[Sternchen]

http://www.timl.com/tt/

Here's a brief synopsis from the website for the readaphobic:

This web ring is about working with *infants* or toddlers towards accomplishing what is commonly known as "potty training." There is no term to suitably describe "infant potty training" (IPT) as a whole, since (a) an infant cannot sit on a potty and (b) the process is more akin to teamwork (with your baby) and interconnectedness than actual training. Communication is the key to connecting with your baby about elimination. I refer to this method as "infant pottying" and "infant potty training." Another popular name for it is "elimination communication" or "EC."
Perhaps the most unique characteristic of this method is that parents typically begin working with a baby before she can even sit. Instead of beginning research on toilet training around the time a child takes her first steps, parents need to consider this method during pregnancy or the first weeks/months after delivery.

1. Observation - Lay your undiapered baby in a comfortable, warm and safe place, then observe her:
a) timing (how long and how frequently she goes after waking or feeding)
b) body language (such as twisting or grimacing while defecating)
c) sounds (such as grunting while defecating)

This can also be done using a sling. In fact, babywearing is one of the best ways to become familiar with your baby's elimination timing and patterns since you know straightaway when she goes. It is especially beneficial in cold climates or rooms without sufficient heating. Some mothers keep their babies naked in the sling, carrying them skin-to-skin, which keeps baby at a perfect body temperature. If so desired, you can keep a cloth diaper under her while in the sling. It is, of course, not a requirement to keep your baby naked in the sling. Even if she is wearing some clothing and/or a cloth dipe without a waterproof cover, you will know when she goes.
2. Anticipation or Intuition
Anticipate when your infant needs to go, then at that moment, make a watery sound such as "sssss." Alternatively, if your baby starts to go while you are observing her, immediately make the "sssss" sound. Within a few days, your baby will associate this sound with elimination.
3. Position & Toilet Place
When you think your infant needs to go, hold her gently and securely over your preferred toilet place while giving an audible signal ("sssss" or whatever sound/words you prefer). Your baby will soon associate the sound, position and place with elimination. Use whatever location and receptacle are most comfy and convenient. Examples include the bathroom sink, a mixing bowl, a basin and the outdoors. Older babies can sit between your legs on the toilet.
4. Baby-Mother Communication
From now on, pay close attention to baby's timing and signals. When you think she needs to go, hold her in position and give your signal. If it is near time to go, infants are able to relax those muscles upon receiving your cues.

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I'm sorry, but I'd rather not have baby poo in my mixing bowl (what the lady is holding)!! I'd rather change diapers...

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

I think it's crap {no pun inteneded} to be honest.
Sure, you might be able to time a baby so catch it's pee, but why would you want to?
I don't think it's reasonable.

I'm sick, and willing to admit it, but I enjoy changing my babies.
My twins will be 3 next month and we've been trying to train them, but honestly, I don't care if they're in diapers for another year, they're my last babies.
I like wiping then pinching their sweet cheeks!

[Jill]

potty training at birth???LOL! Seriously?ummmmmm...Pretty soon they will be able to feed them selves..and hey!...maybe....pay for college..what do they need us moms for anymore??HEEHEE!

I think its silly in all honesty/kids will be trained when they are emotionally ready..they are WAY WAY TOO youndg at birth to learn much....my girls were trained by age 2...worked fine for me.I enjoyed takin care of them and miss that awesome age!Why rush....????They grow up WAY too quick as it is...sniff...

[caitlin1214]

Potty training a child THAT early takes away the joys of when the child is a little older and you hearing, "Mommy! Daddy! I DID it!" (And then you can take them out for ice cream afterwards.)

[Megs]

I really think that is silly. A baby needs the parent to take care of it fully- that is one of the only times in a child's life that it relies fully 100% on its parent. It needs to have that time for itself... let it use a diaper for goodness sake!!

