When Do You Start Potty Training a Boy?

Hi R.:
In truth,We don't train them. They decide when they're ready. Because he shows signs of being aware when hes having a movement,I'd begin watching the times he normally has a movement,like after meals,and ask if he needs to go potty.Then praise him when he does. Don't make to big a deal out of it,but let him know your pleased with his progress. Don't expect to much at this young age,and what ever you do, don't pressure him,or appear upset or frustrated,if he relapses or continues to have acidents.Just go with the flow,(Pardon the pun) lol. The best to you and your darlin son.

Well, its definitely a sign that he doesn't like the feeling. My opinion is it never hurts to try to introduce the potty, but then you see the true readiness. The things that you will want to test is can he actually "feel" that he has to go and "tell" you that he has to go in time. Based on just those two signs, my personal opinion is he may be too young. I've come to realize that boys may take until they are almost 4 to fully potty train! My son was almost 2 when he indicated interest, but he wasn't actually ready until closer to 3. Now, at 3 he's in underwear all day and can go to the potty himself for "pee" but for some reason he's scared of #2 and begs me for a diaper to go #2 and then requests to be changed! Beats me?! I'm at my wits end and have no idea what else to do.... I figure he WILL eventually learn and go #2 in the toilet.

Best wishes,
C.~

www.HelpUstayHome.com

It's always okay to start introducing the potty, and what it does. But, from what I've learned boys potty train at around age 3, and my own son who is 27 months is not ready. He displays many of the signs, but isn't ready for the whole concept...

check out this link...helps with knowing what signs to watch for...

http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-readiness-chec...

I have two boys and one on the way. It is proven that boys take longer to potty train and it's usually best to start later. Girls usually train at age 2years-2.5 years. Where boys can train earlier but it is easier on you and less frustrating for them if you do it between 2.5 years-3 years of age. That being said, the correct answer is you potty train when they are showing the signs. Below is a checklist that I used to help guide me when potty training my boys. I trained both my boys at three and they got the hang of it in a day but were trained in a week. There is no awards for the mom who trains their child first and if they aren't ready and you try, it will probably take you twice as long to train. Please make sure they are really ready. I always started with a potty training video, had my kids walk around in their underwear or naked and kept the potty close by. Take them every 10-15 minutes and make them sit on it. I had a potty dance we did every time they peed on the potty. They loved the praise more than candy so we just went with it!

Physical signs

Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.

Urinates a fair amount at one time.

Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.

Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs

Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.

Can pull his pants up and down.

Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.

Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear.

Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.

Demonstrates a desire for independence.

Takes pride in his accomplishments.

Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.

Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs

Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."

Understands the value of putting things where they belong.

Has words for urine and stool.

Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

Hi R., sweetie it does not matter if its a boy or girl, it's about what you and your husband want done by what age, for example, my husband and I sat down at our dinning roon table and we talked about everything before we started to try and consieve, like we decided no bottles past one year, no pacifires, no daycares, what kind of formula we were going to use, and no 2 year olds in diapers, we talked about other things as well, discipline, shared responsibilities, etc, and we kept to this to a tee, becasue we were on the same page way ahead of the game. so we started our first born, a son at 20 months old, by 21 months he was conpletly potty trained, and my husband by the ago of 2 taught our son how to stand up and pee in the toilet, our second child a son was potty trained by 19 months, we really did very little, there was 3 years and 4 months age between our sons, and our second son, wanted to wear big boy underwear like his brother, it's almost like he was embarrassed to wear diapwes when his brother was wearing big boy underwear, so we told if you wnt to wear bigboy underwear like your brother you had to use the potty like your brother, that was all he needed, our third child a daughter, we satrted her at 29 months, then we received orders to move overseas, so with all that detailed, I decided we would wait til we got over there then we would resume potty traing, well we did, we trained her on the toilet, and by 22 months of course she was was trained. 15 months is a little young in my opinion, but you can introduce him to it, let him sit on it to watch TV, here's my only concern, you said he hides in a corner to poop, usually when anyone does something in hiding, it's because they no it's wrong, my friend's son did that til her was 6 cause she didn't see it as wrong, so she did nothing about it. It's good you are seeking a plan ahead of time, I wish more moms did that. Also for us all 3 of our kids were dry in mornings at 17 months old, a book I read 22 years ago when my 25 year old was a tot, said the average Child has day time control by 17 1/2 months. Let me know how things turn out. sounds like you are on the right track and getting a head of the game, J. L.

Wow! 15mo...that is very early. My kids all showed curiosity early, but the older 2 didn't train until they were about 3. My youngest having watched his older brother is started at almost 2yrs, but he only goes occasionally on the potty and still loves his diapers. I tried to get him to do pull ups and he doesn't like them. According to our ped. between 2 1/2 and 3 is a good age. They understand more.

It doesn't hurt to try. I would introduce the potty and see if he takes to it. My sone started doing what your son's doing and we intriduced the potty and he took to but we went camping soon after and then a 2 week cruise and we had to start all over so don't be discarged. now he is 3 1/2 and fully potty trained minus a couple of accidents we have had in the last couple of monthes

When he is ready! My son showed readiness signs at this age as well (he was "pottied trained" at 3 years old). I think it is more of a curious thing at this age. When my son was 18 mos, he would run to the bathroom when he had to go, screaming, "gotta go! gotta go" It was pretty funny because he couldn't get his pants/diaper off quick enough and then he couldn't get on the toilet by himself, even with a step stool. Those are two things that are pretty important when they are learning. So I didn't push it and he eventually he grew tired of the work required to get on the toilet! I have a friend whose son and daughter were both pottied trained around 18 mos. So, it isn't impossible but it just depends on the child and the parent! I tried again with my son around the 2 yr mark and it was just frustrating. I'd say a month or so before he turned 3, I read The No Cry Potty Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. It's a short read and should be required for every parent! LOL!! Because this book not only allows you to figure out if your child is ready, it let's you know if YOU are and if you are what you need to do to have a sucessful experience. After I read this book, I realized my son was more than ready, it was me holding things up. Once I was in the right frame of mind, he was "pottied trained" in days. No tears, no stress, no frustration for either of us. I highlyl recommend it!

Best wishes,
M.

15 mos. seems way too early. I would wait until he is at least 2 or 2 1/2.