"Fulfilled needs disappear. Unfulfilled ones stay with us for a lifetime."
(NORA IMLAU)
In addition to eating, sleeping, cleanliness, safety, love, and affection, a baby's free elimination is also one of its basic needs. We'll show you how you can fulfill this need without additional effort.
We all know the situation: we hear about something new, read a little about it, and then feel completely unsure whether and how we should implement this "new thing." This is probably how you felt about the terms diaper-free, elimination communication, and infant pottying.
If you're now thinking:
- How do I start with diaper-free?
- How do I hold my baby for pottying?
- How do I recognize that my baby needs to eliminate?
Then we can tell you: It's a good thing you ended up here. Because here you will find a good basis for your diaper-free start.
In this blog post, we talk about standard pottying situations, tips for pottying, and typical signals from your baby.
It is generally assumed that a baby's instinct not to wet itself is particularly strong in the first three months. This often manifests itself in newborns by immediately urinating after their diaper is opened.
Even if the first three months have already passed for you, it is not too late to try diaper-free.
So let's get started.
Pottying in the standard diapering situation
You are in a normal diapering situation. Your baby is lying on the changing table or wherever they are usually changed.
You can now try the following:
Cradle hold
You hold your baby in a cradle hold and place a bowl, a pottying pot, or stand in front of a sink under their bottom.
Now you can, for example, make the "psssssss" sound to convey a so-called key signal.
Relax, have a little patience, and maybe something will even end up in the bowl or pot.
Squat-spread hold
As soon as it feels good and safe for you, you can try to hold your baby in the squat-spread position for pottying.
This works particularly well over a sink or a potty.
Other standard pottying situations
- during breastfeeding
- after waking up
- after being carried in a sling or carrier
- when you feel it might be appropriate
- simply offer
Many children go when offered – regardless of time or situation.
Typical signals from your baby
Signals that may indicate a need to eliminate include:
- Babbling
- Stretching out
- Making faces
- Crying
- Restlessness
- Gas
Here you can find typical signals by age.
If it feels complicated
It may be that all of this seems very complicated and time-consuming to you – especially in the already demanding daily life with a baby.
Then let me just say one thing:
Take the pressure off yourself and your child.
Take a deep breath.
It's not about success or failure. It's about offering your baby a potty instead of a full diaper, where they can eliminate.
It is entirely possible that pottying won't work three times in a row.
Especially at the beginning, practical pottying diapers provide security without building pressure.
Don't give up and simply try again in a different situation.
Every child is different and has individual needs. This is particularly evident when it comes to pottying.
