JB73: how?... details pls.
The hardest thing is to persuade americans brainwashed by diaper companies and books that it is possible. In reality it is very simple and natural even though it sounds incredible - just like chewing the old safety non-stainless razor blades. You just chew and the tongue and cheecks never get cut.
OK, here is the technique.
By the age of about 7 weeks you should have a decent idea when the baby poops. Usually it happens a few minutes after he wakes up or after he eats or when he is picked up or after getting that really thoughtfull look on his face. It very consistent but different from baby to baby - since breastfed babies normally poop anywhere from eight times a day to twice a week while formula fed usually do it two-three times a day.
Hold the baby in your arms in the following fasion: your elbows pressed in your stomack four inches apart, parallel arms extended forward horizontally palms up. Place the baby on his back face up with his head resting against your chest and business end exposed and directed away from you. You may lean back a little.
The baby's thighs should be in your palms. Hold his thighs together and make sure the baby is strictly horizontal and not disturbed more than necessary.
Carry the baby to a sink or whatever poop receptacle you designate. Once over the sink, suddenly lower the baby's bottom so he is at 45-60 degrees angle, spread his thighs and start talking to him, imploring him to poop and making whatever noises you think a person should make while pooping should he choose to be vocal. The toilet strangulation scene from the Austin Powers movie has appropriate soundtrack.
Faced with sudden change of position and movement and noise the baby wakes up or at leasts becomes more active - which is usually a good reason for babies to start pooping if they have the ammo.
Combined with the sudden shift of poop-pressure towards the proper outlet due to half-vertical position, the poop is practically guaranteed to happen or at least a pee (have a splash screen).
If it does not happen, persist for five-seven munutes providing slight vibration and waking-up stimuli. But do not try to shake the poop out of the baby.
Once the baby poops or even just pees, lavish all kinds of praise and encouragement on him. Explain to him what he just did - "good poop" or "good pee".
You should try that about twenty times a day at first. In a few days he will do it on demand and you can cut to just the productive sessions. Babies seem dumb at that age but they do develop refexes well.
The greatest benefit is not just the elimination of soiled diapers but nt having to deal with terrible rashes and sores caused to baby's tender butt by the corrosive poop.
I do not call it "potty trained" since no potty is involved untill the baby can sit by himself - at 8 months in our case, but the benefit is the same.
I will report how it goes with my second in a month, but my mother-in-law claims that for my wife it was successfull an for all other babies she knew.
Good luck!
miko
