Potty Training For Boys VS Girls

Ditching diapers is every parent’s dream. The thought of no longer buying diapers or touching poop by accident is enough to make you ecstatic. It’s quite convenient to keep using diapers because it’s ‘easier’ to handle but we must remember that growth is inevitable. So, you must do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

Experts say that most children show signs that they are ready to be potty trained between the ages of 18-24 months. There’s no definite time to start because potty training is mostly dependent on your little one’s readiness. A frequently asked question is ‘How do I know my child is ready to be potty trained’? We got you!

Read our article Potty training 101: Helping your child say goodbye to diapers for answers.

Potty training is an art for the parent and a skill for the child to learn. There’s no one rule or a defined set of rules on how to potty train. The uniqueness of every child is the key factor to be considered in the use of tips and tricks for potty training. That’s why we are sharing gender-specific tips and tricks for potty training.

Let’s dive in!

TIPS FOR POTTY TRAINING BOYS

Get him involved in the process of choosing his potty-training equipment. Take him to a store to choose his preferred potty, toilet training seat and big boy pants.
Let him sit for both wees and poos until he gets the hang of using the potty.
When he has learnt to use the potty, teach him to stand for wees.
If you can, get daddy or a male relative involved in teaching him to wee correctly. Let him watch and learn.
When he has learned to wee correctly, remind him that he would still need to sit down for poos.
Pour colourful liquids or ice cubes in the toilet and ask him to aim at it. Get target practice, don’t you think?
If you know another mom who’s potty training her son, spend a few hours together every day so both boys can learn together. Peer influence could help quicken the process.
Go Commando. Let him run around without but naked. This might encourage him to use the potty because there’s no diaper to go in. A few accidents might occur if you try this.
Reward him when he uses the potty.
Teach him to wash his hands after a wee or poo.

TIPS FOR POTTY TRAINING GIRLS

Get her involved in the process of choosing her potty-training equipment. Take her to a store to choose her preferred potty, toilet training seat and big girl pants.
Let her watch and learn from you. Take her to the toilet with you, and explain what you are doing. If possible, let her sit on her potty while you are seated on the toilet.
Let her sit on the potty after she has just done a wee or poo so there’s no pressure to use it. All she has to do is get comfortable.
Teach her how to wipe – from front to back- after doing a poo. You might feel she’s ‘too young’ to learn how to wipe but you know what they say, ‘it’s better sooner rather than later’. You could also choose to wait until you feel she’s ready to learn this.
Teach her to pat herself dry after doing a wee.
Do not dress her in clothing that is difficult to take off while potty training. The goal is to encourage her to take off her clothes/underwear when she wants to do a wee or poo.
Look out for the signs that she needs to go and encourage her to use the potty then. The signs include but are not limited to; crossing her legs tightly, hoping from one foot to the other or holding her hands between her legs.
Always have a potty on the go. If you are travelling, have a potty in the trunk so she can use it anytime she wants.
Reward her when she uses the potty.
Teach her to wash her hands after a wee or poo.

This isn’t exactly a ‘Get your child potty trained in three days’ post because potty training isn’t a boot camp. It’s a process and we hope these tips help you and your little one through this phase. Good luck!