Elimination Communication

What is elimination communication?

Elimination communication, otherwise known as EC or infant potty training, is becoming a more popular practice between young babies and their caregivers. The term simply means communicating with your baby regarding their elimination needs. With elimination communication, a young child is not taught to urinate or defecate in diapers. Instead the parent uses signals and cues to assist the infant’s needs for waste elimination in a proper receptacle, other than a diaper or pants.

Some people question when the best time to start practicing elimination communication is. The answer varies, depending on one’s personal situation. Many EC practitioners begin shortly after birth, while others may start when the child is older.

Because newborns and young babies urinate fairly regular intervals, timing your baby’s need for waste elimination may be an easy task. Newborn infants urinate every ten to twenty minutes, while older infants urinate every hour or so, on average. However, not all babies are the same. By monitoring your child’s output, you can get a general idea of how often you should be taking them to the potty.

Some EC practitioners notice signals from their baby when there is a need for elimination, while others do not note any signals or signs from their baby. Watch your baby to see if there are any advance signs that your baby needs to eliminate waste. Possible signals could be a distinct cry, facial expression, body movement, squirming, fussiness, passing gas, etc. Your baby may also be able to sign to you the need to potty.

To teach your baby the association between their elimination need and an appropriate place to go potty, many EC practitioners use cues, such as a “ssssss” noise or a grunting sound. You can also tell your baby simple words, such as “go potty”.

Lastly, mothers will likely become accustomed to their babies needs for waste elimination. Because of the strong bond this creates between caregiver and baby, the need will become an instinct.

Comments: Elimination Communication

Comments 1 to 10 of about 10.

KL2 - 1227 days ago.
Are there any moms on here that have potty trained other kids. My LO started using the potty at 9.5 months; just at night right before her bath. I didn't try to start training her that early I just sat her on there so she wouldn't be scared when I tried to train her at one. Anyway I started taking her after naps and she always went, then I started taking her every hour and she goes. Now she is in panties and will have 1-2 accidents per day. She doesn't tell me she has to go, but she did stop going so sporatically. I think she knows she gets the opprotunity and holds it. She even poops in the potty. Sooo....my question is...Is this how potty training normally goes or has she just trained me? My MIL says that before 2 they just train you to read their signs. I don't try to catch her going or anything though. I just take her once every hour. Considering she only does 3 signs and only says 4 words I think she just doesn't know how to tell me yet. Any thoughts?

michellelaughs - 1257 days ago.
Bummer that this forum isn't busier. There are probably alot of ppl intersted in this topic that just lack the support. I wish I had known about this sooner. My baby is 14 months now and already trained to go in her diaper so now what? I think I missed the window.

Ready4No2 - 1281 days ago.
I'm interested in this, but have no idea where to start. My DD pees in her sleep and wakes herself up, so by the time she's awake it's too late. I've looked this up, but everything seems to say to put the baby on a potty as soon as they wake up, but I'd she's already gone. Any tips?

BabySaunders - 1313 days ago.
I did not realize this was possible. I will have to look into it more. I actually had a dream that my friend did not put diapers on her tiny baby and was taking her to the bathroom when she 'saw' she needed to pee (baby couldn't talk). In my dream I thought it was crazy, but apparently it's not! Not having to use a million diapers would be awesome!

Military~mommy - 1332 days ago.
Baby Blue~ Nope, some women prefer to use the regular toilet, my daughter uses a training potty that sits in our living room and it works well for us. Do whatever works best for you!

babyblue1 - 1332 days ago.
Hi. Does it matter what kind of potty you use? My daughter is 4 months old.

newcitynewmom - 1352 days ago.
Just started EC with my 4 month old. He's doing really well. He's pooped on his little potty twice and we catch almost every pee. He seems to really enjoy using his little potty. I'd love some tips from other moms who've done EC.

janamartz - 1372 days ago.
I have a 4 month old and have been EC'ing for about a month. I am not hard core but every diaper change I take my son to the toilet/potty and we try. He normally has a morning BM and I have been pretty good and getting these most mornings. I love not having to change a poppy diaper. So much easier. Would like to hear someone who has been doing this longer and what their experience is.

MelissaJoanne - 1387 days ago.
Yay EC! My 9 mo. old is diaper-free all day now. She still wears a cloth diap overnight because she doesn't always like to get up to pee overnight. We've been having an increasing number of dry nights though.

DiandClover - 1388 days ago.
lol - that pic up top is too cute! Not sure if what I do with Sebastian is considered elimination communication or not, but since he has been about 4 months old (he's 14 months now), before bath time, I place him over the toilet. As soon as I turn on the water, I splash a little on his tummy and he pees in the toilet. He still pees in his diaper overnight and once during the day, but when his diaper comes off in the evening, it is uaually dry as he waits for his pre-bath pee routine. I think he will take to potty training fairly easily... for peeing anyway! :)