In the realm of parenting, some claims can seem quite extraordinary. Take, for instance, the story of Australian mother Jenna Mitchell, who has been attempting to potty train her child since he was just three weeks old. Now nearing his first birthday, she asserts that he signals his bathroom needs through various sounds. “An ‘uh-oh’ indicates a bowel movement is imminent, while at night, ‘eh eh’ signifies he needs to go,” she reports. Really? “LOL” translates to “potty training a three-week-old is a futile endeavor.”
According to recent reports, Jenna shared that the most challenging months were between two and four. This period became more of a project for her as she zealously aimed to catch every wee and poop. Her son adapted to using a specialized EcoBabyloo, which costs around $100. However, her partner, busy with work commitments, opted not to participate in her unique training approach.
It’s important to note that if you find yourself timing your child’s needs, looking for cues, and holding them over the potty, you’re not actually potty training. You’re demonstrating that you’ve trained yourself to recognize signals and react accordingly. Jenna mentions, “I learned to observe for his signs right after breastfeeding, as there was a lot going in, meaning something had to come out. He also tends to be quite regular in the mornings and after naps.” Babies generally follow an adult’s rhythm, albeit at a quicker pace, so if he happens to relieve himself in his diaper, that’s more on her.
If you wish to spend your entire day monitoring your infant solely to claim they’re potty trained, that’s your choice. However, dedicating months to watching your child and occasionally holding them over a potty is not true potty training; it’s a significant use of time that could be spent on other fulfilling activities. Consider the books you could read, the hobbies you could explore, or the TV shows you could binge-watch instead.
The concept of potty training infants isn’t entirely new; the practice known as Elimination Communication suggests that children are instinctively potty trained, and it is adults who condition them to sit in soiled diapers. This perspective is valid, but one could also argue that the use of cloth and disposable diapers allows parents the freedom from constantly watching their children, trying to catch them in time to reach the bathroom.
When training a child who cannot yet navigate to the toilet by themselves, it’s more a matter of being rushed by a vigilant parent rather than genuine potty training. If I constantly observe my child, assume she needs to go, and hurry her to the bathroom day in and day out, she isn’t actually trained. While there’s no judgment for parents who have the time and inclination to pursue this method, calling it “potty training” is a considerable stretch.
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In summary, while the idea of potty training an infant may seem appealing, it’s essential to recognize the distinction between true potty training and simply responding to a child’s cues. Many parents may find that the time spent monitoring their infants could be better utilized elsewhere.
Keyphrase: Potty Training Infants
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