Going Potty In Africa

Mother and published author, Ingrid Bauer, traveled to India and Africa where she noticed that Mothers had a different method of toilet training. Instead of using conventional diapers, mothers would carry their babies around with them and try to listen to their bodily functions. When a baby needed to go, the African mother would carry the baby to an appropriate place to eliminate (pee or poop). Ms. Bauer elaborates in her book on the wonderful bonding experience that can be created when parents respond to a baby’s needs, including the elimination process
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Sensitive to Baby’s Needs: Elimination Communication

From pregnancy to birth, many medical books and pediatricians will relate the strong parent/child bond that is created by being sensitive to baby’s needs. For example, listening to cry tones can help determine if a baby is hungry, tired, or just needs some loving attention. Elimination Communication takes this process a step further by engaging parents in listening to baby’s body language which can signal when baby needs to pee and poop. Every baby is born with different personality traits and tendencies, so each baby’s elimination schedule will be different. Baby will need a great deal of time to learn and eventually master potty skills. EC training is designed to help a child become comfortable with their body’s elimination habits and parents have the opportunity to bond more effectively with their child
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Its Diaper Confusion!

The EC training method elaborates that babies from birth have a good idea of when they need to go. They express they’re elimination needs through behavioral signs that occur right before they poop and/or pee. As the diaper is used and as babies grow older, they forget how to communicate their elimination needs. The diaper is attached and a very convenient place for everything to go. Some babies are even mis-guided into thinking that the diaper is a changeable part of the human body. This theory could explain why many children struggle and sometimes seem traumatized in trying to learn how to use the potty.

When a parent engages the child in traditional potty training, beginning at the age of two to three for girls, and three to four for boys, the child must re-learn they’re body’s elimination signals. It’s called diaper confusion: when a child is trying to re-learn what they already knew from birth. A parent can reduce this confusion and build upon the child’s natural elimination instincts by integrating EC training shortly after birth and going without diapers.

Going Without Diapers!

Going with out diapers would normally cause a parent to panic, especially if there is the likelihood that new carpet is involved. Fortunately, there is a method to such madness. Author, Ingrid Bauer, recommends that a parent should always be “watching closely” for EC observation. When an observant parent believes baby needs to go, baby should be taken to an appropriate place to eliminate. This could be a small bowl, tree, bush or the regular toilet. Parents should be aware that newborns urinate based on their feeding schedule. Breast feed newborns will urinate more frequently than formula fed babies. Watching baby and becoming familiar with his or her elimination habits is essential to successful EC training. Sleeping with baby at night can help a parent become familiar with night-time EC habits. Generally, parents should expect to have about six elimination periods per day with newborns while older babies will go longer and often have less elimination. By observing baby closely, a parent can become familiar with elimination patterns and know what type of behaviors to expect from a baby prior to an elimination
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Keep the Potty Handy!

When using the elimination communication method it’s important to keep the potty handy. Small elimination bowls throughout the house as well as quick access to a bathroom are essential in helping baby use the potty. When a parent becomes familiar with baby behaviors and takes baby to the potty, they create an opportunity to build on the child’s natural potty instincts. Clothing that is easy to remove in a pinch is also important. If a Parent believes that baby is about to go, they should take any bottom clothing off and safely hold baby over the small bowl, toilet, bush, or tree while making a verbal sound that baby can learn to associate with going to the potty.

Keeping Baby Safe While Using the Potty

To a small baby, the potty is as big as the ocean. Keeping them safe and using comforting tones while using the potty is the job of a loving EC parent. Parents should be sure to hold the baby safely and securely over the potty place. Relaxing is also part of the elimination process and parents should be careful not to tense up even if baby is crying or highly agitated. Staying relaxed will help your baby learn to relax and do what they need to do. If a baby seems scared of the potty, sitting with them or providing a small bowl to go in will help baby feel more comfortable.

