Diaper Free Baby! Elimination Communication

I'm potty training, or potty learning my 8 month old.  Sounds absurd, right?  Trying to get an infant to be diaper free?  How does it work?? 

It's actually pretty common outside the Western world, as diapers are either considered a luxury or  something that is more work in the long run.

I'm more aware of her bathroom habits now that she is a bit older and not going to the bathroom 24/7. I try to read her cues, and I know when she goes to the bathroom: right after she wakes up, and about every 45 minutes thereafter.  When it's time to go, I set her on her potty or the big toilet, make a potty sound, sign 'potty' and then tell her to go potty.

On average, she uses the potty about 85% of the time I put her on it.  She also pees about 75% of the time when I change her diaper, so if we're not in a hurry, I'll set her on her potty and she goes.  She doesn't like to wet herself (who does, right?) so she will 'save it' for diaper changes when she is diaper free.

I normally set her on her little Bjorn potty about twice a day.  I do let her go diaper free for periods of time during the day, but that is more for her enjoyment than practicing elimination communication.

I've been pretty lazy about it, and we keep our house at a frigid temperature, and India is normally pretty bundled up.  Also, the busier I am, the less she uses the potty.  In December, we had several days where she didn't wet her diaper once while she was awake!  Mommy was very vigilant those days!

I don't have any specific goals as far as when I would like to see India diaper free, but I know that elimination communication does work and we are just enjoying it casually right now! 

She is SO proud of herself when she uses the potty!   And I am proud of her whether she uses her potty or she soils her pants.  I just love her that much!

Not even 5 months old, and practicing elimination communication! December 2010