Reviews of Diaper-Free Before 3

Dr. Lekovic has written a comprehensive and well-researched guide that can help parents toilet train their children by two years of age. She does challenge the Brazelton and American Academy of Pediatrics "child-oriented approach" to toilet training that recommends initiating the process at two years of age when a child is walking and can communicate verbally.

Underlying Dr. Lekovic's recommendations is a rather strict adherence to routines in the baby's schedule combined with a relaxed, loving approach to the training. This book ought to become one of the recommended publications offered to young parents.

Evelyn Lipper, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Weill Medical College
Cornell University

Dr. Lekovic presents a cogent and passionate alternative to what has been holy in pediatric lore over the last 40 years - the age of toilet-training readiness. Coming from South Africa where various cultures had methods of toilet training vastly different from those in the United States it is certainly easy to understand that there cannot possibly be only one right way to address this developmental rite of passage.

Dr. Lekovic strongly encourages mothers and fathers to assert themselves in their roles as parents and to take center-stage whether it comes to their children's growth and development or whether it be feeding, discipline or pottying. At the same time she emphasizes the essential ingredients which are key to any parent child relationship no matter at what age and stage the child might be — "patience, flexibility and love."

Previous guidelines regarding toilet training readiness were established in part as a reaction to the rigid and sometimes harsh methods used in days gone by. Parents would be wise to learn from that, that establishing a "secure and loving environment" without any undue pressure on the child and devoid of any semblance of competition with others in the "mom and tot" groups is crucial.

Certainly children are capable of being toilet-trained earlier than they are currently. There are benefits to be accrued which are well outlined by Dr. Lekovic. Everyday life with toddlers presents a myriad of opportunities to for touch-points — magical times of love and laughter and for caregiver involvement. As long as any mother or father follows the spirit of love, respect and support with which this book is imbued, the methods can be tried — the only thing you stand to lose will be lots of soggy diapers!

Raun Melmed, MD
The Melmed Center

Refreshing and welcome, Diaper-Free Before 3 will amaze and enlighten parents and pediatricians alike. Dr. Lekovic's fascinating book frees parents from fears about early potty training and expands the possibilities for finishing at an age where most haven't even begun. It provides the recipe for a gentle, fun and effective means to start and finish early.

Laurie Boucke
Author of Infant Potty Training