Is she doing this on purpose?

[mt_gooseberry]

How aware are babies of their bodily functions? My 5 month old DD pees every time I change her and if I don't have the new diaper half-way on before the old one is off, it goes everywhere! I swear she knows she's doing it: she makes eye contact and many times will smile while she she does it! She also LOVES being without a diaper--lots of times I'll put her on a bunch of towels and let her go--and she has even taken off her diaper herself. Further, she loves playing with her diaper more than any other item or toy available. How weird is this?

[cristeen]

I suggest you wander on over to the EC portion of the board, since she seems to be communicating her wishes fairly clearly.

[Nicole730]

I agree with cristeen - get her over a potty asap!

[nola79]

LOL, my dd did that same thing in the tub the other night. It was hilarious. She got a mischevious look in her eye, peed, and then laughed. It was too funny, she totally knew what she was doing!

[hakeber]

Actually it's not that weird. Babies get USED to sitting in wet nappies. It's not their nature. Sounds like she is trying to get your attention.

next time you get the feeling it is time to change her, go hold her over a toilet (there are videos and photos out there to show you how, just google EC and images and videos) and see what happens. You may find the ability to read her mind and body like that becomes a little addictive.

[Limabean1975]

ITA with the others. She definitely knows what she is doing. I would not have believed it before doing EC (elimination communication) with my baby, but babies *definitely* have awareness AND control of their elimination, from birth. Google "elimination communication", "diaper-free", "infant pottying", and come on over to the MDC EC forum....it's awesome!

[simplyla]

Agreeing with the other Mamas about EC. Sounds just like my DD, from day 1 we knew she'd be a happy EC'er. We did full-time diapers for a few weeks when we were moving overseas and staying with friends and family, and I'm so glad to be back to part-time EC now. She's 3 months old and only used 3 or 4 diapers today!

By the way, if you do decide to go the EC route, the book I found most helpful was Diaper Free. It's on Amazon in ebook format that I can read on DH's ipod touch.