"Infant toilet training"

"Infant toilet training"

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"Infant toilet training" Posted by KimNH on Dec-21-99 at 09:54 AM (PT)
Just wondering if anyone has tried/is trying this with their little one(s) and how it went. Maybe we could encourage one another. I realize this could be a hot topic and it is not my intention to stir up trouble. Just looking for someone to share with.

Table of Contents

toilet training, sageplant, 12:01 PM, Jan-29-00
clarifications, KimNH, 12:36 PM, Dec-22-99
- trickle treats, Eve, 10:56 PM, Dec-22-99
  - Re: trickle treats, KimNH, 06:12 PM, Dec-23-99
    - Once & Again?, Wings2Fly, 08:38 AM, Dec-28-99
      - with a modern twist, Sofar08, 11:30 PM, Dec-28-99
        
        Big ole' belly laugh!, Kathi, 11:35 PM, Dec-28-99
- Trickle Down Theory-- Ha!, Cheryl, 01:13 PM, Dec-22-99
  - LOL!!, KimNH, 05:50 PM, Dec-23-99
infant potty training, Raggamuffin5, 04:03 PM, Dec-21-99
- infant potty training, shandy, 05:45 PM, Dec-21-99
Potty training infants, Susan, 10:44 AM, Dec-21-99
- infant pottying, Laurie, 08:45 AM, Apr-20-01

Messages in this discussion

12 . "toilet training"
Posted by sageplant on Jan-29-00 at 12:01 PM (PT)

O.k.-first my "babies" are to old to be trying
this,but a close friend of mine has and is doing
this type of "tuning into" her babies grunts,facial
exspressions ect. At first I thought she was crazy
but the more I have watched her and talked about
it the more I thought to myself,"hey why didn't I
ever hear about this before!"She's tuned in to her
little ones,and just takes them to the toilet when
they begin to fuss about having to poop. Now they look at her(even at 8 months) and she says,just a second,and takes them to the bathroom. She doesn't
make this seem uncomfortable for anybody involved.
It looks like a neat way to try with a baby-toddler. If it's to late and she doesn't get
to it soon enough,she just changes the diaper.

4 . "clarifications"
Posted by KimNH on Dec-22-99 at 12:36 PM (PT)

I am not looking for a debate on the subject of toilet training. It is not my intention to put pressure or guilt on anyone over this issue, especially the children.
I have done a little reading on the subject and discovered that the toileting of children is done differently in other parts of the world and the wearing of diapers is somewhat a cultural thing.
The book I read and would direct anyone to who is interested is called Trickle Treat and can be purchased through Amazon.com (and maybe elsewhere, too). The woman who wrote it explained how she did this and also included are her interviews of mothers from other countries where this method is more commom-place.
As Shandy said, it is a matter of being "in tune" with the small child or paying attention to the child's body rhythms and using the toilet instead of diapers. (The word "training" is probably a misnomer, but I didn't know what else to call it). No pressure should be put on the child to "go" if they don't need to and no disapproval given if they "miss" (the same as you would do no matter what age they are "training"). Obviously, this method can be rather time-consuming, especially in large, busy households. That's why I was posting, to see if anyone has or is trying this and how it was going. As with other issues brought up by GS, learning of this method has challenged my thinking about what our children are capable of doing and the intelligence they possess at very young ages. Again, not as a means of putting pressure on them to "perform" or meet some expectation of mine or anyone else's, but to teach them that "this is where we go and Mama will help you to do this when you need to".
I don't know if I am making any sense here; I'm not very good at expressing myself, especially in print. It's also a difficult topic to discuss with someone who hasn't actually tried it or at least read about it. I am willing to discuss further, as able, if there is interest.
Kim

6 . "trickle treats"
Posted by Eve on Dec-22-99 at 10:56 PM (PT)

Hi
I have to confess, this seems more of a bother than its worth, to me. BUT! I thought you'd like to know I happen to know someone who has read that exact book and is trying it with her 4th. Numbers 2 and 3 are 5 yr. old twins still having accidents...thats her motivation. Anyway, she says her appro. 1 yr. old has been on the potty for months and actually uses it a few times a day. I guess its working for her. As you said, its a gentle approach, so what harm is there in trying it, if you want to put in the effort? Eve

8 . "Re: trickle treats"
Posted by KimNH on Dec-23-99 at 06:12 PM (PT)

