Born Ready Reviews

Going Nappy Free Was A Revelation!

You've been instrumental in our EC journey, firstly through inventing flaparaps which arrived just at the right time for us! Your videos and website had such useful gems whenever we went back to them for practical help and encouragement.

Most significantly you were there with help when we were struggling! I'm pretty sure you suggested al fresco wees, using a mirror in front of the potty and so forth. You encouraged me whenever we were in yet another lengthy potty pause and you gave me the courage to ditch nappies althogether when we really needed to (in hindsight!) but which seemed a daunting step at the time.

We couldn't have done it without you!

Huge thanks for all that you do. Going nappy free was a total revelation, so liberating! - Caroline Pigott, Cheltenham .

No Dramas, No Effort, No Accidents

When I first heard about EC from a friend I went searching online and found your website to be the clearest, most informative and comprehensive. But your biggest selling point were the photos!! I really couldn't understand or visualise how to hold a small baby over a potty until I saw photos on your site.

I spread the word of your site to whoever I could and had a successful pottying journey. My daughter easily transitioned to full time pottying and we were done with nappies by her 25th month. No dramas, no effort and no accidents!! Thank you!!! - Tassa D

I Hit Rock Botton, Then I Found You

I had hit the rock bottom with my 3.5 year old son, who after a year and a half of potty training, was pooing and weeing in his pants several times a day. He knew what was wanted of him but could not care less. He was so used to not thinking about elimination that he just ignored us when prompted. Every method was used but even now, a year and a half on, we still have issues with wet pants.

So at that nightmare moment, while scraping another teaspoonful of poo off my child's pants I decided to look for another way to go with my then 5.5 month old Daughter.

I am Russian and my mother was saying all along about 'sitting baby out' as they call it, and usually start at about 6 months or a year. But I ignored it while following the western idea of kids being 'ready when they are ready'. I searched the web and found the Born Ready website on which Jenn cheerfully and clearly explained all the principles! It struck me like lightening!!!

This was the way out!

I knew that I may have been a little late starting with my daughter but Jenn's encouraging manner of writing and evidently, in depth experience gave me the confidence to give it a go. She made me believe that it was just another thing that is a part of normal every day life with my baby, like eating, drinking, playing and sleeping.

We also purchased the unique in the world Flaparaps that made immediate potty offerings a breeze!

It has been a journey of one and a half years, almost, with ups and downs through teething and potty-strikes, but she is practically potty trained now and loves it- at the tender age of 22 months it is a joy to be doing EC with my daughter and I am deeply grateful to Jenn for changing my understanding of babies as Born Ready, for giving the tried and tested guidance and most of all, for the cheerful encouragement that gave me the confidence and good humour to even try!

I hope more people can benefit from her wisdom and kindness! Thank you! - Elena Bridges, mother of two, Beaconsfield, UK.

Night Pre-Empts Are Amazing!

Our daughter is one and we started our EC journey when she was 4 weeks old, we haven’t looked back since.

Your website is great, comprehensive, easy to read, it explains EC in a simple and practical way. It’s reassuring to have someone else’s point of view that validates what we think/experience when we don’t know anyone in real life practising EC.

The Flaparaps have been our saviours, DD hasn’t seen a nappy for the last 5 months, she is Flaparapped day and night.

I am always looking forward to reading your next blog, as they are full of advice. We haven’t had any major crisis so far (touch wood) but I try and keep up with all the posts and make a mental note of your comments for the days ahead, as they always make total sense. Hat off to you for managing to share your knowledge on top of your busy household.

Your 4 most useful tips have been:

1. The night pre-empts, I was terrified at first as DD is such a bad sleeper, but it works - that’s amazing.
2. Toys / reading on the potty, otherwise she wouldn’t stay there more than 1/2 second.
3. Staying on the potty in the morning until she poos, it makes the day a lot more relaxed knowing that's out of the way :)
4. The chest slap, she used it for the first time at 13 months!

Thank you for everything you do. - Cathie, London, UK

Googling For Freebies Changed Everything!

While still pregnant I was googling for freebies, typed 'free baby' and found your page accidentally. I went through all the information and it resonated with me very well (it was well written, with very approachable language and good reasoning) ..and then I started thinking about it how this could be managed, I mean it's already a hell lot of work with a new baby, and adding something like this on top of it ..and then there was something you wrote there 'what's the worst that can happen?' and that was it for me :) Exactly! What's the worst that can happen? He may pee in his pants, not the end of the world ;)

We started ec at 3 months, he was nappy free at night at 4 months and entirely nappy free at 7 months.

Yes we had misses, and some funny situations too... but I wouldn't change a thing about it and I'm very veeeery thankful you made an effort to bring this concept to people :)

(I'm a strong believer that important things can reveal themselves in most unusual ways ;) - Anna P, photographer and mother of one, UK

I Had A Complete Change Of Heart!

