<p>EC is awesome!! The EC forum doesn't get a ton of traffic. I've had posts sit there unanswered for weeks. There is a better EC forum on <a href="http://www.diaperswappers.com" target="_blank">www.diaperswappers.com</a> that you might want to check out. Also I got a lot of useful info (to share with skeptics) and tips (how to start, terminology, FAQ's, etc.) from the <a href="http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=61&MMN_position=14:14" target="_blank">diaperfreebaby site</a>. Click on the links under "Practicing EC" to gather initial info and get started. The 75 Benefits of EC link is especially helpful for understanding WHY you might want to pursue EC if you were on the fence.</p>
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<p>Aside from these resources here are some other tidbits you might find helpful:</p>
<ul><li>EC is easiest if you do it from an early age, but it does take some effort to get going and I think it's important to prioritize during those early weeks. So if you're facing any other issues like breastfeeding complications, difficult tear healing, PPD, etc. you can put it off and start later.</li>
<li>My favorite potty is the $4 potty from Ikea. I've heard good things about the little Baby Bjorn potty as well. I never had luck holding baby over a bowl, the toilet or the sink.</li>
<li>You may go through MORE diapers when you're first getting going b/c you're offering the potty and changing baby so much more often that you notice the tiniest bit of wetness on the diapers.</li>
<li>It can take a while to learn baby's cues and have baby actually cue you. Some babies never really make it to that point until they are learning to sign and speak anyway. Pottying by timing or when baby is obviously grunting has always been my best bet.</li>
<li>You can part time EC... it doesn't have to be all the time. So you can potty at home, but not bother out and about. Or potty during the day and not bother at night. You can just follow what works best for you and baby. My ds is actually best at EC at night. It's what got us started- he refused to pee in his diaper at night and would just squirm and moan for hours. I finally figured it out and once I put him on the potty he would pee immediately and fall back asleep directly after.</li>
<li>Babies/toddlers will often have "potty strikes" where they refuse to use the potty, throw tantrums about the potty, or simply are too busy to make EC really work. This is normal and they pass sometimes in a matter of days (if it was illness related) or weeks (if it was teething or milestone related) or it could take months (this is more common of toddlers). My ds was great at using the potty from 4 months of age until around 13 months. Then it was sporadic. And then it almost stopped completely. Suddenly in the last week he's really made great strides and I can tell he's ready for more intensive potty training. He's 18 months now.</li>
<li>All potty time is good. So even if you're only catching one pee a day, that's still helping baby get used to the potty. Focus on the positives of catches and don't worry about the misses. It's all a learning process and it's all helpful. Keep it light and fun. Don't push too hard.</li>
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<p>Hope that helps! <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/smile.gif"> </span></p>