Potty Training Tips for Boy

T.,
Hey there. I have not yet started the potty training thing with my 8 month old son. I have gotten him on the potty when he poops but that is just because I know his schedule and am able to stay at home with him. He gets so excited when he goes on the potty. I have heard to pee though, you have to give a boy a target. I have been told to put Cheerios in in the toilet and that way they can play target practice. Let me know if this helps.
Thanks,
Erica

I am surprised sometimes at how many people start their kids potty training so early. I have 3 boys and none of them were potty trained that early. THe youngest was trained fully at 4. Just because he is showing interest he may not be interested in the actual act but the idea of it. Don't pressure him. He'll do it when it is time. ANd if your son is with family members not in a day care why worry about it? Boys are different girls. Boys are usually late at everything. SO don't worry about it and enjoy your son.

It might be a little early yet for him. My son wanted nothing to do with the potty until after 3 years. And, my daughter-even though she's pooping great, she still hasn't gotten the peeing down much. She almost 30 months. She's getting there and has some idea of the process. But, you can't *make* them pee. Encourage and patience. And, on a humorous side note, be careful of any *targets* you might want to use. I tried that with my son and even though he thought it was fun to try, it was also very funny. Just imagine what happens with a 4 year old just learning to stand to pee and laughing. I had to clean the back wall several times. lol
Good luck.

I have two boys, and since we read a lot the first son did this on his own on the potty chair. Daddy read in the bathroom, so he wanted to be big like daddy, he said.
It made sense to him, and I was pleased with his results.

I bought a roll of tiny stickers (flies, of all things) and gave him one each time he "went like a big boy". Ten years later, we still have some on the toilet brush holder.

Later, he closed the lid to the potty with a shield, and used it as a step stool to get up onto the big potty. We found seats that sat inside the big ones, but the shield was hard to move around for him. I decided to try the "dinky down" routine, which they managed well after some practice. (Kids are a bit chubby, so holding down the belly right over the dinky kept his hands out of the stream of pee.)

Another trick that might work for you, since potty happens in the tub, is warm water. Keep a cup just for potty time, and put warm water in it. Pour it over his dinky, viola, pee time.

Last thing we did, when the second son wanted to stand to go like daddy, I had to figure out something to minimize bad aim! (The first son was a natural aim, so this wasn't a problem for him.) He figured out that standing on his step stool and leaning forward (holding the back of the potty or opened seat lid) put things in proper position to not miss! (Mommy was thrilled!) Kids are inventive, so maybe my kids' ideas will work for you.

As for going poop, that was more cumbersome. When the first son was in training, I stopped changing him on his back and began having him stand. He wiggled, so we moved him to the vainity in the bathroom - right in front of the mirror. He had to stand with his hands on my shoulders, and I'd say, "Ooo, look what you put on yourself! Why'd you do that like a little baby boy? You're a big boy and I bet you'll be glad when you don't poop like that." The vainty didn't leave him much wiggle room, or an escape. Messes were easily be washed off with a washrag and kid soa. I intentionally used cool water (not cold). This worked really well for me because he had a little brother and didn't want to be a baby. I admit it took months, but I kept my mind on the final results.

(He reverted to bottle and pacy stealing, but that didn't last long either.)

The second son went easier since he had a big brother to mimic.

By the way, before complaining at any time that moms shouldn't have to help kids do these things, remember you have the opportunity to raise a young man who lifts the seat.

This seems too young to potty train a boy. My son took interest in potty training when he turned three, and has had only two accidents (#1) and is dry every morning. They train themselves when they are ready. Provide a nice potty (the Baby Bjorn is nice) and some nice books and a DVD. He will "get it" when he is ready. Good luck!

I haven't read any of the responses, but I wanted to tell you that we potty-trained both of our kids (one boy and one girl) each at 28 months. We took a weekend and kept him in underwear only the whole time. We kept him on the wood floors so that he wouldn't ruin the carpet and by the end of the weekend he was trained! We never had him sit on the potty without having to go...he went in his underwear a couple times and then he knew when he felt that urge he had to run to the potty.

Please don't hesitate to try...I get so frustrated when people say that boys won't train until they're 3...

Here's something that helped with my nephew greatly. We had him for the day while his parents were at work. We also had his cousin who was a year older for the day too. They played and had fun. But Jarod was already using the potty and Jacob had been working on potty training but just couldn't get the hang of it. So while they played and had fun (he liked spending time with his "big boy" cousin), every time Jarod had to potty then Jacob wanted to potty too. By the end of the day he was potty trained. Not to say that he didn't have a few accidents after that of course. No one is perfect. But he no longer wore diapers after that. If he's got a "big boy" cousin or another male relative to help out, that might work for you too. Also, if sitting on the potty to pee doesn't work try standing him in front of it. Just keep reinforcing that big boys potty in the toilet but try not to make him feel bad if he doesn't pick it up right away. Put him on the potty every hour and have him try to go. Even if he says he doesn't have to. Just ask him to try. Good luck. Potty training is usually not easy. Just hang in there. He'll figure it out yet.

You might try turning on the faucet when he is on the potty as the running water may just let him relax enough to pee.

Try this, it worked for me and my three kids! Everytime you put him on the potty, wait a minute or two and then turn the tub on! Works like a charm! If your not in a bathroom with the tub, try just the sink. I can have just gone to the bathroom but if I hear the tub run I have to go again. I didn't know that this is how my mom trained me until one day I mentioned it when my oldest was a baby and that's when my mom told me. That water running just makes you want to go. Give it a try. T.

I didn't read all the responses so if I'm repeating someone I apologize....

Peer pressure is a great tool in potty training. Have a "tea party", though call it something else for boys. Drink all day and have little snacks, invite all kids that are potty trained (that don't mind having a little one watch them go) and let him see them use the potty. It works fabulously!!

P.S. My son was potty trained at 26 mos and it took less than a week. (he was at daycare and used big boy underwear, never pullups. HE didn't like the feeling of being dirty so he took quite quickly.) Good luck and hang in there!!