Early Potty Training: Have Your Baby Out Of Diapers Before Age 2

You can get your baby familiar with the potty, and quite possibly out of diapers, much earlier than you probably think.  The currently accepted diapering/pottying practice has kids averaging around age 2 and a half to 3 before they are fully out of diapers or training pants.  But with Elimination Communication (EC), many kids are out of diapers by an average of about 18 months.

My daughter is only 13 months, and she is well on her way.  We have been practicing EC with her since she was a newborn--about 2 weeks old.  Now, at 13 months, she is telling us when she has to go, or has just peed.  We use sign language, and we talk about it with her.  She understands.  She is very aware of her elimination, and is aware that she is not supposed to pee and poop in a diaper.  The diaper is really just back up, so to speak.  I'm pretty sure she'll be out of diapers, with very few "misses," by 18 months or so.

As far as diapering, we use both cotton and organic hemp cloth diapers.  Sometimes, however, we simply leave her out of diapers.  This really helps us see her cues for when she has to go.  It was especially helpful early on, because we realized quickly that she had a certain cry, or made a certain facial expression, most of the time when she had to pee.  Now, of course, she is communicating verbally, and with sign.

A lot of people think that keeping a baby diaper free is recipe for disaster.  They expect huge messes to clean up.  I will tell you, I have cleaned up my share of pee on the floor.  But it's actually very easy.  Not a good idea if you have carpets though.  We rolled up most of our rugs.  People are even more scared of the dreaded poops.  But I say with 100% assurance that it is much easier to clean up poop from the floor than it is to clean every fold of skin on your baby, after they have been sitting in it for a while.   I know, it sounds crazy, but it's true.

How EC has made my life easier:

• My baby understands already about going to the potty; she is more independent, and will be out of diapers earlier than many.
• Less Laundry.
• Less mess to clean up.
• No potty training struggle at age 2 or 3.
• Less diapers and stuff I have to carry around.  I have even set aside our fantastic Kalencom diaper bags, for a much smaller one...At least until our next baby
• Less diaper rash.
• Great communication and bonding with my daughter.