Saoirse loves being diaper free! Elimination Communication at 8 months. Elimination Communication (EC): the way to a diaper-free life with your baby
Elimination Communication (EC) might sounds challenging. Bringing your baby to the potty. However, it is the way it has always been.
A life without poopy diapers? Sounds like heaven, right? And certainly possible when you practice the Elimination Communication method.
EC potty training
EC is not another word for potty training.
As Elimination Communication isn’t training. It is a way of connecting between mama and baby. So that mama knows when it’s time for baby to go.
We’ve started with EC from newborn with our first baby. Although I thought EC would be a challenge. It is so easier than expected!
I feel we are doing great! With about 10 poopy diapers in 3 months.
Without any prior EC experience.
I love to shine more light on Elimination Communication (EC)!
Read on to find out:
- Why practising Elimination Communication
- When to start with Elimination Communication
- How to prepare yourself for EC toilet training
- The Elimination communication method
- Summary
Why practising Elimination Communication
Let me share my favourite reasons to practise Elimination Communication.
Elimination communication is our nature
First of all, it is in our nature—way back, when we were still living in caves. Baby’s didn’t wet themselves as it would cost diseases. Mama’s where taking their baby outdoors.
So many years later, the world has developed so rapidly. However, your baby’s instinct is still the same. Baby’s don’t want to wet themselves.
Or poop in their diaper. As it causes diaper rash.
Therefore your baby will let you know when it is time to use the EC potty. When you listen to their EC signals baby will feel happy and heard.
What means less crying and more smiling. 🙂
Deeper connection with your baby
Elimination communication creates a deeper connection with your baby. As you are carefully listening to all their signals, your baby will feel save and heard.
More comfortable for baby
Would you like to lay in a dirty diaper? I guess not. The same counts for your little one.
Prevent diaper rash
As your baby won’t have (as many) dirty diapers changes of diaper rash are limited. Baby Saoirse is almost three months now and only once experienced light diaper rash. That lasted for a day or so after applying Weleda diaper rash cream. When the baby’s button gets red, you can also use sweet almond oil to prevent.
Eco-friendly
There are many reasons to reduce your “diaper footprint”.
So, disposable diapers are terrible for the environment.
The planet is an important factor. First of all, to reduce your diaper use. And secondly, to choose cloth diapers.
EC is a Money saver
Yes, EC is a huge money saver as you won’t as many diapers. Because your baby will be off diapers much sooner.
Also, you’ll use fewer diapers as they aren’t dirty all the time.
However, even when practising EC. Using cloth diapers is much better for the environment. And again, saving you money.
* Read more about EC compatible cloth diapers (we share it soon!)
Elimination communication training is fun!
Elimination communication training is super fun. I understand that it might sound silly…
So, let me elaborate on that.
EC cues
We are laughing about ourselves in front of the mirror (above the sink). When making the EC cues of psst and grr. When Saoirse is doing a poo, it is fun to see her face and hear her sounds.
Instead of shaming her because of her poo. Like: “Yak! What a dirty diaper”. We encourage her to poo. As a result, she is smiling when making a poo. Which also helps her to feel confident about her body in the future.
Diaper free – no dirty nappies!
Instead of having to deal with dirty diapers, you flush it away with some water. And feel happy to catch a poo!
Which makes it for baby more fun to go to the toilet.
Win win 🙂
Diaper free much faster!
You use fewer diapers as they stay clean when you have a catch. Also, your baby will be of diapers much faster. Again, a double win!
When to start with Elimination Communication
It is never too late or too early to start with Elimination Communication.
We started with EC from birth. Which just naturally flowed that way. Our baby got an upset face. I thought: this is an EC signal!? Then we put her above the EC potty. Which we already set near us.
And, there it was: our first (meconium) catch!
It was that easy!
How to prepare for EC toilet training
Tell yourself you can do it, because you can!
I personally connected with baby during meditation while she was still in the womb. I asked her to connect deeply with me so I can read her EC cues. But this was just my holistic way to prepare for birth.
Books about the Elimination Communication Method
There are a few books written about the elimination communication method.
Go Diaper Free is my favourite Elimination Communication book.
Here Ingrid Bauer explains the reasons why to practice EC. And how the Elimination Communication method works naturally.
But looking back I don’t feel you need to read a book to prepare yourself.
It is just the geek in me that loves to read a lot.
The Elimination Communication Method
So, what about the elimination communication method?
EC Essentials
First of all, be sure to stock up with some inexpensive EC essentials.
It doesn’t require anything to practice Elimination Communication. But with a few EC essentials, life gets much easier.
Listen to your baby’s signals
Your baby will let you know when it is time for the EC potty.
There are different ways to know. Sometimes they get a bit fussy or wiggle with their legs. Or they just get really quiet instead.
As you learn your baby’s communication signals for: hungry, tired, gassy. For needing to go to the potty baby will make just another signal.
Saoirse makes similar Aaa aa noises and gets fussy for needing to wee, needing to pee and needing to spit up. So it sometimes happens that I put her on the potty and she spits all over.
Just try to see it as a fun game in getting to know your baby. It only gets better! And it improves your bonding together.
Usage of the EC potty
There are a few ways to give a “Pottytunity” to your baby.
You can either use an EC potty, a kitchen or bathroom sink or you can hold them above the toilet.
First of all, our favourite place is outdoors.
Being outdoors in good weather makes it even simpler: you can use all the outdoor space. Perfect compost! And it seems Saoirse loves going outdoors!
Secondly, the bathroom sink.
While holding her above the sink, you can check in the mirror how she is doing. Also, keeping the water flowing helps to start the weeing. And it cleans both the sink and your baby straight away.
The EC potty is ideal as you can take it everywhere.
So, perfect for EC on the road or next to your sofa or bed if you don’t walk too far to the bathroom all the time.
Dress for EC succes
While being a first-time mum. You might stock up the closet with baby clothes. At least, that’s what we did…
Although, when being an EC mom you have a different look on clothes.
As now the goal becomes easiness. Easy to put on and easy to take off.
So we gave up on pyjamas with many buttons. Because, believe me. All the buttons drive you mad at night!
Saoirse now sleeps in a body, trouser and sweater. Which makes the night potty’s much easier.
Summary
There are so many reasons to try Elimination communication:
- Create a deeper bond between mama and baby
- Prevents diaper rash
- Eco-friendly
- Saves money
- Last but not least: it is fun!
You can start the EC toilet training from newborn.
With a little preparation, you are ready for the Elimination Communication Method.
While following up on baby’s EC cues you give a “pottytunity’’. Or other words: You put your baby on the EC potty. Which keeps your diapers clean.
And soon you will be diaper free!
When you dress for success, you will catch it all.
Good luck and have fun!
What about you?
Are you (planning) on practicing Elimination Communication?
Or are you already EC-ing your baby?
Share your experience in the comment section below!
