86. Potty Training Boys: How to Start, Stick With It & Succeed in 3 Days
- Brittany Miller
- Feb 18
- 14 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Potty training can feel like a daunting milestone, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be stressful! In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experience with potty training boys and the girls, including when to start potty training, how to set yourself up for success, and why the potty training 3-day method from 'Oh Crap! Potty Training' worked for me.
We’ll cover everything from choosing the right potty training age to overcoming common struggles (because let’s be real, it’s not always a smooth ride!). I’ll also walk you through how to start potty training with confidence, whether you’re tackling it for the first time or trying again after a rough start.
Before we dive in, let me introduce myself. I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why I Talk About Potty Training Boys (and Why It Matters)
I started potty training my oldest because I did not want two kids in diapers at the same time. Honestly — diapers are expensive. That practical reason was my initial motivation, but after training three children, my main motivation shifted. I love seeing the pride my kids feel when they learn this life skill early. Potty training boys can give them a sense of independence and accomplishment that shows up in other parts of their life.
For me, the decision to potty train often comes down to two things: readiness and timing. I have a rule in my house: I aim to potty train on or before a child’s second birthday. That’s not a hard rule for everyone, but for my family it has worked. Boys and girls can be ready earlier than people expect. When they show signs — like staying dry for extended periods or telling you about their pee/poop — I see those as opportunities to begin.
What “Potty Training Boys” Really Means: Readiness vs. Age
People ask, “When should I start potty training boys?” My answer is always: start when the child shows developmental signs of readiness, not strictly by age. That said, typical signals I look for include:
Staying dry for longer stretches (especially waking up from naps or overnight with dry diapers occasionally).
Being able to follow simple instructions and sit for a short time.
Displaying awareness of being wet or dirty and showing discomfort with it.
Using words like “potty,” “pee,” or “poop,” or taking you to the diaper as if to show you.
For my son Rhett, the most consistent sign was a predictable physical cue right before, or as he was going potty. Rhett would get quiet and go to a corner or somewhere more private to 'go potty' in his diaper. This is a sign that he could feel the need to go, and I could begin teaching him to instead go potty in a toilet.
Why I Don’t Use Pull‑Ups: My Stance on Pull‑Ups and Pull‑Up Alternatives
One strong rule in my house is: no pull‑ups. Pull‑ups are diapers with a different name. If a child can stay dry while wearing something, then the sensation of wetness — which motivates learning — is reduced. In my experience, pull‑ups often delay real success because they make accidents less uncomfortable and less noticeable to the child. I didn’t use them for any of my kids.
Instead, I used:
Training underwear (thicker, cloth-like underwear) — they contain a little mess but still feel wet and uncomfortable enough to motivate kids.
A small potty chair for at‑home practice because it’s less intimidating than a full toilet.
Regular underwear with fun designs to help kids feel proud when they keep them dry.
Plan the Timing: Why Weekends, Vacations, and Holidays Work Best
Potty training takes focus. My top piece of advice: plan for a long weekend or a week where you can give the child your attention. That might be a week off work, school break, or a holiday where routines are already different.
I once tried to squeeze training into five days before my due date — that was a bad idea. Learn from me: choose timing that fits your life. If you're busy with life, or out of the house a lot, it's not the right time to potty train.
Why? Because the first two to four days are the most intense. You’ll be watching for signs, prompting the child to sit, cleaning up accidents, and giving lots of encouragement. If you’re balancing other kids, work, or travel, add extra help or postpone until you can dedicate the time. This is not a project you can multi-task through, believe me. If I looked away for a minute, that was always when he had an accident.
One more thing that's important to note: starting and stopping can impede progress so it really is important to choose a time when you can give your child your undivided attention to get through the initial 'training' part of potty training.
The 7‑Day Potty Training Boys Blueprint I Use (Adapted from Oh Crap! Potty Training)
Many parents have heard about the 3‑day method; I use a version that often stretches into seven days, because I like to respect my child’s pace and include outings. Here is the practical day‑by‑day blueprint I use for potty training boys:
Day 0 — Prep Day (Before You Start)
Buy supplies: potty chair, training pants, fun underwear, sticker chart or small rewards (if you use them - I don't), cleaning supplies, waterproof mattress cover.
