This is part one of a two part post.  Tomorrow stay tuned for a Q&A with Christine Gross-Loh about her book.

My journey to Elimination Communication has only just begun, and since I came to it knowing little, to nothing about how EC works,  I decided internet research alone could only go so far.  The internet did lead me to an excellent book to read which has helped my journey tremendously.  The Diaper-Free Baby: The Natural Toilet Training Alternative, authored by Christine Gross-Loh, is an invaluable tool to anyone hoping to practice EC.  The most important thing that the book hopes to get across is this: EC is not an all or nothing endeavor.  When my friends find out about my son using a potty at 6 months old, I can only imagine what images run through their minds.  Do they picture me holding him captive on a potty while he screams and squirms to be released from my icy grasp?  Or, do they imagine my son naked, spraying his urine wildly in the air like a fire house, with no control over his bodily functions?  Maybe they think I am constantly scrubbing my carpet?  I honestly don’t know what they think, nor do I care.  I only wish they would all read this book!  Christine breaks EC into categories, or tracks, based upon the time and effort you wish to put into it.  You can practice EC on a full time basis.  A full time ECer would aim to catch (a term ECers use when referring to their child peeing on a potty, or into a diaper) virtually all of their child’s eliminations.  A part-time ECer wants to practice when they can, but probably won’t let their child be completely diaper free.  They would also probably not practice EC out of the home.  They may also only catch bowel movements, which for most children are the easiest to predict.  An occasional ECer may only catch 1 pee or poop a day, if that.  They may be working parents who have only evenings and weekends to attempt.  Or, they might just offer a potty break during prime times like in the morning or at a diaper change.  Between the three tracks there is tons of wiggle room.  That is what I love about EC!  My first day I caught 7 pees!  I was extremely intent on my new hobby.  But, life gets hectic.  If I am running errands I fall back to diapers and only attempt potty time 1-3 times that day.

My son practicing being diaper free. You may be able to see the pee in the potty.

The book is laid out based on these tracks, and also the time at which you have decided to start trying EC with your child.  I found it extremely helpful that the book was organized as a reference tool.  If you didn’t start until your child was in middle infancy, you could turn to that section.  She went over the basics all over again, briefly, and then offered suggestions on the best ways to begin EC with a baby at that age.  And, if you started from birth, you could skip to how to practice at that moment, without reading the introductions.  I had no idea there were so many ways to practice EC.  If you began from birth, she discussed the different holds you could use to position a newborn over a toilet or sink.  As the baby ages and potties can be used, there are tricks on how to make potty time fun.  All of these things will help in my journey.

When I had just barely read the introduction, I started my first “half” day of EC.  I had just gone to Babies R Us and purchased my little potty, and was ecstatic to begin using it.  I knew that day my son needed to have a BM.  I had him sitting on his potty, but he wanted to stand.  He kept his legs straight, and his knees locked.  This is not conducive to being a boy, and peeing.  When he did pee, he peed on me.  This, my friends, is what you call a “miss”.  Except, instead of not knowing he had to go, and letting it happen in a diaper or on the floor, it happened on me.  While I focused on the fact that he must have some more pee coming… he was focused on something else.  He secretly, and very quietly, with no facial expressions or grunts, crapped on the front of the potty, and on the floor.  I had no clue until I felt the crap- with my foot.

A few nights later I finally got the time to read more of my book.  I was feeling pretty bad about my only experience with EC.  My hopes were high that The Diaper Free Baby could give me some miracle answer to save my EC attempts in the future.  I wouldn’t call it a magic answer, but I did learn things that saved our EC journey, and put it back on track.  First, it suggested to try offering the potty at certain times of the day, when babies are most likely to pee.  Of course!  I offered the potty to my son the morning after I read this.  He peed!  Oh how exciting, I cannot even express how cool that was!  I continued offering him the potty after he awoke from naps, and after nursing.  By just offering at those times I caught 7 pees.  I missed about 4 in diapers which were placed on him, or under him.  The next tip: use “cues” to help baby understand when to potty.  Basically, every time your baby pees, even if it is in a diaper, you should make a “psst” noise, or say pee.  And for poops, a grunting noise, or say poop, or whatever you want.  Eventually, your baby will associate the noise to the action, and can then be “cued” to do it by the noise!  If you think that is crazy, it isn’t.  My son has a pavlovian response to the click of my nursing bra.  His mouth opens, and he gets into position!  Maybe I am imagining things, but after a few pees with the “psst” noise, I noticed he began contracting his stomach muscles and forced himself to pee when I cued him on the potty.  It wasn’t always like that, but it happens sometimes.

