Every mom has heard about how difficult it is to potty train a little boy, but it doesn't have to be as miserable as everyone says. Here are some tips and tricks to help make potty training your son a breeze.
When to Start Potty Training
One of the most important things about potty training a boy is waiting until he is ready. Some children are ready as early as 18 months, but some aren’t ready until past their third birthday. There is no such thing as a head start when potty training. Typically, starting too early just makes the whole process take longer. Your son might be ready if he is urinating a fair amount at a time, having dry periods for a couple of hours during nap time, can sit down for 3-5 minutes at a time, and dislikes the feeling of a dirty diaper. Another important indicator is that your son takes pride in doing things independently and is proud of his accomplishments.
Focus on Timing
Once you’ve determined your son is ready to potty train, make sure there are no big life changes going on that could interrupt potty training. Make sure your routine is well established and you aren’t starting anything new, like preschool or expecting a new sibling in the near future.Talk to him about potty training and make sure he is interested in the potty before beginning. Kids learn by imitating so it’s important for him to see you and Daddy using the bathroom. This might seem awkward but it will help him learn the mechanics of using the potty. This will get him used to the idea of using the potty and excited about using his own potty.
Stock Up on the Right Products
Most experts recommend using a child size potty so that the child can put both feet firmly on the floor. You can also put together a small basket of things to entertain him with while he sits on the toilet. In the basket, you can include several of his favorite books and possibly some small toys like cars that he can play with when sitting on the potty. Another thing that helps some boys are pull ups with disappearing designs. When the designs get wet they disappear, making him aware that he has peed. Undies with his favorite characters on them can also be a good motivator.
Get Him Ready
Boys don’t have to learn to pee standing up right away, in fact it’s usually easier to teach them to sit down and pee first. Once your son is comfortable with that and is peeing quickly after sitting on the toilet then have him try standing. Some moms choose to use small pieces of cereal that float in the potty as a target. It’s also advised to give your boy plenty of naked time to help him be more aware of his bodily functions. Remember to never punish during the potty training process. Punishing him for wetting himself or not telling you when he needs to go will only set you back, and potentially make the diapers necessary for even longer.
