13 week old... Please help!!! Failing @ EC, never could figure out cues, ...

[Hymanroth]

My son is just now 3 months. He's cloth diapered and ebf. From th start I wanted to try EC. So I put my heart into having diaper free time and cuing. ... Than life go so busy mixed with me being EXHAUSTED/ he got the flu & was in hospital 2 days etc and I had him more covered and we sort of dropped out of EC ... Even though I ways sorta made an effort to offer potty w cue sound.

I think he forgot the cue sound and doesnt associate it with peeing. I can still catch a pee and on sheer luck I've caught a couple poops.

What should I do? I have all the books etc ... I just need real time advice. Feeling really discouraged

I will lay him on a wool snuggli blanket on a prefold and NEVER see a signal! Even if I carry him on me naked w a prefold hell pee in it. Now I started cuing when he does that.

Problem is, he wants to be held 24/7 so I cannot just lay him out and watch him ...

Confused. Help!!

[BubblingBrooks]

Relax. He is not getting it yet, so wait until he is.
By then, you will be in a better place as well.
Here is what we did. I waited till DD was between 6 and 7 months old. She was by then sleeping through the night and sitting up well.
In four days time, I had her trained to go poop in the toilet. I would watch for her to start grunting, and then I would tell her "wait, wait" as I picked her up and hurried to get her diaper off and her sitting on the toilet.
By the fifth day she understood to wait and go in the toilet.
I am not concerned about pee yet. We will do that when both of us are ready.
 

[EchoSoul]

Know what helped me? Because I couldn't figure out cues, either. Getting rid of the diaper cover. Period. I don't know what it is..even now, if he's got a diaper cover on it's like it creates a mental block, and I can't feel when he needs to eliminate. We go through more wet diapers when he has a diaper cover on than we do when he just has a prefold and prefold belt on.

Don't stress yourself out. Give it a while. A couple months, at least. RELAX!!! :) With EC you start off by going through a LOT more diapers, that is VERY common, and then you fall into a routine. With my son, he'll pee apprx. every 25-35 minutes depending on how long ago he last nursed. Farting a lot = needing to poop, etc. Some EC parents can pick up verbal and visual cues. I can't. I started by walking around with him outside every morning without a diaper on, so I could offer pottytunities often and not have to worry about finding a right place for him to eliminate in, because we were right outside.

Don't let it be such a huge part of your life. I know the desire to not want them sitting in their own mess is strong, which is why having them in just a diaper without a cover is so beautiful and relaxing. They do their business, you see it, you change it immediately. That in itself will help you guys fall into a routine together. He's learning every time he wets himself, he'll get changed.

I know you said he'll still pee in a prefold. But keep up with him in a prefold for a while. Don't stress out if he pees. I've read even after they've peed in their diaper to hold them over an appropriate receptacle so they get the idea.

Personally I wouldn't watch the clock either. I only know he pees every 25-35 minutes from glancing at the clock on the way to the bathroom a handful of times. I can't imagine the rut I'd be in if I solely depended on timing. Just relax! :)

I don't personally consider them wanting to be held all the time a problem. In fact that's what helped me the most. Being body to body, him in just a prefold strengthened the knowing bond.

[Hymanroth]

Thank you for the advice!

Ok I feel more encouraged at least when I cue & change him each time - in the prefolds- I will remember that's building a bond and trust that he'll be changed!!!

I really need to get a prefold belt! I imagine it's great!

Echosoul, you make me feel better about this by telling me to give it a couple months.

I'm going to put this advice to use

Thanks

[BubblingBrooks]

Do you have a snappy for closing the diaper? Best thing ever.
Yes, you will get it. In some cases baby trains mom, and in others, mom trains baby.
Make it an enjoyable process and things will settle into place smoothly.

Originally Posted by Hymanroth 

Thank you for the advice!
Ok I feel more encouraged at least when I cue & change him each time - in the prefolds- I will remember that's building a bond and trust that he'll be changed!!!
I really need to get a prefold belt! I imagine it's great!
Echosoul, you make me feel better about this by telling me to give it a couple months.
I'm going to put this advice to use
Thanks

[somegirl99]

Try babywearing.  DS's signals were far clearer when he was being worn, plus it will free you up to do other things.