The book also lays out some essential tools you will need for practicing EC, and some not so essential, but helpful, items.  I remember my uncle telling me how odd it was to see babies and toddlers walking around China wearing crotchless pants.  Of course now I realize these babies were ECing, and the parents decided to make life easier by letting them be diaper free, but decided to keep their legs warm!  I already owned Baby Legs, which make diaper changing easy; they also make diaper free time easy as well!  Potties are mentioned as well.  I purchased the Baby Bjorn Little Potty.  She even gives a mini introduction to cloth diapers, and outlines the types and functions of the diapers available.

7-08-09 My son finally sat on the potty to pee!!!

To anyone even slightly curious about Elimination Communication, go to your library and check out The Diaper Free Baby.  Or, purchase your own copy.  It is an invaluable resource for someone starting EC, and a good read for anyone just curious!  By reading the book, you aren’t guaranteed success, and it won’t impart to you the perfect way to EC.  Every child is different, and so far I have been very lucky.  We may hit a potty pause, which is also addressed in the book.  For now, I am enjoying keeping my son comfortable and dry, and saving myself some diaper laundry.  The book also notes that just because you EC, if doesn’t guarantee that your child will be potty TRAINED at an earlier age than other children.  Your chances of that are very high, but not guaranteed.  So, if you are intrigued, please give EC a chance in your home.  Just try putting your child over your own toilet once, just once, first thing in the morning.  You may catch a pee, and be hooked!

*** I really debated about whether or not I should show this video I took of my son peeing on the potty.  I may take it down quickly, but I wanted to show what EC looks like.  A word or warning, there is full frontal baby nudity.  Obviously this is not a sexual thing, but if you are offended by a baby penis then don’t click on the video.  Also, I want to add that since taking this video he has learned to sit on the potty to pee.***

If you want to purchase a copy you can find it on amazon.com

The carnage of Fluffy Mail excitement.

Today my mailbox was stuffed!  I got two diapers:  a GAD (Green Acre Designs) in meadow lime with an organic bamboo velour inner and a hemp insert, and a Sweet Pea One Size diaper with 2 microfiber inserts.  These were sent for me to review.  They are currently being prepped and will get the Fletcher treatment soon enough.  I am excited to try the GAD most of all.  This company has a great reputation, not to mention the diaper is way too cute.  It is side snapping, which is something I have wanted to try for a while.  Sweet Pea is a Canadian company, with a few retailers carrying their diapers in the states.  I have also read a great review about their diaper.  It is a snapping one size.  I love my snaps!  Besides these two, I have a Smartipants, ES Baby, and Kissaluvs Marvel review either filmed, or set to be tested.  I am extremely excited about all of the amazing reviews coming up.  I hope everyone is finding them informative.  

If there is a diaper you are dying to see on video, let me know.  I will try and get it to review.  And, if you are a company that would like me to try your diaper and film a review, contact me at dirtydiaperlaundry@gmail.com.

Teething babies…. they are absolutely no fun. Being a parent to one is hard because there isn’t much you can do for them. My son in particular does not enjoy teething rings, cold wash cloths, or any of the typical toys that are supposed to make both of our lives easier. I also would rather not medicate my son with tylenol or numb his gums with teething gels. So, what is a mother to do?

I stumbled across these, Amber Teething Necklaces made by Inspired by Finn. At first, I was confused by their purpose. Were they meant to be chewed on by the baby? No. They are worn by the baby.  Here is what their website says about these necklaces.

Among other things, amber is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory. When amber is worn on the skin, the warmth of the skin releases trace amounts of healing oils on the skin. Commonly known as “teething jewelry,” baltic amber has been a natural and traditional European remedy for teething discomfort for hundreds of years. To read more about the many benefits of baltic amber, click here.

Our necklaces and bracelets are handcrafted with amber beads imported from the Baltic Region. They are made of authentic Baltic amber, the most esteemed type of amber in the world. The translucency of amber depends on the amount of air bubbles contained within a piece of amber and their distribution. Some believe the color is related to the type of tree source.

Succinic acid is the most beneficial component of the amber. I have read that the darkest colored amber generally contains less succinic acid than lighter colors. I have also read that the more cloudy or opaque amber is, the more succinic acid it contains (and usually the more cloudy amber is the nearer to the color white it becomes).

I received this necklace a week ago, and of course when I was excited to try it out and see how it worked, my son decided to put teething on hold. He recently cut his two bottom teeth, but there is not even a hint of any others making their way out. So, I asked another mother about her experience with the necklace.

My son has severe acid reflux and had colic and was teething at the time I ordered my amber necklace. He was miserable as we all were. He was screaming hysterically 8+ hours a day. Tylenol would only knock the edge off and the Hyland’s Tablets and OraGel were completely useless…not to mention I felt guilty for putting so many chemicals in his system. I was desperate.

