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Want to save money on diapers? You could clip coupons. Or you could try "Elimination Communication." In a nutshell, it's having a close enough connection with your baby that you can read the signs she gives off when she's ready to, er, eliminate something. Then you take her to the nearest toilet and let her go. Wave buh-bye to those toddler toilet training battles -- because you can get started with this as early as right after birth!
In their new book, The Other Baby Book, moms Megan McGorory Massaro and Miriam J. Katz gently walk you through this practice. And they would know how -- they both got it to work for their babies.
I think it's a brilliant idea -- after all, this is how it's done in other countries all over the world. It spares your baby from diaper rashes and saves the planet from countless soiled diapers. Even better, it's one more attachment practice that can help parents learn to be more present and connected with their children.
Of course, I can think of a number of other reasons why this wouldn't work for many families. It depends on at least one parent devoting full-time care to their baby -- and getting enough support at home that they have few distractions when baby is awake. (I mean, good luck getting the daycare to go along with this if you head back to work after maternity leave.) Not every new parent is "wired" to handle this level of intense intimacy with their babies, either.
But the Other Baby Book is meant to be more of a tool box for new parents to pick and choose whatever is helpful -- the authors aren't trying to convince anyone that they HAVE to go with E.C. or any of the other alternative infant care practices.
And if you're dying of curiosity to see how this works, Megan and Miriam have spelled out the whole process with tips and other resources. I'm long past that stage myself, but I have to admit, I'm a little fascinated by the idea.
Have you tried E.C., or are you thinking about trying it?
Image via The Other Baby Book
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