Swanky, the little girl I nanny turned 3 in March and she will really have nothing to do with being potty trained right now. She will occasionally go, but rarely- her parents just say that she will decide when she is ready. It doesn't bother them, and it doesn't bother me! She is holding onto it for a reason, so we all let her

[caitlin1214]

Training them that early also forces them to do something that every book/doctor/psychiatrist says a child should wait to do when they're emotionally ready.

[ArmCandyLuvr]

Silly is all I can say. I mean, what are you supposed to do when you're out in public or at someone's home? You can't say, "Hey, can I borrow your mixing bowl, so my baby can poop in it?"

[rileygirl]

Oh my......

[Sternchen]

Originally Posted by ArmCandyLuvr

Silly is all I can say. I mean, what are you supposed to do when you're out in public or at someone's home? You can't say, "Hey, can I borrow your mixing bowl, so my baby can poop in it?"

[mh21]

I can't imagine spending the day(s) just watching my baby's cues for pees and poos. I am so busy as it is (like any parent) I just don't have the time. Then imagine missing a cue and the baby doing their business on the floor etc? Then having to spend precious time cleaning the mess.

[mshel]

THat's the stupidest thing I've ever read. Some psychologist out there is writing a book on this likely and making boo koo buckaroonies. They'll be a slew of people that 'follow'.
MEH

[ParkAvenuePrincess]

ok, I'm going to play devils advocate here, but I disagree.
In many 'developing' countries nappies are not an option, so mothers must look for other alternatives. The idea of 'potty training' a baby may seem a little off whack to the 'civilised' world but just because its something we are unaccustomed to, does that make it wrong?

From what I understand from that artical, its less about 'training' your baby to poop & pee on cue in the right place & more about a mother (or father) learning enough about their baby so as to be able to preempt their needs.

Now, lets face it, that is exactly what we parents (or parents to be) hope to achieve in other areas of our babies care, so is it not a natural progression to extend that to all aspects of our babies care? Do we wait until our babies are crying & screaming to feed them? or do we learn to recognise the signs of an immeniently hungry baby? Do we wait until a baby cries before we try & work out what it wants?

I'm not saying I'm behind it 100 percent. I'm just saying that just because its a concept that we might find unnatural to our way of life, doesn't mean we should cast it aside without giving it some consideration. You could look at it from the other side & ask is it really very natural to wrap a baby in layers of manmade fibres & plastics just so we don't have to deal with the babies waste to such an extent?

I should perhaps point out that personally, I am not going to be following this method, but I am using 100% organic recycled bamboo nappies that are fully washable & 100% biodegradeable. I will be allowing my baby to go 'nappyless' as much as possible around the house & in the garden.

[Swanky Mama Of Three]

From what I understand from that artical, its less about 'training' your baby to poop & pee on cue in the right place & more about a mother (or father) learning enough about their baby so as to be able to preempt their needs.

right, that's what some of us said. . . so it's not really potty training.
Trying to actually potty train an infant is silly IMO.

[shushopn]

My niece just turned 2 and has been pooping on the potty since 9 months old!! My bil and sil (who I'm not big fans of anyway) always seem to have her on the potty for an really long time, playing and reading to her.

Personally, my twins were ready when they were ready, period. Nothing I did could change that.

I remember trying special cloth diapers that let them feel the wetness but wouldn't let the wetness out. One of my sons peed in it and looked suprised and yelled "Mommy, guess what?!" I was all excited thinking he was going to tell me he felt wet and uncomfortable. Instead he said, "Mommy, I just peed and I LOVE it b/c it feels like I'm in a swimming pool!!!" Threw those silly things right out after that.

[ArmCandyLuvr]

Originally Posted by shushopn

I remember trying special cloth diapers that let them feel the wetness but wouldn't let the wetness out. One of my sons peed in it and looked suprised and yelled "Mommy, guess what?!" I was all excited thinking he was going to tell me he felt wet and uncomfortable. Instead he said, "Mommy, I just peed and I LOVE it b/c it feels like I'm in a swimming pool!!!" Threw those silly things right out after that.

LOL...kids can be so funny at times!