The whole process between us was nearly entirely intuitively driven. I had heard about elimination communication, and even scanned a book at the library awhile back. Kids, or at least our kid, enjoys feeling fancy free, so sometimes before/after bath time, he'd run around in the nude for a bit. I started to see that he was more responsive to using the potty when he wasn't wearing a diaper. I started connecting to his rhythms, being more aware of timing and how other factors (food, drinks, exercise, weather, etc) could affect the process.
I would never expose Nate to a developmental transition that, as his mother, I didn't feel he was truly ready for, but I felt he was ready. The result is probably a combination of him just being ready, because we didn't apply elimination communication since his birth or even during his infancy. But by removing the diaper he was more aware of his body. For the last three weeks, he wore a diaper only once, and that was because we were going to a graduation party and I thought he might be thrown a bit being in a different environment. Not the case. He asked to use the potty twice at the party, and we came home with a dry diaper.
I also didn't try to switch him immediately to underwear. Intuitively, I knew it would complicate the process. So he has been wearing pajama shorts round the clock the past three weeks. The material is comfortable and lightweight enough to mimic the feeling of nudity. It has worked like a charm. Plus, he gets little rewards for going potty, which no doubt helps. And lots, and lots, and lots of encouragement and praise. He has a stack of books next to his potty to keep him company. And will often take plush stuffed toy or his favorite pal, Prince, to sit by the cabinet while he gets to work. Yesterday evening, we purchased three packs of little undies for him, at his choosing, and start wearing them today.
We are so, so, so proud of him.
6/23 post-script: We discovered having Nate's fav little pal, Mr. Prince, wear undies as well helped with the transition. They make quite a pair.
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