Thanks for your post, Eve. Glad to know I'm not the only one crazy enough to try something like this, but then I always have marched to the beat of a different drummer. We homeschool, the last three of our children have been born at home, and we have seven of the little blessings instead of the typical 1.8 (or whatever the average is now).
I haven't really found this to be that much of a bother. I mean, your going to change the child's diaper when he messes anyway. It just takes a few extra minutes to take him to the potty instead if you know he is due to go. It is one more thing to have to think about, however, and I confess I'm not always as "in tune" as I would like to be. In some of the other parts of the world where they do this, there is often a gramma around to help out, too.
What I have mostly done at this point is keep track of Lukey's bowel movements (he is 6 mos. old BTW, and I started when he was 3 mos.) I have pretty good success with remembering to take him. I also try to get him on the toilet first thing after he wakes in the morning or naps and he often will "tinkle". And believe me, he knows why he is there. It is truly amazing. And if he doesn't have to go at that time, he lets me know. It's just a matter of body language. I m not as consistent as the woman who wrote the book or maybe as Eve's friend. So, I am curious to see how it will work out as he gets older. That's why I was hoping to find another kindred spirit or two.
Anyway, thanks for letting me share.
Kim

9 . "Once & Again?"
Posted by Wings2Fly on Dec-28-99 at 08:38 AM (PT)

In my grandmother's baby care manuals they show a six-month old baby sitting in Mama's lap with a chamber pot underneath their bare bottom. The key, however, to *that* method was strict regulation of the baby's diet. Yes, nursing was recommended, but only until somewhere between 6-9 months. Cereals were introduced way early along with other supplements like Cod Liver Oil. The baby's day and diet was so routinized that a mother would easily be able to be in tune with the baby's biological functions.
When a baby is being nursed on demand and not fed solids until 6 months or later, when they are allowed to settle into their *own* routine, it probably takes more intuitive effort on the part of the mother to "tune in." However, I, too have been intrigued by other cultures that wear their babies and yet must, obviously, deal with the bodily functions differently. I have no idea how they deal with it and it would be interesting to learn. I have one still in diapers. Mine have all been like Cheryl's -- somewhere between 3 and 3 1/2 they decide they want to use the toilet. But these disposable diapers are costly as well as not being very environmentally friendly.
~Ginny

10 . "with a modern twist"
Posted by Sofar08 on Dec-28-99 at 11:30 PM (PT)

***In my grandmother's baby care manuals they show a six-month old baby sitting in Mama's lap with a chamber pot underneath their bare bottom. The key, however, to *that* method was strict regulation of the baby's diet. Yes, nursing was recommended, but only until somewhere between 6-9 months. Cereals were introduced way early along with other supplements like Cod Liver Oil. The baby's day and diet was so routinized that a mother would easily be able to be in tune with the baby's biological functions. ***
I'm picturing all of these nursing babies and toddlers with a chamber pot tucked under them, sitting on their moms' laps in the *computer chair!* Heh heh
Kathy

11 . "Big ole' belly laugh!"
Posted by Kathi on Dec-28-99 at 11:35 PM (PT)

**I'm picturing all of these nursing babies and toddlers with a chamber pot tucked under them, sitting on their moms' laps in the *computer chair!* Heh heh**
Oh Kathy!!
ROFLOL....that was good for a big ole' belly laugh.
Thanks!
Kathi

5 . "Trickle Down Theory-- Ha!"
Posted by Cheryl on Dec-22-99 at 01:13 PM (PT)

***As Shandy said, it is a matter of being "in tune" with the small child or paying attention to the child's body rhythms and using the toilet instead of diapers. (The word "training" is probably a misnomer, but I didn't know what else to call it). No pressure should be put on the child to "go" if they don't need to and no disapproval given if they "miss" (the same as you would do no matter what age they are "training"). Obviously, this method can be rather time-consuming, especially in large, busy households. ***
Hey, I like this! But then, I have always had nakies running around the house anyhow-- it would be very natural to try this. :)
I'm like Shandy. I never potty train, and usually sometime around 3 or 3-1/2 my kids decide they will use the potty themselves.
But I like this trickle down thingie. Diapers/wipes/A&D are a racket. :P
~Cheryl

7 . "LOL!!"
Posted by KimNH on Dec-23-99 at 05:50 PM (PT)

I like that - "trickle down theory"! I knew someone clever would think of a better name!