Read a method you trust. I recommend "Oh Crap! Potty Training" — it shaped my approach and helped me feel confident.
Choose your week and let helpers know (partner, grandparent, daycare staff).
Clear your calendar as much as possible.
Day 1 — Naked (From the Waist Down) and Observation
Start the day with a pep talk: “We’re big kids now. We use the potty!”
Let your child wear nothing from the waist down (or minimal clothing if no‑naked is a boundary in your home). You’ll watch for potty signs and get them to the potty quickly.
Expect lots of accidents. Day 1 is mostly about your child learning the sensation of peeing outside a diaper and you learning their cues.
Celebrate any successes — big reaction, lots of cheering. Make them feel like they won the biggest prize.
Day 2 — Repetition, Patience, and Some Resistance
Keep up the prompts every 15–30 minutes. Sit them on the potty when you suspect they might have to go.
Don’t be surprised if enthusiasm dips. Kids get bored. It will feel like a chore to them at times.
By the end of Day 2, you might feel ready to quit. That’s normal. Keep going if you can — Day 3 is often the turning point.
Day 3 — The Switch Often Flips
Many kids start showing more consistent success here. They begin telling you before they go, or you've at least identified their potty cues and are getting them to the potty in time.
If they’re doing well, consider putting training underwear on after naptime as a test.
If the child resists, stay calm. Praise and consistency win over time.
Day 4 — Training Underwear, Short Outings
This is when training underwear typically becomes the tool of choice. Expect one or two accidents; the wet sensation helps them learn.
Try a very short outing — a quick shop or a park stop — with the plan to find a restroom. If your child gets scared by an auto‑flushing toilet, cover the sensor with a sticky note (more on that below).
Day 5 — Clothes On, More Success
Start adding pants on top of underwear if things are going well. Continue watching signs and prompting for bathroom trips.
If you’re seeing consistent dry underwear, praise and keep practicing short outings.
Days 6–7 — Public Restrooms, Daycare Check‑Ins, and a Confidence Boost
Take a confident step into public restrooms. Teach them how the toilet works, how to flush, and how to wash hands.
Talk to daycare or any caregiver about your method. Ask them to prompt the child to go every couple of hours and to praise them for successes.
Continue celebrating wins. Your child’s sense of independence grows quickly now.
For some kids, like mine, the process might be faster or slower. My oldest Thalia was trained in about a week; Raiyah took six weeks because she resisted and used nap and bedtime diapers instead of using the potty during the day. The key is consistent effort, but also being flexible when your child truly isn’t ready for the next step.
Potty Training Boys: Special Considerations for Boys
There are some parts of training boys that are unique compared to girls. Here are the practical tips I learned while potty training my son:
Start with sitting: teach boys to sit to pee during toilet training. Sitting reduces mess and helps them learn control. Once they’re confident, you can introduce standing for quick bathroom visits if you want.
Teach aiming: for older toddlers who begin standing, we used playful aiming games (like aiming at a target in the toilet) to make learning fun. A lot of boy moms recommend Cheerios or small floating targets work well, but I prefer simple verbal coaching and practice.
Recognize different potty signs: some boys don’t have obvious cues like crossing legs. My son’s cue was a physical change; I could see his pee pee get longer right before he peed. Observe closely to find their pattern.
Public toilet fears: auto‑flush toilets can scare toddlers. Covering the sensor with a sticky note or choosing a private stall can help the child feel safe because the toilet doesn't flush automatically while they are using the washroom. I think the public toilets bothered Rhett more than the girls because he would sometimes sit backwards (to help with aiming) so he could actually see the toilet flushing. I didn't bring sticky notes when I was training him because the toilets flushing never bothered the girls. It's a good reminder that every child is different so come prepared!
What to Do When Your Child Refuses or Resists
Resistance happens — especially when a child feels forced or when the potty is introduced too early. I made mistakes while I was training the girls, like leaving a potty out for months so it became “just a toy,” which delayed success for one child. I talk about this more in the podcast.
