this is all well and good if you can stand around staring at your baby all day, but as a woman who works full time married to a man who works full time, diaperless babies are out of the question.

EC is an awesome idea. My wife and I have been doing it for our son since he was 2 months old (he's almost 11 months now). Yes, it requires that you pay attention to your child, but you don't have to "stand around staring at your baby all day". You just pay attention to their queues. It might cause more confusion than anything, though, to only do it at night when the baby isn't in day care (I'm a stay-at-home dad, so that's how we can do it easily).

Remember, though, teresa and all others who share that "if it doesn't work for me, it's useless" sentiment. There is only one parenting rule that works for everyone: love your child. Everything else is personal opinion and what that particular child needs.

I found an alternative to both cloth and disposables! They are called gdiapers (www.gdiapers.com) and they use a reusable outer diaper with an insert that is flushable. It seems like the greenest and most practical option since EC (elimination communication) sounds pretty time and energy intensive and not an option available for everyone and cloth diapers use a lot of water for washing. You can find gdiapers online or at Wild Oats or Whole Foods.

I was so excited to discover these and looking forward to trying them when I have a baby!

-------Writer's Note-------
We have, of course, covered gdiapers once or twice before. They are not without their own conundrums.

First, I think it's cool that the idea of elimination communication is getting more coverage, because for people who have chosen lifestyles into which it can fit, it seems like it can have environmental and family benefits. It seems similar to how most people deal with feeding babies--we watch, listen, and respond to thier signals! Makes some sense. I, however, am in the (large) category of families where both/all caregivers work at least part time, so I need a different solution.

Hence my need to chime in on the whole gDiapers thing. I am so relieved that there is an alternative in the "diaper debate." When I saw the first treehugger post on them (about a year ago?), I was hugely skeptical--it sounded like a plumbing disaster and at the time I didn't fully understand the advantages of the flushing bit. But recently they caught my eye again because they got cradle-to-cradle certification and the NRDC said they have a clear environmental edge over both cloth and disposable!! Plus, they have been out long enough now that I've heard from real users and people like using them. So now we're decided--our baby, due in a few months, will be a gDiapers baby!

Sorry to double-post, but by following all the links I am learning that it's not an all-or-nothing deal, this elimination communication thing. If you read the funny article by the diaperless dad, he notes that their kid actually WEARS diapers as a precaution almost all the time--they just don't get dirty very often (at least not with poo) because the baby is taken to the toilet before the diaper gets soiled.

So this got me thinking that maybe e.c. could work out for a baby like mine, who'll be in out-of-home care a few days a week after he/she is about 4 or 5 months old? Since it's not about "training" the baby so much as "training" the parents, I don't imagine it would through to huge of a monkey wrench in things to use diapers a few days a week in day care and then try e.c. at home? Anybody tried that?

If you are so concerned about the environment, why are you people still continuing to breed?

Ha ha. Everytime treehugger does a story on diapers, someone posts a comment that people should not have any children "if they really care." I promise, I'm not going to have 20 kids (or even four). And hey, since you brought it up, why are YOU still here? I mean, if you really want to put your money where your mouth is....

But seriously, anytime there is any discussion on anything, someone posts a comment accusing everyone else of not "really caring" because they aren't taking his/her approach. For instance, when there is a post about a new technology for cleaner cars, someone inevitably says that everyone discussing cars couldn't possibly really care because if they did, they would all ride bikes. Yes, bikes are better, this is true, and there is no harm in mentioning that. Hey, I gave up my car! But instead of beating up on well-meaning people because they aren't doing everything WE think they should do, shouldn't we applaud each other's efforts? One of the main reasons "regular people" don't do stuff to help the environment is because they feel overwhelmed, like whatever they do, is not going to be enough. I don't want to add to that feeling.

Yeah, so anyway, I will be having children. I'll also do my best to do it green. Hate away.

I've been looking into and learning a lot about Elimination Communication ever since running into a book on it at the library. While the first book I discovered was good ("Diaper Free" by Ingrid Bauer), I have discovered a second book I think is even more helpful in learning about EC and how to do it.

It's "The Diaper Free Baby" by Christina Gross-Loh.
She addresses all three categories of parents, full time, part time and occasional EC'ers. So, for those of you who work full time and think EC is impossible, it's not. She gives realistic suggestions on how to incorporate it into a normal life.

Now I can't honestly tell you if it works or it's actually helpful, only because my baby hasn't made it's apperance yet. However, I have enjoyed the book and for some of you skeptics out there, it may be worth checking out from the library or browsing at the bookstore.

I enjoyed your photo selection! And good discussion on this stinky subject:) You & your readers may also be interested in our thoughts on this "still raging" debate.
http://www.alternativeconsumer.com/2007/03/12/organic-cloth-baby-diapers-feels-right/

We do EC at our home and honestly I think it is practical for everyone. It doesn't have to be an all or nothing approach. People can do EC part time, using diapers at daycare and doing EC at home, even if both parents work full time, some daycare providers are even willing to help out. Even when doing it only part time parents have had success in getting their children out of diapers completely well before most children even start potty training in our society. Also if you have an infant you pretty much have to watch them every second regardless, so I really don't understand that argument, but babies can give pretty solid cues, like getting fussy and babies also eliminate after naps.

I also don't agree that G diapers put an end to the cloth/disposable debate. Cloth diapers are still more environmentally friendly then g-diapers (regardless of what their website claims) and g-diapers would take more time and energy for me that using cloth diapers or doing EC. Doing EC and using cloth diapers as a back up is by far the most environmentally friendly option out there. It's also the most affordable option. All you need is a bowl or baby bjorn potty, a few cloth diapers and maybe a few diaper covers and thats it. You could easily buy all the things you need to do EC for less then the cost of a month worth of disposable diapers.

I collected all medias coverage on EC at my page http://nodiaper.beinsa.info/no_pampers7.htm

Target has a brand of diapers that are completely biodegradable (packaging as well). The brand is Nature Babycare. It also carries wipes, shampoo, body wash, lotion, and diaper rash stuff (maybe more). My wife and I have been very pleased with how they've performed. Pretty comparable price wise as well.