Starting with EC from newborn. We love the natural potty! Elimination communication with a newborn
Elimination communication with a newborn sounds challenging? It did to me.
However, it is much easier than expected! It feels intuitive and natural to respond to the baby’s signals. I love to share my experience and hope it helps you on your EC journey with your newborn.
Read on to find out:
- Why Elimination communication with newborn?
- Tips and tricks on EC with a newborn
- Elimination communication challenges
- Summary
Why Elimination communication with newborn?
First of all, there are so many reasons to start Elimination Communication in general.
Improve bonding mama and newborn baby
Elimination communication (EC) is all about listening on a deeper level to your baby’s needs. It is a journey to bond with your baby. As you try to respond to all their signals of discomfort.
Newborns signal when they need the potty
Us humans naturally don’t want to wet our body. Newborns are the same. That is why newborns will signal when they need to use the potty. It is also perfectly normal that your newborn starts crying when peeing. Because peeing is a new sensation in their body. Where they need to get used to.
This will get better as the time passes and your tiny human is more adapted to her new life on earth.
Tips and tricks EC with a newborn
Easy Elimination Communication catches
There are several moments in a day most baby’s need to go. These are easy Elimination Communication catches. Be sure to remember these moments:
After waking up
The easiest and most efficient catch is just after waking up. From every nap.
Baby’s naturally don’t go to the toilet while sleeping. Just after waking up, you will easily catch a wee or a poo. Make sure you are a bit patient. Sometimes the baby needs time to wake up and do their thing.
When taking out of your baby wear
While you are wearing your baby, she will try not wet you. When you take your baby out of the sling is a good moment for an easy catch.
- Read on: Baby wearing ♡ The benefits of having your baby close
Trust your intuition
If you have the feeling your baby needs to go. She probably needs to go. Because you, mama, are super intuned with your baby.
Mine usually gets a bit fussy and starts kicking with her legs. But all baby’s are different. Although it seems hard to read their signs. It was much easier than expected.
EC Essentials
The good thing about elimination communication with your newborn is that it doesn’t require much. Your love and attention for your baby is most important. However, a few inexpensive EC essentials make your life much easier!
A potty
Saves a walk to the bathroom. Is super handy when practising EC on the road. We started with a plastic dishwasher bowl however an EC potty is much easier. Because you can just put it in between your legs.
Must have if you want to EC any time, anywhere.
Changing pads
Changing pads are ideal for your naked observation. As they keep your space nice and clean.
You can lay the baby there while keeping a close eye. Keep your EC potty nearby. And use it when they signal or when they start peeing. When they pee or poo, you make your sounds: ”Pssst” and ”Grrr”. Linking the sounds to act: peeing and pooing.
EC compatible cloth diapers
Cloth diapers are ideal for the environment, a big money saver and much better for your baby’ skin. With EC it ideal to use diapers you can easily take off.
—> Read more about EC compatible cloth diapers here
Dress for succes
When your newborn needs to go she needs to go fast. You don’t have much time. So it will help to dress them with clothes that you can easily take off. For me the pyjama with buttons where too difficult at night. Here you can read more about perfect clothes for elimination communication.
Be kind to yourself
It is super hard (read impossible) to catch all wees and poos. Rather than being disappointed when you miss one. Be happy when you catch one!
Elimination communication Challenges
Catching every pee
From the moment Saoirse was born I felt ambitious to catch every pee and poo. Now, twelve weeks later I try to catch every poo but gave up on needing to catch all the pee. As a baby pees a lot. Saoirse needs to go every 15 minutes or so. Catching every pee was just too ambitious and made me very tired. I notice she really waits for a “Pottytunity” to do her number 2.
I let her go ideally every time she wakes up and when she gets fussy. Which mostly always means she either needs to wee, poo or spit up her milk. However, as you think you might start to know your baby they change. She was just poo-ing in the morning and evenings. Today she went 3 times. Never a dull moment!
EC on the road
Taking your baby on the road is next level EC. As you are not always near a potty. However, also this seemed more difficult than it was. And there are solutions to make EC on the road easier. We took Saoirse with our campervan on her first trip when she was 7 weeks old. Travelling by van is ideal with EC!
Summary
Elimination communication (EC) with a newborn is much easier than it seems. Newborns are naturally signalling when they need to go to the potty. It is your nature as a mother to respond to their signals. To help baby stay comfortable and clean.
The tips and tricks and challenges listed above help you on your EC journey with a newborn. There are only a few inexpensive EC essentials. Which makes EC a money saver, eco-friendly and a great way to communicate on a deeper level with your newborn! Oh yes: and the best way to prevent diaper rash!
What is your EC journey?
How do you feel about Elimination Communication with a newborn? Are you planning to do EC with your baby? Or did you already started to? Share your journey and inspire each other!
