Diaper Free!: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene

This is a fantastic book to have if you've ever been curious on any methods beyond western toilet training.

As a family physician, writer on pregnancy, birth and parenting; and mother of four (my last baby raised 'diaper-free'), I found this book practical as well as inspiring. I know it can be hard to believe that babies can be raised without diapers (and it is certainly not what I was taught at medical school), but after seeing it with my own eyes, I know that babies really do have the innate ability to communicate their elimination needs. I also know that it is a gentle and baby-centered approach that enhances and deepens the relationship between mother and baby, and does not involved training, coercion, or distraction from normal activities such as play and learning. As a mother and MD, I believe that this method (which is also how most babies around the world are raised) is healthier and more hygienic than putting babies in what has been called a `walking toilet', not to mention the financial benefits for the family and environmental benefits for the Earth. I would highly recommend this book and this method, with the proviso that it requires a lot of physical closeness and also dedication from at least one carer. (In traditional cultures, the grandmother may be the main person to do this) I think this is especially true in our culture because we are usually parenting in isolation and don't have this method as part of our parenting lore. For these reasons, it is probably easier for those who use (or plan to use) attachment parenting approaches which emphasize closeness and parental responsiveness such as baby wearing, co-sleeping and breastfeeding. If you are interested in this style of parenting, you will particularly enjoy the gentle philosophy in this book, and Ingrid's sharing of her own experiences. However, I also know several families who have adapted this method part time and/or just to catch the baby's poops (and many moms can already tell when their baby needs to go!), which is still a great benefit. If you are serious about this, you might also enjoy Infant Potty Training, which has a great section on what mothers and babies are doing in other cultures. If you just want some potty training tips, try Early Start Potty Training, which has some good ideas, plus a fascinating (and rather damning) history of the diaper industry.

I loved this book. It was well-written, very clear, concise, and answered all my questions on how to approach toilet training my baby when he arrives. Ingrid Bauer is maybe a little bit more New Age in her overall lifestyle than me, but it doesn't really matter as far as the guidance given. She gives various methods to try for different lifestyles and preferences and baby personalities, and troubleshooting advice as well. She explains how to start with a newborn, and also how to start with an older child. Really great, valuable information for all parents of infants, and parents-to-be. Why change diapers for 3+ years if you don't have to? Why make your baby wear diapers 24/7 in the first place?

Whether you are interested in the history of infant hygiene (ie: life before diapers), infant life and hygiene in other cultures, or how to go about living a diaper free life, this is the book for you!Jam packed with information and pictures, this book can help you and your baby go diaperless, or at the very least communicate better.This is a great book to read, even if you aren't looking to go diaper free. It will definately broaden your horizons!Also, has tips for late beginners (like me and DD!)

I can't recommend this book highly enough... any loving parent wanting to increase the communication between themselves and their child should buy this book. But be warned, you'll end up lending it out to all of your friends, so maybe you should buy two! :-)Ingrid's own experiences helped encourage me to try this with our own son, with astounding success... our son is out of diapers, but more importantly we are continually communicating about his needs and providing response to his inborn instinct not to soil himself. This is a great gift for an expectant mom, as Natural Infant Hygiene is best approached with an infant, although older babies and their parents can adapt the principles. A treasured book on my parenting shelf.

I read this book in just a day. I couldn't put it down once I started it. The author seems to speak from all mothers' center spot, where our intuition lies but might be covered up by confusing messages from the outside. Reading this book helped me get in touch with that part of myself. While Diaper Free! is about a natural, clean, instinctive way to help your child go potty, it is also about a straight path to building a strong bond of communcation and intuition between you and your infant. This book opened up a whole new world for me.