A couple has revealed that they potty trained their daughter at just two weeks old and has claimed that she can now use the toilet.
Parents Montana Lower and Tom Linwood from Australia have a YouTube channel called On the Way by Montana Lower and shared a video talking about how they used a technique called "elimination communication" (EC) with their daughter, Blue.
In the video, the parents said that after using the EC method on their young infant at just two weeks old, she hasn't pooped in her nappy since.
The young couple shared information about the approach with other parents and encouraged them to "listen to [their] baby" when they want to go to the toilet.
Watch their YouTube video below:"[EC is] listening to your baby for when they want to go to the toilet, and taking them to the toilet instead of going in their nappy," Montana explained in her video.
"Every mom knows when their baby is hungry and they have cues for that and they have the same cues when they need to go to the toilet," Tom agreed, adding: "It’s just about listening and watching for it."
Initially, the parents were anxious about the approach themselves, but upon doing some research, they decided to give it a try. They noted that the change has caused a huge environmental and financial transformation for the family.
While the couple admitted that they still use some nappies, the father explained that it is expensive and that limiting their baby's usage has been a drastic decrease in their lifestyle.
"It’s a lot cleaner if you just take them to the toilet," Montana added, noting that just because they chose an unconventional strategy, they won't make their baby unlearn nappies.
"Babies are born with no preconceived knowledge about how to go to the bathroom, so if we don’t teach them to go in their nappy, then we don’t have to unteach them," she said. "So it makes sense to straight up say we got to the toilet this way."
Watch a video on their Instagram page about the EC method:The couple also shared some tips on how other parents can do the same with their baby and advised them to begin the shift in the summer.
"Number one, try dressing your baby in a dress or something you can take off easily," Montana says. "It’s much easier to learn how to do EC in summer."
"Another good thing to do is get a potty, we started off with a plastic container," she continued. "This is also really good to put in the boot of your car when you’re out and about so you can pull over at any time and chuck baby on the toilet."
"We recommend setting aside one day, Blue took one day to learn she needed to go toilet in the Tupperware container. Then after that, it was up to us to read the signs," she added. "Even if you are unsure if your baby wants to go to the toilet, it is best to take them even if it is a 'maybe.'"
The mother explained that EC works best when one parent is with the child all the time, saying it showed her daughter that she’s "being heard and her needs are met".
According to the health service, NHS, when it comes to toilet training, most children are taught between two and two and a half but "there is no perfect time".
"Remember, you cannot force your child to use a potty," the health service noted. "If they’re not ready, you will not be able to make them use it."
"Some people find it easier to start in the summer, when there are fewer clothes to take off and washed clothes dry more quickly," they noted - which echoed the same advice Montana gave to other parents in her youtube video.
