Talk:Elimination communication
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[edit] Neutrality discussion
This article roughly conforms to what I believe, but it's woefully inadequate from the NPOV point of view. I think this article needs a touch from the conventional, opposing side, so that wiki-consensus can be reached.
Right now I'm not willing to touch the article because I'm not an expert, and the foundations of the article are so bad I can't debate them. User:Decoy
The definition sounds somewhat right, but what seems to be in dispute is not the definition but the principle, and that is not for discussion here but on blogs out there.
I am a father of a 1 year old, and we have been doing EC from 18 weeks. The idea of having to clean feces of my baby is archaic.
I removed the NPOV marker because the article is entirely descriptive; there are no statements purporting that EC is a superior method of nurturing, or that conventional diapering is inferior. The fact that EC may make some people squeamish doesn't mean that there is an "opposing side" in any rational sense. I am not aware of any research indicating that EC might be an unhealthy or inappropriate practice. (EC is not potty training and should not be confused with early potty training methods that have been scientifically discredited.)
The widely respected pediatrician Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, who has been an opponent of potty training "too early" now supports the practice of EC by caregivers who have the time and proximity EC requires.
Brazelton does point out that EC would be difficult if not impossible for many parents to practice because of modern social structures such as families in which both parents work outside the home. It wouldn't hurt to include such information in this article, but it isn't necessary to the article's neutrality any more than an article on skydiving should include reasons not to skydive. Some people just don't want to "go there," and thankfully they don't have to.
As far as the "bad foundations" of the article, this writer would appreciate specific, constructive criticism so that references can be included where readers feel it would help. The cited books by Bauer and Boucke are both well researched and include many scientific references. User:KnowWell, 07:28, 9 September 2006 (UTC)
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Brazelton's argument about EC'ing being difficult in modern times is flawed because EC is not dependent on mothers doing it with their babies. EC is not like breastfeeding. Anyone can EC a baby. I know many families where both parents work and the caregivers (be it a grandparent or daycare provider) EC the baby during the day.
[edit] This really works!
As a mother who practices Elimination Communication, I am pleased to see this explanation. I didn't start until my 4th child came along, and my only regret was that I didn't learn more about it when my other 3 were babies. I found it contributed to bonding with my baby, it was less stressful for both of us than diaper changing, and contributed to my son being reliable to tell me he needed to use the potty at a much earlier age than any of my other 3 "conventionally trained" children. If I am given any more children in the future, I intend to continue using Elimination Communication to gently meet their needs.
[edit] Say what?
Um...the article leaves me baffled. Not only do infants need to eliminate very frequently, (are these EC parents really running their child to the bathroom every 10 to 20 minutes?), there is also the issue that toliets (even most toddlers' training toliets) are simply too large for an infant to use. What does an EC infant do once a parent has ran it into a restroom? I just am not getting the mechanics behind raising a diaperless infant.
- I read an article on this a couple of years ago. My all-too-good memory conjures up an image of a boy a few months of age being held over a sink and peeing into it. --Kizor 06:04, 11 January 2006 (UTC)
This can be exactly what happens, many parents hold their child over an adult toilet or sink. Some will keep some sort of potty or container nearby. Lorax 03:52, 8 April 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Converted
I am a husband whose wife discovered EC when our son was a few months old. My first response was akin to "You've got to be kidding!" But you can't argue with success. Now at 14 mos. we are very close to 100% for poops- I honestly can't remember when we had a poopy diaper- It has to have been a few months at least- and maybe 80% for pees. We do go for a couple days sometimes without missing a pee, but some days you have a puddle or two, or a wet diaper here and there. We use the "Baby Bjorn" plastic potty available at Babies-R-Us for $10, or pee in the sink, or even outside if needed. (When travelling, for example.) jpo_eng Aug 14, 2006
[edit] It works 100%!
We started at 14 days after birth, practicing with our son, following the Laurie Boucke protocol. Now, 4 months later he needs not more than 1 pampers a day. He clearly signals when he needs to go and even holds for a while. We'been told lies, by doctors and pediatricians, that babies cannot control their elimination, that they cannot hold -- THIS IS NOT TRUE, I see it every day with my eyes -- every time we hold him over the receptacle (basin) he relieves himself at will. He is happy that we understand his needs, we are happy too, for it costs us less and is good for the environment. I expect at age of 10 months he will be fully potti trained, compared to other kids that will carry pampers for years ahead. Poor them.
[edit] Long term
It would be kind of funny if everybody started doing this to the present generation of babies, and as a consequence of receiving all of this nurturing attention, plus not experiencing the usual discomfort of wearing dirty diapers as an infant, when they are all grown up they develop strange and alien attitudes towards bathroom behavior. Like maybe they will chat about the weather with complete strangers in the next toilet when using public restrooms. Or maybe the men will keep publis restrooms clean.