2 . "infant potty training"
Posted by Raggamuffin5 on Dec-21-99 at 04:03 PM (PT)

I would not consider "training" an infant, if by infant you mean anyone under two or three years old. Our bladders and colons are not even formed properly until two or in some folks three, so biologically it is not right. It must be very stressful to expect someone to know when they have to use the potty when the nueral connections are not there. Sort of like expecting yourself to be able to know when your phone will ring before it does.
just my .02.
Rags

3 . "infant potty training"
Posted by shandy on Dec-21-99 at 05:45 PM (PT)

I've never done infant potty training...as a matter of fact, I'm one of those scandalous moms who let their children train themselves and figure it will all be ok by age five. And it has been...most thru with wetting day and night by 3 1/2.
What I have heard about infant potty training is that it isn't really training at all. More like mom and baby being very in tune with one another, and the toilet being used instead of diapers. Most of us can tell when our little ones are going messy, right? So, we just rush that little infant to the toilet instead of waiting for him to use his diaper. I would guess the same thing is true for going potty, is that right, Kim?
Kim, I have no opinion on when folks should potty train. With that in mind, I have a question, ok? Why would "training" be preferrable earlier, during the infant months, or say when the baby has learned to walk? I am curious about this, since I am very comfortable with my way of potty training my little ones, and can't identify with those who think I should be putting a little more effort into it. I really have no clue why some might think my children should be trained by age 2 or 3 at the latest. Help me out here! :o/
thanks,
Shandy

1 . "Potty training infants"
Posted by Susan on Dec-21-99 at 10:44 AM (PT)

Hi Kim,
Oops...just lost my first post, so I'll try again. Hope this doesn't show up twice.
I haven't tried this but remember reading an article by Debi Pearl regarding their succees with infant potty training. As I recall, they tried this with their last child after seeing it being done successfully in 3rd world countries. This wasn't a discipline issue and not meant to be stressful. I believe the Pearls have a website, maybe called NO GREATER JOY or TO TRAIN UP A CHILD...perhaps you can find more thorough information there.
I'd like to hear how your training works out...sure would save money on diapers and the pain of diaper rash. That would have to be weighed against the difficulty of training infants.
God Bless,
Susan

13 . "infant pottying"
Posted by Laurie on Apr-20-01 at 08:45 AM (PT)

I suppose this thread is long dead and that everyone's babies are already toilet trained by now, lol. A friend in Germany just forwarded the thread to me. (I'm in Colorado.)
If anyone is still interested in this topic, post a reply and we can discuss it further! I used this method with my third son and it was one of the best things we ever did. I wish I had known about it when the first two were babies.
There are some bulletin board dedicated to this topic if anyone is that interested. Here are a few sites with introductory articles:
http://www.timl.com/tt (this leads to the infant potty training web ring, which contains links to many other sites).
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/infant_potty_training/49208 contains a series of articles (more to be posted too) on this topic.
Laurie

12 . "toilet training" Posted by sageplant on Jan-29-00 at 12:01 PM (PT)
O.k.-first my "babies" are to old to be trying this,but a close friend of mine has and is doing this type of "tuning into" her babies grunts,facial exspressions ect. At first I thought she was crazy but the more I have watched her and talked about it the more I thought to myself,"hey why didn't I ever hear about this before!"She's tuned in to her little ones,and just takes them to the toilet when they begin to fuss about having to poop. Now they look at her(even at 8 months) and she says,just a second,and takes them to the bathroom. She doesn't make this seem uncomfortable for anybody involved. It looks like a neat way to try with a baby-toddler. If it's to late and she doesn't get to it soon enough,she just changes the diaper.

