Get Rid of Diapers!

September 28, 2007 — Alenka | Posted in Potty Training. 3 Comments »

Nobody likes changing a diaper. But some people dread the horrors of potty training even more then the diaper changing duties. To each his own, since there are methods for everyone.

I am personally familiar only with Elimination Communication methods: I started listening to my baby’s signals right from birth based on my intuition, eventually picking up a book to guide through up and down days we were going through. Good luck with whatever method you’ll chose and remember – nobody is walking in diapers on their wedding day – eventually everyone will get through it!

Infants: Elimination Communication methods
12 months and up:

Elimination Communication method

Definition of Elimination Communication

This is the wikipedia definition:

(EC) is a process by which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant’s excretive needs, partially or completely avoiding the use of diapers. Diapers can be used but usually tend to become extraneous and unnecessary after a point. The emphasis of EC is placed on communication. When one practices EC, they are in essence trying to communicate as much as possible with their child about the elimination process, helping the child to become aware of their own body. The term “elimination communication” was inspired by traditional practices of diaper-less baby care in less industrialized countries and hunter-gatherer cultures. EC can begin at birth and is usually started before six months of age, although it can be practiced at any age. If started in the later months or after age one, babies are more likely to be “diaper trained,” and may be less aware of and/or able to communicate their elimination needs. The term “late starter” refers to a baby who starts EC after six months or after age one.

I also really liked the little insight that Monica Waggoner shared in Positive Discipline group:

One of the main principles behind EC: babies have an instinct that you’re not supposed to pee or poop in your clothes or on your parents, and if you give them opportunities to pee and poop elsewhere, they never become diaper-trained and therefore never have to be “potty-trained.”

But if you missed this opportunity, you can still use EC principles of tuning into your child to train at an older age.

Go to the top

“How To” – EC resources

You can find additional information on EC here:

Go to the top

Products helping with EC

(clothing, potties, other things a diaper free baby needs):

Go to the top

Traditional Method: waiting until your kid is ready

I have no personal experience with this method. But I am a big fan of kind and sensitive to the child’s need books by Elizabeth Pantley, so if were to “wait until my kid is ready”, I’d definitely read her book:

Go to the top