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.
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“How To” – EC resources
You can find additional information on EC here:
- Wikipedia collection of EC information
- Infant Potty Training website by Laurie Boucke: contains brief but very helpful summary of the method, DVDs, books by Laurie Boucke
- 6 months and older potty training by Laurie Boucke
- Diaper Free Baby: comprehensive collection of support groups, articles, tips, links to resources.
- Happy Potting: wonderful collection of articles and podcasts covering everything: tips on newborn EC, late starters EC, types of training pants, baby wearing, etc.
- Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Inrid Bauer
I initially relied purely on my intuition, but it turned out – I needed more help. This book helped me to get through many difficult points and get over many mistakes. You can find more information on author’s website or read more amazon reviews. You can also read Ingrid Bauer EC method summary.
- Potty Whispering DVD
- 101 Reasons to EC your baby
- Other Infant Potty Training/EC links
- Two excellent Yahoo groups: The Elimination Communication and IPT for Late Starters The group moderators are actually the authors of the books above so you can get wonderful advise and support from them and other group members!
- Babies Born Potty Trained: getting started best tips
- Do it yourself EC: tips on training, products, washing; instructions on making your own covers, trainers, etc.
- How to wash cloth diapers
- Adventures in cloth diapering: directions on how to make, wash, use cloth diapers
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Products helping with EC
(clothing, potties, other things a diaper free baby needs):
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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:
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