Infant Potty Training (IPT), also known as Elimination Communication (EC), has been a blessing in our life. We read about it on Dr. Sarah J. Buckley's website- she is the author of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering.
My husband was determined to have us do this with Zuzu. I was less sure, knowing I would be carrying the major portion of the load while he was away at work. So, we started on a Saturday when Zuzu was 3 months old. We removed her diaper and left her onesie unbuttoned on the bottom so it would be easier to take her to the restroom.
Joel handled the better part of that weekend and to my surprise, Zuzu would usually pee on cue for him. On cue? you ask. Yes, at first, in order to train a baby to pee, it is recommended to make a sound to cue them- Psssss.
Well, this was encouraging, so I told him I would keep trying it for a day or two and I couldn't promise him anything since it was a rather tiresome task. She wouldn't go for me quite as easily. She would squirm or cry while I was holding her over the sink. But, sometimes.... she would go- success!
How do we take her potty? you may be wondering. Most of the time, we took her to the bathroom sink, pressed her back against our chest and hold each of her thighs with our hands, so she is in a sitting position. Then, make "the sound." If she didn't go within five seconds, we might persist gently with the sound for about 30 seconds or so, not pressuring her. Like Sarah Buckley wrote, it cannot be a battle of the wills.
We found that at 3 months old, she might have to go once an hour and more often following a feeding. Remember that I am exclusively breastfeeding her at this point (pretty much on demand) and until 6 months.
After awhile, she associates her urge to go with either being wet or feeling relieved and clean after going in the restroom. So, she learns to hold it until we take her.
We do not make her wait if we think she needs to go. She will usually signal us with a certain type of cry or uncomfortable squirming.
As you can see, we have continued IPT and its been 3 1/2 months. She no longer wears diapers to bed or in the stroller or when we go out. She does not wet the bed at night either. She signals me and I get up and take her to the restroom.
We have saved hundreds of dollars. But the best benefit is feeling closer to our baby and more in tune with her and her needs. Just because she is little does not mean she cannot learn to use the restroom like the rest of us.
Recently, my grandmother purchased a kid's potty for her. So, now she sits on that when she needs to go. Her feet don't touch the ground, but she is able to sit and do either number 1 or number 2. :) What a blessing IPT has been for us.
If anyone is thinking about doing this, I encourage you to try. Your baby will never have to sit in wet or soiled diapers and you will be more sensitive and thoughtful toward your little one as you practice Infant Potty Training.
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