Infant pottying

A long time ago, my great-grandmother potty trained all of her babies in infancy. She didn't have time to be changing diapers for three years per child. Not cool. So she pottied, which is a very common thing in many many cultures in the world - just not ours. Then my grandmother had children. She saw the wisdom in my great-grandmother's ways and continued the tradition - the only one of nine children. When my mom was planning to have children, my grandma may have guilt tripped her a little into pottying because no one else would carry on the tradition if she didn't. So, a little nervous, my mom did it. All eight of us were potty trained straight from the hospital and were for sure trained when we were one, some earlier. Yes we had accidents but my mom got the training done early and didn't have to change poopy diapers! Sweet! And so the tradition continues. Two of my sisters, one sister-in-law and myself have all followed my mama's ways.

Ok, I am still learning and I am in no way perfect. We have days here where I'm lucky if I get Oakley on the potty twice. BUT it is really good and we have had success right from the beginning. The first time I put Oakley on the potty, he started peeing and I yelled a little. It startled Oakley and he stopped peeing. That's when my mom told me to be calm when pottying him because he may stop peeing if he is scared or startled. He kept peeing though and I felt like I had done something awesome - even though Oakley did all the work.

This is our typical day of pottying:
When Oakley wakes up, we go potty. The rule is if he is super hungry, feed him. That is more important than pottying him right then. Also babies can hold it for quite awhile.
Then you pick an amount of time you want to go. We started at half an hour, now we range from 45 min to an hour. When it's been that long since the last time they went potty, take them again. When Oakley's wet already, I shorten the time of the next interval.
When he has a nap, we take him potty right after he wakes up. This is the best time to have your baby go potty!

To potty:

• You can buy a potty. My mom has searched for a good potty in the last few years. You want more of an oval shape that will fit nicely between your legs. We finally found this one and I love it! The removable seat makes it easy to sit in your legs and wash out afterward. The lip at the front is great for little boys because their pee stays contained. When Oakley's a little older and can walk and such, he can use the whole thing. 
• You can hold your baby over the sink. Everything easily washes down the drain and you can rinse your baby's bottom under the tap if you so choose. 
• You can straddle the toilet and hold your baby between your legs over the toilet

There are other ways, but I don't know what they are.

It is important to know that after feeding, you need to be prepared for spit up as you are squishing your baby's belly. I've been trying to have Oakley in a reclined position after I feed him and that seems to be helping his food stay down.

Another thing, you don't keep your baby on the potty forever. If they haven't gone in five minutes, take them off. You want your baby to know that it's time to go right when they are put on the potty and they don't have forever. Babies like to be clean and dry so they will learn to go when you give them the chance.

Babies grunt and screw up their faces when they are going to have a bowel movement. I tell Oakley to wait and I squeeze his bum cheeks together so he can't squish anything out. I am happy to say that in the last month, I have changed about four or five poopy diapers. I love it when he does #2 in the potty. It is the greatest feeling ever knowing that I don't have to deal with it all on his bum and his clothes, etc.

I haven't mastered pottying while out on the go or travelling but it is doable. My mama did it. :)

After awhile, babies will give you cues to let you know they have to go. We're not at the stage yet, or if we are, I'm missing Oakley's cues. Babies can be potty trained but really you are being trained at the same time.

We have days where we go through more diapers and days where I take him potty 30 minutes later and he's already wet but we've had more successes than failures and I am happy with how well he is doing and I'm glad I continued the tradition.

If you are interested in potty, I encourage you to do it. If you need some help or have some questions, my mom, Ramona would love to help anyone with their pottying endeavors. Email me at deskastendieck{at}gmail{dot}com if you wish to contact her.

 Good luck!