What Is the Best Way to Potty Train Boys?

If it seems that all of the girls your son's age are potty trained, but you are still longing for diapers to be a thing of the past, there is no need to worry. It generally takes longer to potty train boys (Reference 1), but your son will eventually master the potty. The best way to potty train any child is with a lot of patience and understanding--and you might need a little bit more of these when you are training a boy.

  1. Timing

    • Ignore any pressure to potty train your son by the time he is a certain age. A child's age is not as important as his physical, mental and emotional readiness. It takes time for a boy's bladder to mature to the point that he can control his urine. When he stays dry for at least an hour or two during the day, he might be ready to begin potty training. Boys might begin to comment on their bodily functions or hide in a certain spot when having a bowel movement when they are ready to begin toilet training. Before you begin, your son should also have the ability to understand simple instructions and be able to communicate his needs to you (References 2).

    Equipment

    • Switch from regular diapers to training pants. Make a fun potty chart together, and let your son pick out stickers to put on it every time he uses the bathroom. Purchase children's books about potty training, and read them together.

      You can purchase a small potty, or you can train your son to use the regular toilet. The BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board, as well as the authors of "What to Expect the Toddler Years," recommend that parents avoid using the urine deflector that often comes with a training potty. These shields are designed to keep boys from urinating on the floor, but they can also result in scrapes that might make your son afraid of the potty (References 1, 2).

      If you decide to train your son on the big potty, choose a potty seat that will fit on top of the toilet to make the hole smaller for him. A step stool will help your son get on the potty, and it will also give him a place to rest his feet (Reference 2).

    Method

    • Teach your son to urinate sitting down first because your main goal right now is just to have him get everything in the potty (Reference 1). When he is fully potty trained, you can quickly teach him to stand to urinate.

      Remind your child to use the potty frequently, but don't force the issue. If he begins acting in a way that lets you know he needs to relieve himself, suggest going to the potty. If he usually has a wet or dirty diaper at a predictable time each day, try to have him on the potty at that time (Reference 2).

      Setbacks are common, but it is important to stay positive. Praise your child for success, but don't make him feel bad about accidents. If you turn potty training into a struggle, you will only prolong the process (Reference 2).

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