As you plan to potty train your child, you might wonder if boys and girls are different in this regard. There are some differences between training boys and girls when it comes to potty training, although the basics remain the same. Potty training your child will be less stressful and frustrating if you understand those differences and address them.
The Best Time to Start Potty Training
Potty training begins at a different time depending on the age and gender of your child. The timing of toilet training varies, however, depending on a variety of factors. The onset of toilet training interest among girls is generally earlier than among boys.
Potty training also tends to be finished by girls about three months earlier than it is with boys. It should be noted that this is not an inflexible rule. The early stages of potty training for girls can be as early as 18 months of age, or it may take until they are three or four years old. [1]
Each child is unique, so keep that in mind.
Depending on the age of your older son, he may start potty training right after 18 months, whereas your daughter may take longer to begin potty training. Until your younger son is capable of using the toilet, all this potty talk may not matter to him.
To avoid setbacks that cost you months, look for signs of potty training readiness instead of relying solely on your child’s sex. Toilet training can be carried out by most kids at 2 years old, but it can vary from child to child. [2]
Make adjustments to your technique
You should take into account the anatomical differences between boys and girls when potty training them. It is important to teach little girls from front to back how to wipe. It is important to instill this habit at a young age so they do not introduce bacteria to the urinary tract.
When boys are potty training, there is less emphasis on what way to wipe, but they need guidance on holding their penis while going potty. To teach their son to use the potty, most parents teach him to sit on it and to push his penis down before he goes. [3]
Those who prefer to have their boys pee standing up prefer to teach them that. During the urination process, they could throw Cheerios or another cereal in the toilet and ask the children if they can sink them.
In the early stages of potty training a boy, most medical professionals suggest letting him sit on the toilet since standing to go requires developmental skills that young boys may not yet have.
Therefore, encourage your son to stand up if he really wants to do so. You should remind your students not to pee on walls and floors and to pee in the toilet. Additionally, you should get him to help you clean up if there is an accident.
In a similar vein, if your daughter wants to try peeing while standing up in imitation of her big brother, then let her try it. If she has to clean the floor and the potty from the mess, it won’t be the most efficient way to use the bathroom. Girls rarely consider trying anything more than once or not at all.
Read Also: How to teach your baby to sit up by himself
Choose a Potty
There are different potties for boys than for girls, so whether it’s your first child or your fifth, you’ll need to find the right one. In girls, you can pretty much purchase any potty seat from the market and be assured that it will cope with her needs. In either case, whether you’re buying a toilet-seat attachment for your toilet or a standalone potty, the sizing matters.
Choosing the right potty seat for boys can be a bit more challenging. You can easily make a mess at the potty time if you don’t look for potties with splash guards.
When it’s time to go potty, you won’t have to worry about getting soaked. In the case of both urinating and urinating, it does not matter where you teach your son to stand while urinating. His next trip to the bathroom will still require him to sit down, so a splash guard is a must.
Read Also: Urinary Tract Infections in Toddlers: Cause, Symptoms, and Treatment
Additional Potty Training Considerations
In terms of other aspects of potty training, children differ significantly, depending more on their temperaments and personalities than on their sexes. Potty training must therefore be tailored to the child’s individual needs. Take a look at these points.
- Choose rewards: When it comes to potty training rewards, some parents find that their kids’ response differs depending on gender. No matter what type of reward your child prefers, remember that you know them best. Keep a stash of potty training rewards handy at all times. If your child hates going potty, reward him or her with something else fun.
- Monitor interest: Even though girls tend to finish potty training more quickly than boys, the most important thing you have to remember is to remain patient. This way, potty training won’t become frustrating. Potty training may excite kids initially, but they lose interest afterward. Consider adjusting your potty training methods or even delaying the process for a while, if your child appears frustrated.
- Address accidents: Although they seem to be completely potty trained, both boys and girls have accidents. If you plan to remain on the boat for some time, you’ll need a change of clothes and some wipes with you. If you don’t want to make assumptions based on your children’s gender, you should refrain from doing so. It does not matter what your child’s sex is, accidents will happen. Do not scold or yell at your child if there is an accident. Your child will be set back several steps if you make potty training an unpleasant experience.
- Prepare for completion: During potty training, you cannot rush or dictate your child by the clock. At their own pace, they’ll learn to use the toilet. A child can become potty trained within days of becoming old enough. However, it typically takes a three-month period for them to be fully trained. This may, however, take until the child is three years old.
The potty training process is complete when your child can recognize when they need to go to the bathroom, use the bathroom by themselves, and need little or no assistance. Stay positive and encouraging while working with them. They (and you) will reap the rewards of their efforts soon enough.
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