EC

I am about to blog about something somewhat controversial.  Please understand before you pass judgement, I have done a TON of research on this topic and am not shooting from the dark.  I know that some of you will disagree with my choice, and that is fine - each parent has the right to choose what is right and wrong for their children.  I do strongly encourage you to comment with your thoughts however, especially those of you who have had children and gone through the "potty training" phase before.

There is a "potty training" technique called Elimination Communication.  The words potty training just don't even seem right, as this is not actually training your child - it is all about communication.  This method uses your child's own signs of communicating his need to eliminate, and you having the patience and determination to pick up on those cues and use them!  The basics of this method are very simple.  To begin, you understand that there are key times your child will go to the bathroom, right when they wake up, right after they feed etc.  This is where you start.  Instead of having them use their diaper during those times, place them over an appropriate sized toilet.  Some parents choose to use the sink, others the toilet, a potty training seat (in my case a bowl haha!) - whatever works for your situation.  Once your baby starts to go, you make a noise to associate with the action they are doing (i.e. sssssssssssssssssssss).  The theory is your baby will learn to associate the action of going to the bathroom with that sound.  As you learn your babies other signs (grunting, scrunching up their knees, straining their face, etc) you can use these cues as well to take them to the toilet.  I have read many blogs and personal accounts of parents using this technique and most of them have completely potty trained baby's from 7 mo to a year.  What you need to understand tho, is this child cannot get up and walk to the toilet, pull down his pants and use the toilet... but they CAN hold it.  Some people believe that a child does not have the ability to use this muscle in their body to "hold it", but this theory proves otherwise.  This technique strengthens those muscles just like any other muscle in a child's body - their neck, their legs etc.  If you kept your baby on his/her back or stomach all the time, they wouldn't develop the muscles in their legs right?  Same theory here, you need to teach them to use those muscles and strengthen them.  Now of course you won't catch EVERY potty, and that's ok, its all about practice.  They say you want to start this before they are 3 months old, and that after 6 months it gets even harder (but can be done!!!!).  This method is used in just about every other country besides the US and Western Europe and has been proven many times to work.  In this "diaper" age, most children aren't completely out of diapers until age 3! By waiting that long, it is even harder to train them (as I'm sure many of you can attest to) because they have never used those muscles like they should.  By age 3, they are using all of their other muscles that you have helped them develop right?  why not start out right away with this one too?  can you imagine the amount of SAVINGS by getting them out of diapers by say 1????  One of these days you are watching TV, count how many diaper commercials you see.  Todays diapers are designed so babies can't feel the wetness, hence they don't know they've just gone as easily.  Most parents that choose this method use cloth diapers so they CAN feel the wetness.  WE don't have that luxury LOL (the luxury of a washer and dryer that is!)- so I am sticking with the disposables.

I have been so excited about this since I first came upon it before Wes was born. I have been determined to try it.  The way I look at it is it can't hurt anything.  It may or may not work, and I'm OK with that... but at least I know I've given it a good solid effort and in the mean time can save a few extra bucks on diapers :)  Getting started has been difficult though... and I'm not exactly sure why!  I have been... almost scared for some reason?  I can't quit figure it out... probably because changing a diaper is so much easier then taking the time and the effort to begin this practice (another reason, in this fast paced world, most Americans probably don't try this more!)  ANYWAYS, we began today, and guess what?!?!  i caught 3 potty's!  May not seem like a lot, but that was 3 diapers I saved :)  Of course I still changed a few diapers, but i went from noon - 6:00 today in the same diaper.  I really wish I would have started this sooner, a lot of woman doing this start right from birth.  OH WELL, I can't go back in time right?  All I can do is try harder now.  It does take more time and it DOES take patience, but I just think the rewards are going to be soooo worth it.

I am excited to blog about this and keep you all informed on our progress.  I hope to bring good news!