“Satisfied needs disappear. Unfulfilled needs stay with us throughout our lives.”
(NORA IMLAU)
In addition to food, sleep, cleanliness, security, love and affection, the ability to excrete freely is also one of a baby's basic needs. We will show you how you can also fulfill the latter without any additional effort.
We all know the situation. We hear about something new, read a little about it and then are totally unsure whether and how we should implement this “new” thing. You probably felt the same way about the terms “diaper-free”, “elimination communication” and “holding the baby”.
If you are now thinking:
- How do I start going diaper-free?
- How do I hold my baby?
- How do I know when my baby needs to go to the toilet?
Then we can tell you: It's good that you've landed here. Because we can assure you that you will find a good basis for your diaper-free start here. In this blog post we will talk about examples of standard holding situations, tips for holding and signals from the baby.
Generally, it is assumed that a baby's instinct not to wet itself is strongest in the first three months. In newborns, this often manifests itself in the fact that they start urinating immediately after opening their diaper. In addition, three-month colic often occurs in the first few months, which is caused by the body's instinct to "hold in" until they can excrete freely. Even if the first three months have already passed for you, it is not too late to try going diaper-free! ..so let's get started!
You are in a standard diaper changing situation . Your baby is lying on the changing table or wherever he or she is normally changed. You can now try the following:
Cradle hold : you hold your baby in the cradle hold and place a bowl/potty under the bottom or stand in front of a sink. Now you can make the "psssssss" noise, for example, to convey a so-called key signal and to relax. Be a little patient and maybe something will even end up in the bowl/potty straight away.
Spread-squat position : once it feels comfortable and safe for you, you can try holding your baby in the spread-squat position. This is best done over a sink or potty.
Other standard situations in which you can try to hold your baby:
- During breastfeeding (first give one breast, then hold it, then give the other breast/while breastfeeding in the cradle position simply slide a potty underneath)
- After waking up
- After carrying in a sling or carrier
- If you feel like it might be a good fit
- Simply offer it (many children do it when it is offered, regardless of time and situation)
Signals from the baby that indicate the need to excrete can be babbling, stretching, making faces, crying, restlessness or flatulence.
It may be that all of this seems very complicated and time-consuming and not suitable for the sometimes very demanding everyday life with your baby. If so, let me just say one thing: take the pressure off yourself and your child and take a deep breath. It's not about success or failure. It's just about offering your baby a potty in which to eliminate instead of changing a full diaper. It's quite possible that holding the baby in the toilet three times in a row won't work. Don't give up and just try again in a different situation. Every child is different and has individual needs. This is particularly evident when holding the baby in the toilet.