Interesting baby stuff!

Cloud · 02-01-2010, 12:08 PM

So here's some interesting (I think) baby stuff from my recent trip to visit BD#2 in Portland. She has some progressive ideas (like -- no tv, so they can actually sit around and talk to each other). I was very impressed with some of the things they were doing.

The first is the sling that they made. BD#2 sewed it; her husband made the hanging apparatus, and I supplied the natural fleece for the inside. It bounces. A great book is The Happiest Baby on the Block, which advocates tight swaddling, bouncing and . . . I forget what else, but it's a great method for soothing the baby. Little Auryn (pronouced RRR-yn) is just as happy as a little weiner in a bun in it.

The second is something called Natural Infant Hygiene, or Elimination Communication. Basically, it's diaper free infant potty training. When they notice cues that the baby is squirming, they hold her over the potty and make a sssssss sounds, and she goes. Sounds wacko, right? But I am completely and totally flabbergasted--it actually WORKS! It takes a lot of dedication and a very intimate awareness of your baby, but the goal is no messy diapers.

glatt · 02-01-2010, 12:44 PM

The no-diapers thing is interesting. I can see the benefits, like no diaper rash, but is seems like a tremendous amount of effort for the parent to always be tuned in to the tiniest signals from the kid.

Cloud · 02-01-2010, 01:15 PM

I guess it depends on what you want to spend your effort on--changing diapers, buying them, washing them, disposing of them . . . or paying close attention to your baby.

It also gives dads a chance to be active in caring for their babies. I think lots of dads, especially if the mom is breastfeeding, feel left out sometimes.

glatt · 02-01-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

I guess it depends on what you want to spend your effort on--changing diapers, buying them, washing them, disposing of them . . . or paying close attention to your baby.

I'm not so sure it's a fair comparison. You probably spend half an hour a day total changing diapers.

Does the baby sleep in a diaper?

classicman · 02-01-2010, 02:06 PM

I think its wonderful for them.

I couldn't imagine doing that myself though.

Cloud · 02-01-2010, 02:10 PM

Yes, they put diapers on her--but homemade, cloth diapers--no disposables right now (she's still only 7 wks old). there are accidents, of course, but I'm just amazed it works at all.

They had a very hard time with next older child with persistent rash that lasted for months and months, so they looked for an alternative. Both mom and dad are working from home, so it's workable for them.

glatt · 02-01-2010, 03:25 PM

Cool. It's certainly amazing, and great for the baby.

Clodfobble · 02-01-2010, 06:11 PM

I've heard it both ways--some kids pick up on what's going on, and are basically potty-trained by 3 months old. They will actually make the ssss sound themselves to indicate they need to go. On the other hand, I've also heard of toddlers who are just walking around constantly pooping on the floor, and the parents insist the kid's gonna get it "any day now."

squirell nutkin · 02-01-2010, 06:27 PM

I think with the first kid you have the time and inclination to scrutinize every subtle cue, with our second, not so much time for that, And she is very different than her brother, Weaned a lot erlier and potty trained a lot later.
Who knows?

02-01-2010, 12:08 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Interesting baby stuff! So here's some interesting (I think) baby stuff from my recent trip to visit BD#2 in Portland. She has some progressive ideas (like -- no tv, so they can actually sit around and talk to each other). I was very impressed with some of the things they were doing. The first is the sling that they made. BD#2 sewed it; her husband made the hanging apparatus, and I supplied the natural fleece for the inside. It bounces. A great book is The Happiest Baby on the Block, which advocates tight swaddling, bouncing and . . . I forget what else, but it's a great method for soothing the baby. Little Auryn (pronouced RRR-yn) is just as happy as a little weiner in a bun in it. The second is something called Natural Infant Hygiene, or Elimination Communication. Basically, it's diaper free infant potty training. When they notice cues that the baby is squirming, they hold her over the potty and make a sssssss sounds, and she goes. Sounds wacko, right? But I am completely and totally flabbergasted--it actually WORKS! It takes a lot of dedication and a very intimate awareness of your baby, but the goal is no messy diapers. Attached Images __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-01-2010, 01:15 PM	#3
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I guess it depends on what you want to spend your effort on--changing diapers, buying them, washing them, disposing of them . . . or paying close attention to your baby. It also gives dads a chance to be active in caring for their babies. I think lots of dads, especially if the mom is breastfeeding, feel left out sometimes. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-01-2010, 02:06 PM	#5
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I think its wonderful for them. I couldn't imagine doing that myself though. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-01-2010, 02:10 PM	#6
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Yes, they put diapers on her--but homemade, cloth diapers--no disposables right now (she's still only 7 wks old). there are accidents, of course, but I'm just amazed it works at all. They had a very hard time with next older child with persistent rash that lasted for months and months, so they looked for an alternative. Both mom and dad are working from home, so it's workable for them. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-01-2010, 06:11 PM	#8
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I've heard it both ways--some kids pick up on what's going on, and are basically potty-trained by 3 months old. They will actually make the ssss sound themselves to indicate they need to go. On the other hand, I've also heard of toddlers who are just walking around constantly pooping on the floor, and the parents insist the kid's gonna get it "any day now." __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

02-01-2010, 12:44 PM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	The no-diapers thing is interesting. I can see the benefits, like no diaper rash, but is seems like a tremendous amount of effort for the parent to always be tuned in to the tiniest signals from the kid.

02-01-2010, 03:25 PM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Cool. It's certainly amazing, and great for the baby.

02-01-2010, 06:27 PM	#9
squirell nutkin has a second hand user title Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in a Nut House Posts: 2,017	I think with the first kid you have the time and inclination to scrutinize every subtle cue, with our second, not so much time for that, And she is very different than her brother, Weaned a lot erlier and potty trained a lot later. Who knows? __________________ And now I'm finished posting.

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