Elimination Communication -Week 2

Day 8- 24th Dec08 Wed

It’s been one week since I started ‘Elimination Communication’ with 5-months old Darius.

I still let him wear diapers til 10plus when he has his morning bath. I’m just too sleepy in the morning to handle his pees and poos.

Today, he bathed later and he peeed 30mins later after his half past ten feed. Then, shortly after his bath. I noticed he usually pees after his bath while lying on the waterproof changing mat on our bed. Hard to catch that as I’m busy keeping stuff.

The rest of the day, I still cloth diapered him during his naps and both times they were wet when he woke. Then, just before we went out, I manage to catch a pee. So today wasn’t productive.

What I noticed today:
-Pees after bath

Pees caught – 1   Average Stay Dry – 10mins    Longest Stay Dry- 30mins

Day 9-25th Dec08 Thu

Today, I decided to potty him earlier after his 0730hrs feed since he always stay awake til 0900hrs. I took off his diaper and wrapped him in nappy cloth from 0805hrs. Brought him to the potty 5mins later and he went. Then, he was cloth-diapered again for his nap. We had to go out for mass, hence EC was put on hold.

But once we came back, I let him wear the nappy cloth again and brought him to the potty 20mins after his feed and he peeed. He was then cloth diapered again for nap and I caught another pee 10mins after he woke up. We then had to go out for dinner, thus he was in disposables the rest of the day.

Pees caught – 3       Longest Stay Dry- 20mins

Day 10-26th Dec08 Fri (Starting to not use any cloth diapers, great progress!)

Today Darius was rather cranky when he woke up in the morning. Crying when he was put into the exersaucer only after a little while when usually he enjoys playing in it.

I took off his diapers and wrapped him with a nappy cloth for feeding after his bath at 1000hrs. Hubby fed him around 30mins after. He didn’t pee at all even during the feed. That surprised me. We then made him sit on the potty again with legs raised for a pee at around 20mins after the feed.

He started crying initially, but quickly quietened down to pee after I sang a song to relax him. 30mins later, I put him on the potty and he peeed into it again with not much protest! He seemed to be getting it now, that he’s supposed to pee into the potty. Wow! great progress.

I then brought him into the room for a nap near to 12noon but he was fussing a lot and crying, refusing to sleep. I decided not to use cloth diapers at all even during his nap and just put him on the mattress protector with him in nappy cloth or shorts.

I noticed his left hand kept moving towards his shorts. That is a sign for me that he’s going to pee. So I took him by the thighs again, put the bowl from the seat potty onto the bed, and held him over it. I thought he was going to pee but to my surprise, out came a poop!

I was amazed at it and even asked hubby to take a shot. The first poo from the cue position! That means I can start let him poo into the potty too! That’s really great. I got to try to make it the same timing everyday so he can move his bowels everyday. The poo looks rather dry though…maybe he’s a bit constipated so he didn’t feel well and kept crying. After the poop, he was so relieved that he slept easily.

Alas, he didn’t stay dry during the nap. When I fetch him from the bed, the nappy was already wet. But 10mins later, he peeed again. So, I should have brought him to pee after he woke up. Must remember next time!

He then peeed again 10 mins after probably due to me feeding him water after he woke up.

30mins after the feed at 1330hr finish, he peeed again into the potty but not without first crying and crying. He seemed to hate sitting on the potty all of a sudden when he hadn’t mind the past few days. We really didn’t know why he was behaving thus. We could only guess that it was because he felt pressurised to pass motion and when he couldn’t, he cried.

I didn’t force him onto the potty. He was the one crying and fussing when he was playing in the exersaucer or playing on the mat or even when we were carrying him. So he was signalling his need for pee but when I brought him to the potty, he cried very badly and was all red-faced. I perservered with it though and we sang songs to relax him, to tell him it’s alright. Then, he peeed into the potty.

