Diaperless Parenting

My due date is approaching, and my thoughts have been focused on how to raise my first child. While researching attachment parenting, I came across the concept of diaperless parenting, also known as elimination communication. It has been used for centuries and is still used in regions where diapers are not part of the child-rearing culture. As the name implies, it involves little to no diaper usage. The parent instead observes the infant for signs that they need to use the restroom. When the parent notices these signs, they take the infant to the toilet, and the baby then eliminates in the toilet rather than the diaper. The parent also associates a cue, usually a sound, with eliminating to help the infant recognize appropriate places to go.

It seems to me like this would be a greener alternative than disposable and even full-time cloth diaper wearing, as there is nothing to throw away (except wipes), and washing diapers is reduced or eliminated. It also promotes the type of bonding central to attachment parenting, and makes toilet training easier for parent and child.

Is diaperless parenting something you would ever try? Why or why not? If you have or are currently practicing diaperless parenting, what is/was your experience like? Do you have any advice for someone who wants to practice diaperless parenting?

I think it definitely sounds like a great idea for the environment, but I'm curious to know how long it takes for both parent and child to understand the cues and how to communicate those, and also how easy it is to get the child to a bathroom fast enough. Do they recommend an age to start this practice at?

Amelia88 said:
I think it definitely sounds like a great idea for the environment, but I'm curious to know how long it takes for both parent and child to understand the cues and how to communicate those, and also how easy it is to get the child to a bathroom fast enough. Do they recommend an age to start this practice at?

According to the material that I have read, from birth to four months is the prime window for starting diaperless parenting, but older infants could adapt to it, too. As for reaching the bathroom in time, one person placed bowls in each room of their house to increase access to acceptable potty places. I imagine that there are accidents when starting diaperless parenting, especially for couples like my partner and I who are first-time parents, so I was considering combining it with cloth diapers while we learn our baby's cues.

Morted said:

Amelia88 said:
I think it definitely sounds like a great idea for the environment, but I'm curious to know how long it takes for both parent and child to understand the cues and how to communicate those, and also how easy it is to get the child to a bathroom fast enough. Do they recommend an age to start this practice at?

According to the material that I have read, from birth to four months is the prime window for starting diaperless parenting, but older infants could adapt to it, too. As for reaching the bathroom in time, one person placed bowls in each room of their house to increase access to acceptable potty places. I imagine that there are accidents when starting diaperless parenting, especially for couples like my partner and I who are first-time parents, so I was considering combining it with cloth diapers while we learn our baby's cues.

It's so interesting! I'll have to read up more about it. My little one is just over 1, so we have to start thinking about actual potty training and how we're going to implement that soonish -- some of my friends already have potties for their children and they're getting them accustomed to them! Maybe if I do more research on this before we have our second it's something I might give a try - it certainly sounds like a lot of work but there are benefits to it too!

In all honesty, this would be a great approach to the early start of potty training and getting it out of the way. On the down side, I remember how much my little ones went potty during my breastfeeding years, and I would be more than likely pitching a tent in the bathroom. Not to mention, trying to get my whole family on board with this concept. I am totally progreen! I just don't know if I would be able to devote the entire day to running my infant to the potty. Being a new mom, just learning the ropes of feeding, crying and naping was exhausting for me.

I must admit that when I was pregnant with my third child I said I wanted to start being more responsible. I took an oath and said that I was going to be friendlier to the earth...and go green with baby care products which included diapers. I said I would buy cloth diapers and the whole nine yards. I was not exactly going to use any disposables unless I went out somewhere. Let's just say that all changed about three days into his birth..so I said all this to say...we can plan all we want..but sometimes life gets too hectic and we end up having to do what we got to do. Disposables is what I used from then on....maybe next time..lol!

If it was just me, I would love to do that. but I know there is no way I could get my husband on board. He might go along with a lot of my green ideas but that would not be one of them.

Even though I could/would try it, I can think of lots of times where it just doesn't seem to work in modern society. Would a babysitter be on board? What do you do when your in the car? How does that work at night, especially if your a deep sleeper. Could anyone else ever watch your child? Would you get worn out and mentally fatigued if you had to be the only one with your baby at all times?

It is a good idea as far as being green but it sounds like a monumental task.

I say if you are able to do that then more power to you. I do not think that I could have done that with my two. I am all for going green and like to do my part as much as I can but I went through such a hard time with postpartum depression that it was all I could do to survive throughout the day. I have read about people doing this but I do not know anyone personally who has done it.

If you have the time and patience to be able to keep up with that then I would say it would be an awesome thing for baby. Avoids rashing and all but I wouldn't suggest this if you have trouble with always washing and cleaning. You won't be able to predict every time baby needs to use the rest room. I sometimes let my kids when they were kids go diaper-less but they were in there crib that has holes that will let any pee or poo fall and the crib had to be outside. I have a big family and many obligations to keep up with so this wouldn't be something for me. This is your first baby and I would like to say congrats! Also what you suggest will save you on diapers but will up your water bill. But for a new born babe I suggest using a cloth diaper.

Diaperless Parenting will be very stressful especially for new parents, it would be advisable to begin with cloth nappies since the aim is to save the environment. Also, new babies rarely show signs when they want to go, particularly in their first few weeks of excreting all the food they have taken while in the womb. There is always a surprise awaiting the mother when she wants to get her baby changed.

I believe as the child grows, the mother understands and can interpret the child's movement. I also don't think it will be successful for a child who has not learnt to sit to begin using potty at such a young age.

I didn't know about the totally diaperless parenting. I think it's a good idea. I'll need to find and read more about it.

I used cloth diapers for my second child, as I took care of her full time on my own. As you said, it's still not that green, and it might not be total comfortable for baby as well. I am not sure if I am ready to try diaperless, as I am not sure whether I am observant enough and able to get the cue, as I need to take care of my elder two children as well. But, it's definitely good to try out. Perhaps we can do that during the day time.

I don't use wipes, but just bring my baby straight to the bathroom and wash. I think it's easier, cleaner and greener. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this concept. I'll definitely check it out.

Enjoy your motherhood!

I think that the most important factor is a pragmatic one. Do you have carpets?

I believe that countries where it is commonplace typically have hard floors which are easy to wipe clean. We had carpets otherwise I would have seriously considered it for our first child. But with carpets, there was no way! Lol. x

I don't use diapers lot actually. Rather than I use napkins for my baby. But yeah while I used to travel on flight or bus then I use diapers. Just because my baby get rashes while wearing a diaper I don't like to wear my baby those.