How to Potty-Train Young Boys (and Help Their Aim)

Let your son watch both parents use the toilet. Point out that Daddy goes to the bathroom in a different way than Mommy. Explain that because he is a boy, he will go the same way as Daddy. Avoid using baby names to talk about his genitals, as this can make him think these body parts are embarrassing.

Buy a child-sized potty, which will feel more secure to your child than the toilet in the early stages of potty training. A full-size toilet can be intimidating, and some children fear they will fall into it. Choose one without a urine guard or with a removable one, to avoid your son bumping or scraping his penis. An alternative to a potty is an adapter seat for a regular toilet. This should be comfortable, fit securely and not move around when your child sits on it. If you go for this option, buy a stool to go with it, as your toddler won't be able to get onto the toilet on his own. A stool also helps him stay stable when he needs to push during bowel movements.

Tell your son that his potty is his very own special toilet. Let him decorate it with stickers or write his name on it. Encourage him to sit on it with his clothes on. Get him used to the potty being around. Suggest that he sit on the potty with his pants down after a week or so. Don't force him if he's reluctant. It's very important to take potty training at his pace. Pushing him too fast is likely to start a power struggle, warns Baby Center, which could frustrate you both and make the whole process more lengthy and difficult.

Establish a routine for potty training. You may want to sit your child on the potty 45 minutes to an hour after he has had lots of fluid, suggests KidsHealth. Work with the body's natural rhythms by sitting him on the potty to have a bowel movement 15 to 30 minutes after eating. However, let him get up whenever he likes. If he has a bowel movement in his diaper, let him watch you remove it from the diaper and put it down the toilet while you tell him poop goes in the potty. Give him some diaper-free time during the day. If he urinates without one on, he'll be more likely to be aware of it. Keep the potty close by to keep accidents to a minimum.

Start off with sitting on the potty, whether your son needs to poop or pee. This teaches him that both belong in the potty. When he has mastered this, encourage him to stand up to pee. Don't rush this, advises Baby Center. Let him sit down to pee for as long as he likes. Remember your goal is to help him feel comfortable using the potty.

Take your son shopping to choose "big boy" underwear. Let him choose whatever appeals to him the most, such as boxers with his favorite supehero on them, or briefs featuring a cartoon character he likes. Make a big deal out of this shopping trip to get him excited about the prospect of wearing grownup underwear, just like Daddy or his big brother does.

Decide whether you want to ditch the diapers entirely, or switch between diapers and underwear until he's made some progress with potty training. Diapers offer convenience and keep messes to a minimum, but underwear lets your son feel when he's wet right away. Carry on using diapers at night and during long journeys when the potty isn't readily available.

Drop a few small, flushable items into the potty and encourage your son to hit them with his pee while standing. He's likely to find this fun and it will help with his aim. Be prepared to clean up a few messes, as it could take a while for him to master it. Don't scold him for making a mess, says Heidi Murkoff, author of the best-selling pregnancy book "What To Expect When You're Expecting." Stay calm and encourage him to improve his aim next time.