He behaved this way again 30mins after. I put him in pants and let him nap after that. He woke up dry!I tried peeing him in the toilet but he didn’t want so I let it go. Then, I tried the potty again with him protesting and crying.Took him out of it because he was really crying too much and then he peeed right onto the floor outside. Not sure why he is disliking the potty suddenly and couldn’t relax to pee.

He stayed dry for about an hour again before we gave him the potty. Again, I sang song to him while seated behind him supporting his legs with them a bit raised over the potty. Only his backside was touching the potty. He cried a bit, calmed down and turned quiet before releasing his pee into the potty.

We are really glad that he does seemed to know what he’s doing and what the potty is for. One sign is that, he cried the moment he sits on it but stops when he gets off it.

Tried potty again at 30mins after but he protested. He then peeed 50mins after and it was time for bath.

After his bath, I put him in a shorts and he remained dry for 1hr 55mins! Seemed that he’s having greater control of his muscles now. I slept with him and felt him when he was still asleep and he was dry. Just a little after he stirred and start crying, I noticed he had peeed into his pants. From previous experience in the morning, this is only a ‘woke-up pee’. I quickly brought him into the bathroom and did the ‘ssssh’ sound with him and the ‘cue position’. Guess what? He peeed a total of 3 times into the sink! Finally, I managed to catch the woke-up pee.

So it’s true that babies do not pee while they are sleeping! They only pee when they wake up.

I missed another one however, after the feed and then it was time for his bed.

Today was a great day where I caught 6 pees in total. Darius is also getting more aware of his own bodily functions. My perserverance is paying off.

What I noticed today:
-Pees a little after waking up and alerting me. Should immediately bring him to pee in toilet/potty for more.
-Is able to control his pee and hold them for longer periods.
-Does not wet the bed while napping.

What’s new today:
-Caught the first poo into the potty
-No cloth diapers used for naps
-Caught the woke-up pee
-Stayed dry for almost 2 hours!
-Is aware of potty now as will cry when put on it, couldn’t relax enough.

Pees caught – 6/13      Average Stay Dry – 30mins    Longest Stay Dry- 1 hr 55mins

Day 11-27th Dec08 Sat ( Caught pees when out during diaper changing)

I caught another poo in the potty this morning.

After feeding, I missed one pee but managed to pee him in the potty about 30mins later. Then he was sitting on my lap when he suddenly kept pushing his legs straight and squirming a bit. It was close to another 30mins, hence I put him on the potty.

Was expecting to see pee but he suddenly started pushing in my arms and he pooped! I quickly noted the time and wow! it was exactly the same time as yesterday’s! Hmm, does it mean he’s quite regular?

He then napped for an hour and again he was dry! I successfully peeed him into the sink in the bathroom toilet when he woke up.

Alas, when it was time for a feed later, he suddenly decided to poop again and this time onto the nappy cloth. It was more watery than the previous which was just a long lump. Probably, he was a bit constipated the past few days, though not sure why.

We had to go out then and thus EC was put on hold for the day.

While we were changing diaper for him after a feed in the afternoon in his stroller, I just casually “sssh” him and he peeed into the diaper! Wow.. I didn’t know he’s getting the cue so well.

At night, I caught another pee after I fed him while changing his diaper. I open his used diaper and just asked him to “ssssh” while holding it over and he really peeed into it! He’s getting my cue really well!

What I noticed today:
-He’s irritable when he wants to poo and will straighten his legs, rub his feet together and fuss. Same timing for poo?
-Is able to pee when I cue him during diaper changing times

What’s new today
-Caught pees during diaper changing

Pees caught - 5/6     Average  Stay Dry – 20mins    Longest Stay Dry- 1 hr 55mins

Day 12-28th Dec08 Sun

Today, starting to potty him early in the morning after he wakes up for his 0730hr feed. He usually doesn’t sleep after that and I don’t feel comfortable knowing that he’s peeing into his diapers.

