Do you have a new baby and are you wondering how to baby proof your home in the very safest way?  Take a look at the seven steps listed below to find out how to do this so your baby is safe from hazards in your home.

It can be challenging to keep your baby safe but it is a good thing to do—even before bringing the baby home.  Check out these seven steps to making sure your baby is as safe as possible and read as much as possible about baby safety so that you can begin to keep your home safe.

Seven Steps to Baby Proofing

Step 1: Make a checklist of items to do.

Go through each room on your hands and knees with a notebook—writing down those things you think a baby can get into.  Pay special attention to cabinets, drawers, staircases, electrical cords and electrical outlets.

Step 2: Keeping the crib safe.

Keep all fluffy items out of the crib, including fluffy blankets, comforters, stuffed animals and pillows.  Make sure you remove bacteria from the crib by spraying it down with disinfectant.

Step 3: Keep poisons and toxins out of baby’s reach.

Make sure all toxic chemicals and medicines are out of the reach of baby.  Put them up or store them in the garage or in locked cabinets.  Keep over-the-counter and prescription medication in a locked and secure place.

Step 4: Keep disposable diapers and trash away from the baby.

Garbage, including diapers, can cause disease so they should go in a locked cabinet or out in the garage where baby cannot get to them.  Use a special diaper disposal unit that seals each diaper away from baby’s fingers.

Step 5: Use child safety gates.

Use new child safety gates on the top and bottom of all stairs and in front of rooms and areas you don’t want the baby to get into.  This can avoid many potential accidents.

Step 6: Keep Emergency Numbers Handy.

Keep all emergency numbers, including that for Poison Control, in an area where you have access to them at all times.  Don’t forget to include the hospital and doctor’s numbers.

Step 7: Be vigilant about keeping track of baby.

Even the best baby proofing doesn’t prevent all injuries.  Keep an eye out on baby at all times and be prepared to act swiftly if he or she is getting into something they shouldn’t.

What you really need to remember is that keeping baby safe is a matter of baby proofing your home, watching baby at all times and educating the baby to make sure he or she learns what is acceptable or unacceptable to do in the home.  Don’t forget to do your baby proofing from a baby’s level and think like a curious baby when you do this.

More on child proofing your home.

Benefits of massage during pregnancy

A good massage can also provide relief from many discomforts brought on by pregnancy symptoms like muscle cramps and spasms; myofascial pains felt on neck, shoulders, lower back, hips and legs; stressed knees and ankles; swelling of the hands, arms, legs, and feet due to fluid retention; difficulties in sleeping; and, psychological cares like anxiety and restlessness. And according to a number of studies, the fetus also benefits from the massage treatment the mother receives. A massage therapy also makes the mother’s body more pliant resulting into a less painful labor and easier delivery.

Pregnancy requires specially trained massage therapists

The techniques used in pregnancy massage differ from those used in other types of massage because the health and safety of the fetus is given utmost consideration. For this reason, massage therapists who work on pregnant women receive special training and must be duly certified.

Things to remember when it comes to pregnancy massage:

•    Pregnancy massage should be performed only on women who are past their third month of pregnancy. The reason is massage therapy increases blood circulation but this may cause dizziness and aggravate the morning sickness symptoms.

•    The pregnant woman must be carefully positioned during the massage to ensure her safety and that of her unborn child.

•    If a massage table must be used, it should be semi-reclining. Consider using extra pillows to wedge the body and provide extra padding to increase patient comfort.

•    As a precautionary measure, the pregnant woman should never be made to lie prone with her belly beneath her. Also, it is ill-advised to use a flat table with a hole provision for the bulging abdomen as this will stress her lower back unnecessarily.

•    The therapist should not massage or press the pregnant woman’s specific body parts, such as the left and right sides of the ankles and the webbing between the thumbs and index fingers. These critical points can cause premature labor if subjected to constant pressure.

Under normal circumstances, any pregnant woman can enjoy a good body massage without fear for her safety. However, if she has a special condition, she will need clearance from her obstetrician or health care provider before going in for a pregnancy massage. Women who ought to think twice about pregnancy massage are those who have pre-term labor risk and those suffering from blood clots and other related disorders.

