Potty Training Boys

I am a mother of 3 Boys and I trained my boys to stand when they were about 17 to 20 months. I got a stool they could stand on and I made them watch their dad- anytime he had to go they went along so they could follow and learn rest room ettiqute from someone they were comfortable with.

They all picked it up in about 2 weeks.

Just before they started to go pottty with dad i got a DVD called it's potty time and we watched it everyday so they would know this is happeneding with everyone.

Hope this helps.

I trained my son sitting down. But it was quite a mess. Make sure you put rolled up toilet paper under the seat so the pee doesnt fly out at you!
But, this was in the summer time. When he had to go and the bathroom full I sent him outside. He loved it so much he wanted to pee like that in the toilet. I guess both ways work. lol.
By the way, he was NOT in public view when he had to use the tree!

Dear C.,

17 months old is way too young for potty training. Why don't you just enjoy his baby hood that is fast whizzing by. You will save yourself and family and the baby a lot of frustration if you wait until he is well past 2 1/2. Um huh, that is right. Lots of diapers to go. C. N.

C.,

I have a 3 1/2 year old son that I potty trained sitting down, and started at 2 1/2 with a potty in the bathroom. We trained him sitting down because personally I feel the process is stressfull for both parent and child so going with something eaiser for both is better. He will have to sit to go #2 anyway and standing to pee takes alot of coordination for a little person. My son now does both sitting and standing. It's a good idea to get the potty idea out of the way and then maybe have daddy introduce the standing part. Be patient boys can typically take longer to potty train. Let his muscle devolop (for holding purposes). My son was trained by his 3rd birthday and never looked back, he stayed dry during the night too. Waiting can pay off, good luck on the next stage!

Dear C.,

As for the standing or sitting issue, my mother's-in-law advice was to sit them BACKWARDS on the toilet, otherwise they "shoot" their urine on the floor (it's not intentional thing, it's an anatomical thing). Also they are simply not tall enough to "reach" the toilet. So if you do train him standing, be sure to have a step-stool available. (And if you do train him standing, some people put Cheerios in the toilet for "target practice") As for how he'll use the toilet after he learns (and grows into it), even if you train him sitting, he'll stand when he's ready, especially if he sees Daddy standing when he pees.

As to the "when" issue - I would say wait about a year . . . then just introduce him to the idea and try periodically to see if he's receptive . . .

Have fun!
Good Luck!
B.

Dear Mom C.:

Hello- my little sister has 6 boys..the last two are twins. She is superMom and her name is Melisa. Tell her I told you to write. Her email is:
____@____.com

She can probably give you some great advice regarding your request.

E. L.

Hello C.-
I have not potty trained my little boy yet, he just turned 21 months, but I have read several times that its easier to potty train at first sitting down, so the boys don't get confused when they have to sit and go pooh and stand to go pee. It makes sense to me, but I will have to wait and see if it works...
Good Luck...

Hi C.,

My son was about 2 1/2 when he was potty trained, he'll be 3 in March. It took about a month or so. I had to get him fully potty trained so he could go to preschool and boy has it been great not having to change all those diapers anymore.. He only uses pull ups at night time, just in case but during the day, he's usually dry. Of course, there are a few toilet accidents but no more diapers is the best part. Good Luck with your son.

M. :)

Mom of 4 boys here. Don't even give potty training your son another thought until he is 3. Sit to start, then when he is older he will want to try it standing up, but you are FAR from potty training your son at this point. Unless you want it to be a big nightmare. Wait until he is at least 3. If he is not ready at 3, wait another 6 months. When he is ready, no training will be involved. It will be simple and natural. As it should be.

Three cheers to my mother in law on this one. She raised 4 boys and never was able to potty train any of them earlier than what she trained my son. She had him potty trained at 18 months and that was absolutely wonderful. I would say that is really early for a boy. He had an older sister so he has always been curious. Wanted to be on the potty since 10 months. I always let him sit on it if he wanted to. He never did anything but I figured if he is interested why not. I guess it worked to my advantage. At first he sat on the toilet backwards (backwards always worked better because they lean forward and the pee goes in the right direction vs. everywhere else) He is now 5 and stands and has been standing for the last year. So they seem to figure it all out eventually. I would definately wait until he starts showing interest in it. Maybe have him start watching dad.