About a year ago, I ran across something that some parents do with their children called "Elimination Communication". Other names for it are "natural infant hygiene" or simply "diaper-free babies". I never dared to go as extreme as what some parents do, but one thing I did adopt from this was putting Cora on the toilet anytime I knew she had a poop coming. Excuse my frankness.
So for the past year Cora has been sitting on the toilet maybe once a day, but sometimes we would go weeks without sitting on the toilet because she often messes in her diaper during a nap.
This summer, after swimming in our pool, I would often take her swimsuit off outside and let her dry off naked in the backyard - one of the joys of privacy fences. If she happened to pee while playing outside I made a big, excited ordeal about the fact that she had just peed. She soon caught on to what pee was and often would exclaim "Pee" after having just gone. Later I started putting her on the toilet before bathtime just to sit while the tub filled up. Again, if she happened to pee in the toilet we celebrated!
The toilet has been a natural part of Cora's day and she has rarely objected to sitting on the toilet. Some say this is half the battle of potty-training.
A few weeks ago, Cora was playing with one of her dolls and pointed between the doll's legs and said "pee". She then ran over to the toilet, sat the doll on the toilet and said, proudly, "Pee!" She then proceeded to wash the doll's hands, which turned into a complete bath for dolly!
The new development is that at least once a day for the last couple weeks Cora will tell me when she has peed in her diaper. Also, I have been putting her on the toilet or potty chair (she gets to choose) about once a day and she almost instantly pees, stands up and proudly shows me. I wasn't planning to start actual, intentional potty training yet, but I'm starting to wonder why I would wait much longer! It's obvious that she knows how to eliminate voluntarily so the next step is teaching her to only eliminate in the toilet...
This is my hesitation: diapers truly seem more freeing to me than having a potty-trained (or a potty-training) child. I know it may sound crazy to some, but diapers are so absorbent that I can go out with Cora, run errands, stop at the park, come home and eat lunch without having to change her diaper - usually. Once we start potty training, I know that freedom will be gone for a while as I'll have to be constantly aware of where the nearest bathroom is - unless I wait till she's much older with a larger, stronger bladder. Does it make sense to wait much longer when she's showing such positive signs right now? Or am I an over-eager mother who should relax until Cora's 2 or 2 1/2? What do you think?
Ha! That's great, when you do decide, it will probably be a very easy process (plus I hear girls are typically easier to train than boys). Well, I have absolutely no advice for you. I for one, am waiting until next summer for BEnnett, he'll be 2.5. Maybe I'll even wait until next Christmas. We'll see. Then again, baby #2 is coming so that is why I am not pushing the potty issue yet, though he is fascinated with the toilet as well. I need the diaper freedom as long as I can...
ReplyDeletegood luck with Cora! : )
I also have no advice just to say that is so adorable!! I can see your hesitation in losing the freedom! Yet I'm all for getting rid of diapers when they're ready! Hm...good questions!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I think it's great that she's so interested and I would by no means quench that. However, I think you're right that you'll live by the bathroom if you try to really train her now. Liam can hold it for hours but he's a whole year older. I would suggest just doing some "home training". She'll learn how it feels and once she's got more control I think she'll be super easy to fully train. :-)
ReplyDeleteUnless she insists, I think you are fine waiting.
ReplyDeleteDon't stress about it. You have to both be ready.
When she is ready you will know. In the meantime, I wouldn't press the issue. When the day does come don't underestimate the power of a potty chair in the car. We had boys and took a peanut butter jar, but friends of mine that had girls just put a potty chair in their car (and a bottle of water) when their girls were young. After they use it they rinse it with water and pour in the bushes by where you park. Do what works for you and Cora!
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