I know I've raved at you before, but thank you again for the inspiration. You have a great product, both the Flaparaps and the website, and I really hope you reach a wider audience.

I had read about EC in other places, but definitely dismissed it as not for me as it seemed very crunchy. I had a complete change of heart when I came across the Born Ready website: it was aesthetically appealing and informative, rather than a dreary blog of someone else's experience. Now I have a happy, clean baby who has only worn one nappy in four days (admittedly has also been through a Flaparap and three inserts ;) ) - Grace T, mother of one.

Invaluable, Inspirational and Flaparaps Are Brilliant!

You have been invaluable with our EC journey (which started well over 3 and a half years ago)!

I originally came across your bornready website during middle of the night feeds with my first newborn baby, trying to google ways to stop him weeing on me during nappy changes. We started slowly, but it became easier and more normal as time went on.

Your own personal story was inspirational and your comments and advice on the facebook group have been great. You've been so helpful with your replies to questions and issues. Your advice about doing a late evening pre-emptive wee was great for my son and the bornready chest slap sign has been brilliant for both kids, plus suggestions on a load of other stuff has made ECing easier.

We have never met but I completely respect your opinions and value your experience.

Your Flaparaps have also been brilliant and any questions for those, as well as constipation questions, have always been answered very helpfully.

It's probably safe to say that if I hadn't found your bornready website then we wouldn't have successfully managed to do baby pottying with our 2 children. And it seems that Evie may be pretty much finished at 18 months, fingers crossed (Finn was at 20 months) - brilliant!

Thanks Jenn! - Anna, mother of two

I'm A Hippy, But I Like Your Style

When I first looked up Flaparaps after seeing someone post some for sale on here, I was refreshed by the clarity of your prose and the assertion that EC is not just for hippies. I am a hippy, but I found your investigative rather than intuitive attitude reassuring. I feel you model a pragmatic, sympathetic and extremely helpful parenting style and your family stories of EC consolidate this. - Kate, Writer, mother of one.

I'm Not A Hippy, And I Don't Feel Judged

I like that you are not a hemp wearing, tree hugging hippy. I never went into EC to save the planet I did it more to save my sanity of cleaning up dirty nappies and saw very quickly how easy this was to avoid. I have no qualms about using disposables at night but you are completely non judgemental of that, as you are with everyone who posts.

You tailor your responses to help people, not help the planet or help yourself sell nappies. You actually care about helping parents start EC and want to make their journey as easy as possible. You respond very quickly to questions and always give positive suggestions rather than pointing out flaws in a parents system. You understand that every family has different needs and there isn't a one size fits all solution. It doesn't matter how many times people post you the group about potty pauses you respond each time rather than just referring to a previous post. This is really reassuring for a mum who in most cases is battling family and friends to do something with their child they believe in.- Jill W, Teacher and mother of two, Croydon

You Helped Us Regain Granny's Skills!

Jenn's experience with mainstream potty training and early potting is excellent. Really helpful with lots of practical things to try. A wealth of knowledge, helping us regain the skills of the past generations. My granny had all four of her children using the potty by a year old. I only found this out after my baby successfully using the potty at 6 months old. It is really terrific and she loves it too. There's just no need for children to sit in their own waste, and waiting til they can actually tell you that is waiting far too long. There's lots of communication that's non verbal so no need to wait. Go for it! - Sophie D, mother of one, London, UK

Night Time Advice Spurred Me On!

Your website is full of fantastic information and inspiration that over our EC journey has helped me feel empowered to continue. Most importantly it has given me a platform where I feel completely supported in each phase of EC - especially through your facebook group, where people are like mided and full of advice.

More specifically your Night Time pottying advice really spurred me on to go forward with night time EC and as a result at 20 months my son is dry most nights without any form of back up! I never would have attempted nights so early if it wasn't for you so thank you!- Ambah, scuba guide and mother of one, Hurghada, Egypt

Part Time Pottying to Nappy Free at 19 Months!

You've definitely helped us on a few occasions! In your facebook group with support and advice about finally ditching nappies at 19 months after part timing. Helping out with good advice and things to try after a more personal cry for help when H had a week or two of pooing in pants, after over a year of pooing in potties.

I used the webisite and advice on here to start night time ec at 7 months, and tips on how to set up the bed when we went nappy free overnight at 25 months (whilst cosleeping ). The use of quick removal wet/waterproof sheets has been a saviour on the odd occasion we've had an accident.

Your advice on here was used a lot in the early days too, but I am ashamed to say I cant remember which bits exactly as it's all a blur! Thanks for all your help on our journey :) - Hanna S, archaeologist and mother of one, Manchester, UK

Flaparaps Solved My Pottying Problems!

