who thinks a baby is unaware of their bodily functions?

Question

i asked a question about little training pants and my goodness did some people wig out so here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elimination_communication

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/elimination-communication.html

Answer 1

A lot will depend on your definition of a baby. Newborns (which I consider to be 6 weeks and younger) have little awareness of their bodily functions per se, but are quite aware of discomfort thus crying when hungry, wet, poopy, gassy, cold, hot, lonely, etc. Some babies quickly get into a routine of urination and bowel movements and a parent or care-provider could successfully follow the guidelines suggested in an Elimination Communication program if they wanted to. At first, it is the baby's care-giver who is aware of the bodily functions, but by giving cues to the baby during elimination, he/she can become aware of his/her elimination. What this basically is, I feel, is simply a conditioned response for the baby as opposed to a true awareness of what he/she is doing. Babies who do not receive these cues from their care-giver generally do not develop natural bodily function awareness until much later, between 1-3 depending on each individual child. Elimination Communication is a method that parents may choose as is the American traditional way of potty training. Neither way is better or worse than the other and both end up with the desired goal - a diaper-free child who can successfully attend to his/her toileting needs by the time they go to kindergarten.

Answer 2

in some countries babies never wear diapers and are "potty trained" by 8-9 months old!