There are many ways how to start elimination communication. One of the most popular is called the "diaper-free baby" method. It's based on the idea that babies can be trained to eliminate on a toilet instead of in their diapers.
Elimination Communication is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating baby-related practices ever invented! It's an ancient practice based on the natural, healthy bonding behaviors humans experience with their babies.
It gives your baby more control and parental peace of mind. If you’re interested in eliminating communication, this article is for you.
What is elimination communication?
Elimination communication (EC) is a technique that allows parents to understand when their baby needs to be changed. It’s just watching your baby see if they are giving you a signal that they need to be changed.
How to start elimination communication? You will need a diaper-free period of at least two hours and an absorbent material such as an old towel or washcloth. In addition, you will need to learn signs that your newborn is ready for a diaper change.
You may have heard about elimination communication, but what does it mean? Elimination of communication allows babies to communicate with their parents when they need to go potty. This technique involves placing your baby on a towel or washcloth and waiting for them to pee or poop on the material.
Then you can place them back in the crib or playpen with clean sheets and put on another layer of absorbent material, so they don’t get cold while waiting for their next diaper change!
It may seem strange at first glance, but many cultures worldwide have used this technique throughout history.
Why should you adopt elimination communication?
One of the main reasons to adopt and learn how to start elimination communication is to train the child to become independent from a young age.
Babies communicate their urge to poop or pee, and the parent needs to understand this need. You can remove the diaper altogether, and the baby is habituated to using the waste receptacle instead of doing it in a diaper.
Civilizations worldwide have survived without diapers, all the while maintaining natural hygiene practices for babies from one to three months old.
In some cultures, diapers aren’t even common because of limited availability or socio-economic situations. Here, the baby defecates by giving cues to the parent, who understands the infant’s needs.
Interestingly, a baby isn’t potty trained until about 18-20 months old.
How does elimination communication work?
If you want to learn how to start elimination communication, you must know that it won’t come to you easily, nor will it happen overnight. It is a continuous process that will keep evolving every time your baby needs to pee or poop.
For instance, some babies need to pee within a few minutes of being fed, whereas some choose to pee during naps or nighttime sleep.
You will have to keep track of your baby’s natural routine. Then, train him later to use the toilet at regular intervals throughout the day. Not just signals, but some babies cry or get fussy when they need to pee or poop, which you need to identify in your little one.
You can also use cues to communicate with the baby to encourage them to pee when on a toilet seat. Making sounds like “shhh” or “sss” helps children urinate and trains them whenever they hear the sound.
Over time, babies will identify the toilet as the designated spot to urinate or defecate and start looking out for the same.
When can you begin elimination communication?
Some parents choose to follow and learn how to start elimination communication from as young as one month. However, that should not stop you from trying it out. If your infant is too young to be potty trained and still using diapers, it’s worth giving it a shot, primarily if your baby responds positively.
How to start elimination communication
Elimination communication is a popular parenting method that involves teaching your child to use the toilet instead of diapers. It can be a great way to avoid the negative effects of using diapers, including diaper rash and exposure to toxic chemicals.
Here are some tips on how to start elimination communication with your baby:
- Establish a routine for changing diapers. Try to do it simultaneously every day so your baby gets used to knowing what's coming next.
- Make sure you're in a private place when changing your baby's diaper—it's not appropriate for other people (including other parents) when you're doing this! You may want to put something over your shoulder or wear an extra layer of clothing during these times if you're worried about others seeing what's going on down there!
- Get a few pairs of underwear or training pants that fit snugly around your child's waist without being too tight or loose (tight enough that they won't fall off, but not so tight that they cause pain). Try them out before buying them to know precisely what size will work best for your baby!
What are the benefits of elimination communication?
EC brings along many pleasantries that make it worth the effort. To begin with, your baby is less prone to diaper rashes and infections.
This is simply because she does not need to spend a lot of time in their excrement every time she needs to take a leak. You might also notice your child being in a happy mood for extended periods.
You might want to learn how to start elimination communication, as it is also an excellent method of reducing wastage. Disposable diapers aren’t precisely environment-friendly and usually end up in a landfill. Using cloth diapers is an excellent alternative as they can be reused and take less water to wash and dry.
You also save a great deal of your hard-earned money spent on diapers every month. So no need to look for lucrative deals or buy them in bulk to save on a few dollars.
And lastly, EC makes for a smoother transition to toilet training as your baby grows older. In a few months of training, your baby will know to poop on a toilet, and that’s one less hurdle when it’s time to bring out the potty seat.
What are the disadvantages of elimination communication?
While EC sounds good, it does come at the cost of time.
You need to be more devoted to your child’s schedule. This includes holding them on top of the toilet, cleaning the diapers, following a timetable, and much more.
While this may work for a stay-at-home mother, a working mother might find it challenging to follow EC in the prescribed format. Moreover, daycares or nannies may not be on board with the idea, which makes it a little more challenging to execute in the long run.
Full-time vs part-time: Which elimination communication method to choose?
Now that you have a grasp on the basics, you can choose if you’d like to follow elimination communication full-time or part-time.
- Full-time method: Choosing it full-time would mean eliminating the disposable diaper from your lifestyle. Over time, you will work your way around outdoor trips. You'll know when you can simply take your baby to a public washroom.
- Part-time method: There’s the part-time method, too, that lets you have diapers as a backup. You can use them during naps or when sleeping at night for long hours. You can also continue using them if you leave your child at a daycare or step out of the home for long hours.
There is no right way of practicing elimination communication. It needs dedication, and you can always tweak the concept to suit your needs.
Apart from being a parent, you are a human and need your sleep, time, and comfort beyond the time around the baby.
Elimination communication cues
Elimination communication is all about learning to read your baby's cues.
If you're a parent, you know that babies can't tell you exactly what they need, but they can give you some pretty strong hints. For example: if your baby is crying, it's probably because she needs something—but what? If she's hungry, she'll start sucking on her fist. She'll start squirming and fussing in your arms if she has a dirty diaper.
When it comes to elimination communication, the same principle applies: if your baby is uncomfortable or has to go potty, he'll give you some pretty strong hints—but what are those hints? And how do you know if they're telling you he needs to use the toilet?
Well, we've got some answers for that! Here are some of the most common elimination communication "cues" that your little one might give before going pee or poop:
- Pulling at clothing or diaper area
- Tilting pelvis forward (aka "poop stance")
- Looking around frequently as if searching for somewhere to go
- Squirming or moving around in a certain way
- Rubbing their hands together
- A change in vocalizations—like making a "yawning" noise or grunting
- Lifting their legs up
- Making eye contact with you or another caregiver
Elimination communication vs baby potty training
Elimination communication is a way to teach your baby to use the bathroom without diapers. It's based on the idea that babies can learn when they need to use the bathroom, and that you can communicate with them about it.
Baby potty training is another way to learn when your baby needs to go. It's about teaching your child how to use the toilet instead of diapers.
Both methods are great for parents who want their children to be more independent and responsible for themselves from an early age. However, both methods can require some effort and practice in order to get results!
The biggest difference between elimination communication and baby potty training is that elimination communication relies on your ability as a parent to communicate with your child. Baby potty training requires that you teach your child how to use the toilet by sitting on it themselves.
When is baby ready for potty training
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
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