Diaper Free Baby: Getting Started

Benefits:

• Enhanced communication with baby- parent is more in tune with baby’s signals and baby learns that they are responded to when they signal, so they continue to signal, positive reinforcement
• Reduced diaper use- many people who do this use diapers, but it does cut down on the number and length of time using them
• Easier transition to using the toilet- it is important to remember that this is about communicating and responding to a need early on. Because babies keep their awareness of needing to eliminate it is much easier for them to make the transition to the toilet later on
• More comfortable/healthier for baby-This one is pretty straight forward, if diapers were more comfortable and healthier we would all wear diapers. A baby is no different.
• Less messy for parents - Many people unfamiliar with this approach believe it is messier than changing diapers, but it is known among those that practice EC that it is actually less messy. Many parents with older children that have been conventionally toilet trained comment on this. One way or another you are dealing with baby’s eliminations.

Simple Ways to Get Started:

• Offer a “pottytunity” at every diaper change- One really simple way to get started is to offer a potty opportunity, what we like to call a “pottytunity”, every time you change your baby’s diaper. Simply hold them over a toilet, sink or potty and make a “cue” noise like psss psss. The DiaperFreeBaby website shows some pottying positions
• Offer a “pottytunity” right after baby wakes up - Most babies have to go pee when they first wake up for the day, this is another great time to offer the potty.
• Talk to your baby about what is going on- Ask questions like “Do you have to go potty?” or “Did you just go pee pee?” so that they hear the words associated with going to the bathroom.
• Make note of any signs your baby gives when they are going to the bathroom- You may already be aware of some of these like grunting or grimacing. After a while you may be able to catch your baby as they first start to make these signs and offer the potty then. Once you start catching you will be hooked.
• Stay relaxed- This is a process. There is no need to rush. You are simply laying the foundation for future toilet independence, not expecting it right away. Your baby needs to be relaxed as well, they won’t be able to relax if you’re not relaxed.
• Get information and support- While this is the way babies are cared for in most parts of the world and throughout time, it is really a “lost art” here and now. That is why finding support through DiaperFreeBaby groups online and at local meetings and reading books like Diaper Free! by Ingrid Bauer and Infant Potty Training by Laurie Bouke can be really helpful.

Common Elimination Signs:

• Squirming or fussing-Many people only think of these as a sign of hunger or sleepiness, but you can try offering the potty as well.
• Change in activity level- Some babies might get really active while others might pause in activity and even stare
• Facial expression- This might be a grimace or a straining or just a certain look
• Vocalization- This could be a grunting or a psss psss sound or it could be an increase in the speed and volume of sounds. It could even be a quieting down
• A “shiver” - This is like a little quiver often followed by staring
• Passing gas- It pretty much goes without saying that this is a good time to offer the potty

Starting with an older baby (over 6 months):

• Switch to cloth diapers- This helps because the baby can feel when they are wet and will come to associate this feeling with going to the bathroom
• Be patient- Your baby has learned to go in their diapers, it will take time for them to unlearn that and then begin to associate going to the bathroom with the potty or toilet
• Have an “open door” policy to the bathroom- Modeling is such an important way kids learn, so it really helps for them to see the toilet being used
• Do what works for your family - There are different ways to EC, not one right perfect way. You might find that you and your child’s EC needs change over time, even day to day, as well.
• Recognize that your child is probably “diaper-trained” - It will take time to “un-learn” diapers. Try having your child sit on the potty with their diaper on or open the diaper up and place it inside the potty if it helps your child feel more comfortable.
• Stay focused on the communication and not the outcome- Use words or sign language to talk about using the toilet or potty and remember this is a cooperative, not a coercive process.
• Think of each opportunity as a learning experience -Try and notice something you didn’t know before, or what your child either didn’t know or needed to learn again.

For more information, visit www.diaperfreebaby.org.