Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Partial Diaper Use

Do you feel intimidated by the thought of being totally "diaper free?"

You don't need to be!

Even if you're using elimination communication (EC) with your baby and going "diaper free" you don't have to completely shun diapers - there may be a time and place in your baby's life you want to use them.

Prefolds for Newborns

You will probably want to keep a diaper under your baby in the early days. A prefold diaper is ideal because you can spread it out flat under your baby. Newborn babies sometimes leak just a little when they pass gas and a prefold under your baby keeps your lap and bed clean.

Using a prefold in this way is also good for occasional misses and if you're learning baby's cues and not ready to use a container.

If you have a baby boy a prefold draped lightly over him can protect from the "sprinkler effect." You can also use small towels for these purposes.

A Solution for the Mobile Baby

Let your baby be truly diaper free as much as possible. She'll get more skin to skin contact and be able to move freely. But when your baby becomes mobile there may be times you want diaper backup - such as when you're watching a recipe that burns easily!

Using a cloth diaper with snaps is a good strategy. These diapers can be quickly taken off when you sense that your baby needs to eliminate. You may be able to snap them loosely so that you can slide them down and hold your baby over the potty place.

Using a snap diaper without a cover will allow you to know as soon as your baby has wet, even if you miss her cues. You can change her promptly or hold her gently over the potty place to help her continue to associate it with elimination.

Nighttime Use

You may want to use diapers at night. Some babies and parents don't want to go to the potty at night (a wide container at the side of the bed can make nighttime pottying an easy reality, however!) Some babies wey early in the night and then stay dry until morning.

There are times for diaper backup at night. You can use prefolds to cover your non-mobile baby and a diaper without a cover on your older babies if you still want to be able to change your baby frequently. Cover your baby with a separate blanket to protect the top bedding, and have them sleep on a waterproof pad or sheepskin.

You can use a diaper with a cover or a pocket diaper or even disposable diapers at night if you feel like that would be better for you and your baby.

Other Times to Use Diapers

You may want to use diaper backup when you go out with your baby. Some families will feel comfortable taking their diaper free baby out. In fact some moms report that they are even more aware of their babies' cues when they travel outside of the home.

Many parents will want some sort of backup when they go out. Choose a diaper that works well for your baby and go out guilt free. Change your baby as soon as he wets, and if you get the chance to, offer to potty your baby while out. You may come home with a dry diaper!

In Diaper Free! Ingrid Bauer also suggests that diapers may be useful in times of stress. During these times, such as sickness or grieving, you may want to put your baby into a diaper so that you do not have to worry about missing cues. You can continue to tune into your baby and offer chances to eliminate, but if you miss a cue you can simply change your baby right away.

Bauer also suggests any time you are frustrated and may get upset with your baby for a miss to use diaper backup. EC'ing is not about "potty training" and misses may happen. If you're having a hard day or a lot of misses you may want to use backup diapers - or move to a room where the floor is easily cleaned. Heading outside may also refresh you and allow you to reconnect with your baby.

They're Only Backup

If you do find times when you need to use diaper backup, and many parents practicing EC do, continue to listen to your baby's cues. Offer to potty whenever possible.

Remember that you still need to listen to your baby. Find ways to connect with your baby and be sensitive to her needs. If you get off track for a few days during sickness, travel, or other stress, take time to tune into your baby's cues again as soon as you can.

Elimination Communication is a wonderful choice that works with backup diapers - adjust to you and your baby. He'll thank you for the opportunity to connect and communicate!