Published: 26/01/2011 by The Baby Throne

An average baby uses 5 nappies a day. In South Africa 20 million nappies are used each day. In the UK 8 million nappies are used each day. Worldwide 16 billion nappies are used each year. That’s a lot of nappies! Huggies started the ‘Pull-Up’ nappy in the USA in 1991, but only in limited areas. By the time the competition caught up, Huggies were selling $400 million worth of Pull-Ups a year. Just in the UK alone the nappy market is worth £400 million – can you imagine what this equates to worldwide? We have proven that you can save 2,200 nappies for one child before the age of 2. Assuming all children have stopped wearing nappies by the age of 2, we can reduce the worldwide nappy wastage by at least half by using the Baby Throne and the Baby Throne Technique. Imagine reducing nappy wastage by 8 billion with such a small effort!

The increase in nappy use has sparked worldwide concern about nappy mountains and parents are finding that they are under greater pressure to potty train their children – but do not receive sufficient help or guidance in doing so. Before the invention of the disposable nappy, 95% of all American babies were potty (or toilet) trained by 18 months – that is totally nappy free. Today most people do not train until the toddlers are 3 years old and 25% are still not dry at 4. Babies are being trained to fill their nappies, and then parents have to train them to use the toilet. Wouldn’t it be easier to start training when baby can sit on the Baby Throne (approx 4 months)?
Each community is different when it comes to toilet training. For example in South Africa the black communities tend to start training at the age of 3 whereas in the white communities training tends to begin at the age of 2. In the UK teachers have recently reported that children are starting school still wearing nappies–aged 5! Worldwide the nappy companies have seen their market grow from the under 3’s to the under 5’s age groups just to cater for this prolonged use of nappies.
At the end of the day, when you decide to start training your baby is a personal choice. However, it stands to reason that the earlier you start, the better it is for baby, the better it is for the environment and the easier it is for the parent. There is no magic solution to toilet training, but we would like to share our simple Baby Throne logic. The Baby Throne is a tool. It comfortably holds baby in the right position and the 3 steps are a gradual progression onto the toilet.
The main concept behind Baby Throne Technique is the use of physiology, gravity, familiarity and routine (see manual for details of the Baby Throne Technique at (www.babythrone.com). The Baby Throne should only be used when baby is strong enough to sit up unaided, which is generally at around 4 months for most babies. Babies begin with the Beginner Baby Throne - remember the nappy is on so you are helping them to learn to empty their bowels in the right position. Then as baby grows bigger, stronger and more robust (generally at about 7 months) you can start moving through the Intermediate stage of the Baby Throne. Finally, you can move onto the Advanced stage of the Baby Throne which is on the toilet. The Advanced stage is usually for babies of 7 months. It is an ideal time for baby to learn the different stages and they are keen to learn!

Training a toddler is definitely more challenging than training a 7-month old. Babies are always learning; they learn very quickly that if they are hungry and they cry they will get fed. It is the same principle if they have a dirty nappy and cry, it will get changed. Babies are keen to please. Toddlers are trickier! I cannot imagine anything more challenging than trying to train my 2 year old to do something. He has a mind of his own, he is exploring his independence and quite frankly is more likely to say ‘no’ and run off.

Start younger, use fewer nappies and drop the nappy when it is always kept dry. Remember, we have proven that by using the Baby Throne you can save 2,200 nappies before your baby reaches 2 years of age. Good for baby, good for you and good for the environment! Why wait until baby is 2? Help decrease the 16 billion nappies used each year worldwide and make your life easier at the same time!