When we started on the EC journey, we muddled through with disposables for the first few weeks. This doesn't really work on a number of levels. Taking the nappies off and putting them back on takes forever, they wear out quite soon and you can't do a discreet dream wee without waking bubba up. While they aren't cheap, Jenn's Flaparaps solve all these problems and are near enough basic equipment for anyone serious about full-time EC. - G. Emanuel, father of one, London, UK.

Flaparaps Should Be The Norm!

Flaparaps are brilliant, potty offers become so easy, misses are sorted in seconds, changing mobile babies is no longer a fight. Practical, small and light, my baby loves them as much as I do... I had to use a disposable the other day (1st time in months), you should have seen the look of disbelief on her face! They make you realise how wrong conventional nappies are, and wonder why nobody invented them sooner. Flaparaps are a winner, they should without a doubt be the norm. And if that wasn’t enough, they look good too! - Cath M, mother of one, London, UK.

Wish I'd Found You Earlier!

I really wish I had found you before I had my baby.

I used cloth diapers with my first son after he was year old and after I had my second baby I stocked up on new cloth diapers but all the while knowing that I wanted to use EC - full time if possible.

But the problem was it took too much time to get the diapers off my baby to consistently use EC, so I've only been doing it part time - whenever I can.

Then I bought Flaparaps!

If I had had these from the very beginning it would have been much easier to ec full time. - Elizabeth B, mother of two.

Loving The Flaparaps!

Just a quick message to say how much I'm loving using the Flaparaps :)

We use them all the time during the day (still in disposables at night). It's so handy to be able to offer without having to lie her down to undress (which she hates), and easy when out and about. I've ordered some more leg warmers to go with them as that's her normal wear these days, unless it's too hot for leg warmers here in South Africa. They also look great with a little dress - one of the bonuses of having a girl! Thank you! - Anna L, mother of two.

Flaparaps Are Brilliant! Trim, Comfy and Easier Than Training Pants.

I am so inspired by your website, and what I've read on it. Wish I came across your site while living in the UK. I EC'd my daughter while living in the UK and now have a 9 month old in South Africa. I bought a friend's starter Flaparap set when they visited us and that is all that I'm using at the moment. It is brilliant, so easy and looks way more comfortable than even the trimmest nappy that I've used previously, and much easier than training pants.

Congratulations on a brilliant brilliant product.

Flaparaps Saved My Sanity (And My Ear Drums)!

Flaparaps were handy item when pottying my daughter but a blinking must have for my son who would pitch a screaming fit the moment I'd lay him down to change his nappy.

Change him while standing, problem solved! Hooray! Sanity still in tact :)

My 5mo Uses The Chest Slap!

The other day my 5mo started hitting himself on the chest. I didn't think it could possibly be intentional and I missed a poo.

Just now I was making dinner with him in the bouncer and heard him hitting himself again. I looked over and he locked his eyes on mine and continued to slap. So I put him on potty and an immediate poo.

Could it be a coincidence? I feel like I am going crazy because he is five months old!! Surely he can't be intentionally using it yet? I started at a few weeks old, when he was bare bum and I could see him doing it. Like you say, when you are holding them over the potty it is nearly impossible but if I spotted a sign, I would chest slap before picking him up. I also always do it if I know he is pooing in his nappy and can't do anything about it. Plus my partner will use the chest slap with him (ie sometimes when I am holding him over potty, his dad will do the sign).

[The next day...] He did it again today!

[The next week...] He didn't use the chest slap again for a week, (but then we didn't miss any poos either) then used it 3 days in a row. I'm now convinced that it is intentional and he seems pretty pleased with himself! - Angie M, mother of one.

Chest Slap Is Marvellous!

The Born Ready chest slap is marvellous, it is clear and really helped us on our pottying journey -it is one of the few signs my son bothered with. - Kate, mother of One.

Started The Day My 5th Child Was Born!

I had always wanted to do EC but I didn't think it was possible. I saw it as something that only the most 'in tune' mums would be able to achieve and I just didn't trust I could do it. Also I thought it was something that was 'all-or-nothing' and there was no in-between.

I came to a workshop you did in Cambridge (at the Gentle Parenting Show) and I left there feeling like I could do it. Your positivity for EC, the way you celebrated it and the fact you had done it just compounded my feeling of wanting to do it.

The real push to do it came when I realised it was not as all-or-nothing as I expected that in fact I could part-time EC if I chose to. I also bought your online videos and they gave me many ideas of how to start pottying (which I read whilst pregnant) and I started on day one thanks to you and your advice both in-person and online.

I have 5 kids but have only done EC with the youngest. I understand her cues now and feel I am almost in tune with her - whereas with my others I never quite felt this. - Renee Jeffery, mother of five, Norfolk.

From Pottying To Potty Trained with The Toddler Videos!

