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Some parents begin potty training at birth
By Rodrque Ngowi
Associated Press
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SUTTON, Mass. -- Thirteen-month-old Dominic Klatt stopped banging the furniture in the verandah, looked at his mother and clasped his right hand around his left wrist to signal that he needed to go to the bathroom.

His mother took the diaper-less tot to a tree in the yard, held him in a squatting position and made a gentle hissing sound - prompting the infant to relieve himself on cue before he rushed back to play.

Dominic is a product of a growing "diaper-free" movement founded on the belief that babies are born with an instinctive ability to signal when they have to answer nature's call. Parents who practice the so-called "elimination communication" learn to read their children's body language to help them recognize the need, and they mimic the sounds that a child associates with the bathroom.

Erinn Klatt began toilet training her son at birth and said he has not wet his bed at night since he was six months old.

"The nice part is ... really getting the majority of poops in the toilet versus having to clean that," Klatt said. "I don't have to wake up at night and change diapers or have wet sheets anywhere. That's really nice.

"And being able to travel without a big, bloated diaper bag is terrific," she said.

Some parents and toilet training experts are skeptical.

"They teach them from birth? Oh, my God!" said 40-year-old Lisa Bolcato, as she held her 5-month-old daughter, Rose, at a park on Boston Common. "When you're getting two hours of sleeps between feedings, I don't think that you have the time to do it. You just make sure that your child's healthy and happy and well-fed."

Still, the practice is common in many parts of rural Africa and Asia where parents cannot afford diapers.

In the United States, many of the parents are stay-at-home-moms, but there are also working mothers. Some meet in online groups, at homes and in public parks to share experiences and cheer each others' efforts.

Experts at the Child Study Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center say children younger than 12 months have no control over bladder or bowel movements and little control for 6 months after that.

But some parents begin going diaper-free at birth, and the infants can initiate bowel movements on cue as young as 3 to 4 months, said Elizabeth Parise, spokeswoman of DiaperFreeBaby.org, a network of free support groups promoting the practice.

And unlike some methods of toilet training, there are no rewards or punishment associated with it.

Dr. Mark Wolraich, professor of pediatrics and director of the Child Study Center, said the practice essentially conditions young children to go to the bathroom at predictable times or show clear signs when they must go.

"To be truly toilet-trained, the child has to be able to have the sensation that they need to go, be able to interpret that sensation and be able to then tell the parent and take some action," said Wolraich, who is also editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics' book on toilet training.

"And that's different from reading the subtle signs that the child is making when they have to go to the bathroom."

Parents attempt the early training to forge closer ties with their infants, to reduce the environmental impact associated with diapers and to avoid skin irritation caused by a wet diaper, Parise said.

Others were inspired by observing the practice while traveling abroad.

The practice also enables parents to get insight into an infant's development since more accidents occur if a child falls sick or enters a new phase such as learning to crawl, walk or talk.

This is because an infant may be too distracted by illness or efforts to master a new skill to communicate the need to go to the bathroom, said Melinda Rothstein, an MIT business school graduate who co-founded DiaperFreeBaby.org.

She says finding a supportive daycare center is the biggest challenge for parents who choose not to use diapers. Other problems include finding tiny underwear for diaper-free infants.

Isis Arnesen, 33, of Boston, has a 14-week-old daughter, Lucia, who is diaper-free. She said it can be awkward to explain the process to people, such as when she helped Lucia relieve herself in a sink at a public restroom.

"Sometimes I don't know what's gonna happen and it doesn't work, and sometimes I feel a little embarrassed," Arnesen said. "It makes her happy though, right? She smiles, she's happy."

On the Net:

DiaperFreeBaby: http://www.diaperfreebaby.org

American Academy of Pediatrics on toilet training: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/toilettraining.cfm

Take a look
Isis Arnesen, of Boston, kisses her 14 week-old daughter Lucia, after the baby went to the "bathroom" after her mother noticed a sign from the child, Friday, Aug. 17, 2007 at a park in Watertown, Mass. Lucia is a product of a "diaper-free" movement founded on the belief that babies are born with an instinctive ability to signal when they need to go to the bathroom. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)
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Reader comments on this story - 38 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Pee is sterile wrote on Aug 29, 2007 9:24 PM:

" It won't hurt anyone at all. No germs in pee at all. There's a ton of it in the pool you know. "

Perspective wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:57 PM:

" I think it is great that the Pantagraph is running stories to open our minds to different choice in baby care. Diaper free babies existed long before and for much longer than diapered babies, particularly babies diapered in chemical laden paper and plastic. We each make choices that we feel our best for our children. We may not do everything perfectly (ex: infant pooping in public sink) But we are for the most part doing our best. And for the record there are plenty of parents out their using chemical laden throwaway diapers that leave them in the grossest places for us to step on and come in contact with. These caregivers are not doing everything perfectly but hey at least they changed their child's diaper! They may not even realize that they have a local cloth diaper shop that specializes in modern reusable diapers. "

Aghast!! wrote on Aug 28, 2007 6:20 PM:

" Peeing in public, peeing in sinks. No one should be peeing in a sink - not at home and not in a public restroom! The lack of diapers seems to equate to barbaric behavior and lacking of basic social graces. At what age are these kids going to learn than it's improper to pee in a sink or in public..... "

Native wrote on Aug 28, 2007 4:51 PM:

" They are inspired by the practice in Third World Countries? While those poor people wish they could aford a diaper. I think these Mothers are just lazy. And they will wonder what happened when little Dominic gets arrested for whizzing on a tree in the park when he is 16. But its natural. "

??????????? wrote on Aug 28, 2007 4:46 PM:

" That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!!!!!!!! "

irish wrote on Aug 28, 2007 3:50 PM:

" I guess the part I don't get is....If the kid is supposedly communicating it's need to go to the bathroom...why don't they take them to one instead of having them do their business in the sink or in the park like a dog? If they are so hell bent on potty training them from birth, the least they could do is train them to go IN THE POTTY! "

Amanda wrote on Aug 28, 2007 3:15 PM:

" I don't think Dr Spock (the baby doctor) would approve! What kinds of habits are these crazy people teaching?!!? "

Fatso wrote on Aug 28, 2007 1:29 PM:

" I think that, all things considered, it's not a good idea to teach your kids to relieve themselves in public places. I mean, what do you do if your kid has diarrhea and all the swimming pools are closed for the season? "

Gross! wrote on Aug 28, 2007 1:05 PM:

" First of all, most doctors will tell you at well-baby infant checkups that babies don't even develop control over their sphincter muscles until at least the age of one. And the lady in the beginning of the article stated that her kid hasn't wet the bed since he was six months old. So what about the first six months? And people at day care centers are expected to carry out this ludicrous practice, which would surely involve cleaning up potty messes all day long because a 3 month-old still hasn't caught on to the whole potty-training game? It great that they are able to "bond more" with their kids, but shouldn't they be teaching them where they can urinate and where they cannot? A tree and a public bathroom sink are not acceptable urinals. "

Clinton Mom wrote on Aug 28, 2007 11:40 AM:

" I can't imagine having my kid at the park with no pants on letting them relieve themselves in public. With all the perverts we hear about these days I bet they are looking for these moms "

Jennifer wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:22 AM:

" If they're so concerned about the environment, then why are they allowing their kids to defecate and urinate in public areas? That's disgusting, dirty, and definitely not environmentally friendly. "

Me wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:13 AM:

" That's just weird to do that with a little baby. I would much prefer to use diapers, but to each his own... "

to good for you wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:55 AM:

" I have a 3 year old, and it varies from day to day as to if he is interested in using the toilet. My daughter was potty trained well before 3 and I have decided that when he is ready to use the toilet all the time he will. I think that you should keep your comments to yourself about how other raise their kids. And if people want to potty train their infants more power to them. I want my kids to be kids and have fun. My son will be potty trained in the next year so I am not worried at all. I know 3 and 4 yr olds that still use pacifiers and bottles, and I don't complain about that. If that is what the parents want then that is what they need to deal with it. "

MJ wrote on Aug 28, 2007 9:34 AM:

" I have read about some silly ideas, but this is one of the all-time silliest. It's obviously a slow-news day when this hits the front page. I would bet that house-cleaning services and vendors of plastic sheeting would love this "trend," but it will never catch on. "

MJ wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:50 AM:

" I have read about some silly ideas, but this is one of the all-time silliest. It's obviously a slow-news day when this hits the front page. I would bet that house-cleaning services and vendors of plastic sheeting would love this "trend," but it will never catch on. "

Crackpots wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:45 AM:

" People just have too much free time... if you're concerned about the environment and the cost/chemicals of disposables, use cloth diapers. "

sorry CARLTON wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:40 AM:

" I live in Farmer City and NO WHERE do I see that there is what I would consider a $200,000 home. I'm sorry to tell you but if you spent that much money for a home around that armpit, you sure don't have much that stands out from norm, because I don't see where there would be a nice house that would make someone as snobby as you sitting. Sorry but I think you wasted your $200,000 "

to:to Carlton wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:39 AM:

