Diaper Free Babies?
by Kyeann Sayer, Nomad on 12.21.05
We have recently told you about biodegradable diapers and reusables. Without enough specific knowledge of cross-cultural child rearing practices, I've harbored a fantasy of a third option: there are places in the world where babies (or, toddlers at least) don't have to be hauled around in their own stuff all of the time because they're running freely in areas where it's OK for them to relieve themselves wherever. It did not occur to me that those places might be Manhattan apartments.
Recently, CNN ran a piece about Diaper Free Baby "a network of free support groups promoting a natural approach to responding to babies' elimination needs." One name for this is Elimination Communication and one aspect involves reading baby's body language and facial expressions to know when it's time to go. Then, the little one is held over a toilet or her own portable pot whose contents can be flushed. Of course, this takes a considerable amount of attention. Some parents use the method with diapers, others don't. The news story showed tykes crawling around New York living rooms diaperless to be whisked away when necessary. The support group aspect of this seems crucial!
Proponents of Elimination Communication emphasize increased communion between parents and children. The money saved on diapers and reduced environmental impact are side benefits. For parents who are up to it, it seems like a sure way to reduce the child rearing footprint. What do you think? Are you up to the Elimination Communication Challenge? ::Diaper Free Baby
Sounds like this plan would be throwing out 1000+ years of civilization.
D'oh ..didn't Homer Simpson suggest this when Marge was arrested for shoplifing?
this is interesting but it seems a little "fringy". More for rich women who will do anything to find meaning and purpose in life (those ones who try the new fad religion every week) then for real people who have to you know.. work
my greek grandmother used this method with all six of her kids.
Umm, sorry if I'm ruffling some feathers here, but the above comments sound like the comments of MEN. Single men, without kids.
This is something women have done with their infants for millenia. It's not something just for rich modern women with nothing but time on their hands. It's not something that will inherently "jettison 1000+ years of civilization." (HUH?)
That said, our modern world has made it nearly impossible for parents or caretakers to spend that much time focusing on watching their children, which makes it very hard to actually do this.
But who says you couldn't try it, on a nice spring day, in a park or in your yard, on a few consecutive lazy Sunday afternoons? To me folks, this sounds like a delightful way to connect intimately with your baby.
Don't be so dismissive, is all I'm saying.
Funny how my opinions change... My sister in law did this with her first. We had sons 1 week apart, and I thought it was disgusting (sorry). I think the main thing was, she DID not stay on top of it and she had stains all over her living room. Yuck. Now with my third son, we leave his diaper off alot around the house and try to stay in tune to his body language and then say "hmmm, let's go to the potty" when he starts looking for a corner. I am far from rich, have two other sons, but I do think this method makes us all more aware of his natural rythm and potty training seems easier...