Here's a twist. We're aspiring to adopt practices of other countries. This fad has surely been initiated by stay-at-home mothers (with too much time on their hands) who for some reason felt that their already overindulged kids weren't receiving enough of their attention.
I fail to see how this "movement" enhances a child's development. I'm all for breastfeeding in the Lady's Lounge (I breastfed all three of my children). I'm all for eliminating plastic diapers (I used cloth diapers for a brief time). There are many biodegradable alternatives out there now. I'm not all for confusing children with arbitrary systems of "elimination communication." We train our pets to relieve themselves in certain places. Our children need to be socialized in a similar manner - not permitted to piss in sinks or poop in the park (in the event that mom doesn't make it to a toilet). Do your thing at home, if you must, but please don't foist it on the general public. Children should not be training parents; parents need to train their children.
One more thing; I had no angst whatsoever around potty training. My children "let me know" when they were ready to stop using diapers (they removed them and went to the potty). This occured between 13 and 22 months of age. There was no anxiety attached for them or for me. Controlling the bowel is a natural progression. Let's get real, and stop creating fads around perfectly natural stages of development.

the point is they are babies, not adults. there is a proper time to teach them. that is when the muscles and ability to control their bodily functions come into play. around 12 to 18 months.

Why so much criticism of teaching babies to expel waste like adults? They have to learn it eventually. This lines right up with my personal philosophy that kids should learn to wipe as soon as their hands can reach.

And how much of a wuss are you if you're worried about diseases spread by babies? I've survived using airport toilets, sun-baked porta-potties, and trough-style urinals. Baby urine doesn't disgust me in the least.

wow! these good moms have too much time on their hands. what will these good moms will do when they get a call from the school principal about their kid peeing in the sink? i can only wonder what they would do if they had twins or triplets.

If diapers are good enough for old people and crazy astronauts, then they are good enough for infants who can't control themselves.

I suppose "Science" will want to tie this into a "gene".

So in the future parents can be assured their baby will have the " good potty gene".

Custom Humans to Order

1) Parents have a distinct lack of judgment when it comes to their own kids and what strangers may find offensive, and 2) compare this movement (ha ha) with parents who let their kids continue in diapers until way past 3. ("I'm a big kid now!" "Not if you're still in diapers, kid!") Now THAT'S gross!

Don't tell Vitter.

what a load of crap!!!!!!!

By the way, there is a method for preventing the "irritation that comes from a wet diaper." It's called changing them, often. I used cloth, all-cotton, diapers through a very affordable diaper service for mine, changed them when they were wet, and they never had diaper rash. People leave disposables on their babies until they are saturated and then wonder why theie little bottoms look so sore. Peeing in public sinks and into the ground water? Sorry, but there's nothing environmentally aware about that.

from the article:

"Isis Arnesen, 33, of Boston, has a 14-week-old daughter, Lucia, who is diaper-free. She said it can be awkward to explain the process to people, such as when she helped Lucia relieve herself in a sink at a public restroom.

"Sometimes I don't know what's gonna happen and it doesn't work, and sometimes I feel a little embarrassed," Arnesen said. "It makes her happy though, right? She smiles, she's happy."

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okay, folks, now i've heard everything. not only is this labor intensive insanity for new parents, but it is also disgusting, unsanitary and most likely could spread disease.

the required vaccines that babies must have are eventually expelled via their feces and urine. if their bottoms are being put over a community sink or a neighbor's sink or a lawn (see article),then we have a community health issue here.

i also wonder as to how this will eventually affect the child when he/she grows up and mom isn't there to anticipate when a shit is coming on.

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Mrs. Vitter,
Take notes

Yeah, like we moms don't already have enough stuff to deal with. I rather change a diaper than a sheet or my dress! Note: Using a sink in the public bathroom to pee in is just gross, I don't care how old the tike is!

The ever clever Japanese have invented a remarkable device that that turns a toilet into a sort of playpen-pool-potty.

You just strap the little darling in and leave him (or her) there. He has a fun, safe wonderful time splashing and playing with the various toy-like attachments.

Of course, you have to make sure that the flush lever is made child-proof - but they have a kit that works like a charm.

Oh please.