Tips for Potty Training Boys

“Tips for potty training boys please” 

Potty training is a tricky period for many families. So much so that it’s a time associated with increased child abuse. It is very important to be mindful of this while potty training your child. In fact, we talk a lot about when to do it based on children’s needs, but we should also take into consideration to do it at a time when we are not feeling particularly stressed.  

There are different training methods, and there is not a best method. This means that different methods work for different families and children. The important thing is to find the one that works for you.  

In general, there are two methods: 

• Parent-led: you decide when to start potty training your child. You take the diapers away and you start to sit him on the potty often and regularly. With luck, within a few days, he will learn to use it.  

• Child-led: you wait for your child to show signs that he is ready, and you encourage them to use the potty when you see that he needs to pee.  

Some useful tips: 

• Get ready to be patient, very, very, very patient. Waiting for your child to pee can take an excruciating long time. It can be as boring as watching paint dry. 

•  Establish a routine: sit your son on the potty when he wakes up, before naps and bedtime, and after meals.  

• Give him tons of praise and encouragement. Make it fun. You don’t want it to become a power struggle.  

• When he has accidents, do not shame him or tell him off. Tell him that it is totally OK and remind him to tell you when he needs the potty.  

• Many children get used quickly to pee in the potty but find it way harder to poo in the potty. This can become a problem, because when they withhold the poo, they can become constipated and then they don’t want to poo because it is painful. If your son is in this situation, giving him a diaper to poop in the bathroom next to the potty may work.   

• Staying dry at night usually takes much longer. Staying dry at night basically requires your body to wake you up when you need to pee. This ability develops sooner for some children than for others. In general, you should only worry if your child doesn’t master this ability by the age of 6.  

It is a good idea to potty train your son during the holidays, so you have time to do it without the stress of him having to go back to nursery or school before he has mastered the potty. Also, don’t do it when he is going through a change, like a divorce, moving homes, or starting school.  

I hope this information helps! Good luck with it and arm yourself with a lot of patience! 

Lots of love to you and your little one.  

Ana 

Dr Ana Aznar