I was just talking with a pregnant friend about that. In the west, we more and more hear about "elimination communication" which consists in paying attention to the infant's signs that he/she needs to eliminate waste, without using diapers. I have to admit that it doesn't seem appealing to me at all, but still, it got me thinking. I traveled to some asian countries where I noticed children (even new born babies) were not wearing diapers and the parents used to whistle to the kid when doing his/her business. Later the kid just kind of responded to the whistle.
I know my grandmothers didn't have disposable diapers but they used clothes instead and washed them. I have no idea how it was done before that. Have you seen other methods? What did mothers used in old time nigeria?

hmmm very interesting about the asians,i never heard of such a practice befor