Bye bye diaper!
Removing the diaper is one of the major growth stages that characterize a child's first three years. How to approach this significant step? When to do it? Some practical advice to help mothers.
Patience and serenity is what is asked of a parent who is approaching the moment of 'spannolinamento'. This is, in fact, a very delicate passage for the child, often a source of confusion and malaise.
When to start?
There is no right time, as every child is different from the others. Experts recommend the period of two to three years, when the body becomes ready for the big step. In fact, it is generally starting from 18 months that the child develops the ability to control the sphincters. Another piece of advice is to wait for the warmer months, when the baby can be left naked on the beach (perceiving better what is happening) or, in any case, does not risk remaining wet for long in cold temperatures. The signals that the child can send are equally significant: there are children who clearly make it clear that they are now annoyed by the diaper, and want to be changed, and others who are intrigued by the toilet bowl or by their peers peeing outdoors. Furthermore, the dry diaper is often found at the scheduled time for the change. These are the 'right moments'.
How to proceed?
There are those who adopt the technique of inviting the child to sit on the potty or on the toilet at any time and those who, on the other hand, prefer to set deadlines so as not to risk irritating him with inconclusive visits to the bathroom. In any case, accompanying the moment with reading a book could make everything easier. It is important to encourage the child to recognize the stimulus: for him, pooping and peeing in the potty or toilet is initially a trauma, as if he were losing a part of himself and had to deal with reality outside his body. If it happens (usually by chance) that pee comes out, it is essential to show happiness: the most beautiful gratification is the smile of the mother and the applause of the father.
Advise
On the other hand, it is wrong to scold the little one when he gets dirty or wet: rather, without dramatizing it, one could point out what has happened and invite him to warn 'in time'. Another tip: don't drag out sphincter control education for a long time. If, after the afternoon nap, the baby does not get wet, you can try to remove the diaper even at night (but it is also possible that the baby himself will ask you, once he understands the 'freedom' achieved).
Always remaining within the margins of subjectivity, normally a week is sufficient to educate the child, although road accidents must be foreseen for a few more months.
To know
■ Imitation is a very attractive modality for children: don't forget to let them observe 'as older children do'.
■ The evacuation of feces is something very invasive for the child from a psychological point of view: the adult's joy in seeing him evacuate contrasts with the gesture of throwing away the poop because it is smelly and dirty. It could happen that, in the refusal, the child also becomes constipated: maybe it's not the time yet?
■ Decision: 'remove and put' reinforces the state of confusion. Firmness but also gentleness are needed and it is good to always explain to the child what is happening, and not to remove the diaper 'overnight' without giving any reason.
■ Never start taking off the diaper in conjunction with other important events, such as the birth of little brothers and sisters or entering the nursery.
I don't use diapers
There are those who choose not to use diapers. Never, not even for the newborn. The Ec – Elimination Communication method is based on solid principles: picking up the evacuation signals to accompany the little one to the decisive moment and gradually educating him to be independent. This attitude also goes to reduce the irritation of the bottom, to the benefit of the environment.
Potty or toilet?
Better to introduce the potty or go directly to the toilet with the help of the reducer? The potty is suitable for children, helps the sense of independence and can be moved around the house. But you have to empty it and clean it after each use. And, at some point, you have to anyway
start using the toilet. The toilet is available everywhere, it hinges on the imitation instinct and, with a reducer and a bench to get on,
becomes child-friendly. You just have to make sure that the child is not afraid of falling into it.
