I'm part of an EC forum and submitted this post, so thought I'd put it here too!
Age of EC tot: Taliese is 4months Sara is 2yo (really being toilet trained using EC principles)
We started at... 6 weeks old with Taliese. Sara, we introduced to potty at about 18months (we didn't know any better then) in a very relaxed way and I only realised last week that I was kind of ECing her too but in a different way! (But the rest is just about Taliese)
Generally speaking we are doing... Taliese continues to amaze me! We are Ecing part-time and hubby and I are very happy with the progress. We ave good and bad times – normally more related to me not being tuned in (or giving her enough time to go) though. (thanks for all the encouragement when I was frustrated last month!)
How do you know your baby has to go / when do you offer baby a wee?
Timing: after wake up, and a little while after feeds. Finding day time wake up wees hard to catch this week as Taliese wake up in cot and makes no sound at all (soo contented, pity I didn't EC Sara, I always knew the instant she was awake!) so have to use intuition to catch these too. OK when we nap together or hold her.
Signs and signals: I find this tricky, but it seems at the mo if she gets really noisy in her chatter/ cooing a poo is on it's way. Seem to see poo signs for hours before poo , farts, stiffening at wee-ops etc., whereas a month ago there seemed to be no signs at all! She is generally so distracted during breast feeds at mo that I tend to miss plucking unless my husband says 'maybe you should EC her!'
Intuition: Just when I think it's been a while, or (since Monique suggested it), when I need to go.
Is there a difference for poos and pees? What cues do you use? We use 'pssss' noise and blow on back of head. Often just being over the sink is enough though she starts going before cue, on other occasions I really have to count to sixty (esp before poos) or I am too impatient and don't give her long enough
Which positions/receptacles do you use? Mostly the laundry sink (classic position) as right next to change table. At the moment she often squirms to look at us while going (cute) Also sit over toilet using classic position and have used the potty a couple of times (but she doesn't like it much) I find she is too distracted to go outside in classic pos. at moment.
Nappies, training pants or other? Cloth nappies between nuddie times
What are you doing away from home? Often nothing. I do use the toilet when I can when out, but she doesn't tend to go often. Probably because I'm not relaxed enough, or just a strange place. I do talk to my friends about what I'm doing, most are interested, but then it can feel a bit like performance pressure when I take her to toilet.
What are you doing at night? I try to take her at night feeds, but mostly already wet (with a bit more to do) as she starts the night in the cot (and as I said doesn't make a lot of noise about it) and then comes into our bed for feed til morning.
Who takes baby to the toilet? Mostly me, although my husband is getting more confident with it and is doing it more. I'd like to support others to be involved, esp those who will care for her if we go out.
Catches or Misses - how many and what times are especially interesting? Still a lot of misses, but interestingly she normally still has more to go, like she just got rid of a bit cos she was busting, but saved the rest for wee-op. Having said that I get a wee at most wee-ops and a lot of dry nappies too!
Other insights:
What's your next EC goal? To be more observant, consistent and attentive regarding signs and signals.
To start using potty more and to get more confident wit Ecing out and about.
A tip for this age/stage? Give time at wee-ops even if he/she has done a wee. Sometimes there is more.
A burning question? An tips to relax her (and or me) when out.
Also any tips for using potty. Is it best to start out by putting it on change table and use classic possition of facing me? I think when she gets used to idea she will like the interaction here.