This is the first day I did potty so early without diapers.I offered the potty to him 10mins after his feed but he refused and promptly peeed on the floor 5mins after.

He then remained dry though I offered again after 30mins. Finally, caught one 1hr later this time in the potty.

He napped 1hr 10mins and he was dry again! Great progress. He then peeed into the sink on my cue. Strangely, 10mins later, he peeed again after his bath. So, he always needs to pee after bath regardless whether he had peeed a lot earlier?

I fed him with him lying on the mat on a nappy cloth and he peeed into it two times during feeding. Have to think of how to catch this…

I missed one pee at 1120hrs and noticed that the previous two days, he also peeed at this time. His body is like clockwork. Amazing!

I quickly take note that the next timing will be 1150hrs and sure I got it this time in the potty!

It’s time for nap at 1200hrs as usual but this time he protested a lot til he peeed again at 1220hrs before finally napping. It was a WET nap this time though as he woke up wet.

I fed him after the hour long nap and he again peeed during the feed.  Caught one pee 20mins later but missed another one 5mins after that. Either he didn’t peeed fully into the potty or he just drank too much water.

I missed another one again when he didn’t want to pee into the potty and rather peeed out of it. He’s getting to be cranky over potty times and that made us very tired. He’s constantly crying while peeeing even when I’m singing songs to him.

He took a nap and was wet again. I missed two after that and  but finally caught one after his feed.  He was bathed and we went out, calling it a day.

What’s new today
-Crying badly during potty times and finally released after a long time of coaxing and singing, getting him to calm down.

Pees caught - 5/15     Average Stay Dry – 30mins    Longest Stay Dry- 1 hr 10mins

Day 13-29th Dec08  Mon (Stayed dry for whole 2hrs during nap!)

Fed him at almost 8 today and he again peeed during feed. MUST find a way to catch these. It’s uncomfortable knowing he will do that yet cannot do anything to prevent it.

I brought him over the potty again when we went out to the living room and he actually pooped and pee. It was pretty long and hard probably because he didn’t pooped yesterday. Surprisingly, he didn’t complain while over the potty and just listen to me doing the ssshhing and singing songs.

Strangely though, he peeed again 10mins later and I missed that. Thought he wouldn’t pee so fast since he just went. Guess there’s a lot more.

He then took a nap but woke up wet this time. Tried potty in case, but no more so I gave him a bath.
Once he started feeding, he peeed immediately. Probably due to the bath too.

I missed it again at the usual timing because he was earlier by 5mins! Then, I caught one 30mins after. He then took a nap but woke up wet. I still peeed him in the potty and again, he peeed without any complaints.

Then, I started missing three times, one was during the cereal feed and one was right after. I tried offering the potty 30mins after but he refused and cried. Probably, he wants to nap, I thought.

He then napped and this time woke up dry! He has stayed dry for 2 hours! A great improvement! He peeed into the bathroom sink when I took him over. He was very good boy today.

Then, I managed to catch a pee again after his bath at 1740hrs. He took a nap then and woke up dry again! This time for 1hr 30mins. I peeed him into the sink again and he was very co-operative.

But alas, he peeed 15mins after his feed on the floor because I was waiting for 20mins. He can’t wait! We missed it again 25-30mins after. He was wiped then and took his sleep.

What I noticed:
-He will cry or fuss when placed onto potty but then he’ll quieten down and then he’ll start peeing.

What’s new today:
-Stayed dry for 2 whole hours after nap!
-Caught a pee after a bath.

Pees caught - 7/17    Average Stay Dry – 20mins    Longest Stay Dry- 2hrs

Day 14-30th Dec08  Tue (cranky day but making progress)

He’s extremely emotional today. Will cry one min and laugh the next.

He gets especially agitated once placed onto the potty even with me doing the sshing and singing and big sighs..He just refused the potty! Really don’t know what’s wrong with him after having so many successes yesterday.

