EC

(ps that's not a bruise on her bottom, it's a birth mark)

In an effort to minimize laundry, I decided to start holding Gracie on a little potty when I changed her diaper. She was regularly peeing or pooping as soon as the diaper came off, and her poops are major projectile! Then I remembered a friend of mine told me about elimination communication. Gracie was already successfully peeing in the potty at diaper changes, so I decided to take the next step and learn her "I have to go potty" cues. About 1 week into it and we're catching about 5 or 6 pees a day and usually 1 or 2 poops.
For those who have never heard of elimination communication (EC) it's simply learning a baby's cues and helping them eliminate in a more sanitary way than in a diaper. Humans and animals are born understanding that it's gross and uncomfortable to soil themselves. Humans teach their babies to eliminate in a diaper. Before a baby has learned that the diaper is her toilet, she often waits until the diaper is off to "go potty." It's not just because the cold hits the little fanny, it's because she knows her waste isn't going to be trapped against her skin. All babies have some kind of potty cue, the trick is to figure it out. So we're in that process. I have noticed that if Gracie suddenly goes from happy to fussy, it's because she's gotta go, also, when nursing if she starts to get aggravated, it's usually because she has to pee.
I never thought that "peeing" my baby would be so fun, I'm so proud of her every time.

I'm sure many people think that I'm crazy, and I understand that this probably doesn't work for many parents, but it works for me and Gracie.