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Diaper-Free Babies?
Categories: Potty Training
Many parents feel like their child should be potty trained by the age of two. Trying to make that happen can lead lead to a lot of stress when the child in question just isn't physically or cognitively ready to use the toilet. In reality, there is no right age for a child to begin potty training and experts say parents should look for signs that their child is ready rather than try to adhere to a self-imposed deadline. However, there are some parents who feel that two years old is way too late to begin eliminating in the toilet and they begin the process much, much earlier. They practice what is called Elimination Communication, Natural Infant Hygiene or, simply, Infant Potty Training. According to DiaperFreeBaby.org, this is a modern adaptation of an ancient method of childcare in which potty training begins in infancy.
This approach involves paying close attention to your baby and learning to recognize the signals she communicates when she's ready to go. When the time is right, you hold her securely over the toilet while making a watery sound like "ssss". Over time, she will learn to associate that sound and the position in which you are holding her with elimination and go only then.
Potty training expert Dr. Pete Stavinoha says this method isn't really potty training because the child isn't learning to use the toilet independently. However, he says there is certainly no harm in it and that parents who commit to this approach will likely use far fewer diapers than other parents. And for many, reducing the number of diapers that end up in landfills each year is a good enough reason to try it.
So, what's the downside of having a diaper-free baby? For starters, there is the fact that you must be available to your baby twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It takes a lot of time and attention to become tuned in to a baby's elimination cues and chances are that the babysitter isn't going to get it. In addition, this practice requires that peeing and pooping take precedence over everything else in your baby's life. If you are playing, breastfeeding or just enjoying cuddling, you must stop at once the moment you sense she's ready to go potty.
Infant potty training is practiced widely in developing countries where diapers are unavailable and babies are traditionally kept close to their mothers at all times anyway. So why, in a culture such as our own, would a parent place such a high priority on eliminating in the toilet? It can't be all about the diapers -- reusable cloth diapers are readily available and widely used. I imagine the payoff comes in the bonding experience. Spending every waking moment completely tuned in to your baby's needs may sound exhausting to some, but for others it is infinitely rewarding and worth the personal sacrifice.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rachelzahn 6-05-2009 @ 6:16PM
Who's being trained here? This is the human version of letting your puppy out several times a day to avoid them peeing on the floor. As a pediatrician I disagree that there's no harm done. Babies under 18 months aren't developmentally able to control bladder and bowels. Their brains and bodies just aren't there yet, just like they aren't developmentally able to read. To communicate that you expect them to -- or even that you'd like them to -- is unreasonable and frustrating.
Trust me, your little guy will let you know when he's ready. Show him the tools and he'll use them.
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Vincent @ The Dad Jam 6-08-2009 @ 9:37AM
@Sandy - thanks for the article and bringing the benefits and possibility of going diaper-free to everyone's awareness. Going diaper-free is definitely a great thing to do, speaking from my own experience going diaper-free with our daughter.
When you say that "peeing and pooping must take precedence over everything else in your baby's life" as being a downside of going diaper-free, I have to disagree. Would you say the same of feeding your child, or potty training a two-year old? You have to stop what you are doing with your baby in order to feed them, but nobody complains about that. A two year old who is potty training has to stop what he is doing to go potty, and nobody complains about that. It is also very rare that a baby goes pee or poo while breastfeeding - usually they do it afterwards. Also, you can still play with your baby while he/she is sitting on the potty.
As far as the bonding goes - you are right, this is a definite benefit. You build a great bond with your child by going diaper free. Plus, you save a lot of money and you are doing something great for the environment.
@Rachel - Just because you are a pediatrician doesn't mean you are correct. You probably agree more with Brazelton than Rosemond on this topic, but don't forget, Rosemond is a famous pediatrician, who I agree with when he said, it is a “slap to the intelligence of a human being that one would allow a baby to continue soiling and wetting himself past age 2.” Also, don't forget that In 1957, studies found that 92 percent of children were toilet trained by 18 months, while today, that figure has dropped to less than 25 percent. You can do more harm than good by keeping your toddler in diapers to the age of 3 and a half or 4.
Also, when you say, "Babies under 18 months aren't developmentally able to control bladder and bowels. Their brains and bodies just aren't there yet, just like they aren't developmentally able to read." I disagree - my 10 month old does a great job of this and there are thousands of babies who can communicate their need to go potty that are living proof that it works. Just like a baby can tell you that he is hungry, he can tell you that he has to poo or pee. It is as simple as that. Going to the bathroom is a natural process that babies can feel, that cannot be compared to reading.
SKL 6-08-2009 @ 1:12PM
Both of my kids were in total control of their bowel and bladder, day and night, before age 18 months. (At 18 months, both would have been horrified by the idea of being forced to soil themselves.) My older daughter was in control of her bowels by 12 months (not sure how much sooner as she was in foster care before that). I wish people would stop spewing lies about this. All this does is make more money for consumer products companies. It amazes me to see people argue passionately that it's kinder and healthier to let a child sit in his crap and pee than to teach him how to eliminate in a more clean and comfortable way.
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Charndra at Part Time Diaper Free 6-08-2009 @ 9:14PM
Hi Sandy,
I too am glad you are bringing the possibility of reducing diaper dependence to visitors of the Parent Dish. It was from reading such an article that I myself began my own EC journey with my 2 boys from birth each time. I'd like to reassure you and your readers that the paragraph I've excerpted below is not quite correct, or at least makes EC sound impossible, even fanatical!
The reality is different. You can ease into this gentle practice, you can do it part-time as you build your confidence (and that of others caring for baby) It really does enhance the bond with your baby and help parents realise in a new way how fabulously clever their baby really is!
A key point that people miss when hearing about EC for the first time, is that it is a co-operative practice - the baby is involved! They are not a lump plonked on the potty - they have fun, they are 'relieved', they have their painful gas eased. It is astounding how EC eases crying in little babies so new to their bodies! We sing, we play, we cheer!
"So, what's the downside of having a diaper-free baby? For starters, there is the fact that you must be available to your baby twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It takes a lot of time and attention to become tuned in to a baby's elimination cues and chances are that the babysitter isn't going to get it. In addition, this practice requires that peeing and pooping take precedence over everything else in your baby's life. If you are playing, breastfeeding or just enjoying cuddling, you must stop at once the moment you sense she's ready to go potty."
Nope, EC becomes just another part of your life, like all these other things. Wiping bums and wrestling baby into a diaper becomes fun on the potty instead, less diapers are used, and thus less waste is produced - yay for the environment!
Charndra
http://www.parttimediaperfree.com/ Discover How to REDUCE Your Diaper Use, Gradually!
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