The healing power of massage

Still, pregnancy massage is just like the other types of massage in that it uses the healing power of the human touch. Humans need physical connection from other human beings. This physical connection through the touch promotes comfort, love, caring, and security. It increases awareness and raises the sensory levels. For this reason, many people, pregnant or not, seek massage

For the fussy baby that will just not go to sleep, consider the reasons why. Check your baby’s diaper again to make sure it is still clean and dry. Clean diaper conditions can change drastically in just a matter of minutes. Hold your baby upright and pat their back to see if any more burps need to come up.  Uncomfortable gas will cause your baby to pull their legs up over and over again in a painful gesture.

If your baby cries and cries for hours on end, they could be over stimulated or have colic.  Over stimulation is when they have been overloaded with too much noise and sound.  Try swaddling, cuddling and rocking to get your baby to quietly settle down.  If you suspect colic, talk to your doctor about over the counter baby gas drops or other pediatric recommendations.  Remember it may take a few hours of cry time, but eventually your baby will wear out and go to sleep.

Once your baby is asleep, be careful of the transition period when you lay them down.  A slight movement could stimulate your baby to jerk awake with a “startle reflex.”  This is where baby will move an arm and/or leg suddenly to jerk themselves awake.   Swaddling has been known to help babies sleep longer and prevent the startle reflex.  *The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends laying a sleeping baby on their back to prevent sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS.

Some babies will prefer the crib while others will want a snuggly place to snooze.   If your baby can’t stand the crib, try one of these sleep space alternatives; a comfortable car seat, bassinet, cradle or a smaller sized crib.  However, never, ever leave a baby alone in a sitting car.  Garage fumes can build up and cause irritation to a baby’s sensitive lungs.  Heat could cause the baby to die of heat exposure and cold can cause death from hypothermia.  It is always better to take your baby in the house and let them sleep in a safe, climate comfortable, stimulus free room.  Never justify leaving a baby in the car just so you can avoid the risk of having them wake up when you take them out of the car.

For the first eight weeks to three months, your baby will wake up at night for one to three feedings based on how much they ate and slept during the day.   Before a growth spurt, babies will eat more and then finally get to a stage where they eat less and sleep more.  Prior to a growth spurt, your baby may wake up at night for an extra feeding.  After you feed a baby at night, you may be so tired that you just want to go back to sleep, but baby may have different ideas.

Baby may stay awake to digest all of the food and then have a bowl movement. Baby may also want to play.  It is important during these early months that you gradually adjust your baby to their new environment. If you are so exhausted that you can’t think straight, try getting some relief by night shift trading with a spouse, aunt, sister, grandmother, mother or mother-in-law.  Chances are they will jump at the chance to get some hands-on-experience with your new little bundle of joy.

My nephew and his wife were expecting their first baby.  As I shared with them some of my “old foggy” memories of having my first child, I vividly recalled my parenting shock when I realized that my baby daughter had a mind of her own.  She wanted to sleep and eat when she wanted to, and it certainly had nothing to do with my perfectly planned pre-arranged schedule. It was an eye-opening experience and it took me several post-partum weeks to make the necessary mental adjustments.

To prepare my nephew and his wife for their own remarkable parenting experience, I recommended that they fill up a water balloon and practice carrying it up and down the living room floor every three to four hours during the night.  I also told him to be sure and change the pretend baby by replacing the water every two to three hours.    We laughed together and enjoyed this joke about the water balloon baby training method.  Even though this is a funny way to psych yourself up for some sleepless nights, the sleep deprivation that most parents experience is no laughing matter. Fortunately, there are many sleepy time techniques that will help your newborn to develop a healthy sleep pattern

Develop a Healthy Sleep Pattern:  Newborn to Three Months

Do not be alarmed when your newborn baby sleeps around the clock.  When you think about it, being born into a new environment is a big deal and it takes a tremendous amount of energy out of both you and your baby.   You will feel exhausted after the birthing experience and so will your newborn.   For the first eight weeks, your newborn will sleep between *sixteen to eighteen hours a day.  Newborns usually have their days and nights mixed up and, for the first few weeks, you may pull more than a few all nighters trying to get baby straightened out.  Use your baby’s wakeful periods to observe their developing personality.  Observe what sounds and signs your baby gives you when they are hungry, messy, sleepy or just fussy.   After the initial eight weeks, you can start incorporating some basic sleep training techniques so that your growing baby will eventually sleep through the night.

Your baby will grow a great deal in the first three months.   Growing takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.   Your baby will need a balanced schedule of sleep, food and stimulating wakeful periods. *As your baby grows, so will their capability to sleep for longer periods.  Gently directing your baby into a balanced schedule will enable your baby to develop a healthy sleep pattern.

