Diaper Free Babies?

I thought I heard it all. This is a new one for me. This morning, The Today Show did a segment on some Parents that are practicing " Diaper Free " Toilet Training with their newborns and Infants.

Here is how the Proponents say it works :

When child has to go to the bathroom, he or she gives the parents so sort of visual cue that its time to go. The parent take the children into the bathroom, holds them over the toilet, and makes specific noises to encourages them to " go " .

This apparently is not a new trend, and is practices in other countries. ( countries where people may not be able to afford diapers ) While this may have rather large environmental implications, eliminating tons of disposable diapers from landfills.

I don't buy it.

I think this is a crazy practice that most likely has close to a 0% change of working within the first year of the babies life. The American Academy of Pediatrics agree that children do not have any control for at least the first 12 months.

All this does it create more stress for Parent and child. What happens when you are outside at a picnic, do you take them to the nearest tree?

Diaper Free? Hardly

Please let me know what you think, I am sure this is a subject that can be up for debate.

Below is a recent CNN report on Diaper Free Babies




Below is the Segment Broadcasted on the Today Show, October 10, 2007.


Toddler trend: Diaper-free babies