" no, you need to watch your mouth and comment on the story which is potty training, somthing at your grumpy old age, you probably have to learn again, huh? Farmer City raceway is nice, and a $200,000 house out there is not that impressive. Urine is steril, although i would not want to be washing my hands after that kid used the sink, kind of reminds me of seeing college kids. "

good greif wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:28 AM:

" that is rediculous. Babies can not be potty trained. take your diaper free environment movement and stick it. we need an idiot free environment worse. "

Good for you wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:34 AM:

" finally someone willing to push kids to do what we all know is right. hey everyone poops. also to the mother of the three year old, grow up lady, that's disgusting. be a mom and teach your kid to pee in teh toilet. "

Funny wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:32 AM:

" Carlton has a house in Farmer City worth $200,000? An entire block in Farmer City isn't worth $200,000! Does anyone else get the feeling that these people don't care about others when they spread their feces and urine all over public places? "

Dear Carlton~~ wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:16 AM:

" I remember you!!! Saw ya comming out of that trailer again! I hear the Farmer city race way's "arm pit" smells better than yours, anyway!!! "

Penny wrote on Aug 28, 2007 6:56 AM:

" Wow...just one more thing to put pressure on our young children. In the time span of 1.5 years, we expect them to pee in the pot, walk and learn a language foreign to them. Will questions such as when they were potty trained, weaned and learned to walk be on college/job apps? Geez...some parents just need to relax! It's no wonder we have such high-strung, stressed out kids!!! Let them be kids!! "

Eye Roll wrote on Aug 28, 2007 5:26 AM:

" Carlton, you moved near a RACETRACK in a town called FARMER CITY. That didn't ring any bells that it might not be the classiest place in the world? Also, to the diarrhea lady...thanks for sharing. Made my Coco Puffs taste extra yummy this morning. "

What are they thinking??? wrote on Aug 28, 2007 4:46 AM:

" This is America, not Africa or Asia!! In Vietnam they pee over a drain hole in the ground!! We are suppose to be humanized folks, that's why everyone wants to live here. To take your child outside to pee on a tree is STUPID!! I taught my son to pee IN the bathroom, he is not a dog!! How do you know it makes them happy?? Oh let me guess this is a gifted child and talks at 3 months. You people need to get a brain check to see if you have one. As long as they are peeing in the pot by the time they start pre-school or kindergarten, great, until then just wait because they'll will figure it out and surprise, they'll want to do what you do. Remember? Children copy, buts lets hope not after you!!! Ahhh...yuppy mommies. "

To Carlton wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:13 PM:

" Please .... go back to where you came from. "

To: Whatever wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:13 PM:

" You are so right. I read a study that said this movement can actually delay a child's development, especially when it comes to bladder control. "

Carlton Please... wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:01 PM:

" Get a new hobby rather than downgrade Farmer City Raceway. That "armpit" has been there longer than your nasty house. I just got my 3 year old potty trained or I guess working on it. She still uses a pullup at night but during the day she is accident free. Let kids be kids for petes sake. "

The Parents wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:39 PM:

" are clearly potty trained here and not the child. While this is great if you have the time, energy and effort, it's far from real life. The experts say in a nice way in this article that a child is not developmentally read for this until closer to two and sometimes not until three. The child need guidance and direction from the parent but not for the parent to do it for them. Give me a break..... "

whatever wrote on Aug 27, 2007 9:02 PM:

" Who's trained here, the parent or the child. "

mom of 3 wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:53 PM:

" What happens if the child has diarrhea? My son just got over 12 days of diarrhea and I can not imagine what it would have been like if he was potty trained and he's 2. Let babies be babies and don't rush them to grow up. "

no way! wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:44 PM:

" I would be pissed if I had to use that sink after the kid used it. GROSS and should be a health violation. Some people are just plain NUTS. "

gross wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:42 PM:

" should be illegal "

Carlton wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:15 PM:

" This has been going on for years at the Farmer City race track. I would know, I live near this armpit. These dirty people that drive by my $200,000 house are often seen "watering" their tires on their (drunken) way home from the track. "

Quick~ wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:34 PM:

" Wash your hands before ya get pee all over! I'd have that family thrown out of the resturant. They need to wizz in their own sinks! Nasty.... "

hmmm wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:22 PM:

" Hope no one comes up to that boy when he gets to school and hisses . . . . . "

Old School Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:45 PM:

" People can;t clean up after their dogs. Throw diapers out of their cars. Now the kids are urinating in a sink? Not at all good hygiene. "

That's just gross~~ wrote on Aug 27, 2007 5:38 PM:

" letting your baby urniate in a public sink, I hope you cleaned up after! My son is 3 and not yet trained, I'd rather have him not be than to be outside and just lettin it rip. He'll learn, in his own time, or when I decide not to wipe his booty. "
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