Gently Build a Healthy Sleep Schedule

Gently direct your baby into a healthy schedule by keeping them more awake when you want them awake so that they will sleep when you want them to sleep.  From eight weeks to three months, your baby will start to develop a general sleeping, feeding and changing pattern. Try to keep your baby more awake during the day so that they will eventually learn to sleep through the night.  After eight weeks, if your baby is still sleeping a great deal during the day, try waking s/he up by washing their face with a soft, warm cloth.  Put them in an upright position in their car seat and give them a chance to look around while you do the dishes or dust the piano.  You baby will start to learn that day time is for waking and night time is for sleeping.

At three months, your baby will have developed the natural habit of waking up early to eat.  Often, after they have gained weight at three months, they usually will wake up at the more reasonable time of 5:00 or 6:00 a.m.  After feeding, wash your baby’s face and get him or her changed and dressed for the day.  Plan to keep your baby up for one to two hours of stimulating wakeful time.

During wakeful times, play with your baby and lay them on a soft blanket on their back with some baby-safe toys to look at.  Your baby may not enjoy this at first, but eventually they will learn the difference between day and night activities.  Do not be too alarmed if your baby gets fussy about being on the blanket. s/he may feel scared, miss mommy and get a little fussy about such a big open space, but a five to ten minute fuss without being picked up is actually good for your baby.  Crying allows them to expand, exercise and develop their lungs.  Kicking their legs is good exercise to keep all the food and gas moving.  At about forty- five minutes to a half-hour before their scheduled nap-time, feed, change and burp them thoroughly.

A Three Month Old Daily Schedule

A three month old infant’s daily schedule will gradually evolve into a general schedule of two morning feedings, a morning nap, two afternoon feedings, an afternoon nap, one evening and one late night feeding and then a general bed time, usually between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.  They key word in this schedule is general.  Just like you, babies have appetites that fluctuate based on their growing needs.  One day they may eat a whole bunch, and on other days, they just want to sleep or stay awake and play.  Keep an open general schedule of anticipated wake and sleepy times.  Do not plan too many outside activities. You may get cabin fever, but keeping up with your baby’s schedule is very important in establishing a regular routine.

The “Sleepy Time” Routine

One of the most important things you can do is to establish a regular sleepy time routine.  Sleepy time routines will help your baby understand that it is time to go to sleep.  Start by creating a soft environment with a twilight room, rocking-chair and some soft sounds.  Make sure that the crib/nursery area is safe, soft and comfortable, free from any unnecessary noise and distraction.  Never try putting a baby to bed while watching T.V.  The loud noise, flashing light and distraction can over stimulate, causing baby to associate both naptime and bedtime with noise time.  Loud music is also not a great way to help your baby find the path to sleepy time land.

Before naptime or bedtime, feed your baby, burp them thoroughly and make sure their diaper is clean and dry.  Before bed time you will want to give them a warm bath, about every other night.  Bathing daily can be hard on baby’s skin and you will need to spend extra money on expensive lotions. Bathing every other day will protect your baby’s skin and put more money in your wallet.

Dress your baby to climate temperature, making sure they are neither too hot nor too cold. *An eight week to three month old baby will have difficulty regulating their body temperature so that they conserve heat.   Making sure your little one is warm with a beanie on the head will help your baby sleep better.  As your baby grows, s/he will be better able to regulate their body temperature and feel hot or cold to the climate as you feel hot or cold. Make sure to dress your baby appropriately so that they are neither too hot, nor too cold.  Being too hot or cold will cause any baby to wake up with a fuss.

Let Brother and Sister Help

Brothers and sisters can help put the baby to bed by getting the baby’s blankets and nursery ready.  After that, let them know that it is quiet time so that you can put the baby to bed.  Have brothers and sisters go into a separate room to play and/or read books while you put the baby to bed.  If they are overly eager to help, turn it into a bonding experience by having them sit on your lap, hold the baby and
help rock-a-bye the baby to sleep. Put a sign on your door to discourage callers from ringing the door-bell and/or knocking too loudly.  Take the phone off the hook and let the world go on its merry way while you do the most important mothering job of getting your baby to bed.

