How do i start potty training my son?

Brenna - posted on 03/10/2009

My first son would not potty train either. (I usually start just before they are two) I thought he might be feeling pressured so I tried keeping a Zip-lock of cheerios in the washroom. When he first woke up or just before a bath I would put some in the toilet and tell him to sink them with his pee…It became a game that he wanted to try all the time. Within 2 weeks he was fully trained! Good luck to you…

Adele - posted on 03/10/2009

With both my kids it was a slow process. I started both at them at about 18 months, letting them sit on the potty when I went to the toilet, and then again at night before bath time (while the bath water is running), and off course first thing in the morning when they wake up. Soon they get used to it. My son was potty trained by the age of 2 and my daugter is now 25 months and only wears a nappy at night. Don't force it, turn it into a routine that they can follow. Good Luck!

Jennifer - posted on 03/10/2009

I agree with the whole idea that maybe hes not ready, and make sure not to force him, My son was 24 months when we started, maybe just after, but I bought the potty at 18 months, had it sitting there for a while, introduced everything to him, and then just let it be, he came with me when i went (so he can see what the potty/toilet is used for), ect...Then at 2, we felt he was ready so...we took the diaper off, put underwear on, and sat him down every hour on the hour (had a timer set) and he stayed pretty dry, eventually he hated the feeling of being wet, and went on his own, dont get me wrong, we DID go though alot of accidents, but key is to keep him dry so he gets used to that and not like being wet.

Oh another thing, if he doesnt want to sit on the potty, try looking at a book with him for the couple min that he has to wait there...

Beth - posted on 03/09/2009

I know that with my son we just did the potty training thing and he's almost 3.  He was very against the toilet and wanted nothing to do with underwear.  I'd say that if you've been trying for 4 months and you little guy isn't even 2 yet, that maybe he's not ready.  My guy started potty training at about 1 1/2 and then all of a sudden he was petrified and wanted nothing to do with it.  I was frustrated and felt like we had taken all these steps back, but then I read that most little boys don't even have proper control over ther bladder and stuff until they're 2 to 2 1/2.  MY doctor suggested that I totally stop and give hima break and then only start again when he seemed ready.  She told me that forcing him would make it much worse and it would take loner.  So, I waited and waited and totally left it off the table as far as he was concerned.  Then a few months ago I started talking about it again and he didn't like the idea.  Then we made  a treadure chest for his pull-ups and he put them in it for the pull-up fairy to come.  The pull-up fairy left him treasure the next morning and after that it took him about 2 weeks to get the hang of it.  The only reason why it worked in our situation, is because he wanted to do it.  Good luck and maybe taking a break from it will be good for you both...then when he starts again it'll be much easier and quicker.

Gina - posted on 03/09/2009

Boys are much slower than girls and definitely don't force him to do it if he's not ready. I started potty traning my son at 18mos but, he was scared of the toilet. Instead of paying attention to all the signs he was showing me (he wasn't ready) I pushed and pushed. I was frustrated and so was he. It just made things worst for the both of us. So, I gave up and waited for him to tell me he was ready. That didn't happen until he was 39mos ( 3yrs. and 3mos).  It was hard at first.. but, we praised him each time he did go in the toilet. We gave him hi-fives and gave him a sticker. Even a lolipop at times. I even got a free dvd from Huggies. www.huggies.com He watched that dvd over and over and sang along with the songs.. until one day everything sank in. He was fully potty trained within a few months. Now, I'm potty training my daughter. Good luck!

Amber - posted on 03/08/2009

I started potty training my son at 28 mo. It took him 4 months before he was completely potty trained. I does take a while. I would just be really positive and don't get frustrated with him. He will get it when he is ready. Also I do not use pull ups. I think this delays them getting potty trained. So when I feel they are ready it is strait to underwear.

Sharon - posted on 03/08/2009

I've always been told that boys are much slower than girls and are usually around 3yrs before they are ready. The key is waiting until they are interested. My son will be 3 at the end of march and he wants nothing to do with it. I have been holding off since he has no interest and b/c my daughter is 15 mos and busy, but your 21 mos old is probably too young.

Catherine - posted on 03/08/2009

Maybe he's just not ready.  Forcing the issue can sometimes do more harm than good.  My first attempt with my daughter ended in complete disaster  and both of us in tears so I abandoned the whole thing for a couple of weeks and then started again.  Maybe just take him with you when you go and let him look into the toilet after you've done.  Let him flush the toilet and help wash and dry your hands.  A couple of weeks of this and he may even ask you can he sit on the toilet and try for himself.  It worked for my daughter and I've already started with my 2 year old little boy.  He's now very curious about the toilet.  Very soon potty training will be his idea!! (fingers crossed!)