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October 14, 2005
Diaper-Free!
by flowermama
I first learned about infant potty training (IPT) from Laurie Boucke. I read some of her articles and read her book Infant Potty Training about five years ago when I was pregnant with my third child.
When I first heard of it, I was hesitant. After reading more about it, though, the description of it and the concepts that form the basis for it sounded wonderful to me! It sounded like such a connected way of parenting a baby -- so respecful and honoring of a baby's needs. The idea of not forcing babies to learn to make their diaper their potty rang true to me. I determined it was something I want to try with my baby. I understand people's hesistancy, though, and had reservations when I first heard about it (and still have areas where I would encourage caution and sensitivity).
The words "infant potty training" can have a very hard and controlling sound to some people's ears. Many people don't even use the words "potty train" in regards to their toddlers and pre-schoolers who are learning and begginning to use the potty. They instead prefer to use the words "potty learning," because the empahsis should be on encouraging a child's own natural learning process rather than forcing a child to sit on the potty simply when the parents say they should. When the emphasis is out of whack, it can become a big battle with lots of tears. And to seemingly add to that the idea of doing it with a wee babe, even from birth, can be shocking.
Some feel leary of IPT because they know that Michael and Debbie Pearl, a couple who promote an extremely harsh method of "training" infants and children by slapping them or hitting them with a flexible object that stings, promote infant potty training. There is a section in Laurie Bouke's book that has testimonials about IPT, and they have their's in there, too. Because of their association with IPT, I was very hesistant to try it in the first place.
I very quickly learned, though, that IPT has nothing to do with harshness or with hitting babies or controlling them. It's gentle and loving and can promote attachment and connectedness with our babies. You listen to your baby and to your intuition -- you communicate with one another.
Because it encourages respectful communication between a baby and her mother (or father, sibling, or other caretaker), many prefer to call it "Elimination Communication," or EC. This term as well as the term "Natural Infant Hygiene" were terms coined by Ingrid Bauer, author of DIAPER FREE! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene.
Certainly, some people feel that whatever you call it, it's still ridiculous, and they scoff at the idea of an infant going potty in anything other than their diaper. Some insist that the parents must be the ones being trained. Some thinks it's disgusting, or plain silly. Some simply feel that it's just not for them.
To be continued.... 
[and this entry may be tweaked throughout the day because I'm not completely happy with it yet
]
Posted by flowermama at October 14, 2005 10:51 AM
