15 month update

DS 15 months old on Thursday the 1^st June

* We started at...

Birth

* Generally speaking we are doing...

Spectacular, loving this process and the daily fun of it, wondering what amazing new thing he will do!

* How do you know your baby has to go?

Various signs – pickle tugging is pretty clear, plucking at underwear, frown, stopping activity getting up and looking around. Overt signals are things like approaching me and calling or crying out, making his ‘ghrrrr’ sound, pointing at the toilet place,  tugging at his ear/hair, bringing over his pee bowl. My intuition is also really good still – I just know when he needs to go - I'll start thinking about taking him to the loo, and subconsciously begin observing for signs. He is now signing twice sometimes - for instance he'll go 'grrr' as walking around, then he'll come close and grab at his pants or willy or belly. 

* Is there a difference for poos and pees?

He is signalling well for poops at odd times - once he clearly pointed over to the sink and did a big poop at an unusual time. He'll signal even to do a fluff! Otherwise, they are in the mornings while still in bed. he'll squirm, fuss, refuse the breast, pluck at his belly, lift his legs, grizzle and go "grrr" until I help him to go in his bowl. It is really obvious when he needs to go then. He likes to look at his production afterwards, go to the bathroom and lift the toilet lid for me as I pour it down, then closes the lid and tries to climb on the loo to flush! (I help him to do this)

* Which positions/receptacles do you use?

In-arms classic position, various makeshift positions. I have a potty bowl (lappy) that he has used a few times now - so easy! Over his wide bowl, the toilet, kitchen sink (Yes, still, it is so easy!) bathroom sink, outside.

* Do you use nappies or training pants?

No. he is in knickers or just pants when out, spilt crotch pants when at home as it is getting colder (from the EC Store) and some I made. I went out today with him in the woolen split croth pants with knickers over the top - people said he looked like a super hero in tights!

* How are you doing away from home?

Knickers and pants or just pants - Dh reminded me he didn't really need to wear knickers yet. I thought they might keep more of a flood in, but the two accidents he has had while out were only partial - he then finished in the loo, and nothing went on the floor. He wears socks also, as they can catch any overflow. He has been really upset about accidents, it feels so terrible to him in pants, different to trainers where he would grizzle for a bit, then ignore the wetness if I didn't realise when we were out.

* What are you doing at night?

Naked baby sleeps between us, rouses to dream feed, sleep-pee at 9pm, 2pm and 5.30am atm. We've had a couple of accidents at night,  - I think it is his pattern shifting, and me not yet catching up. Again, only partial accidents, he squirms and grizzles until I help him pee, then put down a cloth nappy on it and back to sleep. 

* Who takes baby to the toilet?

Me, dh, grandma twice!!!!!!

* Accidents - how many do you have and what times are especially accident-prone?

0-2 a day, related to my distraction or similar. Sometimes in the bathroom (who cares) Sometimes I just forget timing and pssssss - oops. He always helps to clean it up - I give him a flannel and he starts rubbing!

* Other new insights:

- Maven has awoken me at night by vocally signalling "Grrr" when he needed to pee and I was still dreaming.

- Maven has been putting bits of loo paper into the toilet. He got some, wiped himself then put it in the toilet - imitation is an amazing thing.

- After talking more to my Grandma about how she did a similar thing with her children I am left scratching my head about how in one generation the skills were not only stopped, but forgotten with the advent of disposables and 'readiness' psychology.

- He is showing the occasional preference to use the toilet (in arms). I'll say "Toilet, Maven?" at a sign or signal, and point to his bowl, but he'll head for the bathroom and hit or lift the toilet lid, so we go there! Perhaps once per day.

* What do you like most about ec'ing at the moment?

How simple and natural it is to help him to go to the toilet through the day. How amazing that we go out with him in mere pants and there is no problem with this. A few accidents here and there are so what? No extra washing or shopping - how on earth can people afford nappies for years? I feel sorry for the poor Mums thinking they have to use nappies full time for 3 or 4 years. Imagine that? Such unnecessary drudgery!  Poor children having to mess themselves intentionally day after day for years. (rather than accidentally; quite a different thing) 

* Do you ever wish you'd have never heard about it?

No.

* A tip for this age/stage?

I stay responsible for keeping baby dry; although regular overt signalling happens daily. I can't rely on him to alert me; when he does it is great; otherwise I am still aware through timing/intuition of his needs. Keep open to new signals and signs and developing preferences to support; I am seeing these all the time!

Charndra

Ds Maven 15 months