Beginning EC'ing mom needs help

[carriee1977]

In the past month to six weeks, my daughter (7 months) has gone from once a day to about six times a day on the toliet.  She's also started doing #2 in the potty the last few days.  Our percentage goes waaay down when in a new bathroom like at a restaurant.  It's all the shiny objects, I guess!  How should I handle this?  I'm getting tired of taking her, her ignoring the task at hand and then her going in her diaper 15 minutes later.  Wet diapers make her uncomfortable...great overall...not when you actually want to accomplish something ...like eating a warm meal!  :)  Is this just something that commonly comes with the territory and will pass?  She is just now turning 7 months old and she's never been successful outside of the house with her dad or grandparents, so it's all falling on me.  Maybe I just need to her that I'm not the only one!

For hygiene purposes, is there anything that I could pick up or order for ECing for a infant while out and about?  

[matthia]

There's a whole EC thread in the diapering forums (in fact, this'll probably be moved). I'm a part-time EC-er of a 6mo. I have to say, in the last few weeks, our catch rate has gone WAY down....partly I do think it's because he's SO much more distractable with all of his new developements. I did just buy a potty for him so I can have it in the living room and I don't have to interrupt his playtime by as much as I would if I was taking him to the toilet. It hasn't helped a ton yet BUT we are battling an itchy rash that has meant keeping him in a diaper and covered up for the last week and a half so I definitely think that's got something to do with it. 

Everytime I get frustrated, I try to remind myself that even if I only catch one or two pees a day or one poop, at least it's one less diaper I need to wash....and I hope persistance will pay off.

Sorry, that's not really helpful...

[carriee1977]

Thank you for helping a new mom and member out!

[GingerNinja]

Yay! I caught this before it was moved and can answer it here.. well.. give advice for what worked for us anyhow..

Once my DS hit that stage of "WHOA!! SHINY!!" ecing definitely took a turn.. we still struggle with the daily grab for the toilet seat, paper, books, etc. etc. etc. in the bathroom at home. 

While out, we are usually wearing or holding him, and so catch most if not all of his cues.. making it a bit easier on us all (as opposed to home where there might be other distractions). When using a public bathroom, I'll hold him in position facing the back of the toilet, with just the edge of his bum touching the seat.. that way the only thing for him to play with is his own feet.. ;)   He's a hefty lad at 24 lbs but will pay attention to the task at hand if he does need to go.. squirming like mad and shouting if he doesn't. We've had some good success while out in the woods, out the side of the car (parked), in the sink of a questionable gas station bathroom (we used the sink a LOT when he was younger and could hold him for longer periods of time.. the mirror keeps him enthralled). 

Good luck and keep at it.. it's a great gift, this one of communication.. ;D