Imagine infants free from painful diaper rash, new parenthood without thousands of dollars wasted in diapering costs, toilet training that is natural and noncoercive, and, most important, happier babies and parents

As Christine Gross-Loh reveals in her progressive, enlightening book, all this is possible and more. Infants are born with the ability to communicate their need to "go," just as they communicate hunger or sleepiness. Gross-Loh, a mother of two children who were diaper-free at eighteen and fifteen months, uses the tenets of "elimination communication," or EC, to teach parents how to identify and respond to their baby or toddler's natural cues.

Unlike the all-or-nothing approach of some parenting books, The Diaper-Free Baby addresses three categories of parents: full-time, part-time, and occasional EC'ers. Parents can practice EC as much or as little as fits their family and lifestyle. A support group within a book, The Diaper-Free Baby also includes inspiring testimonials throughout every chapter. Parents who have successfully practiced EC identify common struggles, share experiences and problem-solving tips, and provide encouragement for those new to the technique. Their motivational stories together with Gross-Loh's practical advice will appeal to all parents interested in a fresh alternative to traditional toilet training.

Imagine infants free from painful diaper rash, new parenthood without thousands of dollars wasted in diapering costs, toilet training that is natural and nonandndash;coercive, and, most importantly, happier babies and parents. As Christine Grossandndash;Loh reveals in this progressive, enlightening book, all this is possible and more. Infants are born with their own methods of communicating their need to "go" just as they communicate hunger or sleepiness.

Sudden restlessness, squirming, arching of the back, and vocalization ... all infants display these common behaviors. But what parents may not realize is that these seemingly random actions have a purpose and meaning. Using the tenets of Elimination Communication (EC), Grossandndash;Loh, a mother of two children who were diaperandndash;free at eighteen and fifteen months, respectively, teaches parents how to identify and respond to their baby or toddler's natural cues. Unlike the extreme approach of some parenting books, The Diaperandndash;Free Baby addresses three categories of parents: Fullandndash;Time, Partandndash;Time, and Occasional EC'ers. Parents can practice EC as much or as little as fits their family and lifestyleandndash;even busy or working parents and their babies can benefit from the book's techniques.

The author presents an easy-to-use guide to the gentle, diaper-free alternative to toilet training that fosters a deep connection between babies and parents.

Christine Gross-Loh is a freelance writer with a PhD from Harvard University. Her writing has appeared in Mothering, Shape, and Parenting. She is very involved in DiaperFreeBabyTM, a nonprofit organization founded in 2004 to promote awareness of EC. She has appeared on The Early Show and Paula Zahn Now, among others. Gross-Loh lives in Tokyo, Japan, with her husband and children.