Saturday, March 29, 2008

Infant Potty Training

Also known as Elimination Communication or EC. Many families have successfully discovered potty training communication with their infants without the use of diapers. With these methods potty training can be accomplished gently and lovingly forming a closer bond between parent/caregiver and baby.
The idea is that children are born with a natural awareness of their elimination function. What we now realize is that we, through the use of diapers, are "training" our children to potty in their clothing (diapers). Then we attempt to retrain them to use a toilet during potty training starting around 2 years of age. The families that are aware of this discover how to read the signs their infants communicate through noises or expression then the parent or caregiver will respond by helping the infant or child eliminate in the appointed place. In infancy this is usually a designated infant potty or bowel. As the child ages it can be a modified bathroom toilet with special seats sized for small children. Hand signals or sounds can be used consistently to allow the child to recognize when to "go". I use the American Sign Language toilet sign with my 9 month old son and he is learning to make the sign himself. Soon he will be able to communicate to me that he needs to "go" through association. What is your success with this topic? Do you have any questions? Let us know!

Co-Sleeping

A traditional practice in many parts of the world. In America we have all but abandoned the custom, but is this as healthy for developement as some claim. Share your thoughts on this custom. How do you implement this idea? What questions would you like answered?

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Unassisted Home Birth

If you have experienced an Unassisted Home Birth, share your story here.

Green Babies

What do you do to raise your baby green?

Homeschool

Please share your experience from when you began home schooling your children.

Cloth Diapers

Please share your experience with Cloth Diapering.

Nursing Covers

Please share your first experience with nursing your baby in public.