Our Zen Family

So it’s been over 2 months since we started practicing EC. I’m definitely overdue for an update…but our little man is keeping us very busy!

We couldn’t be any more pleased with the ease and success we’ve had with EC. Taio has done splendidly, and continues to wow us with his progress.

It is now very common for him to wake from naps dry- then immediately go pee on the potty. Most poops are caught too, which is a blessing for all involved; especially with the cloth diapers! It’s been nearly a month since we’ve even had a near miss. One poop in the morning, another in the evening, both on the potty. I’m amazed each and every time and praise the little man over and over again.

Taio is doing an awesome job letting us know when he needs to ‘go’ as well.  His main signals include lots of squirming and grunting/vocalizations. In addition, Taio will often make strong eye contact with me letting me know he needs to do his business. It’s really quite incredible how simple it is to recognize the signs and how effective our pre-verbal baby can communicate with us. Taio’s EC signals are quickly becoming as evident as his breastfeeding cues.

So all in all the ECing is going great! I would say our biggest challenge right now is night-time EC. Taio cries (loudly) when I put him on the potty in the middle of the night so I haven’t been forcing the issue. We’ve had a few instances though where he’ll go the whole night without going pee and then go on the potty in the morning; but nothing near consistent yet. I still usually have to change him once or twice in the night.  I think it’s just a matter of time really before we’re diaper free.

I’ve noticed in the last few weeks that Taio is able to hold his pee, let us know that he needs to go, and once on the potty let’s out a huge sigh followed by a steady stream! Like his arm and leg muscles, his urinary muscles are getting stronger each day. More pees are going in the potty and less cloth diapers are being used throughout the day.

Just before I wrap it up, I would like to praise my son some more: I love how versatile and adaptable he is with his ever-changing environments. When given the opportunity and obviously if the urge to eliminate is present he will go just about any place that’s offered to him. Though he is partial to his potty, Daddy likes to hold him over our toilet. Taio has also gone in the toilets at restaurants, grocery stores, malls, coffee shops. He has also communed with nature on a few occasions! See photos below.