Here’s my practical approach when a child resists:
Pause and reassess readiness. If they’re truly opposed, it might help to wait a couple of weeks and try again with a clear plan.
Remove the toy factor. Don’t leave the potty out as a plaything unless they’re actively using it.
Create a brief, focused plan: two days of naked time, then training pants, then underwear.
Use the “we’re staying in the bathroom until you go” tactic carefully: sometimes sitting patiently with them and making it low pressure helps. I sat with my daughter for an hour once until she did go. It worked, but it’s emotionally tiring — have help if you can. I felt like I was in a battle of will power and there were instances when her will power beat mine.
Keep it positive: never shame or punish for accidents. Tell them you know they can do it and celebrate tiny wins.
Handling Poop Training (A Whole Different Game)
Poop can be trickier than pee. My kids have had varying responses — one would go in the potty right away, another resisted pooping anywhere but a diaper. If your child is holding poop or fearing the potty, address it gently:
Check for constipation and offer fiber‑rich foods and fluids.
Keep the potty relaxed and low pressure for poop. Many kids prefer a familiar place where they can feel in control.
Use natural praise and small rewards if that motivates them, but avoid turning poop into a battle of wills.
How to Coordinate with Caregivers
Daycare and Potty Training Boys
Daycare can make or break the speed of progress. If your child attends daycare, talk to their caregivers well before you begin. Share your plan and ask them to:
Prompt your child to use the potty regularly and look for signs.
Keep a small supply of underwear and training pants at daycare.
Praise successes and avoid shame for accidents.
Let you know about patterns: times of day your child has most accidents or successes.
In my experience, kids often transfer their new potty skills to daycare quickly if caregivers are consistent. Rhett was the first one in his daycare room who was trained, and the staff were super supportive and celebrated him. That encouragement boosted his confidence massively and also encouraged the other kids to learn as well. They made it a great experience and super easy transition for us, communication is key.
Grandparents, Different Methods and Family Tensions
Expect differences in approach between generations. I lived with my mom during one child’s potty training, and she didn’t agree with naked days or the gentler language I used. That caused confusion for my daughter because different adults were using different rules.
My advice:
Have a calm conversation before you start with everyone who will be around your children during the potty training process. Explain your goals and why you’re choosing a particular method.
Ask for support rather than permission. If a grandparent is unwilling to allow naked time, try to plan a training week when everyone who will be with the child is aligned.
Accept small differences but keep the core plan consistent: consistent language, consistent timing for sit‑downs, and consistent rewards.
This will ease tension for you as the parent and also your children when everyone is on the same page and reinforcing the same messaging through out the process. Your children will potty train faster this way.
Practical Supplies I Recommend for Potty Training Boys
Here’s a list of items I found genuinely useful:
Small potty chair (easy to clean)
Training underwear in multiple sizes
Waterproof mattress cover
Extra sheets and quick‑dry laundry options
Sticky notes for public toilets (to cover auto‑flush sensors)
Hand soap and a stool for sinks
Extra pants and wipes in a potty kit for outings
How I Celebrate Wins and Keep Momentum
Celebrate like the kid just won a marathon. Every success matters: a dry hour, telling you before they go, pooping in the potty for the first time — cheer, high‑five, giving them their favourite toys. My kids feed off my excitement and it makes them feel proud, which speeds up the learning.
Troubleshooting: Common Problems and How I Fixed Them
Here are the real scenarios I’ve faced and practical fixes that worked for our family:
Frequent accidents because I was distracted: I scheduled help. If you have other little ones, get a partner or grandparent to watch them while you focus.
Child treats potty like a toy: Put the potty away until you’re ready to train. Don’t leave it out as decoration, they don't need to 'get familiar' with it, they need to understand it's function and letting it be a toy slows down the process.
Public toilet fear: Use a sticky note to cover sensors, choose stalls with manual flushes, or sit on the floor next to them and make the bathroom feel safe.
Regression: Return to training underwear or a day of more prompts and reminders. Keep praise high and pressure low.
Constipation or painful poop: Offer fibre and hydration, and consult your paediatrician if the problem persists.