A baby may start sleeping through the night as young as three months.  If your baby is still waking up during the night, don’t panic, especially if they are younger than six months.  Younger babies that are growing and developing may still need a nightly feeding.  If your infant of six months or older is regularly waking up during the night, try one of these proven sleep training techniques :

The Ferber Method

Developed by Dr. Richard Ferber, Director of the Pediatric Sleep Disorder Center at Children’s Hospital in Boston, this technique known as “Feberizing” teaches  an infant to soothe themselves to sleep.

Better Infant Sleep Through Ferberizing Follows These Important Steps:

1. Set a regular time for your infant’s bedtime.  Most babies will fall asleep between 7:30 and 10:00 p.m.  After a soothing bed time routine, put your infant in bed and leave the room.  Stay in close proximity to the room to listen for your child’s cry.  If he or she is crying wait five minutes and then go in the room and comfort them with the sound of your voice and some gentle pats.  Do not pick your infant up!
2. Leave the room again and wait ten minutes before going in to comfort your child.  Keep extending the time in five minutes increments until your infant child falls asleep.
3. On the second night repeat the soothing bed time routine and put your child to bed at the set time.  Let your child cry five minutes longer than the beginning interval of the first night starting with ten minutes and increasing the time again in five minute increments.
4. Repeat the method every night, extending the beginning cry time in five minute increments for a week.  By then, hopefully, your child will be sleeping through the night.

The Ferber Method stands on the concept that your infant will eventually learn how to comfort themselves to sleep.  The child will learn coping skills to help them get to sleep with the secure understanding that you are there for periodic comfort.

In May 2006, Dr. Ferber released an update of his book, “Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems.”  The book contains more information about children’s sleep schedules, common sleep problems and the Ferber method.

Crying Options from Dr. Marc Weissbluth

Dr. Marc Weissbluth, pediatrician and the author of “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” suggests in his book that a baby as young as four months is ready for some type of sleep training.  Dr. Weisbluth points out that being overtired can cause significant sleep issues for infants.  He gives parents crying options to help them decide when and if they should let their baby cry. You can learn more about Dr. Weissbluth’s sleep training methods and his book.

Day to day, it is important to remember to slow down and be mindful of your infant child’s sleep schedule.  Taking naps on the run, in the car and in the stroller may not be restful in the long run.  Irregular bed times can cause confusion and lead to bed time battles.  Making sure that your child gets adequate time to sleep will help you get some sleep too.

Many virtual academies are funded through the school system and are actually public schools. The only difference is that the child is attending school “virtually” by using educational software on their home computer. A parent plays the role of teacher by providing instruction and supervising learning activities. Enrollment requirements include the child being of age by the fall enrollment date and living within the virtual school boundaries. Enrollment is done online and immunizations are required.

Free Home School Tuition and Materials

Publicly funded virtual academies offer learning materials that are free of cost to parents. The K-12 Academy provides exceptional online learning materials, the usual textbooks and helpful online teaching guides and worksheets. Online tools help parents plan and track their child’s progress. K-12 also offers fun learning materials such as workbooks, science equipment, art supplies and maps. The K-12 Academy provides curriculum and learning materials for public virtual academies in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois (Chicago),Kansas (Lawrence.), Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington D.C. (CAPCS), Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Connections Academy is a public, free tuition, virtual school provider that will actually customize a learning program around your child’s educational needs. Teachers stay in touch with parents and adjust lesson plans according to the child’s learning abilities. They offer fun interactive lessons called “Brainpop” and the Hooked on Phonics reading program. The Connections Academy offers grades K-10 and is nationally accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). The Connections Academy is available through the public school systems in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Some online academies go a step beyond providing the traditional learning materials. The Branson Academy is a K-14 online public school offered in the state of Colorado. Branson is one of a few online schools that are striving to bridge the gap between students who have access to technology and those who don’t. All of their students receive a computer and printer package as well as internet reimbursement of up to $20 per month. Branson also reimburses students for paper and ink supplies. Parents get a home school education for their child and the funds and technology needed for home schooling! Branson also has an annual fall picnic and other extra curricular activities that allow teachers and students to socialize beyond the computer screen.

Fast Track for College for High School Students

Older students can benefit greatly from the flexibility of a virtual middle, or high school. The middle or high school student can get a fast track to college by fitting in some extra courses. Students who are struggling in school can take make up classes and still graduate with the rest of the class. Many older children enjoy the virtual school program as they can choose classes and lessons that fit their school and work schedules.