Vocal Sounds Can Help Train Baby

Vocal sounds can help train baby while they are eliminating. As a baby picks up on the sound from the parent, the baby can learn to recognize and eventually give a clear signal when they need to use the bathroom. Vocal Sounds from a parent can also eventually help a small baby understand what constitutes a designated potty place. Older babies who have experience using the EC method can often imitate the sound or do the action that they learned to associate with they’re elimination process. For pee pee, Author, Ingrid Bauer recommends a ssss or hissing sound to use while baby is peeing. Hummm, hummm or a similar grunting sound can be used for pooping. Or better yet, be creative and come up with your own special sound. As the baby grows older and can make verbal sounds, the baby can take over his or her own potty training, letting a Parent know when they need to eliminate.

Daycare Dilemmas and Trips

Finding a daycare provider that will support a baby through EC training is actually getting easier. Daycare providers that recognize the great opportunities that EC provides for both parent and child are more than willing to go the extra mile. Of course, paying a daycare provider a little extra out of all that money saved from going diaperless lets the provider know that you appreciate the extra effort. Be sure to find a provider that has the time to work with and listen to your baby’s elimination needs. Supplying them with the a baby carrier and extra potty bowls is a must!

EC during trips is not recommended with very young babies. While EC training younger babies, it is best to keep baby home. Babies six months and older travel better and will go longer between eliminations. Having an extra adult along is also helpful so that one can focus on driving and the other one can focus on the baby. Keep a bowl/potty in the car and when baby needs to go, pull over and put them on the bowl/potty or hold them over a convenient bush
or tree. Keep extra clothing and safe, handy cleaning supplies in the car. Going the extra mile on road trips will help your baby learn how to take care of elimination needs even while navigating the great outdoors.

Save Money and Protect the Environment

The EC method can save families money and protect the environment. In many countries, landfills full of garbage are becoming a serious concern. Not using diapers on a regular basis means less waste and more protection for the environment.

Families can also save money. It is estimated that the average family will spend over three-thousand dollars in diapers just on one baby! Not to mention that with each diaper change, costly wipes are often used to get baby clean. EC training eliminates much of that cost and less wipes are used when a baby eliminates the mess instead of sitting in it for a longer period of time. Diaper rash becomes non-existent giving a family another savings of not having to buy expensive diaper cream. Baby is healthier and parents are happier knowing that they are doing something good for the environment as well as the family budget.

Is EC Right for My Baby?

Going without diapers and engaging in EC training can be well worth the effort. However, some parents can easily feel overwhelmed with taking care of baby on top of other personal and professional commitments. Some parents opt for a balance: going without diapers most of the time and using diapers at night, in the car and while traveling. Also, be sure to consult your pediatrician before beginning any type of potty training. You and your doctor can determine if EC or traditional potty training methods are right for you and your baby.

(1) Diaper Free, The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene , Ingrid Bauer, Natural Wisdom Press, 115 Forest Ridge Road, Saltspring Island, BC, Canada 2000.

The Official Website of diaperfreebaby.com an EC organization

More about natural elimination potty training

Fox News article on the Diaper Free movement

Elimination Communication, Wikipedia Definition and Explanation.

It is difficult to understand why your child who is doing so well and seems to be fully potty trained, or at least well on their way, begins to have accidents. Set backs are definitely one of the most frustrating times of the potty training process, but something that will happen with many children. Understanding what is causing the set back and your patience with your child will get things back on track in no time.

Remember, most children will take three steps forward and one step back as they learn the ins and outs of using the toilet. When accidents occur, remember that what is happening is normal, and that patience and understanding will give your child the confidence necessary to progress. Treat accidents lightly, and give your child reminders at key times of day such as after mealtime, morning and before bedtime.

Try to think of any changes that have been made in your child’s life that may have changed their routine, or may be causing them fear or confusion. Big changes such as a new baby in the family, moving, or changes at daycare are often the cause of potty training setbacks. If big changes are happening, it is all right to take a break while your child is adjusting. Or, try creating a reward chart with your child that will add fun and excitement to learning.

Your patience and willingness to accept potty training setbacks will help your child know that you are a team and in the end you can celebrate your success together.

Dr Phil’s potty training program and parent aids

Potty Training Help:

It’s about time for the Potty Watch! Let’s face it, potty training is no picnic. Parent’s try to remember to sit their tot on the pot every thirty minutes or so and children struggle to understand why they have to engage in this new hygiene procedure. I mean after all Mom, wasn’t the diaper working?

