Hi, there is a centuries old practice that is only new for us americans beginning to be used by more and more parents here. It is going by the name Elimination Communication- or EC. I find it sad that almost every eco-conscious, or money-conscious parent assumes that diapers are going to be either a huge expense (for disposable) or a huge pain (for cloth). EC is NOT potty-training and has several major advantages for eco/budget conscious parents.
We spend almost NO money on diapers- by helping our baby onto the potty where he will go if given a chance for 1 minute! We use cloth at home, disposables at night and when out, but even with only disposables you can easily save 5-6 diapers a day as a newborn and 3-4 from 3-20 months that is 2000-4000 diapers. Do the math. this is hundreds of dollars saved and lots of trash that doesnt go into landfills.
WE rarely use wipes, and only do for convienience they are not a neccesity
1. You can use cloth and or disposable diapers on your baby at all times- and still do EC if you are afraid of 'accidents'. Although you will have accidents when your child is learning eventually anyway- and they are much messier later. You will use WAY FEWER diapers this way! (how many fewer depends on how much time you give it, but even very part time parents have good success!) We generally only use 2-3 in a 24hr period.
2. Your child will generally Potty learn at an early-ish age. My 20 month old consistently tells me 'Potty' when she needs to go.
3. We have never had a rash! (NO CREAMS TO BUY)
4. You can wipe w/ TP the way grown people do (Wipes are for poop in diapers- about once a month, sometimes less)
5. You will learn to listen to your baby's needs (this means a happy baby!) Everyone I meet comments on my childrens' calm, easy-going disposition. I believe they are this way because they know I will listen to them and respond to their needs.
6. Your baby is not left to sit in his own waste.
7.Oh, and if you ever wished you didn't have to change 1 more yucky diaper... this is pretty close!
And no you will not need to become a stressed-out parent slavishly hovering over your tiny baby alert for some mysterious sign that they might need to go potty- contrary to what all "experts" will tell you, I know my newborn started to 'hold' his eliminations for me @ about a month old. So that after he wakes or eats I have a few minutes to get him over to a potty to let it out- if I am too late he forgives me and I give him another clean diaper and we go on with our day.
Check out DiaperFreeBaby.org or the EC forum on Mothering.com ask questions or just search these terms online, and dont say cant till you tried it. Grandma and Day-care workers can put your kid on the potty too. You will LOVE it- so will the family budget.
