As someone who regularly scans the online news sites to see if there are any articles about cloth diapers and cloth diapering, I've come across a lot of articles recently "elimination communication," or "natural infant hygiene."It's basically a form of potty training that teaches babies how to recognize their own urges to urinate or defecate so they can start using the toilet at a very young age. Some "EC" toddlers have been totally potty-trained as young as a year old.
Yowza. Imagine the money you'd save not having to buy disposable diapers -- or cloth diapers, for that matter!
There is some controversy about the method, however. Some infant specialists warn against trying to potty train such young toddlers, worrying that to do so might traumatize them and cause them to fear using the toilet altogether. Others suggest that even "EC" toddlers will regress and engage in regressive bed- and pants-wetting behaviours during their terrible twos or threes.
Still, I've got to say is, "wow." Parents who try to use "EC" make a focused effort to carefully observe their babies throughout the entire day for months on end, so they can begin to identify the little signs their babies make when they're about to pee or take a poo. Then, once they're able to recognize these signs, they run with the little ones to the bathroom and, holding them over the toilet, make "sssst-sssst" sounds that trigger the baby's release mechanism.
Needless to say, this requires serious dedication on the part of the parents. I truly admire anyone who has that kind of patience and perseverance.
Me, I consider myself an observant parent if I'm able to recognize when Monkey Boy is ready to go down for a nap. It usually takes 15 minutes or so of eye-rubbing, yawning, and angry squawking before I finally smack myself on the forehead and realize he's jonesing for some sleep.
I couldn't imagine watching him 24 hours a day and thinking, "Are you going to go pee now? Now? Now? Oh! You blinked! Does that mean you're going to go now? No? How about now?"
Nope, no can do.
And, much as I hate to admit it, the level of complacency Monkey Boy shows when he's sitting around with a soaking wet bottom makes me suspect he'll be in diapers for the long haul. Thank goodness those nifty cloth and wool numbers are just so damned cute. He may have a lumpy bum a lot longer than those "EC" kids, but at least his lumpy bum will be stylish...
