It *is* interesting Mumto3, I am glad you took the time to look some stuff up - and great if you can take away things and apply them for yourself. Oh Great news about your daycare too!
I too just take what works for us - that's the beauty of it. I guess it does appear time consuming, I thought that too initially.
There's a few things you might consider before you dismiss it altogether - I think the most obvious I can think of is that the practice of EC (ie taking a baby to an appropriate place to pee or poop when they start to signal/when you cue) in reality takes no longer than changing a dirty diaper...the beauty of EC is when you start to get successes you no longer have to wipe up that squishy mess from all over babe's bot and legs etc, wiping after going in a potty etc is sooooo much neater, simpler and quicker. You also never have to deal with nappy rash - which can't be fun for babes....and just think of all the nappies you don't have to wash/buy?! How much time (and money) does that save? Not to mention the time saved dealing with TT issues for months or years on end....
It depends entirely on parents priorities too, many consider that wearing your toilet and waste around is demeaning for babies and while I agree on some level I personally think many EC proponents use this line of reasoning a little emotively. I just tend to think that it mustn't be all that comfortable, I wouldn't like it as an adult and I figure babies and kids deserve the same right to feel comfortable.
Another high prority for some (me included) is that it promotes a healthy awareness of bodily functions. My personal theory is that this is the main reason kids who have been responded to in an EC fashion learn so early that pee and poop go in the potty/toilet and that they can independantly take control themselves....they *know* what is going on (conditioning).
The communication and bonding that happens is also quite amazing and a big motivator for many. Sounds corny I am sure, but it is a wonderful journey and process much more than a "destination" (ie to be TT). It does take more time in terms of getting in tune with your child and learning their signals. People who tend to EC are also typically very responsive to their babies and children in a host of other ways as well, all of which is believed to promote a healthy and secure parent-child relationship, in turn it is thought this is ideal for physical and emotional development.
It's probably pretty obvious but I am one of those fairly alternative types who is into babywearing, gentle discipline, child-led weaning and other such non-mainstream parenting ideals. I read and research an awful lot too. EC appealed to me (well not initially - first off I thought is was nonsense LOL!) because it was gentle and respectful, it made sense to help my baby learn to communicate their needs and to avoid having them "unlearn" using their nappy as a toilet.
There are also absolutely no rules except that it is obvious you communicate (: And yes - that means you talk to even the littlest babe about what is going on, what is happening, why we are doing what we are doing. Amazing what they absorb - never underestimate the infant mind - sponges they are!
I think getting up at night has knobs on it too but we have found that our daughter doesn't pee at night at all anyway, she waits until morning (so goes 8ish pm to 8ish am then pees a LOT!). She's done that since we started EC - perhaps coincidence? Who knows? Could have just been we started paying attention then LOL! And there are other things we have and have not done on our own EC journey (I never could bring myself to do cloth nappies, call me lazy /:, but that is how I ended up here anyway on a Huggies forum LOL!). Many parents just do EC part-time with great success for their bubs too. Many just do it at home, or just days or whatever...like I said no rules. Basically it's just a concept of ideals, with some great practical advice for anyone with kids who has an open mind.
I am happy to share that now at 16 months my independant little Miss wears no pants (ever find undies in a size 0 or 1?! NO! though we do have trainers) most days we are home and signals to go just about all the time (of which she will take herself most of the time if possible - ie access to potty), we only have misses when she or we are engrossed in something and not paying attention at all. Maybe 2 accidents a week (pee that is - poop is 100% success - touch wood!). We do use nappies (Huggies of course (smile when we go out still. They are harder to get off when she does signal so we sometimes can't wait but we're not quite game to do just trainers yet (soon though. in the next few weeks) and pull-ups are way too big (since she's so much younger than your typical youngest TT toddler still). Anyway, the concept is there, she's got a few clues about what's going on and we suprisingly have a lot of fun learning this together.
I really want to emphasise that it is not a "race" at all, kids develop the control and awareness when it suits them developmentally. I do think this point is reached far sooner that we are typically allowing (through choice and circumstance) our kids these days. I know EC'd kids who were grads at 11 months and others who weren't until 28 months +....all a result of similar gentle and respectful journies and just showing how individual kids are indeed different (as we all know). So it's not a fast track to TT or a competition, I hope people can see it is about the process and the "why" as opposed to the "what".
If you have any questions I might be able to help with (anyone?!) please ask, if I can't help I know plenty of people who EC who could answer them I am sure. I am *far* from an expert mind you, just an enthusiastic proponent of a wonderfully gentle and respectful concept.
Cheers to NO STRESS! And, again, good on you!
Lou - mama to 2 gorgeous kiddos (5/99 and 6/03)