Elimination Communication Basics
The modern culture general believe is that little babies have no control over the muscles used in elimination functions. The truth is that ancient cultures and even traditional cultures of these days acknowledge the fact that a newborn baby does have control over those muscles. Whether baby pees or poops in a diaper or in a container, the baby often does so consciously and deliberately. An observant and in tune parent can work with her baby on the timing and location of those elimination functions. The result is another way to bond with baby and the use of a less diapers.
People who practice elimination communication (EC) do so on a number of different levels. Some parents allow their babies to go without diapers from the first few weeks or even from birth. Others keep their babies in diapers for pretty much as long as is normally expected and they work on elimination communication on a part time basis.
Most families find a fit into the second category. Some have their babies without diapers while in the house and use diapers as a backup for outings. Other parents find it more convenient to practice elimination communication during certain stages, while diapering their kids when they find it to be more convenient. It’s a matter of how you communicate with your baby and adapt Elimination Communication to your family lifestyle.
While it is possible to completely potty train an infant, it is a rather time consuming process and you will have a lot of misses, and therefore messes, along the way. Parents should be aware that elimination communication is not an all or nothing proposition, and it does not mean you have to dump your diapers. In fact, many traditional cultures do put diapers on their babies in certain circumstances, or use them as a backup for misses.
You can successfully practice it part time. Any amount of time spent working with your baby on EC will benefit both of you as long as you concentrate in the communication part.
You can start working with a baby on potty functions at any time. However, it is easier if you start before the baby is four months old. I’d recommend beginning somewhere around ten days to two weeks after baby’s birth. If you’re first time mom, you might find it overwhelming to concentrate in EC while trying to nurse. However, in my experience, practicing EC made the whole nursing problems fade away. With a second baby and previous breastfeeding and Elimination Communication experience, I’d try EC from birth.
In the time that you’re not ECing your baby, you’re most likely noticing when the baby is wetting and soiling his diaper. Maybe baby pees right after nursing, or poops at ten every morning. A real good time for elimination is first thing after baby wakes up and right after a nap. When you start noticing a pattern over a few days, you can anticipate your baby’s elimination and be ready with a container of some sort.
ECing while breastfeeding possition
The container can be a small potty, your sink, bathtub or toilet. It can even be a dry diaper. Remove baby’s diaper before he goes, hold him over your chosen container and wait. You can hold baby gently by his thighs and allow him to rest on your forearms.
When baby eliminates, give him a cue. It can be a “psss” sound or a phrase. You will use the same cue each time you see baby eliminating. At first, you wait until baby eliminates to give him the cue. After a while, you can use the cue to help your baby relax and go. Just be receptive to your baby’s cues and acknowledge his or her desire of changing a position. Respect when he doesn’t want to go.
Once you catch one pee or poo, EC can get pretty addicting because it really is a lot of fun. Here are some important points to remember: This should be fun for both you and your baby. If it stops being fun, it’s a good idea to take a break for a few days. It’s not about catching everything or seeing how quickly you can get baby out of diapers. It’s about bonding and learning with your baby.
Elimination Communication should never ever be punitive in any way.
While some of us may indeed find we can confidently take our baby out of diapers much earlier than what’s considered normal in the modern culture, most people will just steadily EC their babies a little here and there to realize that one day it will morph into gentle potty learning.