He pooped early into his diaper while feeding the morning feed. This time at 7 plus. (usual timing at 1150hrs). Caught a pee after 50mins though I brought him to the potty at 30mins. He was crying badly again and being very agitated.

I let him nap and he woke up wet. During feeding this time, I placed the removable potty underneath his legs and fed him with the other hand while holding onto his legs. Managed to catch the pee in the potty this time. But…this position isn’t very comfortable so I doubt I can keep doing this.

I caught another pee 30mins after but not without some protesting on his part first. He definitely knows I’m trying to pee him because he can be happily sitting on the potty for like 10mins with me singing songs to relax him, yet cries once I start saying the ‘sssh’ sound. I have to keep stopping to sing song, then try again. When I lifted him from the seat, his backside had a red ring indent due to the potty sides. Is it uncomfortable for him to sit in it while I hold his legs from underneath? Hmm…

The rest of the afternoon, he napped and woke up wet again and I missed two more close ones during the feeding of cereals. He then remained dry for 1hr 10mins with protest at the potty until I finally let him nap.

He woke up crying for me 30mins later and still dry! I tried letting him go at the sink but he cried. Then, I potty him but he still didn’t want to. Finally, he just let it loose after I left him lying down. Was really upset with him because carrying him to potty was very tiring and he just rather let loose elsewhere! Really going into despair and contemplating on giving this EC thing up… What can I do?

I fed him and caught his pee again in the potty. 30mins later, I successfully peeed him into the potty after he relaxed upon hearing me sing. 15mins later however, he peeed again which he usually wouldn’t be so frequent. Seemed that his system is a bit haywired today! Wanting to pee but cannot and then letting it loose when he’s not supposed to!

I bathe him close to 1800hrs and tried potty him after but he cried badly again. No choice I let him nap knowing he’ll wake up wet.

However, he woke up dry! And was crying out for me even while still in sleepy mode. I quickly bring him up to potty but his head kept drooping over as if he hasn’t slept enough. So why did he cry? Was it because he wanted to release but couldn’t and yet still want to sleep? I really can’t get his signs.

Finally, I took him out to potty again in the living room and this time, I finally got him to pee in the potty though it wasn’t a large amount. Surprising because he drank a lot, yet didn’t wet for 1hr.

I read that protest at the potty may meant that he’s aware of his bodily functions and can hold his muscles for peeing now. But once he learnt to hold, he forgot how to let go so he became confused and irritable. Thus, he cried badly wanting to release yet can’t due to being pressurised. I tried relaxing him but couldn’t despite singing and singing. Tried tickling but doesn’t work too. He’ll have to come around for this.

During the feed, I tried potty but gave up as he wasn’t drinking properly and right after, he peeed into the nappy. Then, ten mins after, he peeed again while playing on the mat with no signs at all. 25mins later, while hubby was holding him, he thought he felt him pee and I told him to quickly bring Darius over to the potty as intuition sometimes works. It’s said that when you feel a warmth over you while holding him, it might mean he’s going to pee. I sometimes felt that but couldn’t get him to potty in time.

With hubby holding him from behind and I giving the cue sound, he cried again but subsequently peeed into the bowl after giving a noticeable jerk. We were all very relieved after that. He was wiped soon and took his sleep.

Realised from the chart that though today was a crying day, I managed to catch even more pees than before! Making great progress here. Hope this continues and I will not give up. Pray that he will be okay tomorrow and not cry anymore while eliminating.

What I noticed:
-Unable to eliminate as feel stressful about potty and peeing.

What’s new today:
-Caught pee in potty while feeding with his legs over the potty bowl in lying down position
-Can’t pee in the potty without having undue stress. With his control, able to hold but can’t learn to release at will now.
-Starting to cry when he pees as he’s more aware of it now.

Pees caught - 8/18     Average Stay Dry – 40mins    Longest Stay Dry- 2hrs