Our second baby (boy of just over two years old now) was part-time ECd since three weeks. I took the plunge for full on pants in the day after reading Jenn's website and then signed up to the video class explaining a toddler's conceptions of potty training. I really got to grips with exactly what stage he was at.

I also bought the baby-led pottying class to help reinforce how I wanted to approach ec when baby three comes along.

All in all, Jenn's research, calm and down to earth attitude with 4 kids, lets you see how realistic and user friendly it is - whatever your situation. - Tania R, mother of 2.

Loved The Toddler's Eye View Of Potty Training!

Love your approach (and it works!)! Thanks so much for inspiring changes! - Kesha

Loved The Website And The Video Classes!

I had recently had my second daughter when I came across your website. I loved reading what you had to say. You seem very practical and realistic. Gave me an insight into pottying in a much better way than I had with my first and also set me up to do night times! I liked your website so much that I paid for your videos :).

And when I found out that they are less likely to go when you carry them that was such a revelation! Sometimes I want to sling her all day just for purposes of taking her to the toilet :)

I also was super impressed by your personal replies. Like you had really read my messages, and your 'thinking outside the box' suggestions. Doing it at night was really really great for a few months. There was a time when my 2/3 month old was dry at night but my 2 year old wasn't :)

Definitely would have been helpful to have found your site when my first daughter was a baby. - Lee H, mother of two, Rugby, UK.

Dropped In, Started Catching!

Good to meet you at the drop-in session last week! We started on Monday. So far we've caught two wees and a poo!

[2 months later...] Haven't changed a poo nappy for months - he poos on his potty every morning. We also offer before his bath in the evening. Very happy! - Ruth H, mother of one, Romford, UK.

Great Videos!

Thanks Jenn, Great videos! Have really enjoyed watching them! - Rosie R.

Your Website Kept Me Up, So I Put My Baby On The Potty!

I found your website yesterday evening, and basically haven't slept thinking about your experiences (I'm terrible once I get a new idea on my head)... My daughter is 4 months old, and I'm inspired to give it a go. She's woken up twice tonight and both times has successfully gone for a wee in the potty.- GT, mother of one

Jenn Was Fantastic!

Jenn was fantastic! Really passionate about potty training. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and will recommend it to other nannies. - Irene L, nanny.

Can't Wait To Put Ideas Into Practice!

A very good course! Informative and well paced. Can't wait to go home and put these ideas into practice. - Karen T, nanny.

Jenn Was Great!

Jenn was great! She described new techniques that I hadn't heard of before. Very interesting and helpful. - Carolina F, nanny.

Jenn Was Amazing!

Jenn was amazing and the handout was very useful. Thank you! - Rossana A, nanny.

Dry Day And Night By 21 Months!

I always read all your posts [in your facebook group] and your responses to other people problems because you always make sense. It all helped to get my 21 month son out of nappies (day and night) with only a handful of accidents in few weeks. Thank you for keeping this up and giving all of us your precious advise :)x - Veronika B

Invaluable Advice And Encouragment!

I've found this group and your input so useful because I don't have a local (real-life) group to go to. I've felt pretty 'out there' by doing EC when none of my mummy peers were doing it so I've found your advice / experience / words of wisdom / encouragement really invaluable. I like that you are very involved with [your facebook] group - Claire R, Swindon.

Gave Me Realistic Expectations.

I have always been impressed by the level of practical, personal assistance you provide to people on your Facebook group; for me one of the most productive interactions was when you explained the different levels of understanding a baby has about when they need to toilet as I was expecting too much of my son. - Kate S, mother of one.

Helped Build My Confidence

I loved having a forum on which to air my views and to have questions answered when I needed it, or to share my own experience with others. It helped build my confidence in what I was doing, so thank you! - Abigail C, Gloucester, 2 children, boys, sadly only ec'd the second.

No More Crying At Night!

The past two nights have had no crying after being sneakier and having him only in tshirt and pull up nappy for bed so it's easier to undress him without waking him! Last night I don't even think he woke up at all! I feel happier now that he's not in a wet nappy all night!! - Lucy M

Evening Pre-empt = More Sleep

[After reading the guide to night time pottying] Jenn you are amazing! I braved pottying last night for the first time in ages and we went to bed dry and woke up dry! Only 2 pottys and 3 boob feeds which has been hourly for a good few weeks!! and she was only a tiny bit wingy about being pottied. I got some sleep! :) - Renee J, mother of five.

Chronic Constipation: Heartbreaking To Watch

These blog posts are so great...I'm definitely going to be more vigilant and observant than I have been! But more importantly, I can't wait for the third post because my nephew is 5, going to school in a pull-up and pooing completely randomly. It's heartbreaking to watch. Such a horrible situation. You help so many people with all your research and advice...thank you so much! - J, mother of two.