4 . "clarifications" Posted by KimNH on Dec-22-99 at 12:36 PM (PT)
I am not looking for a debate on the subject of toilet training. It is not my intention to put pressure or guilt on anyone over this issue, especially the children. I have done a little reading on the subject and discovered that the toileting of children is done differently in other parts of the world and the wearing of diapers is somewhat a cultural thing. The book I read and would direct anyone to who is interested is called Trickle Treat and can be purchased through Amazon.com (and maybe elsewhere, too). The woman who wrote it explained how she did this and also included are her interviews of mothers from other countries where this method is more commom-place. As Shandy said, it is a matter of being "in tune" with the small child or paying attention to the child's body rhythms and using the toilet instead of diapers. (The word "training" is probably a misnomer, but I didn't know what else to call it). No pressure should be put on the child to "go" if they don't need to and no disapproval given if they "miss" (the same as you would do no matter what age they are "training"). Obviously, this method can be rather time-consuming, especially in large, busy households. That's why I was posting, to see if anyone has or is trying this and how it was going. As with other issues brought up by GS, learning of this method has challenged my thinking about what our children are capable of doing and the intelligence they possess at very young ages. Again, not as a means of putting pressure on them to "perform" or meet some expectation of mine or anyone else's, but to teach them that "this is where we go and Mama will help you to do this when you need to". I don't know if I am making any sense here; I'm not very good at expressing myself, especially in print. It's also a difficult topic to discuss with someone who hasn't actually tried it or at least read about it. I am willing to discuss further, as able, if there is interest. Kim


	6 . "trickle treats" Posted by Eve on Dec-22-99 at 10:56 PM (PT)
	Hi I have to confess, this seems more of a bother than its worth, to me. BUT! I thought you'd like to know I happen to know someone who has read that exact book and is trying it with her 4th. Numbers 2 and 3 are 5 yr. old twins still having accidents...thats her motivation. Anyway, she says her appro. 1 yr. old has been on the potty for months and actually uses it a few times a day. I guess its working for her. As you said, its a gentle approach, so what harm is there in trying it, if you want to put in the effort? Eve


	8 . "Re: trickle treats" Posted by KimNH on Dec-23-99 at 06:12 PM (PT)
	Thanks for your post, Eve. Glad to know I'm not the only one crazy enough to try something like this, but then I always have marched to the beat of a different drummer. We homeschool, the last three of our children have been born at home, and we have seven of the little blessings instead of the typical 1.8 (or whatever the average is now). I haven't really found this to be that much of a bother. I mean, your going to change the child's diaper when he messes anyway. It just takes a few extra minutes to take him to the potty instead if you know he is due to go. It is one more thing to have to think about, however, and I confess I'm not always as "in tune" as I would like to be. In some of the other parts of the world where they do this, there is often a gramma around to help out, too. What I have mostly done at this point is keep track of Lukey's bowel movements (he is 6 mos. old BTW, and I started when he was 3 mos.) I have pretty good success with remembering to take him. I also try to get him on the toilet first thing after he wakes in the morning or naps and he often will "tinkle". And believe me, he knows why he is there. It is truly amazing. And if he doesn't have to go at that time, he lets me know. It's just a matter of body language. I m not as consistent as the woman who wrote the book or maybe as Eve's friend. So, I am curious to see how it will work out as he gets older. That's why I was hoping to find another kindred spirit or two. Anyway, thanks for letting me share. Kim


	9 . "Once & Again?" Posted by Wings2Fly on Dec-28-99 at 08:38 AM (PT)
	In my grandmother's baby care manuals they show a six-month old baby sitting in Mama's lap with a chamber pot underneath their bare bottom. The key, however, to that method was strict regulation of the baby's diet. Yes, nursing was recommended, but only until somewhere between 6-9 months. Cereals were introduced way early along with other supplements like Cod Liver Oil. The baby's day and diet was so routinized that a mother would easily be able to be in tune with the baby's biological functions. When a baby is being nursed on demand and not fed solids until 6 months or later, when they are allowed to settle into their own routine, it probably takes more intuitive effort on the part of the mother to "tune in." However, I, too have been intrigued by other cultures that wear their babies and yet must, obviously, deal with the bodily functions differently. I have no idea how they deal with it and it would be interesting to learn. I have one still in diapers. Mine have all been like Cheryl's -- somewhere between 3 and 3 1/2 they decide they want to use the toilet. But these disposable diapers are costly as well as not being very environmentally friendly. ~Ginny


	10 . "with a modern twist" Posted by Sofar08 on Dec-28-99 at 11:30 PM (PT)
	**In my grandmother's baby care manuals they show a six-month old baby sitting in Mama's lap with a chamber pot underneath their bare bottom. The key, however, to that* method was strict regulation of the baby's diet. Yes, nursing was recommended, but only until somewhere between 6-9 months. Cereals were introduced way early along with other supplements like Cod Liver Oil. The baby's day and diet was so routinized that a mother would easily be able to be in tune with the baby's biological functions. *** I'm picturing all of these nursing babies and toddlers with a chamber pot tucked under them, sitting on their moms' laps in the computer chair! Heh heh Kathy