I ordered from Inspired by Finn and received my necklace in less than a week. Less than 24 hours later, I had a happy, smiling baby again. I completely swear by these amber necklaces. They are a lifesaver!! I truly believe that they also help with the reflux as well as the teething. I tell anyone who will listen about them. I know people think it is crazy and dangerous to put a necklace on an infant, but these are completely safe with supervision. All of the beads are individually knotted so if it should break, the necklace will stay intact.

My son is never without his necklace because I’m too afraid to find out what the consequences would be without it. I am a total believer and I have a happy baby to prove it!!

I personally put this necklace on my son first thing in the morning, and remove it for his naps and when he goes to bed. The bonus, they look adorable! I call him my little surfer boy.

If you want to win one of your choice, up to 17″ in length, for your little one, here is how.  You have a chance of up to 6 entries!  And if you don’t win, be sure to use the discount code BLOG for 20% off of your order!!!  The giveaway ends Friday June 12 at 9 PM (ish… in case my son isn’t wanting to go to bed.)  I will be drawing the winner using random.org.  Good luck!  

1.  Leave a comment with your name and email address.  Go to Inspired by Finn‘s site and let me know if you won, which would you choose?

Extra Entry opportunities!  Just remember for every one you do, leave a separate comment!

2. Use Google Connect to Follow my blog.  If you use Google Reader, this is a great way to keep up with mine, and any other blog you follow via Google Connect.  If you already follow me, you still get an extra.  Just leave me a comment telling me.

3.  Follow me via Twitter.  Leave a comment to tell me you did, or already do! 

4.  Retweet this giveaway (@kdhoney1) or post a link on your own blog.  Leave a comment with a link.

5.  For 2 extras, Fave this blog using Technorati and leave 2 separate comments.

****Since these necklaces are worn by your baby, it is important to only allow them to be worn while the child is being supervised.****

A while back I posted a video review of Gro Baby diapers, which can be seen or read here: Gro Baby Video Review,  or watch a video comparison of Gro Baby and G Diapers here: Comparison Video.

I thought now that I have had some more time to use them diapers I would post an update about how I like/ dislike them.

When I made the video my son had yet to have a BM in them.  Since that time he has been able to solve that!  I have had absolutely no poopy leaks with these diapers.  My son is Exclusively Breastfed, so his poop is very runny.  This means it will not just stay on the soaker pad.  I do have to change the shell, but this is not a drawback.  

Overnight:  I have also used them overnight with a booster.  They did wonderfully.  My son wears his nighttime diapers 10-12 hours.  In the mornings when we have used one there is no wet back or any leaks.

Use:  I have to say, these do not have the ease of an AIO, Pocket, or disposable diaper.  There are more steps to use them.  I have used these while on the go to simplify my diaper bag.  If you have a wiggly baby, they can make your diaper changing a little harder.  My suggestion:  If you switch between 2 shells, have one shell already put together with the soaker.  This will make it a one step process.

Durability:  After many, many washes, I am pleased with the way they have held up.  The soft “stickyable” area on top has gotten fuzzier, but that is something I expected.

Overall:  I am still reaching for my gro baby diapers for going out of town and for trips.  At home, I still prefer my BG AIO Organic with snaps.  I have gotten compliments of my diapers when people have seen them.  I do love the colors and I can’t wait until the Vanilla comes out.  You can check out their website here: Natural Baby Co.

Here is how I came up with the figures you saw in the film:

I used this website to get the number of diaper changes a baby will need from birth to 30 months.  Since G Diapers have 2 different sizes of flushable inserts I had to estimate the age they would switch from a small to a med/large.  I used 4 months.  So up to 4 months I used the amount of small flushable inserts that come in a package (40) and after 4 months I used 32, the number in a med/ large package.  I then had to do the math.  Say there are 990 changes in a 3 month period.  I divided 990 changes by the number of flushable inserts in a pack (40) and multiplied that number by the cost of a package (14.49) This would be the cost of that time, and repeat for the many different stages.  Then I had to add the cost of covers- the cheapest you can get a G diaper cover new is 16.99 so I used this number- to the total cost of the flushable inserts.  I said 15 covers would be a good number, 5 for each size.  My total number was 3,793.13 for G diapers using only flushable inserts- birth to 30 months.

For G diapers with prefolds I only had to calculate the total cost of 15 covers at 16.99 each, plus the cost of infant sized prefolds- about 24 prefolds.  This came to only 296.85.

The Gro Baby was the easiest.  I began adding the items individually which was well over 650 dollars.  But most sites sell a package deal which includes 12 shells, 24 soakers, and 16 boosters.  This is only 365.00.  Since these are one size this is a onetime cost that lasts until potty training.

I did this comparison to help anyone out who is trying to choose between the two diapers.  They are both great as a diaper bag diaper since they are less bulky.  I hope this video was helpful!