A Diaper Free Baby in Provence

You baby pees where?!
She goes in the potty, just a few times a day, sometimes more” I reply, ensuring my French is correct
But she is only 8 months old!
Well, that is not very French!” … where have I heard that before?!

I sometimes wonder why I bother telling people how I raise BabyinProvence but on the other hand it really can be amusing!

The Diaper-Free Baby by Christine Gross-Loh – a must read for anyone interested in Elimination Communication

Finally I found out what Elimination Communication is in French! At last! I now have the vocabulary to explain what it is! Elimination Communication (or EC) is also called Natural Infant Hygeine or “L’Hygiène Naturelle Infantile (HNI)” in French – it is the practice of responding to your babies cues and signs to eliminate waste or, in short, potty training (although this term is often contested).

I don’t consider myself to be a hardcore EC-er – rather, a part-time EC-ing mummy who does what’s manageable each day without it becoming a burden or a chore (95% of poops are now caught in the potty, and more recently in the toilet). BabyinProvence has been using a potty, occassionally the outdoors and now the toilet for the last 5 months or so – it’s something that works for US and is a personal decision to do what WE feel is best for our baby. It does not, cause psychological problems as some baby literature (probably funded by diaper manufacturers) states – BabyinProvence actually enjoys her “potty time”.

So … more info on:
ECing in English
HNI en Français

If anyone wants to know more please feel free to ask me a question

8 thoughts on “A Diaper Free Baby in Provence

  1. Leah

    Some literature actually claims it causes babies psychological problems? That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.

    Good job Baby in Provence and Mummy in Provence. 😀

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence

      Thanks Leah for your comment and support!
      Yes, you would be surprised some of the literature I have stumbled across that states that it cause low self esteem and psychological problems … funnily its usually in the same publication that is covered in diaper adverts!

      Reply
    2. Elimination Communication

      I think the literature confuses abusive practices that were done to force (tieing babies to chairs, rigid schedules, punishments) with helping a baby to toilet when needed..

      Reply
  2. mum2babyinsomniac

    I have never even heard of this before! Going to do some reading about it though as it sounds interesting!

    Reply
    1. mummyinprovence Post author

      let me know if you have any questions! Happy to help!

      The key is to remember that it has to work for YOU and then your baby – it’s not a competition and it’s what’s manageable!

      Reply
  3. rebecca brown (

    I really want to get this potty training in order, babyboo is now nearly 8months and starting to be awake most of the day so my question is ‘how do we get started!’ 🙂 x

    Reply
  4. Kelly

    Hello! I am an American in Lyon trying to learn more about EC here, but the French link you provided said it was not found… I am wondering if you found a good mini potty in France and if so where? I hope to avoid ordering one from the states since the shipping is more than the cost of the potty itself 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Ameena GORTON

      I used an antique chamber pot! The IKEA cheap plastic potty is also great!

      Reply

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