Five Top Tips for Potty Training Boys
Potty training is a big milestone, and it’s a significant step for parents and their kids. It can also be a difficult time if you have unrealistic expectations. Boys also present different potty training challenges than girls. If you’re getting ready to potty train your little man, there are some specific tips that can help. Here are five of the top tips for potty training boys.
1. Sit or Stand?
Older kids and adult men stand up to urinate, but toddler boys may be better off sitting at first. For one thing, they may be too short to reach the toilet without standing on a stool, and for another, it will make it easier to move into the bowel movement phase of potty training (it’s recommended to work on liquid waste first).
2. Is He Ready?
Generally speaking, boys are a bit later to potty train than girls. There are exceptions, of course, so the key is to watch your boy for signs that he’s ready. Here are some signs that he’s ready to try:
* He wants to watch Daddy, big brother, or other male family members use the toilet.
* He is able to pull his pants up and down.
* The feeling of a wet or soiled diaper makes him uncomfortable.
* He will start to stay dry for a couple of hours at a time, and even overnight.
3. Potty Chairs or Inserts?
For boys, small potty chairs may work better than the full-size toilet (especially if your boy insists on standing up, despite tip #1 above!). Also, small, sturdy potty chairs allow him to see family members use the toilet at the same time that he is using his. Potty chairs also tend to be sturdier, and some have a “pee guard” in the front in case your son’s aim is more out than down!
A toilet seat insert is the choice of parents on the go – they can stick the insert into any standard toilet. However, you still need a stool for him to get up to the toilet.
4. Aim
Many an adult female bemoans her man’s inability to aim into the toilet! Start your son off right by helping him learn how to aim. Some parents have had luck by tossing in a few bits of o-shaped cereal for their boys to aim at; others purchase specially-designed “targets.”
5. Where Leaks Happen
Remember that for boys, leaks happen higher up than with girls. If you use a leak pad in bed at night, move it up higher than for a girl. Leaks tend to happen near or over the top of the underwear toward the waist.