Most parents think when it comes to nappies there are only two choices — disposable or reusable — but a growing number are opting for a third choice: none.
Montana Lower's daughter Blue is just nine months old, but according to her mum she is almost toilet trained and barely needs nappies.
Edwina O'Connell, who runs EC workshops on the Gold Coast and in northern New South Wales, says the method relies on parents looking for subtle cues from their baby indicating when they need to go to the toilet, and responding accordingly. "There are a bunch of signs a baby gives when they need to go — they might go still or quiet, or with my son he'd shake his fist, and then if you're responding the cues get stronger."Ms O'Connell said while she was initially sceptical about the method, she found it worked effectively with both her children, with eye contact being key.
"At four months old she was tapping her nappy and grabbing her potty to bring it close when she wanted to go," she said.Ms O'Connell said her Nappy Less website had received more traffic in recent weeks, which she attributes to people being home during COVID-19 restrictions. "The EC community is definitely growing, and through my online community I've had thousands of people reach out and say, 'I've given it a go and it's been such a positive experience'," she said.Previous research by the University of New South Wales found that there was little benefit in starting toilet training before 18 months of age to achieving independent toileting.
Ms O'Connell agrees even for parents doing EC it's important they do not fixate on eliminating nappies too early.
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