Learn your baby's Elimination Communication signals with naked observation time. How to use naked observation time to know baby’s EC signals
Naked observation is a tool to learn baby’s signals for Elimination Communication (EC).
EC is all about communicating on a deeper level with your baby.
Naked observation time helps you to understand your baby’s signals.
Like: hunger, tired and needing to go to the potty. Understanding baby’s signals help you to give a pottytunity in the perfect moment.
Read on the find out:
- What are baby’s signals?
- What is naked observation time?
- How to use naked observation time to deepen your communication
- Summary
What are baby’s signals?
Babies signal when they need something.
It is quite obvious that baby’ don’t talk in the same language as we do. However, they do communication with elimination communication cues.
Elimination Communication cues
Baby’ first communicate by:
- Making facial expressions
- Sounds like “Aaa” and “Neeh”
- Making body movements
And, when not responding to the first signals, they start crying.
Understanding baby’s signals is a gateway to a happy baby and mama.
First of all, as you respond to baby first signals there is no need to cry out loud.
Secondly, knowing baby cues for potty time is essential for your EC journey. So, you give a pottytunity on the right moment.
In this YouTube you get to know the common sounds babies make.
It was a huge lifesaver for me! I really recognised my baby’s sounds according to this video. It helped me catch the first sticky meconium poos with my newborn. And understanding her from the moment she was born.
What is naked observation time?
Naked observation time is a way to get to know your baby’ signals.
It is not obligatory. However, it will help you to faster understand your baby’ potty signals.
Watch for the signals
With naked observation time, you lay your baby naked while you are watching her.
Keeping a close eye on her you might notice she gets fussy and starts making Aaa noises. Or start wiggle legs and feet. This is a moment to put baby on the potty.
Be sure you have a potty near!
Make the sounds
When you miss baby’ pee or poo. Or when she is on the potty. You make the sounds like Psssst for peeing and a Grrrr for pooing.
Or any other sound you like and feel comfortable with.
As I found it difficult to make a poo sound I just grrrr like a lion. Because her star sign is Leo matches well.
Anyways, let your creativity flow it doesn’t matter what sound as long as it matches it with the action.
Baby links sounds to motion
The idea is that baby links the sound to physical activity: toilet time. Making these sounds is key for EC. You will make these every time you offer a “pottytunity” to let baby know it is time to release. Especially when using different places or going on the road these sounds are essential. So they understand it is time to go.
How to use naked observation time to deepen your communication
Prepare a place that ti get messy
Changing pads are your best friend when preparing your place for naked observation.
Find a comfortable spot. For example use your bed, the sofa or the floor.
Prepare the place by putting changing pads and (optional) some prefold cloth diapers to catch any of the misses.
Be sure it is totally fine when baby goes and misses.
Try to never get angry or frustrated when you have a miss. As baby feels your emotions. Nobody is more intuitive with your emotions than baby.
The idea is to celebrate the wins together.
The misses are just part of the game.
Give your loving attention
When practising naked observation give your loving attention.
After you prepped a place it is your time to observe.
When practicing with a newborn there is not much more to do than (breast)feeding and watching her sleep.
Babies don’t go when they are sleeping.
But go as soon as they wake up.
When your baby is a bit older you can play together.
Being with your baby for 100%.
Noticing every way of communicating. If you feel she needs to go put her on the potty. If she goes but you didn’t notice it make a Psssst sounds. Clean up and continue.
Try to notice her movements and facial expressions when she goes.
Remember them (write it down if you suffer from ‘baby brain’) and try again.
Key is to get to know baby’ cues. So, you can respond to them.
Make the EC sounds
While you are learning the signals of your baby. Baby learns your EC sounds for going to the toilet.
“Pssst” for peeing and “Grrrr” for a poo.
Like said earlier: you can make any sounds that feels good for you. Baby connects the sounds with the action.
Whenever you give a pottytunity you make the sounds.
In this way, you let baby know when it is time to go.
The sounds are actually the part that makes EC fun for us.
I love the way daddy makes super convincing Grrrrrr sounds when we give Saoirse a pottytunity.
It might sounds super silly but it deepens our connection as a new family. Even keeping the “dirty” poos fun. Which aren’t dirty at all when you catch them.
Summary
During naked observation you are both learning to communicate with each other.
Mummy (and daddy) learn baby’ signals when it is time to go to the potty. Knowing baby cues limits crying. As you respond fast to baby’s needs.
With naked observation baby learns the sounds for wee-ing and poo-ing.
So whenever you give a pottytunity. Baby knows it is time to go.
Naked observation is a great way to deepen your communicatie with baby.
Making EC an easy and fun journey!
Have you tried naked observation?
Have you tried naked observation?
Please share your experience in the comment section below.
Let’s inspire each other mama!
