Have you ever stumbled upon the concept of elimination communication? I certainly hadn’t, until I typed “diaper-free babies” into a search engine. This curiosity was sparked by a conversation with local women in rural Myanmar, where I learned that diapers were a foreign concept to them. Through a series of animated gestures, they shared their secret: hold the baby above the ground so they can do their business in nature, and wash their clothes if they miscalculate.
If they could manage to potty train their tiny tots, I thought, why couldn’t I? That was my first miscalculation. It should have been clear that the resilient women of the Burmese hills had a level of toughness I lacked.
While traveling abroad with my husband, I discovered I was pregnant. Our final destination was Southeast Asia, where I was captivated by the sight of so many bare-bottomed infants. This fascination was partly fueled by my idealistic mission to rid the world of disposable diapers.
Unaware of the chaotic journey ahead, I dove into research on “EC” for our upcoming arrival. I devoured The Diaper-Free Baby, invested in a BabyBjörn potty seat, and congratulated myself for the money we’d save on disposables.
Initially, it was a breeze. My newborn son managed to pee on cue at just three days old, thanks to the well-practiced “psss, psss, psss” sound I made while holding his tiny penis over the bathroom sink. I felt like a pioneer. “Why doesn’t everyone do this?” I asked my husband, reveling in my triumph. Surely, this was easier than changing diapers!
In those early months, as we transitioned from carefree travelers to exhausted, routine-bound parents, my primary joy came from catching my son’s pee and poop in vessels other than a diaper. I became somewhat obsessed. I even delighted in demonstrating our pee-on-command trick to visitors, though most friends politely retreated as I proudly showcased my skills. While I avoided holding him over trash cans downtown, I certainly didn’t hesitate to cue him in the park or on the trail.
Then life took a turn. I returned to work—strike one for EC. Next, my son began crawling, showing little interest in remaining still—strike two. Finally, with the introduction of solid foods, things spiraled out of control. My son, a digestive pro, averaged five poops a day with no obvious signs of an impending mess. I reluctantly surrendered, abandoning the cloth diapers, and embraced the convenience of disposables, stocking up from Costco.
But then I heard a friend mention that her 13-month-old was fully potty-trained thanks to EC. My competitive spirit flared, and I dug out the BabyBjörn potty again. I placed my son on it and tried to cue him like before. He promptly stood up and tossed it down the stairs. Attempting again later, I distracted him with books, only to find him filling the potty with Legos instead.
The following morning, I resorted to old habits and held him over the bathroom sink for nostalgia’s sake. In return, he flailed and babbled before peeing all over me. Determined, I made one last attempt that evening. While I was busy washing dishes, he pooped on the kitchen floor. “No big deal,” I thought as I swiftly cleaned up and strapped him into a diaper.
But soon, I realized something was off. Everything began to smell like poop. I discovered smears on toys, on his little wicker chair, and even on his fingers and toes. It was like a scene from a horror movie, but with poop instead of blood.
After a frantic cleanup, which included whisking contaminated toys to the sink and giving my son a bath, I realized he had tracked the mess all over the house. It became evident that I was better suited for a life filled with disposable diapers. I developed a newfound admiration for the Burmese women who must possess a remarkable level of patience and resilience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the concept of elimination communication is fascinating, it may not be the right fit for every parent. For those considering this approach, there are numerous resources available, including this guide on fertility treatments and insights from expert sources like Make a Mom’s Insemination Kit. You can also explore our privacy policy for more information.