Here's an idea:  In America, we train our babies to urinate and deficate on themselves from birth, and then we reverse-train them later.  It's like getting our babies to use curse words because we think it's "cute" only to punish them later because it's "inappropriate."  It's futility at best, insanity at worst. 

For your consideration:  What do you think people did before diapers?  How did Sacagawea handle having a baby in a papoose on her back while exploring the Louisiana Purchase with Lewis and Clark?  She certainly didn't have diapers.  When Cain and Abel were born, what do you think Adam and Eve did?   What do people in third-world countries do?  Are "Western Civilized Countries" really more advanced by diapering our babies?

Now, I don't know about you, but I've had difficulty with each of my three children when it came time to potty train them.  I would make charts, use timers, read books while sitting, give stickers/candy/pennies, sing and dance with success, switch to underwear so they can "feel" the wet, and - after many months of unsuccessfully "training" and having enough from my 3.5-year-old who I KNOW is able to "hold it" but then defiantly sneaks behind a piece of furniture and eliminates in his/her pants - utilize spanking, too.  I tell people that I don't know how to potty train, I only know how to potty threaten; but it works.  My 6-yo, 10-yo, and 15-yo all three successfully use the potty.

But there MUST be an easier way!  I've just been indoctrinated into what we "civilized" people do.  How do I clear my head of that thought and adopt something completely new (actually, old, but new-to-me)? 

I remember reading in one of Debi Pearl's books that she potty trained her babies as infants by holding them over her own lap on the potty.  She must have skinny thighs, because this would never work for me.  ^_~  LOL.  I can't even picture this position in my head.  Anyway...

As I was talking this over with a friend at church, she said that today the practice is called "Elimination Communication."  A quick Google search provided me with www.DiaperFreeBaby.org.  Fortunately for me, there's a group in my area, and they're meeting this Saturday!  I'm looking forward to learning more and using what I learn with my new baby, once he's born, of course.  Can you imagine?  Taking an infant somewhere with NO diaper?  I'll try to keep this blog updated with what I learn, if we do - indeed - utilize the practice of it, and how our progress goes.

Blessings!  ~Christi