Nighttime Training (Why I Delay It)
Overnight training is a separate process. I always delay it until daytime training is secure. Night training requires teaching a child to hold urine for longer periods, and it often means waking the child in the night to use the bathroom until they naturally stay dry. Because I’m not a fan of interrupted sleep and I respect my own energy limits, I usually postpone overnight training for several weeks after daytime success.
Real Talk: What I Wish I Knew Before Potty Training Boys
I wish I had known how much easier things can be when you fully commit. Packing away the diapers and treating the week like a project makes a difference. I also underestimated the emotional labor — potty training is not just a physical transition, it’s a social and emotional one. Celebrating their wins and staying emotionally steady through the accidents mattered more than being perfect.
FAQ — Potty Training Boys (Your Questions Answered)
Q: When is the right age to start potty training boys?
A: Start when you see signs of readiness, not just because of age. I aim for on or before age two in my household, because many kids show clear readiness by then. Look for consistent dry periods, interest in the toilet, and the ability to follow one‑step directions.
Q: Can boys and girls be trained the same way?
A: Many core principles are the same — naked days, watching for cues, consistent praise, and avoiding pull‑ups. Boys might need more attention to aiming and public toilet fears, and I often encourage sitting first before introducing standing.
Q: How long does potty training boys take?
A: It varies. A focused week can get you a long way, but some kids take a few weeks to months to be consistently dry, especially at night. Daytime training often takes 3–7 days for clear progress, but expect a few accidents beyond that as new habits settle in.
Q: Do I need to stay home the whole week?
A: Ideally, yes for the first few days. If that’s impossible, ensure someone who knows your plan can watch and prompt the child. Short outings are fine after day 4–6 when success is consistent.
Q: Are pull‑ups helpful for potty training boys?
A: I don’t recommend pull‑ups. They’re essentially diapers and reduce the motivation to feel wetness. Training underwear is better because it delivers that gentle discomfort that teaches the child to recognize the feeling of being wet.
Q: How do I handle daycare during potty training?
A: Communicate your plan with the daycare staff. Provide underwear, a schedule or prompts, and encourage consistent praise for successes. Ask them to let you know patterns and collaborate on next steps.
Q: How do I know if my child is ready to stop sitting and start standing to pee?
A: When your child has mastered sitting and consistently tells you before they go, you can begin experimenting with standing in a controlled way. Some parents introduce a urinal or a small target like cheerios; others let boys practice standing at home first with a bowl or training device. Either way, keep hygiene front and center.
Q: What about nighttime training?
A: Nighttime is separate. I wait until daytime training is solid for several weeks before attempting nights. Even then, some children take months to stay dry all night. Consider limiting fluids before bed and using a waterproof mattress cover while you wait for the child’s bladder to mature.
Final Thoughts — Potty Training Boys with Confidence
Potty training boys is one of those parenting projects that seems huge until you live through it. With consistent attention, clear expectations, and lots of praise, most kids switch from diapers to underwear faster than you think. My approach is practical: plan a focused long weekend or week, avoid pull‑ups, use training underwear, and celebrate every win. Get help if you need it, coordinate with caregivers, and don’t let family differences derail your plan.
Most important: your child will learn. It might be messy, loud, and tiring. But it’s also one of the first big steps toward independence, and seeing their pride is everything. If you’d like, you can check out the book that shaped my approach, "Oh Crap! Potty Training" — it’s modern, practical, and helped me understand the stages kids go through.
I share this from real life: potty training three kids, juggling work, managing diapers (and massive diaper bills!), and learning as I go. If you’re about to start potty training boys, give yourself grace, clear your calendar if possible, and get ready to celebrate like every pee and poop is a victory. You’ve got this.
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Hit follow and please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode! The kids and I might even bust out a happy dance! 💗 - Brittany
00:00 Intro
1:30 Potty training from what age? Why I potty train at 2
4:00 When potty training starts
6:00 Committing to potty training in 3 days
9:00 How to start potty training & common struggles
19:40 The potty training 3 day method
31:00 Potty training boys summary
33:00 Wrap up
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