Infant Potty Training

Infant Potty Training is something so intuitive and natural that it's hard to remember that many parents don't know about it. It's the method that most cultures that don't have access to disposables or washing mashines use. We started our youngest when she was an infant, and she was pretty much done with diapers by 1 and a half. When she was old enough to want to go by herself, I built her this potty chair out of scrap wood , scrounged from a cabinet shop. There is a removable container (a large yogurt tub) underneath , and it fits nicely in the truck and tent for traveling.

It takes an investment of time in the beginning to start the process of "elimination communication", but for those of us who are attachment-parenters, our children are always with us anyway. I know that when we went on a 5 week camping trip last year, not having to wash diapers in a bucket every day was such a blessing. Now she goes into the bathroom and says "me need space", and sits down and does her business "all by myself".

Such a simple thing, taking care of our own "business", yet many adults still have issues going to the bathroom anywhere other than into a ceramic bowl filled with water. Somehow our waste being flushed magically away is the only way we can deal with our bodily functions. I personally enjoy peeing on my compost pile, and for 5 1/2 years, composted all of the contents of our sawdust toilet. It was a great learning experience, and the sawdust toilet is adaptable to all sorts of situations where you may need to create an outhouse for the people.

Think before you flush...

peace