Today I want to talk about elimination communication. This is also referred to as IPT or infant potty training. I took interest in it because I was looking for ways to cut costs and was just curious. Really, there would be no savings because we use cloth diapers. I am a partially green mom, in that my concern is more about my home environment. At any rate, I was shocked by what I found on the topic. When I Googled the topic I went to the first website and basically stayed there. That website is http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/.
I learned a few things. It is best to implement the IPT in the first window, which is 5-6 months. After which, there are other windows at 8-12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. My baby is 8 months, so I read on. What you have to do is notice the elimination time patterns in relation to meals and awaking from sleep. Your baby must wear a cloth diaper with no plastic pants, or go commando!!! So, my first question to that was, will my house smell like urine? Once you figure out these patterns and study the baby's response to wetting and pooping, then you anticipate these movements and sit the baby on the potty. I even read that the parents sit on the toilet and sit the baby on their lap. That grossed me out. You have to be prepared to clean up urine and poop off of the floor and furniture or bedding at any time. You can also use baby signing to teach the baby how to communicate with you when he or she is wet or needs to use the toilet.
One thing that I read that I could appreciate was about our response to the smells of poop and pee. I agree that we should not make a big deal about how bad things smell around the baby because the child could notice it and become stubborn or use it against you in some way. I stand corrected because my little one has us making wretching noises and strange faces with some of the stuff he is off loading in his diaper. We will work hard to do better. Elimination will be a natural thing in our household.
There was a whole lot of things mentioned about the potty training process that I will not mention. I have decided that we will go with the flow and not push early training with our baby. It is just too much work. It would be okay if I had a maid doing all of the cooking and the cleaning. But, I don't. I feel that this IPT would consume all of my time because I would have to study the baby and look for signs that he is getting ready to pee or poop. I am trying to run a home-based business and I do dedicate a few hours a day to it. Our baby will let us know when he is ready to be trained. What do you think about IPT?
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Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteWhat if you think about EC as one less diaper at a time. You can use diapers as backup between potty visits, no worries. You can devlop your confidence slowly, with your baby, as your 'Baby Radar' turns on.
You need to visit my site on EC! You'll find out how to ease into it gradually and casually.
I have three websites, my older son (also EC'd from birth) goes to swimming lessons, playschool, playgroup and such activities and I carry my 10 month old along and he wears trainers and pees in the toilet as well!
It's great fun.
I'm quite certain that yes, although it is really addictive, you certainly could start with some regular potty breaks and go from there!
Charndra
Thanks Charndra. I appreciate your comments and I will checkout your websites. I am sure that if I read more comments from other moms that use EC that I would be more likely to give it a try. I am just curious. How much of your life did you give up while going through the training process? It seems time-consuming from what I read. Thanks.
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