Elimination Communication (EC)

[impatient]

We have an increasing number of members who practice elimination communication (EC) a.k.a. infant potty training or natural infant hygiene. We will be sharing the “Potty Training” forum with those who prefer conventional potty training. For those who are not familiar with EC here is a brief definition:

EC is a practice in which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant’s need to eliminate waste. Typically the goal is to partially or completely avoid the use of diapers. EC emphasizes communication between the caregiver and child, helping them both become more attuned to the child's innate rhythms and control of urination and defecation.EC is a gentle method that does not involve any punishment for “misses” or forcing the baby sit on the potty for extended periods of time “until he/she goes”. It is inspired by cultures around the world that do not use diapers. Many families practice EC from birth, others start later. While it is recommended to start within the first 4 months of life before the baby becomes diaper trained, it is possible to start at any time. Families can practice EC part time or full time.

As you post in this forum, please remember that this is a place to ask questions, come for support, share the success and provide advice. I am sure many have strong feelings about potty training one way or another, please remain respectful as there is no need to get into heated discussions about EC vs. conventional potty training. After all, we are all doing what is best for our families.

Happy pottying everyone! :hi:

Some EC resources:

http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/ (http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/)
http://www.theecstore.com/ (http://www.theecstore.com/)
http://www.timl.com/ipt/ (http://www.timl.com/ipt/)

[LisaJ2224]

I stickied and you are ready to go!

I want to remind everyone that everyone has their own style of parenting and this sticky is not to be a place of debate but of support for EC. If you have questions, I am sure the EC girls would love to answer. Have fun!!!

[JaysMommy]

Thanks for the links! I read through them and learned alot. We are giving EC a go! Wish I had started from the beginning though, but I'm sure we are still starting early enough. He's a smart boy and I can't wait to watch him learn and communicate with me!

[impatient]

Thanks for the links! I read through them and learned alot. We are giving EC a go! Wish I had started from the beginning though, but I'm sure we are still starting early enough. He's a smart boy and I can't wait to watch him learn and communicate with me!
Yay for starting early. I bet you will see amazing results.

[JaysMommy]

I hope so! There's no pressure I just think it will be benificial to him instead of forcing him to learn around 2 or 3. Will help his communication skills too.

[i.<3.cheesysmiles]

Hi! I just wanted to say that Dh and I have decided to try ECing. I was wondering where on APA I would go for support. After reading daiperfreebaby.com, we figured why not try. We still need to buy a potty, and just plan on casually doing it to start..not something to stress about.

[tribalbaby]

I love practicing EC!
'Practicing' is the key word there, as it isn't an activity for perfectionists!

We have two sons. The youngest is one year old. Since birth we have only been using diapers part-time with him. With our 4 year old we did the same. In his first two years we estimated we spent about $5 a month on diapering supplies with him, by minimising our diaper use with Baby Pottying, using washable cloth diapers and training pants, and simply 'catching' his wees and more in a little potty.

We find it great fun to sing a song with your baby on the potty each morning, and when they wake up from sleeps, it's the easiest way to begin. Hey presto, there's a couple less diapers each day. Considering between 6 and 8 thousand diapers are estimated to be used when full-time diapering, reducing that a little is a very green thing to do! What I found wonderful about EC with our first baby, as new parents, was that this was the reason for a lot of fussing and crying - he needed to WEE and his bladder was uncomfy, so he cried! A timely potty break (holding him over the laundry tub - and BAM, he'd fall asleep settled after a good poop and a piddle. Imagine the empowerment we felt!

EC helps us to dramatically REDUCE our use of diapers, 'catching' their waste in a potty rather than a diaper whenever possible, and diapers are there for decorum, 'backup' (as you can't catch them all) and peace of mind at other times. When using cloth diapers, you have the benefit of less washing to do along with an enhanced awareness of your baby's elimination needs.

It's great fun, anyone can give it a go - striving for one less diaper a day is a wonderful daily activity to 'play' with your baby!

I encourage anyone curious to explore the idea a bit more and give it a go!

Charndra

P.S I'd recommend a visit to Part Time Diaper Free (http://www.parttimediaperfree.com)to learn more, and build your confidence gradually. A free online guided tour will help you get going with a positive mind-set.

[lilo1225]

Okay, this is the first I have heard of this... I am at work so it's kind of hard to read the resources.. but can someone in a paraphrase tell me more about this and how to start .. my babies are 4 months.. is it too late???

[tribalbaby]

Hi Lilo,
yes, you can start at that age - 4 months is a perfect age as babies are wetting a bit less, you have settled in to momming a bit, and are having time to explore some new ideas!

What if you got a potty, popped it near or on their changing area, and then, start to 'EC' by pottying your babies when their diaper is off for a change?

The diaper is coming off anyway - they have a nudie tush, so popping them on the potty and singing a little song is a simple and easy activity to meld into your day.

You might do this at the same time each day - as you are at work, this might be at a change first thing in the morning or when you first all get home, if mornings are hectic!

This is enough to begin - a consistent opportunity to communicate. The next diaper can stay dry for longer and you get to use a cue sound when they go, perhaps 'pee pee' or similar.

Have fun - it's about the chance at a new communication, not early potty training.

- Charndra

Part Time Diaper Free! (http://www.PartTimeDiaperFree.com)

[lilo1225]

Hi Lilo,
yes, you can start at that age - 4 months is a perfect age as babies are wetting a bit less, you have settled in to momming a bit, and are having time to explore some new ideas!

What if you got a potty, popped it near or on their changing area, and then, start to 'EC' by pottying your babies when their diaper is off for a change?

The diaper is coming off anyway - they have a nudie tush, so popping them on the potty and singing a little song is a simple and easy activity to meld into your day.

You might do this at the same time each day - as you are at work, this might be at a change first thing in the morning or when you first all get home, if mornings are hectic!

This is enough to begin - a consistent opportunity to communicate. The next diaper can stay dry for longer and you get to use a cue sound when they go, perhaps 'pee pee' or similar.

Have fun - it's about the chance at a new communication, not early potty training.

- Charndra

Part Time Diaper Free! (http://www.PartTimeDiaperFree.com)

awsome! sounds like fun.. it's two babies that I have but I can work something out...