw Jennifer G's post as well on this topic - if you responded to her I'll watch for those answers as well - I think she and I are living parallel lives - or at least posting at the same time. :)

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My husband insisted on training my son to stand, but as the woman who has to wash the walls, floor and everything else in the bathroom I wish he had always sat.
My cousins were all taught to sit and still do. They also had to clean their own bathroom so they decided not to stand in case they missed.

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W.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I will be potty training my son soon and I think sitting for the poop reason is better because then if he has the sensation he is already there?? I have potty trained my three daughter's and it was a piece of cake at 2 years and 4 months, my son is a different story and has not been willing and will be 3 in February on the 21st. he does show interest and loves big boy pants, but only goes on the toilet if I happen to get him just at the right time on a fluke! I am a little freaked out that he is not already trained but I have not made a big deal about it because I know eventually it will happen. If you find something that works great, would you mind letting me know?
Thanks! I never had to use the reward system with my girl's, but maybe that will be a good approach??

Thanks and good luck!!
W.

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V.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I asked my husband this same thing. I still have awhile to worry about potty training at all but apparently they start out sitting down. That's why they have that little "cup" part on the front of the potty seats. I would say around 4ish you can start teaching them to aim at Cheerios that you throw in the toilet. It makes it a great game for them and teaches them how to use it standing up. Good luck!

~V

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L.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I started both my boys sitting down. Then they stood up when they were ready or wanted to try being like daddy. Then I threw cheerios in the toilet for them to aim at! That worked great. good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Both my boys started out with sitting and made an easy transition over to standing once they were fully potty trained. I think it just makes it easier, no accidents in case they need to poop and no mishaps trying to get a smaller child to reach and aim correctly. most pottys have a shield for boys so there are no mishaps when sitting. just my opinion and experiance.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Depends on who you ask. I say it mostly depends on the age (can they even reach the toilet while standing) and size of the child. Also, often when they are just learning, if they are sitting to pee, they will poop too! So, my vote is for sitting! My son is 3.5 and sits to pee. Sometimes he'll pee standing in the backyard (we only do this when we are far from the house) and sometimes he pees standing at the little toilets at school.

M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,
Was just going to post and saw your note about Jennifer's post. Your son is a little older...almost 3yr so may train well at this time if he shows interest. If a dad is around the easiest thing is to let him see Dad go and he will soon want to stand to pee pee. The potty suggestions are on her post. Enjoy your little ones...they grow up too fast:)

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L.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

I started my boy standing up- that was a huge mistake. It took a lot longer to poop train because he couldn't understand that it was ok to pee while sitting to poop. He just wanted a diaper. I am going to train my 2 year old sitting down until he has mastered the whole thing

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