new to this forum and EC in public?

[heatherr30]

Hello everyone
I'm expecting my second baby in a few months and want to try EC. The potty training method I used with DD at age 2 used a lot of the same ideas as EC and I was thrilled how easy it was. But I'm feeling a little bit apprehensive about getting a newborn to the potty on time.
I mean, DD could go for 1-2 hours between potty visits by the time she was 2, so whenever we were out it wasn't a problem getting her to a public toilet every hour. But I read that newborns might need to go every 15 minutes.... what am I supposed to do when I'm on the public transport, a busy sidewalk, or in a supermarket with no public toilet?
I'm not worried about missing cues--I'm sure there will be plenty of accidents. I'm worried about what do you do, when you notice their cue but there is no appropriate potty place within 10 or 15 minutes away? Do you cue the baby to go in their diaper? Or...?

[emmaegbert]

my baby actually refused to potty out and about until she was about 1yo, so I just backed off and let her go in diapers, and changed her if she was wet like you would anyway. Now she is 15mo and I offer a potty chance every hour or so and she is frequently dry the whole time.

FOR US, it was better not to sweat it when out. I know of other people who say their babies will hold pee or be visibly uncomfortable but refuse potties out and about... so its case by case I guess.

[heatherr30]

Thanks emma, I hadn't thought of that, that every child might react differently and in fact might not even want to be pottied while out.
I live in a small-ish flat and so go out quite a bit, it's good to know this won't hurt anything "normalizing" diapers while we are out.

[isabchi]

Just be flexible!. I offer the potty when you can. The rest of the time just change as sooon was possible. I believe that EC never has to be stresseful. Also, you later can't not believe how long babies can hold. Have fun!

[hrsmom]

What everyone has said so far. There are portable little potties that you can carry around if you want to. I kept one in my car that got used periodically. I started by offering when I could, and we got to the point where she generally held it or just went in her diaper while out and about. You may have a super out-and-about pottier, or maybe not, and either way it's good! Congratulations!

[tri31]

Originally Posted by isabchi

Just be flexible!. I offer the potty when you can. The rest of the time just change as sooon was possible. I believe that EC never has to be stresseful. Also, you later can't not believe how long babies can hold. Have fun!

I couldn't agree more! This is our experience, too.

[jaylily]

yeah, if no potty/toilet was available, I usually just let my daughter go in her diaper. I took a BBLP with me in the car and used to potty her there. Now she will often hold it for short car rides. If she wet her diaper I also would just change as soon as possible.

[Mama Khi]

For another perspective, DD screamed if I tried to put her over any kind of potty or bowl until she was about three months old whether we were at home or not, so I just gave her lots of naked time lying on a prefold or if she was wearing a diaper I changed her ASAP.

[Malva]

You can also potty the baby anywhere over a prefold and put it in a plastic bag.

[emmaegbert]

kids are all different, like we are all saying! last weekend I tried to potty my 15mo over the grass (I was *sure* she had to pee and we were about 10minutes walk from home and no public restrooms anywhere to use) and she just looked at me and said, "no". So, she peed in her diaper. And we're at the point where we have less than 1 miss per day. I agree with everyone else- I think we need to do what works for us AND our babies.