What is Elimination Communication?
What is Elimination Communication, Anyway?
Well, basically EC - Elimination Communication, is a co-operative process between us –Mum, Dad and Bubsie, in which we help baby to go to the toilet outside of a nappy.
We learn together – gradually - to recognise, and respond to, the signs that means baby needs to go. As we help them, we learn a lot about each other. It is great fun getting it right, and seeing baby is clearly so happy that they were understood, and relieved! They begin to expect to be helped, and so their signals get clearer and they grow stronger.
Elimination Communication ISN’T removing the nappy and then freaking out at mess everywhere. Nappies are integral to helping us and giving a break of course.
Nappies are used between pee-breaks, staying dry for longer periods of time, until they aren’t needed any more. This can happen at any age really. Plenty of folks use nappy as backup the entire time until 18 months or two years, others ditch them quite early, or use them though different developmental stages, such as when crawling or walking starts.
Babies instincts are strongest until about 5-6 months, when they begin to fade and they learn to go into their nappy. Plenty of people start later, too, before the baby becomes mobile helps.
It is a process. It isn’t a perfect process of being aware, it is hit and miss all along.They progress from going in arms, to using a potty with help, then the potty independently, finally the toilet. Meanwhile we use back-up in various forms such as nappies, padded pants then knickers and pants, or just flannels, until one day they are totally independent! Nothing special beyond modelling and time needs to be done for this progression to occur. What may seem like the whole point, but actually becomes a great side benefit, is the gradual reduction in reliance on nappies over time. From full time, to using them in certain situations or times of day, until you don’t need them at all, and use alternatives such as padded pants and then regular clothes, taking a change of socks and pants in case.
I learnt about Elimination Communication while researching about saving money and the environment by using cloth nappies.
I thought, if mothers have done this throughout time, then so can I! And, of course, so can Dad – my hubby takes my son out nappy free for outings, has intuitive moments, and Maven uses different ways to communicate with him as he isn’t as tuned in as me – so Maven will yell until he gets it sometimes! It is a great way for Dad to bond with a booby baby.
Chris took him numerous times in his early 'daze', and for all poos for months, as he’d go first thing in the morning while I snoozed in bed. He takes him every day without a blink of an eye, loves it in fact.
Tips to get started with Elimination Communication:
- Spend some time simply observing your baby nappy free, to get an idea of their rhythms, or patterns, do they go during a breastfeed, or 10 mins later, 20 mins later? Each time they wee, say your cue sounds.
- Take off their nappy and hold them in the squat position and learn to hold your baby in the ‘classic’ squat position – back and head safely against your belly, hands gripping and supporting their thighs from below, holding them slightly apart, or in a cradled position for a girl. The position helps them to go actually. Try it out over the bath or laundry sink (or a towel) so you don’t have to ‘aim’. You don’t need equipment, just a small bowl or potty.
- Offer a pee-break after a long breastfeed or when the baby wakes, or if they seem ‘unsettled’ or ‘fussy’. Trickle water from the tap. Say ‘sss pss’ whenever they pee so it helps them know the feeling of when they go. Babies often cry as their bladder is uncomfortably full, such as on waking, or just before they pee. The position and the cues help them to ‘release’ at their own will. Touch their feet together or in warm water. Recline their body.
- Breathe slowly and deeply, tighten your belly muscles when offering a pee-break, and wait patiently about one minute. Talk to your baby about what you are doing together. Smile at baby in the mirror!
- Have fun figuring it out with baby – it’s teamwork. Practise anticipating baby’s need to go. Trust yourself – you already know your baby well.
For your free guide on the right attitude for Elimination Communication, click on the link below to instantly download your own copy of my very popular eBook (read by over 2500 mothers):
The 7 Secrets is the introductory guide to my $2.99 eBook on Elimination Communication called:
