Former The Bachelor contestant Bekah Martinez is raising eyebrows with her latest Instagram story showing her nine-week-old son using the potty:
Bekah was on the 22nd season with Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. and was eliminated in week seven if you were curious.
Anyway, she now has three kids with fiancé Grayston Leonard. The pair have a four-year-old daughter named Ruth Ray De La Luz, a two-year-old son named Franklin James, and they welcomed another son, Ernest, nine weeks ago.
Ernest isn't the first child she's potty trained early, Bekah also shared that her other two kids knew how to use the potty before they were two years old!
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about 40–60% of kids will be potty trained by three years old, so Bekah is way ahead of the game here.
And, after Bekah shared her post, she then shared that seemingly several parents sent her messages that they, too, have been able to successfully potty train their babies before they turned one.
And it seems as if some people are now starting to question whether or not starting babies on diapers even makes sense at all.
Bekah made a YouTube video explaining how Elimination Communication (EC) — the practice of using timing and bodily signals to eliminate the need for diapers early on — has worked for her.
View this video on YouTube
We decided to get some more information about EC from potty training expert Allison Jandu. She has completed over 5,000 hours of research in potty training, early childhood development, and human behavior and psychology. To date, she has helped over 7,000 families successfully potty train their kids and is the owner and founder of Potty Training Consultant.
So, as an expert in the "potty" field, Allison told us that the best best age to begin potty training is typically around a child's second birthday which aligns with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation. "However, there are a lot of different factors that can influence when the best TIME is to toilet train a child — developmental, physiological, emotional, and social readiness far outweigh age alone. For example, a child who has a motor skill or communication delay, may not be ready to start potty training until an older age, and that is perfectly okay!"
When it comes to EC, Allison believes it can be a great tool for teaching young children about bodily urges. "But, it does not necessarily teach them how to be fully independent with all the steps of potty use. EC essentially trains the parent to look for cues or signals that their baby needs to use the potty, or the parent may be able to 'train' the baby to pee or poop on command (I know it sounds wild!)."
One of the downfalls of EC, according to Allison, is that the baby may be able to show that they need to use the potty — and use it — but they still need assistance to access the potty, undress, wipe, re-dress, etc. "Also, many EC parents still use diapers as a backup — it's pretty rare to be able to catch EVERY potty every time. So, at some point, potty training will still need to take place. Practicing elimination communication consistently can speed up the process by already having a large aspect of that established though."
EC does have several benefits to note. These include saving money on diapers, helping the environment by using fewer diapers, and, in many cases, having an easier potty training experience when your child is old enough to use the potty on their own. Many argue that it also gives infants a better quality of life not sitting in their own waste in a diaper — and they've kind of got a point!"
Lastly, EC is safe if you're wondering. "From all the research I've done, I've never found any risks associated with practicing EC with your baby (maybe aside from adding one other thing to your already full parenting plate!). In fact, many cultures around the world have practiced EC or something similar for centuries and still do today. It without a doubt takes a certain level of commitment and dedication from parents and it certainly isn't for everyone. It is a lifestyle and it doesn't work for every family. If it's something you want to give a try - great! But don't feel guilty if it feels too overwhelming for you," she concluded.
