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Elimination Communication With Older Babies

In a previous blog, I discussed the concept of elimination communication. Elimination Communication or EC is a way of learning your baby’s signals so that you can take him to the bathroom when he needs to go. It’s much more comfortable than diapers, and it involves a lot less laundry and expense. You also avoid many of the toilet training trials of the twos! However, hands up – who felt a wee bit overwhelmed with the very presence of their first child (or subsequent additions), let alone with the idea of taking this new being to the potty. Ok, probably … Continue reading →

What is Elimination Communication?

Despite the lack of an exciting moniker, elimination communication is a pretty exciting business. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I learned that many cultures actually communicate with their babies about going to the bathroom and work with babies to use the potty before the babies can talk. I’d always assumed that my daughter would be in diapers – cloth diapers, yes, but diapers nonetheless. Now, elimination communication shouldn’t be confused with old-fashioned punitive methods that involved forcing babies and young toddlers to sit on the potty for a long time, trying to go to the bathroom. Elimination communication … Continue reading →

Parenting Techniques Outside of the United States

The things that you consider to be typical parenting techniques might seem strange to people who live outside of the United States. Likewise, some of what parents in other countries do may seem weird to parents here. It’s all a matter of perspective. What works well for parents in one place might not be acceptable to do in other places. NPR has an article titled Global Parenting Habits that Haven’t Caught On In the U.S.. It was written by Emily Lodish and posted on August 12, 2014. In it, she points out some parenting techniques that are commonly practiced in … Continue reading →

Alicia Silverstone Wrote a Controversial Parenting Book

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Babies (and children) do not come with an instruction manual. Sometimes, parents wish their children did come with one that would provide inspiration and the answers that parents need. This is likely why so many parents seek out books on parenting. As such, there are plenty of them to choose from. Alicia Silverstone (the actress from the movie “Clueless”) has written a parenting book that many people consider to be controversial. The book is titled “The Kind Mama: A Simple Guide to Supercharged Fertility, a Radiant Pregnancy, a Sweeter Birth, and a Healthier, More Beautiful, Beginning”. It was published on … Continue reading →

Special Needs Podcast Roundup – Week of January 16, 2012

The Special Needs Podcast Roundup brings you brand new episodes of podcasts that parents of kids who have special needs would find relevant. This week, I bring you information about ADHD and diet, insight into respecting autism, tips to help with problem behaviors, schools that are making kids sick, and advice for eating gluten-free. NPR released an episode of “Morning Edition” on January 9, 2012. This episode is called “For Kids With ADHD, Some Foods May Complement Treatment”. The episode points out that while some foods seem to be helpful, it is better to cut back on certain other foods. … Continue reading →

When You Can’t Stand To Change One More Diaper

Imagine yourself standing before the changing table. Your baby squirms and coos. It is a familiar routine for the both of you. You could probably change a diaper in your sleep; you’ve done it so many times. Now picture yourself standing in front of the same changing table. Your baby is now a toddler, squirming and threatening to grab his bottom, which is covered in the most putrid, foul smelling poop you have come across yet, thanks to his overindulgence in grapes yesterday. Cleaning him up is far from easy because he is determined to get up and run away. … Continue reading →

Potty Training: Start ‘Em Early

There’s been lots of pooping on the potty going on at my house lately, and no, my husband and I do not have the stomach flu. I’m talking about our 1-year-old. Yep, you heard me – she’s pooping on the potty. Before you start rolling your eyes, calling me one of “those crazy moms who starts potty training a week after her child is born,” hear me out. I didn’t plan to be an early potty trainer; it just happened naturally. One day, when my daughter was about 11 months old, I was sitting next to her on the floor, … Continue reading →

Dry at Night: Ditching the Training Pants

Yes, I know that some of you have been doing this for years. Your kids, I mean. I’m talking about the night time potty dance. However, my daughter is a rather late bloomer in the area of dry night times, and since she’s been an epic bedwetter I had no qualms about keeping her in training pants in perpetuity. No qualms except environmental ones, of course, since night time was the only time we didn’t use cloth diapers. My kid can pee through anything, I tell you. However, for the last two or more weeks she has been dry at … Continue reading →

The Cost of a Cloth Diaper Stash

The costs begin to grow long before a baby is even born. For parents who are expecting a new baby, the initial outlay of cash for cloth diapers can seem substantial and overwhelming. Even the most expensive ordinary diapers do tend to be worth it in the end, but in the beginning those costs are daunting. What will it cost to create a cloth diaper stash? The wonderful thing about cloth diapers is that they are so diverse. You can choose cloth diapers that are handmade by artisans, with covers that are embroidered or hand painted. These will likely run … Continue reading →

How Big Should Your Diaper Stash Be?

If you’re cloth diapering for the first time, information about fabrics and types of cloth diapers is important. However, many of the diapering decisions tend to come down to the big questions: how many diapers will I need, and how much is this going to cost me? How many diapers will you need? That depends on a number of factors. If you have thick diaper liners and don’t plan to change for every pee, you will need fewer diapers. Are you doing elimination communication, even part time? If you’re doing elimination communication or infant potty training and going diaper-free part … Continue reading →