Diapers and babies go hand in hand, right? Or do they? One Massachusetts-based group says no. Instead of changing those smelly diapers they're putting their children on potties from infancy.

A 2 month old sitting on a potty is not a sight you see every day.

Melinda Rothstein, Co-Founder Diaper Free Baby, says "We don't wait until a baby says I'm hungry to feed them...So, we don't have to wait for them to say I have to pee in words before we help them go to the potty."

Melinda Rothstein is a co-founder of Diaper Free Baby, a group founded in Massachusetts in 2003, dedicated to Elimination Communication , or EC. It's the practice of figuring out from infancy when babies have to go to the bathroom by looking for cues.

During the interview Leo, her youngest at 2 months, went to the bathroom in a top hat-looking potty. But how did she know to put him there?

Melinda says, "He was very fussy, I know he has to nap but I know he just fed so most likely he had to pee."

When Leo is done, Melinda puts him in a diaper. Then next time Leo is fussy and the cues indicate he has to go to the bathroom she takes the diaper off and puts him back on the toilet. So, she's essentially catching Leo before he goes in his diaper so he doesn't get diaper rash and have to sit in a dirty diaper.

Many argue that EC is just luck. But whatever it is, it does reduce the number of diapers. EC parents say it saves money and helps the environment - no diapers in the landfill. But when you get right down to it is it the best for the baby?

Kasey Horton, trying EC, says, "I know my husband was very skeptical at first."

Kasey's baby is 5 months old and she just started EC'ing 2 months ago. It's their first child.

Kasey says, "He goes in the potty a surprising amount of the time certainly not all the time."

And her and her husband don't EC all the time either.

Kasey says, "we're not strict about it."

Melinda says, "It's not all or nothing."

EC moms say it's not for everyone but anyone can do it, even working moms.

Many doctors say it just doesn't work because babies do not have any control over their bladders. However, Melinda says from her experience they do.

Melinda says, "I know all my children have had some sort of degree control since infancy. They don't have total control, it's something they gain gradually. They are totally capable of doing this."

And while it might look a little strange, moms say they are bonding and becoming closer with their child which is worth the extra effort.

Melinda says EC is not potty training, it focuses on communicating with your child about using the toilet. But most EC children are potty trained earlier than others.

For more information about Diaper Free Baby: www.diaperfreebaby.org


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