Elimination Communication

The Ultimate Green Baby Is The One Who Isn't 'Using' The Diaper They Are Wearing!

Elimination Communication (or EC) is a way of connecting with your baby to manage their personal hygiene needs.

Basically, they pee and poop in a container such as a potty or the toilet rather than only and always in their diaper.

You help them by holding them to do this, and getting them there when they need to go - as much as you can, which won't be every time - in those cases, they use a diaper or other type of 'back-up' to catch 'misses'.

It is holistic and encompasses many other parts of your relationship. It is based on helping your baby to go to the toilet in a potty, or while held safely in your arms, rather than the baby only using a diaper and you always cleaning up afterwards. Instead you help baby to use the potty, and sometimes use diapers.

In time the balance shifts - and you find yourself changing less diapers and knowing more often when your baby needs your help to relieve themselves. Your aim is to assist your baby as often as you can, so baby prefers to feel clean and dry - like the rest of us!

It has been practiced throughout time and still is a common way of caring for a baby's hygiene needs in many countries in the world - right now, today. These days we have diapers to help us with our 'elimination communication'. Diapers are a great tool.

You can learn the skills and abilities to bond with your baby in this way.

These are the terms used to describe EC:

• Elimination Communication (EC),

• Infant Potty Training,

• Natural Infant Hygiene,

• Diaper Free,

• Baby Pottying,

• Potty Whispering,

• Assisted Baby Potty Training,

• Assisted Infant Elimination,

• or simply "What we do with our baby." In this website I generally use the terms "Elimination Communication (EC)" and "Part Time Diaper Free" to describe this gentle, cooperative way to care for your baby.

In cultures who traditionally use this form of baby hygiene care they have no name for it - my own Grandma (in suburban Australia) had to ask me what I was talking about - even though it is what she did with her own children! It was simply what she thought everyone STILL did. It was normal to help the baby to not have to wet or poo on themselves when you were there to help them, even if they were always in diapers as back-up.

What it is...

In a nutshell, Elimination Communication is about the Communication.

• It is about helping your baby to go 'to the toilet' somewhere other than a diaper, some of the time, then more of the time as they grow!

• It is about learning to observe baby's bodily rhythms, body language and practicing responding in such a way that your connection is enhanced, benefiting your whole relationship.

• It is about sometimes anticipating the needs of a pre-verbal human being and experiencing their joy that you understand them. You strive to improve your bond.

• It is about gently supporting their instinctual awareness of their body and attempting to understand them, and helping them feel 'relieved'.

• It is about using diapers as a tool rather than a necessity.

• It is about reducing the 'ecological footprint' of waste generated by a brand new human.

• It is about enhancing your connection and understanding of your baby's needs - often into other areas of their care, and this is really empowering!

• It is gentle and responsive, or it is not EC. YOU can do it!

What it isn't...

• It isn't coercive - force is NEVER used.

• It isn't punitive - the baby is NEVER punished.

• It isn't a new age fad - it's a traditional practice.

• It isn't early toilet training - it's gradual, gentle toilet learning.

• It doesn't mean you can't use diapers - you will.

• It doesn't mean you have to stare at your baby all day - you'll carry on as usual, and enjoy the ways of learning with your baby how to meet their needs.

• It doesn't mean you'll never need to use diapers after a certain age or period of time - every EC journey is unique - like each baby.

• It doesn't mean you'll have to try to catch every elimination your baby does - that isn't the point, and is impossible anyway.

When practicing EC you help your baby stay clean and dry until they gain independence in their own time, at their own pace - gradually. You'll be part time diaper free until you become diaper free at the right time for your family and your baby. You can learn the skills and abilities to bond with your baby in this way.

Is it a better way? No, being part time diaper free is another way of addressing your baby's hygiene needs instead of full- time use of diapers and needing to change every diaper for years. EC is a parenting option - one you are lucky to be able to consider for your own family's needs. People who practice EC definitely find it is the better way for them. I'd never be able to use diapers full time - that would be impossible for me to do, so normal is offering baby a wee opportunity when he needs it.

What does being part time diaper free LOOK like?

• You have a way of enhancing your bond, your understanding of your baby

• You are meeting some of baby's elimination needs at first while you learn, build your 'diaper free' confidence and relax into practicing EC as it suits.

• Some of baby's wees and poos go in a potty, bowl or the toilet each day.

• Your baby is promptly changed; they feel as fresh, dry and clean as possible.

What does being part time diaper free SOUND like?

• If baby is grizzly or cranky you'll consider if it is the need to wee or poo making them uncomfortable.

• If baby is passing gas the possibility is considered that helping them to eliminate in the classic squat position or on a potty is offered to give them relief.

• If baby is tossing and turning in their sleep, whimpering uncomfortably, a dreamy wee break or sleepy time cueing is considered.

• Your baby knows that you will seek to understand their calls and sounds.

What does being part time diaper free FEEL like?

• If baby becomes suddenly wriggly on your lap it is considered that they are communicating to you that they have a full bladder.

• If baby starts pulling up their legs, squirming, pushing their knees together, a wee break is considered.

• If baby seems suddenly hot and sweaty, or has the shivers or gets goose bumps, they are offered the potty opportunity.

• Your baby is used to feeling as fresh, dry and clean as possible.

Is it for you? My complimentary, free guide, with seven important lessons, will help you to decide if it is the right thing for your situation. You'll probably be surprised how adaptable you can be with practicing EC in your personal situation.

If you don't learn the Secrets to Developing Diaper Free Confidence now, you'll kick yourself when you find out later that it would have been PERFECT for you and your baby!

You see, it is easier to begin in their earlier months, though many parents begin when they find out about the option, or use the ideas to help their toddler with a more natural process of toilet learning, then start from birth with their new baby!

Why not learn more about EC by signing up below to receive my free guide? That way, you'll learn more about how parents practice EC - how the term "Part Time Diaper Free" is so appropriate a term and see if it is something that will suit your family.

Obviously there is no obligation to you as it is a free guide I've prepared to help people to learn about this ancient way of connecting with our babies in little chunks of information. That way you can easily digest the ideas and mull them over between the arrival of each new 'Secret'. You can unsubscribe (and re-subscribe) at any time.

I've put together this site because I want to help spread awareness about this wonderful option, so that the people who will love it get to read about it in time - before, or while they still have a baby.

Learning More About Ways You Can Adapt Elimination Communication to Your Lifestyle Easily:

To read about how you can be part time diaper free even though you work away from your baby, read Childcare and EC. My husband works full time, and had no problems connecting with our baby through EC.