Some virtual high school programs come with definite perks that would appeal to any teenager. The IQ Academy offered to the high school students of Wisconsin is a no-cost online program that offers a Macintosh ibook with all the latest software. They also offer a free student e-mail account. Wisconsin also offers a middle school program with excellent course materials. Virtual high school and/or middle school programs are available through chartering or state-funded programs in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. Virtual high schools and middle schools are not limited to state funded programs and there are many tuition-based programs available. With some research you can find the right online academy program for your home school student.

If a publicly funded online academy is not available in your area, you can investigate an independent study program or a tuition-based online academy. The K-12 Academy has a cost-effective independent study program that offers month to month payments based on how many courses a child is taking. Parents can sign a one or two year contract and receive a discount on the outstanding curriculum. Lessons and materials are designed to effectively meet the needs of each grade level and an online school comes with the program to help parents manage their child’s education.

At every child’s range of learning, online academies have the plans, lessons, instruction help and materials for everyone in home schooling. Online academies are the future of learning and parents now have the ability to give their child an even better home school education.

Share your free or low-cost discoveries with other home school parents!

Do you know of a, free or low-cost, virtual academy or other online home school sources that we missed? Find information in this article that needs correction? Let us know! E-mail us today at contact@childnparent.com

We recommend the following resources for home school families.

K12 Online Home Schooling Information on school district-run virtual academies in your area offering the outstanding K-12 ® curriculum.

Connections Information on Connections virtual academies in your area. Also, has information on curriculum and learning materials.

virtual high schools Information on Virtual High Schools and how to choose one that is right for your student!

Now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has revamped its consumer ratings system for child safety seats. The new rating is a five star system based on the seat’s ability to secure a child, the ease of use and installation, and clear labeling and instruction manuals.

NHTSA found that 7 in 10 car seats are either the wrong size for the child, or otherwise misused. They felt the previous letter grade testing system for rating car seats was too easy. When choosing a child safety seat, remember, a seat that is easy to install and use will be the best for you and your child. You can find ease of use ratings for seats at NHTSA

SEE how to install and use your child safety seat.

Installing safety car seats for newborns and babies ( video by Baby Center)

Install a car safety seat – 4 minute video

The testing does not assess how effective the seat is at protecting a child in a crash. All seats must meet federal safety standards before they can be rated.
Any child car seat always offers greater protection to a child than leaving him unrestrained or holding him on an adult’s lap. NHTSA recommends car seats for children up to 40 lbs and booster seats for children over 40 lbs until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children should ride in the back seat until age 13.

Avoid used car seats. You don’t know if the seat has been recalled or damaged in an accident. Most used seats do not come with manuals, which are essential to ensuring you use the seat correctly. Recall lists can also be found at NHTSA

Look for a convertible seat that has a higher weight limit in the rear-facing position if your baby is less than 1 year and over 20 lbs. Try locking and releasing the buckle in the store. Try changing the length of the straps.

Try the seat in your vehicle. Most safety seats fit better into some vehicles than others. Cars with bucket seats or small rear seats may present problems. Child safety seats with tray restraints cannot be used in some cars with low ceilings. Find a seat that is easy to use for you, and comfortable for your child.

Just as important as finding the right safety seat is installing and using it correctly. Parents who need help installing or adjusting a child car seat can get free hands-on training from a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician through the state or local Safe Kids coalition

Check the Manual

The car seat manual will tell you how to correctly secure the car seat in your vehicle. The manual will also teach you how to angle the seat correctly and where to place the harness for your child’s height and weight.

Kids in Back

The back seat is generally the safest place in a crash. Place car seats in the middle of the back seat to protect against side-impact crashes, but only if the seat belt there can be effectively tightened to prevent slipping. If your vehicle has a passenger air bag, it is essential for children 12 and under to ride in back. Active air bags hit children with too much force and can cause serious injury. If you must put a child in front, deactivate the airbag on the passenger side.

About Face

Your infant should ride in a rear facing car seat, preferably in the back seat, until he is on years old and at least 20-22 lbs. Children over age one and at least 20 pounds may ride facing forward. Put the belt through the right slot. If your child car seat can be used facing either way, use the correct belt slots for each direction.

Stay Snug

Your car seat should rest as close to the bottom and back of the car seat as possible. When securing it with the seatbelt, shift and adjust the seat until it is snug and moves only a very little. Pull the seat belt as tight as you can and use any locking mechanisms available to keep it in place.

