Just take the leap! I started at 6 weeks and it was great. Although I wouldn't set a 6 mo goal like that, because you can be very successful at EC'ing and still have misses on and off. There are no statistics that equal success. Do your best and that's all you can do. Cuing while he pees when you take his dipe off is good. Now just try it on the potty, right after you take the dipe off stick him on. It took only 2 times on the potty for my 6 week old to poop & pee on cue. It's really amazing.
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Hi- cuing when you see your son peeing is a good start. I think the easiest way to get started is to hold him over a potty right after he wakes up, and right after you take him out of a sling or carrier, if you wear him. And when you think about it. You can also hold him over a potty during diaper changes, that sounds like it would be a particularly good starting place with your LO. You could try a diaper with no cover so you know when he pees, and make the cuing sound when you notice him peeing. Changing him as soon as you notice he is wet is also one of the "principles" of EC. Nakey time is helpful, but it is not at all a requirement. Not sure what your plans would be nakey-butt-wise.
Also, if you notice that he has started a poop, you can take him to the potty to finish the poop. We caught a lot of poops (or the second half, anyway) that way in the beginning. Soon, my LO learned to hold it for a little while.
As for the dirty diapers, every baby is different, of course. I would say that with EC you will have significantly fewer dirty diapers than if you didn't, and possibly (probably?) long stretches with no dirty diaper, but poop misses still can happen for a long time. I agree, goals go out the window, and expecations definitely change over time. You can ease into EC at whatever pace is comfortable for you!
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Also, if you notice that he has started a poop, you can take him to the potty to finish the poop. We caught a lot of poops (or the second half, anyway) that way in the beginning. Soon, my LO learned to hold it for a little while.
As for the dirty diapers, every baby is different, of course. I would say that with EC you will have significantly fewer dirty diapers than if you didn't, and possibly (probably?) long stretches with no dirty diaper, but poop misses still can happen for a long time. I agree, goals go out the window, and expecations definitely change over time. You can ease into EC at whatever pace is comfortable for you!
First of all, I would do away with any and all "goals." You are starting a new line of communication with your child, not trying to meet a diaper deadline.
The way we started was to take her to the potty once a day first thing in the morning and hold her over the potty while making the pss-pss sound. From there we just increased the number of potty opportunities.
It was great. From about 6 to 10 months I did not change a poopy diaper. However, my daughter is 21 months now and is still in diapers most of the time. She seems to alternate between weeks where she exclusively uses the potty and weeks where she exclusively uses diapers and WILL NOT use the potty at all EVER.
Anyhow, I am really glad that I chose to do EC with her because I have taught her that she doesn't have to poop in her pants. I have lovingly offered her an alternative and she knows she can choose the potty anytime.
By the way, I wouldn't start EC if you are going to be upset if it doesn't "work." The most important thing is to love your kids and keep potty time positive.[/QUOTE]
exactly![]()
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