Potty Training for Boys-how to Contain the Mess

Updated on September 15, 2006
C.T. asks from Baton Rouge, LA
18 answers

My son is just learning potty training. He sits on the bowl to go pee-pee but only 50% of it actually goes in the bowl. I have tried teaching him to hold himself down but it just isn't work and I am getting frustrated mopping the bathroom floor several times a day. Any advice would be appreciated.

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S.M.

answers from Houston on

Hi

I HIGHLY recommend the little plastic deflector that usually comes with the potty seats that fit on the toilet. It's hard to describe, but imagine a little snap-on wall that would fit between his legs when he's sitting.

S.

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J.C.

answers from Houston on

I am working with my nephew who's 2 1/2 with the same kind of issue. He always goes on the potty, but he sometimes misses a little, so I have to second the others when they mentioned the cherrios cereal in the potty. Sink the little ships I tell him. It works wonders.
Good luck!

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T.

answers from Houston on

I think it's just part of it. My son's 4 and still makes a huge mess. The only thing that really works for cleaning up the mess and smell is Clorox. It gets better before it gets worse. Just when he starts to get the sitting down part, it's time for him to learn to stand up and do it. What fun!

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H.K.

answers from Houston on

Hello We had the same problem with potty training our son. He still isn't tall enough to stand, and the little potty is just as messy for us. We ended up putting a bit of toilet paper between him and the rim of the toilet, he still looses the paper and makes an occasional mess when we don't get it there fast enough. But, this has really contained the mess. And made it easier for him to not have to worry about missing.
I H. this helps you, I know it is frustrating.
H.

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C.A.

answers from Houston on

throw a few cheerios into the bowl and teach him how to aim. A lot less messy and he has fun too.

C.

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D.P.

answers from San Antonio on

Catol T.,

Hi, I'm D. and I have two boys and my daughter is the eldest. Find/try a potty that's low...at about his knee-to-mid-thigh level and let him try it standing. You may be able to find one at a Goodwill Store or a second-hand shop, so you don't spend too much $$ on it. You never know, he may do better this way. Good luck.

D. P., LMT, CD(DONA), CPT
Massage Therapist
Birth Doula
Personal Trainer

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

Hi, I have two boys and a husband...(2 girls too but of course, we girls aren't as messy! LOL)...I don't know that they ever learn to hit the pot...

I saw cheerios mentioned which does help, definately a step stool... you can also cut up different colored bell peppers (yellow, green, red) make them rings, and let him get different "points" for whichever color he hits...depending on his maturity at 2 1/2 he may not have interest in winning...my boys were both older and very into games and such... just a thought..

Good luck!
A.

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M.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

A little cheerios helps me. I keep a yogurt cup in the bathroom and sprinkle them in the potty each time I take him pee pee. I tell him to try and sink them. He chose to stand up and aim shortly after learning to sit and aim. I still have a little mess on the toilet, but at least I'm not mopping the floor anymore.

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D.E.

answers from Houston on

Have him stand up. He can "paint" the bowl (above the water line) with his pee-pee. Make it a game. When he is around other boys or men he'll see them standing too and it will give him a sense of belonging.

dad of 4 (two boys and two girls - 13, 11, 4, 2 (G,B,B,G)

JE

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R.M.

answers from Houston on

Dear C.,

When my son started having regular accidents, I taught him how to clean them up himself, and it was amazing how quickly the accidents stopped. I wonder if the same would be true for your son's messes. Of course, 2 1/2 is young... I wonder if he would think it's fun : ) I hope you get it figured out! Hang in there - this shall pass!

Blessings,
R.

Supporting you as you nurture your family.
www.NurturedFamily.com

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M.N.

answers from Little Rock on

If he stands on a stool and holds the top of the lid (kind of leaned over) he will be aimed right

S.C.

answers from College Station on

In my opinion, 2.5 yrs is a little small to be sitting backward on a toilet and even forward on a regular toilet. I used a little potty with a cup attachment in the front. When he gets a little older, (my kids were closer to 3 before they were completely trained) you can try the toilet again and maybe he can stand up to pee.
Best wishes.

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C.A.

answers from New Orleans on

Hey C., try getting him a stool to stand on and put some Cheerios in the toilet for him to "aim" at!! My aunt did this for her son and it worked like a charm!! Good luck and let me know what works for you. I also have a son, but he is only 20 months so I have a little time before I have to start potty-training him!!

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T.

answers from New Orleans on

I was watching The View last week and they did a review of various products invented by mothers. One product in particular was a biodegradable tissue that could be used for boys learning to use the bathroom and aim. The tissues came in varioud designs including a football. There was an opening in the center which is where the child is supposed to aim. The tissue is flushable and environmentally friendly. Maybe check the abc.com website and click on The View link.
T.

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E.J.

answers from San Antonio on

Have him help you clean it up...he will complain and not want to, but tell him that if he learned to pee in the toilet, neither one of you would have to do it. My son is 6 and still missed sometimes. I am currently dealing with getting him to lift the toilet seat so he has better clearance. Whne he misses, he has to clean it.

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J.B.

answers from Houston on

We are going through the same phase with out son. There is a lot of difference in the size of the hole on the training pottys by brand. We bought two different ones and found that we couldn't use one because the hole was so much smaller and our son couldn't get the pee in the potty because of it. I would suggest you go to Babies-R-Us and get a different one. I don't know the brand of ours, but it has a padded seat and is white with a blue rim around the seat. We also taught him to lean over and put his chin on his knees as he goes. This helps to angle the pee down and covers up the entire hole so none can come out. I hope this helps. Good luck!

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D.

answers from Baton Rouge on

I'm not sure if I can help (have three girls) but I thought that at one time I had seen this little "contraption" that you put on the toilet seat that has a 'cup' like thing in the front that deflects the urine back into the toilet. I just goggled "toilet seat to potty train boys" and it came up with LOTS of things that are specifically for boys and that issue. Good luck!

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S.H.

answers from Austin on

This sounds crazy but it worked. I used a toilet cleaner that you put in the tank called toilet duck. It turns the water a different color when you pee. It also foamed which entertained my son. Cereal to aim is another great suggestion. If he is not standing yet you can have him face the back of the toilet. If he is standing he is not up high enough. did I mention the adult males in my house still "miss"?
errr
: )

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