Tips for starting EC at 11m

boogerbearoriginal

LO is almost 11m, and I've started noticing his patterns and cues for toileting. I always found EC interesting, but never looked into much just because I didn't think we'd be able to commit to it with both me/H working FT.

Our schedules have changed and now H is home with LO a large portion of the day and he's on-board with starting ECing. We are going to buy a baby toilet and start working on it but I wonder if anyone has tips for starting at a later age. I've read a little online but it all seems geared towards 4-6m old children.

Thanks!

tokenhoser

"Diaper Free Baby" has some info for starting later. Pretty much, try to get him on the potty when you notice he needs to go, comment on what's happening (you can also introduce the sign for toilet), change quickly if he goes in a diaper.

lovekissedmama

The first step is giving him a chance to be aware of eliminating. The book The Diaper-Free Baby suggests going diaper free as often as you are willing and drawing his attention to his eliminations. Pay attention to his behaviour before and during eliminations. The second step is introducing a cue sound, like psssssss while he pees or grunting while he poops. Third step is introducing him to a place for his eliminations and cuing him. Potty chair, toilet insert, container, whatever you are both comfortable with. The most important thing I have found with ecing is treating it like a natural occurrence - I don't get mad when she pees on the floor and I don't shower her with praise when she tells me she needs to poop before she does. We talk about the eliminations and I say things like "it must feel better now that you've had a big pee" or "pooping in the toilet is so much more comfortable for you than a diaper isn't it?" we read on the potty, sing, clap, its really great one on one time. She actually consistently lets me know she needs to poop by plugging her nose, she thinks it's hilarious! I highly recommend the book.

rae_dylanzmom

We go diaper-free as often as we can, and D seems to get peeing outside. I think the biggest advice to add to the comments above is to be patient. Doesn't happen overnight!

Oh, and I bought a toilet seat that fits over the adult size.... D is scared of it, which sort of makes sense (sitting over some big hole). I think I would start with one of those closer to the ground models. 

boogerbearoriginal

Thanks ladies! I'll have to check out that book. I got a bjorn potty that I've seen recommended around here. Thus far LO has found it fun to play with lol.

We will work on diaper free time now. And we are taking a week off in two week so that may be an ideal time to really get going. 

I have to say, part of my motivation is not wanting to deal with poopy CDs anymore!  Plus LO has been been so miserable with diaper changes lately it will be lovely to not feel like I'm torturing him every few hours.