The Potty Watch makes it easier on both ends of the spectrum with a timer for Mom and lights and music for the child. A parent can set the potty watch for 30, 60, or 90 minute intervals and does not need to reset it throughout the day as it will continue to go off at the timed interval. The children can wear the watch on their wrist and the lights and music play when it’s time to use the potty. Pamela Parkinson, CEO of the Potty Watch says “The great thing about the Potty Watch is that it reminds Mom and helps the child feel more in control.” The potty watch also has a “Try Me” selection that will play songs that children can sing along to while they are sitting on the potty. Fun lyrics are included in the packaging.

The Potty watch comes in three bright colors and retails at ten dollars. This potty training product is a must have for any parent wanting to make potty time easier.

You can check out the Potty Watch Product and order one online at pottytime.

Great help for easier potty training

Make sure your child is ready, as there is no set age to potty train. You will make potty training much easier on you and your child by waiting until your child is ready. Here are some signs to tell when your child is ready for potty training.

• Your child can tell you when he/she is “going” and then when he/she needs to “go”
• Understands what wet and dry means and has words for urine and bowel movements.
• Your child is able to stay dry for at least two hours or wakes up dry from a nap.
• Shows imitative behavior (wants to be like everyone else around)
• Your child is anxious to please you.
• Has started putting things where they belong and is creating order in the world around him/her.
• Your child shows independence by showing signs of wanting to control rather than being controlled (by saying “no,” for example)
• Is able to pull his/her elastic waist pants up and down

You should watch for some of these signs. Not every skill need be present to begin potty training.

Make preparations before starting potty training.

Make potty training a priority and expect to need extra time in your schedule for the attention needed for successful potty training. Explain to your child the advantages for them of using the potty, such as the pleasure of being clean and being much more grownup. Decide what words to use for body parts, urine, and bowel movements. Where possible, avoid using negative words like “stinky” “naughty” and “dirty” as these might make your child embarrassed and reluctant.

Now for successful potty training

If your child is afraid of the toilet, start with a little potty. Have them sit on it fully clothed and read to them to get them used to the potty.

Try making a song about going potty as this may make it sound fun to use the potty.

Set up a daytime routine. Encourage your child to practice. Have them set on the potty for two to four minutes every hour or so. Sing a song or tell a story when they get restless. Offer encouragement and stay relaxed about potty training and avoid getting upset.

Even if the child doesn’t “go” it helps to have them sit on the toilet two to four minutes every hour or so. Just remember, if they do not “go” in two to four minutes, stop and try later.

You can try setting up a timer for 60 minutes or so and then show the child that when the timer rings do your thing.

Expect the child to mess around if they are not fully ready. They may get bored sitting on the toilet but don’t get angry, just try again later, and remember two to four minutes.

Have your child take part in getting dressed and undressed. Practice in putting on and taking off their training pants or underwear will help them feel at ease when they go potty by themselves.

Have your child act out going potty with a doll or action toy to help them be more accepting of potty training.

Read a book or story about potty training with your child.

Build your child’s interest in going potty with rewards. Start with affection and praise as the reward. Give congratulations when your child completes a step in the potty process.

Give small material rewards like a sucker or a treat, along with praise, each time they “go” in the toilet. It may help to let them pick out “special” treats for going potty. Be sure to only give the special treat for “going.” It’s the special reward for toilet training.

Cloth diapers are a big plus during potty training if you can provide for storage and laundry. Children often respond to the wetness and messy feeling and make the connection between feeling messy and going.

When they do “go” in the potty, leave it in there for them to admire, or let them flush it down.

If your child has trouble getting started, try turning on a faucet as a suggestive way to start them urinating. Another “grandma’s way” is to have them play with a toy in warm water in a small bowl while on the potty. Sometimes having their hands in warm water starts them going.

Patience and followup attention will be needed.

Setbacks and accidents will happen. Your child most likely will have several accidents after being trained. You have heard “the training was going so well,“ but then the child started having accidents. Children’s progress in toilet training can stall – or worse, backslide. Don’t worry. It’s normal. Children take their time and will experience some setbacks. Support them no matter what step they are on.

Potty Training Concepts – Useful potty training tips & information. Dr. Phil’s Potty training in one day.

Potty Training Help:

More help on potty training at Child N Parent