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Support for Infant Potty Training

© Laurie Boucke

One of the biggest obstacles to infant potty training (IPT) comes from having to deal with people who know nothing about IPT yet judge this method in a negative light, with little to no criteria or facts to back up their disapproval and misdirected morality. The easiest solution for this type of situation is to be private and discreet about using IPT. If you excuse yourself and go to a rest room with your baby, everyone will assume you are going there to change a diaper. Let them think this, as you pee or poo your baby over the sink or toilet behind closed doors.

Seeing is believing. Once your baby becomes fairly responsive and you are able to read timing, patterns and/or signals fairly well, consider letting a borderline skeptical friend or family member watch your baby respond to your cues. Perhaps the skeptic will change her mind about IPT.

*** BEST SOURCES OF SUPPORT ***

1. Online Support . . . Word is spreading, and IPT is catching on in the Western world! There are online bulletin boards, email lists and web sites providing much needed and welcome support. In addition, the Infant Potty Training Web Ring will take you to most sites that contain information, inspiration and more. Here are some URLs to check:

Suite 101 list of articles on IPT http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/infa...

Homepage of the Infant Potty Training Web Ring http://www.timl.com/tt

Parents Place bulletin board http://boards2.parentsplace.com/cgi-bin/...

U.K. Parents bulletin board http://www.ukparents.co.uk/cgi-bin/infan...

2. Family Support . . . Although not always available for every IPT mother, supportive family members can make a difference. Gently ascertain whether any of your family members are open to IPT. Family support--whether husband, mother, aunt or sister--can make life easier. If no one is receptive, don't expect support from them at first.

3. Friends and/or caregivers . . . Same as (2), find out if any of your friends or caregivers are open and supportive.

4. Community . . . If you have Asians or other immigrants living in your community, find out where they are from and if they are familiar with IPT. They won't have a special name for this method, as it is simply the way they toilet train. IPT is especially prevalent in India, Pakistan and Vietnam. If you meet any ladies from these places, ask their advice and see if they can show you different positions to use with your baby. If you sometimes go out without your baby, see if they are available to baby-sit and potty your baby while you are out. They can be most inspiring and provide valuable tips.

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