Elimination Communication

Elimination Communication (or EC) is a Way of Connecting With Your Baby to Manage their Personal Hygiene Needs. 

Simply, You 'Catch' Your Baby's Wees and Poos, Rather Than ONLY Using a Nappy 100% of the Time.

EC 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 nappy and you always cleaning up afterwards. Instead you help baby to use the potty sometimes, and sometimes use nappies. (Perhaps always for your peace of mind - they help you stay relaxed)

From Full Time Nappies to Using Nappies Part Time, Then No More - that's EC.

In time the balance shifts - and you find yourself changing less nappies 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!

EC is Practiced World-Wide by Millions of Families...

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, in Africa, India, many Asian countries - right now, today. These days we have nappies to help us with our 'elimination communication'. 

Nappies Are a Great Tool While You Practice Elimination Communication.

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, 

• Nappy Free, 

• Baby Pottying, 

• Potty Whispering, 

• Assisted Baby Potty Training, 

• Assisted Infant Elimination, 

• or simply "What we do with our babies." In this website I generally use the terms "Elimination Communication (EC)" and "Part Time Nappy 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 - even 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 themselves when you were there to help them, even if they were always in nappies 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 nappy, 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 nappies 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 nappies - 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 nappies 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.

"Funny how the new things are the old things."
Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)

Is EC a better way?

No, being part time nappy free is another way of addressing a baby's hygiene needs instead of full time use of nappies and needing to change every nappy 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 nappies full time - that would be impossible for me to do, so normal is offering baby a wee opportunity when he needs it.

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 family. 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 Nappy 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 complimentary guide? 

That way, you'll learn more about how parents practice EC - how the term "Part Time Nappy 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 those of you who will love it get to read about it in time - before, or while you still have a baby.

The 7 Secrets to Developing Nappy Free Confidence will arrive in your personal inbox over the next couple of weeks, for you to read at your leisure...

What does being part time nappy 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 'nappy 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 nappy 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 nappy 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.