Keep the harness straps snug over your child’s shoulder. It should be tight enough to slip only one finger underneath the straps at your child’s chest. The chest clip should be adjusted to armpit level.

For a complete guide to keeping your kids safe in the car, visit SafeKids.org .

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.

In todays world there is so much that can get in the way of your dream for your child.  Any number of things can happen that will affect the way your relationship with your child will grow, change or die.  It is up to you, as the parent, to make every effort to not let the relationship suffer or die.  Here is when whatever you do will influence the relationship you have with your child.

One of the most important things is to never make empty promises.  Never promise or threaten to do something that you do not plan to follow through on.  This goes for everything from punishments to rewards.  It also includes everything that you might tell your child you will or will not do.  If you tell your child that a particular action will result in a particular reaction you need to be perfectly certain that you can, and will, do as you say.  Failure to do so will result in your child doubting you and your words.  Simply put, be honest and follow through.

The next thing you can do is always do your best.  No matter what you try, what task you tackle, don’t give up until you have given it every bit of effort you can muster.  It doesn’t matter if it is a new recipe, a new hobby or a repair.  It also doesn’t matter if you succeed or not.  What does matter is that your child will see you doing everything you can to accomplish what you started.  This will also have a hand in how they handle things in their life as they grow up.

Thirdly, spend time with your child.  Your life if full of things that have to be done on deadlines: get to work, get to appointments, feed the pet, cook dinner, wash laundry, cut the grass, etc.  Consider your child one of those deadline-based tasks.  Let your child help with any number of the tasks.  Ask them to color a picture for you while you finish a chore and chat with them about whatever they want to talk about.  If your child is too young for this simply have your child near you and talk to them as if they understand every word you say.  Include them in your life even in little ways.

The fourth tip is to be honest with your child.  Share your feelings: your fears, what makes you happy, what makes you sad, etc.  When your child asks you if you have ever done or felt something, be honest.  Granted there are certain topics where you will only give as much information as your childs age requires.  These are the times that you tell them what you can, without lying, without going too far.  This includes topics such as sexual intercourse, where absent parents are and why a family member may have bruises.  You have to remember that your child is young, not stupid.

Lastly, never make them think that you know everything.  As a parent you may very well know a lot of things.  The key is to be human enough to admit when you are not sure, you do not know or have never done something.  It may be possible for both of you to learn something new, possibly exciting bit of information.  On top of that it would be something you can do with your child to show them that learning still has its uses even as a parent.

Curious About Walk-Through Baby Safety Gates ?

Each year hundreds of parents are injured by stepping over child safety gates in the home.  Walk through gates are designed to solve that problem.  They usually have an opening mechanism that allows an adult to open them with one hand.  This comes in handy when you are escorting your sleeping baby to bed and is much safer for parents.  In addition to that, if you use babyproofing gates that force you to step over them you will be more tempted to take them down periodically.  As soon as you do…your toddler will be bouncing through doorway and privy to whatever dangers lurk there.

Walk through baby safety gates are perfectly amicable solutions to areas like the kitchen, bathroom or top of stairs.  When you go to purchase one make sure that the mechanism works easily for you.  It also may be a good idea to let your toddler try it just to see how well they can manipulate the opening.  Toddlers quickly learn how to open things and you don’t want to spend time installing something that your clever toddler will easily figure out.  Another thing you want to check is that the spring or closing feature allows it to close easily on its own after opening.  It should have a catch/lock feature that automatically forces it to close behind you.

The 5 Places in Your Home You Should Install a Child Safety Gate

Gates should be installed in any room that you feel is unfit for a toddler.  Here are the most common areas for safety gate installation:

* Stairs (top/bottom)
* Kitchen
* Bathroom
* Basement
* Pantry/Laundry Room

You can either purchase mounted baby safety gates or gates that are held in place by tension.  Of these gates you can choose one that is stabilized or walk through.  If you are looking for a tension mounted gate that requires no holes in the drywall, look for one made of a sturdy plastic, wood or metal that is lead free.  It should be able to fit snugly in place.  The easiest thing to do is measure your door opening and shop accordingly.  The color and style have little to do with the safety but can be a factor in inflating the price.  The same holds true for the installed gates.  Installed gates should be fitted to the inside of the door frame using the hardware provided with the gate.  These are permanent child safety gates and can usually be installed with little more than a drill.

For more on child safety gates check here at Consumer Reports.

Find more Child n’Parent resources on child safety here.