When people say your child cannot go to college in diapers, it means just that. The bigger questions that are usually asked about potty training are, when to start and how you know when is the best time to start. Luckily the best advice is from parents who have gone through it, who have learned from their own mistakes and have different perspectives. Whether you have a boy or a girl, there are many different ways of getting the results you need.
Knowing When They Are Ready
The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that boys and typically later in the potty training process due to their being more active and will likely not stop playing to use the potty. So forcing them to start potty training earlier does not necessarily mean they will learn at an earlier age. If they aren’t ready to learn it will only prolong the process and will probably end up frustrating both parties. In other words, you’ll end up at the finish line at the same time.
When is Your Boy Ready?
- Age: When most boys get to the ages between 2 and 3, some may be ready earlier or later.
- Interest in the toilet: Your son may start showing an interest in the potty chair or watching others use the toilet.
- Dry diapers: If your son’s diaper stays dry for longer periods of time, that is a positive sign he is ready for toilet training.
- Understanding bodily functions: He may start to understand the feeling of wanting to use the bathroom and even tell you when he needs to go.
- Pull-up diapers: If your son can pull his pants up and down, he may be ready to start using the potty.
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Lead by Example
My boys learned by a combination of imitation and following directions. Watching parents use the bathroom is a natural first step on their own potty training journey and being curious. Your little one may notice that daddy uses the potty differently than mommy does, which creates a great opportunity to explain to them the basic mechanics of how boys use the bathroom.
Getting Started with Potty Training
Have the Right Potty-Training Gear
In order for your child to learn potty training they need the tools, just like we need tools for work. When potty training was on the table and he was ready to learn we got ready to teach. Getting him all the necessary tools for him to feel comfortable and safe while using the potty.
A child who is distracted with other things will most likely not fully grasp the concepts of just sitting there for five
minutes or whatever time you decide.
My first son must have had a harder time because my last child was much easier in hindsight. I guess practice does make perfect. We provided him with the stand-alone potty so it was more mobile and had more access to it. Personally, I think that saved a lot of accidents since he would wait until he was bursting before he made a move.
For our last son my wife and I decided to get a stand-alone potty, yes the one that gets carried around the house. The fact that he was an avid procrastinator at such a young age and would only make a move when his pee was almost coming out was a great decision.
Whatever potty you decide to get, get one that serves you best, not forgetting safety and size. A child will always learn better in a comfortable environment. Imagine your son being scared of falling into the toilet while he sits there for five minutes, he will be distracted or even flat-out not like the whole toilet experience.
I say that to say this, the more comfortable he is the better chances goals are accomplished more efficiently. It’s also a good idea to get some colorful underwear, preferably of his favorite colors. It might help with his motivation.
Keeping a Schedule
Creating a potty training routine and sticking to it from the beginning can make a big difference. A great way is by sitting your child on the potty at regular intervals of your choosing.
- Routine Establishes Expectations: Children live on routines. When a child knows what to expect they are more likely to go along with it.
- Teaches Awareness: Helps a child learn their body’s signal of wanting to use the potty by using a set schedule.
- Prevents Accidents: Regular bathroom visits ensure the child empties their bladder often enough causing no accidents and will eventually gain control of bodily functions.
- Helps with Independence: Allows the child to take charge of their bathroom habits and get accustomed to the body’s signals.
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Talking Them Through the Process
Communicating is a good step in the process of potty training to help your child understand what’s happening. I do it advance because it to only lets the child know what to expect but they will also have an idea of what to do. I speak in clear language to explain how to sit on the potty and how to use it. Allow them to ask questions, and be patient as they learn. The little curious ones will have questions.
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Potty Training Tips
Potty Training Essentials
- Keep it fun: Boys love to play games, so to make potty training a fun experience. Here’s a good one, set up for target practice in the toilet bowl and encourage your little boy to aim for it.
- Cotton training pants: Cotton training pants are a good option for starters instead of regular underwear. It helps with comfort and is easier to clean up in case of a bowel movement.
- Proper wiping technique: It’s good to teach boys the right way to wipe after using the little potty. Boys are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Show him how to wipe from front to back, and introduce him to moist wipes for a cleaner experience.
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Potty Time Setbacks
Do Not Be Afraid to Leave the House
Don’t be afraid to leave the house because of possible accidents, but when you do, have a change of clothes. It never hurts to have a couple pairs of everything, it’s better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it. There probably will be accidents but that comes with the territory.
Do not shame the child or make them feel bad or insecure. Start with short day trips and gradually on to longer weekend travels and introduce them to using public restrooms.
Nighttime Challenges
Nighttime training is a different kettle of fish, as children may not wake up when they need to use the bathroom. Your child might not feel the urge to wake up which is out of his control. At a certain age if the problem persists, speak to someone and see if there’s a medical issue.
Introduce training pants or a waterproof mattress pad to protect your child’s bedding. Limit his liquid intake from around 5 o’clock in the evening. It will allow for an empty bladder at night which will decrease the chances of an overnight accident. Remind them to pee before bed. I used to wake them up at least once in the middle of the night is a good idea, especially when introducing big-boy underwear.
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From Pampers to Underwear
Signs of Readiness in Potty Training
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests at the first signs of readiness you should introduce big-kid underwear to them. This helps children understand the difference between wet and dry, as they will start to recognize when they need to use the potty.
Also, using disposable training pants as they are similar to underwear but more absorbent. This can be handy with your nighttime potty training. Some parents go straight to underwear but there might be a few accidents along the way. It all depends on you and your child and what works best for your situation.
Co-Potty Training
It can be a bit tricky during the potty training period when your child starts attending daycare or preschool. Constant communication with your child’s teacher is best way to be consistent. Cooperation between parents and teachers will help with the smooth transition between daycare and home.
The practice of communication between school and home helps with things like setbacks, triggers, successes, recommendations and so much more.
Remember, every child is different, and some may take longer than others to become fully potty trained. Be patient, and celebrate your child’s progress, no matter how small.
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