More on Potty Training Babies

More On Pottying Babies - Enhances Bonding, Helps the Environment by Laurie Boucke, author of "Potty Whispering", "Infant Potty Training", "Trickle Treat" (now out of print) and "Infant Potty Basics."

Start at Birth or in the Early Months of Life
Yes, it is possible, fun and very rewarding. Babies can start potty learning in infancy! And no, it's not a gimmick. As hard as it is for Westerners to believe, the process of infant pottying is a very simple and cozy one, used in many countries around the world.

Benefits of Infant Pottying
The two biggest benefits are enhanced bonding with your baby and helping the environment. Before discussing these in greater detail, here is a more complete list of the advantages and benefits of infant potty training (IPT):

Enhances bonding through closeness, natural communication and loving patience.
Responds to infants' natural elimination communication and timing.
Taps into first window of learning (sensitivity period) for toilet learning.
Helps environment by conserving/saving trees, water, petroleum and landfill space.
Eliminates or drastically reduces diaper use.
Allows babies to achieve good control by 12-15 months.
Lets baby complete potty training at a relatively young age (around 2 years).
Frees baby from diapers and all negative associations (bulk between legs, chemicals, etc.)
Avoids/eliminates enuresis (bed wetting).
Prevents diaper rash.
Provides hygienic respect for your baby.
Eliminates embarrassing "accidents" for toddlers.
Allows dad or other close, trusted ones to bond and communicate with baby.
Yields big savings on diapers and laundry costs.
Keeps babies in touch with their own bodies.
Reduces risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Attention Pregnant Women!
It is important for parents and parents-to-be to think about potty learning during pregnancy or the first few months of life, yet most do not even consider the topic until their baby is over a year old. If you are pregnant and interested in this method, you have the time to do further research, to contact experienced parents and to make an informed decision.

Babies are Receptive to Elimination Communication From Birth
Most people laugh when they first hear about the concept of infant pottying. "Impossible," they say. Yet we know that kids can learn a foreign language with no effort and no accent until they are about 9 or 10; thereafter it becomes a difficult task. In the same way, infants are receptive to potty learning from birth and can easily learn it in infancy if you begin before your baby is mobile (usually before 6 months); thereafter, it may be harder to do, in part because the child has learned to use diaper as his toilet and has to unlearn that behavior later.

Physiological Considerations
It is true that newborns do not have the muscle control or nervous system development to voluntarily retain their "pee" or "poop." But babies can be prompted to release these muscles on command if it is near time to "go." Many practitioners around the world are adamant that their babies DO have some voluntary control over their muscles from about 4 to 6 months of age. Gaining control happens gradually over many months as baby practices using the sphincter muscles on a regular basis. Most parents practicing infant pottying use a very small quantity of cloth diapers for some months and then gradually switch to training pants.

What About Babies 6 Months and Older — Is It Too Late?
Many parents have started at 6, 9, even 12 months and have done okay by making some modifications. It is usually harder to start with a mobile baby who has been "trained" to go in a diaper or who wears disposables and does not associate the feeling of wetness with elimination. It mainly depends on your convictions. If this method resonates, if you feel it is right for you and your baby, and if your healthy baby takes to it, it is certainly worth an honest try! As long as there are no major upsets in your family life or health, you are likely to be open and receptive to your baby’s elimination communication.

Another factor to consider is that there is not a fixed cutoff age at which all babies lose their connection with the elimination functions. Each child is unique and develops at his own tempo. There are parents who have learned about IPT or who have started other methods of toilet learning when their babies were 6-18 months, 2 years or even older, and who have been delighted to find that their little ones were ready, receptive and communicative about toileting at these ages. In short, the window of learning seems to remain open or accessible for some older babies. No matter what age your baby is when you first learn about IPT, I usually recommend that parents give this gentle and nurturing method a try for a few weeks, then assess whether you want to continue. Click here to read my more detailed articles and tips on working with babies over 6 months old: http://www.white-boucke.com/reviews/latestarters.html

My Background
I used the conventional Western method of potty training with my first two sons and was very dissatisfied with the results — diapers until almost 4 years of age and occasional bed wetting for several more years.

By the time my third son was born, I was fortunate enough to learn about infant potty training and implemented it straightaway. From the day we started (he was 3 months old), we had lots of fun and thoroughly enjoyed the mutual communication and coziness. We did, of course, have many “accidents” for some months, a normal part of the process. He “graduated” at 25 months.

I was so enthusiastic about infant pottying that I wrote my first book about it in 1991. Complete details of the infant potty technique are included in my next two books "Infant Potty Training," 500 pages and "Infant Potty Basics," 110 pages. My DVD “Potty Whispering” provides guidelines, lots of video & pics of how to hold small infants in position, tips, resources, and much more.

Dedication Pays Off
Success cannot "happen" on its own. It takes at least one committed adult. Infant potty learning takes many months of loving dedication. Your attitude is of vital importance. You must be relaxed and have a sincere desire to use this approach. Your baby must be in good mental and physical health.

It is important to note that IPT can be used part-time, for example, mornings, after work, and/or on weekends. Some parents teach a trusted and willing caregiver how to potty their baby. For daycare situations, seek staff who are willing to potty your baby or at least change diapers often.

I am the first to declare that this is not THE way for all parents and families. Since I know how wonderful infant potty teamwork is, I would never want to encourage impatient or time-challenged parents to use it.

If IPT resonates, I hope you’ll give it a try. Your baby is ready if you are!