	11 . "Big ole' belly laugh!" Posted by Kathi on Dec-28-99 at 11:35 PM (PT)
	*I'm picturing all of these nursing babies and toddlers with a chamber pot tucked under them, sitting on their moms' laps in the computer chair!* Heh heh** Oh Kathy!! ROFLOL....that was good for a big ole' belly laugh. Thanks! Kathi


	5 . "Trickle Down Theory-- Ha!" Posted by Cheryl on Dec-22-99 at 01:13 PM (PT)
	*As Shandy said, it is a matter of being "in tune" with the small child or paying attention to the child's body rhythms and using the toilet instead of diapers. (The word "training" is probably a misnomer, but I didn't know what else to call it). No pressure should be put on the child to "go" if they don't need to and no disapproval given if they "miss" (the same as you would do no matter what age they are "training"). Obviously, this method can be rather time-consuming, especially in large, busy households. * Hey, I like this! But then, I have always had nakies running around the house anyhow-- it would be very natural to try this. :) I'm like Shandy. I never potty train, and usually sometime around 3 or 3-1/2 my kids decide they will use the potty themselves. But I like this trickle down thingie. Diapers/wipes/A&D are a racket. :P ~Cheryl


	7 . "LOL!!" Posted by KimNH on Dec-23-99 at 05:50 PM (PT)
	I like that - "trickle down theory"! I knew someone clever would think of a better name!

2 . "infant potty training" Posted by Raggamuffin5 on Dec-21-99 at 04:03 PM (PT)
I would not consider "training" an infant, if by infant you mean anyone under two or three years old. Our bladders and colons are not even formed properly until two or in some folks three, so biologically it is not right. It must be very stressful to expect someone to know when they have to use the potty when the nueral connections are not there. Sort of like expecting yourself to be able to know when your phone will ring before it does. just my .02. Rags


	3 . "infant potty training" Posted by shandy on Dec-21-99 at 05:45 PM (PT)
	I've never done infant potty training...as a matter of fact, I'm one of those scandalous moms who let their children train themselves and figure it will all be ok by age five. And it has been...most thru with wetting day and night by 3 1/2. What I have heard about infant potty training is that it isn't really training at all. More like mom and baby being very in tune with one another, and the toilet being used instead of diapers. Most of us can tell when our little ones are going messy, right? So, we just rush that little infant to the toilet instead of waiting for him to use his diaper. I would guess the same thing is true for going potty, is that right, Kim? Kim, I have no opinion on when folks should potty train. With that in mind, I have a question, ok? Why would "training" be preferrable earlier, during the infant months, or say when the baby has learned to walk? I am curious about this, since I am very comfortable with my way of potty training my little ones, and can't identify with those who think I should be putting a little more effort into it. I really have no clue why some might think my children should be trained by age 2 or 3 at the latest. Help me out here! :o/ thanks, Shandy

1 . "Potty training infants" Posted by Susan on Dec-21-99 at 10:44 AM (PT)
Hi Kim, Oops...just lost my first post, so I'll try again. Hope this doesn't show up twice. I haven't tried this but remember reading an article by Debi Pearl regarding their succees with infant potty training. As I recall, they tried this with their last child after seeing it being done successfully in 3rd world countries. This wasn't a discipline issue and not meant to be stressful. I believe the Pearls have a website, maybe called NO GREATER JOY or TO TRAIN UP A CHILD...perhaps you can find more thorough information there. I'd like to hear how your training works out...sure would save money on diapers and the pain of diaper rash. That would have to be weighed against the difficulty of training infants. God Bless, Susan


	13 . "infant pottying" Posted by Laurie on Apr-20-01 at 08:45 AM (PT)
	I suppose this thread is long dead and that everyone's babies are already toilet trained by now, lol. A friend in Germany just forwarded the thread to me. (I'm in Colorado.) If anyone is still interested in this topic, post a reply and we can discuss it further! I used this method with my third son and it was one of the best things we ever did. I wish I had known about it when the first two were babies. There are some bulletin board dedicated to this topic if anyone is that interested. Here are a few sites with introductory articles: http://www.timl.com/tt (this leads to the infant potty training web ring, which contains links to many other sites). http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/infant_potty_training/49208 contains a series of articles (more to be posted too) on this topic. Laurie

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