The Diaper-Free Baby_ The Natural Toilet Training Alternative - Christine Gross-Loh [5]
My son Daniel, one year old, on the toilet
But I do share this story with people because it highlights a couple of things: children can be ready much earlier than we think; EC can totally enhance their self-esteem and sense of independence by allowing them to use a toilet when they are so young and imitative (rather than when they are going through the resistant and strong-willed twos); and because it really shows that, contrary to popular belief, early pottying doesn’t mean that it will be a messy, drawn-out, and stressful experience. The gentle principles of EC made for the most seamless, beautifully bonding toileting experience I could ever have hoped to have with my toddler!
With my second son, Daniel, we started practicing EC when he was around three weeks old. Now, the important thing I like to point out about my experience with him is that even if you begin with a tiny baby, this doesn’t mean you’re going to be a slave to his signals and whims to use the toilet all the time. EC turns this mentality on its head; recognizing your child’s need to go to the bathroom is truly no different from recognizing his sleep or hunger cues, as you’re going to learn from reading this book. It’s no different from what any loving and attentive parent would do to try to figure out what his or her baby is communicating.
Because Daniel had health issues during part of his infancy, I made a conscious decision to put EC on the back burner with him and practice it only occasionally. Thus, we did it very part-time—as little as once a week for the first few months of his life. Later we ramped up to catching poops only, with just an occasional pee, and finally practiced it more full-time when he was a bit older. He graduated at around seventeen months. Even following EC part-time, I like to point out, results in a baby who is not completely diaper trained and who recognizes that you are going to assist him with his desire not to sit in his own waste. You are still engaging in the important process of EC—communication—with your baby. He has the opportunity to retain his awareness of the muscles that control his elimination and the ability to let you know when he has to go.
Even with just my own two sons, I’ve had a real variety of EC experiences: early-start, late-start, full-time, part-time. Between my story and those of the many inspiring parents featured in this book, I am certain that you will find something that works for your family.
INTRODUCING THE THREE TRACKS
Because I’ve found that so many parents practice EC to varying degrees, I’ve decided to introduce the concept of three tracks, which I’ll be referring to throughout the book: full-time EC, part-time EC, and occasional EC. You will probably find that one of these approaches initially appeals to you more than others, but they are not hard and fast categories. Most EC’ers fluctuate between categories all the time without even consciously thinking about it. I’ve spelled the tracks out explicitly in hopes that these concepts will help you navigate this book more smoothly.
Full-time EC’ers, in general, start following EC soon after birth (although you can certainly start practicing EC full-time at any stage of your child’s infancy or early toddlerhood). Usually there is at least one parent or primary caregiver present with the baby at all times, and the baby is often worn in a sling during the early months. Full-time EC’ers practice EC as much as they can throughout the day and night, aiming to provide their baby with the opportunity to go to the bathroom as many times as they think he needs. Full-time EC’ers, like all EC’ers, are usually most comfortable first practicing EC at home. Over time, they may choose to practice it out of the house as well, although there are plenty of families who make a point to practice EC only when they are near home. The babies of full-time EC’ers are often diaper-free early on (if they ever wear diapers at all). This doesn’t mean that their