Elimination communication (EC) isn’t new. In fact, being fully potty trained before age one was the norm until the 1950s. As disposable diapers became popular, parents began waiting longer to introduce the potty. These days, though, more parents are exploring EC as a gentle approach to teaching children awareness and communication about elimination.
But what exactly is EC? And is it right for your family?
EC is when parents tune into their babies’ natural cues and give them opportunities to use the potty early on. By first observing your baby closely, you can learn the signs indicating she needs to go. Over time, even young babies can learn to hold elimination until they’re on the potty. EC can sometimes make the transition to potty independence smoother, although that’s not always guaranteed.
The case for EC
Parents are trying EC for all sorts of reasons:
- Using fewer diapers (saving money and helping the environment)
- Keeping baby from sitting in wet or dirty diapers
- Decreasing the risk of diaper rash
- Creating an easier, gentler transition to the potty
- Avoiding having multiple kids in diapers at the same time
Making EC work for you
There's a reason EC faded from American life alongside the rise of disposables. Doing EC full time requires parents to be with their babies constantly and to be tuned into their every move. It would be more realistic if your baby went bottomless, you carried her at all times (to really pick up on signals), and then just held her away from you to go on the ground when she signals. All things that are hard to do in a culture that's not designed for it.
Many parents doing EC have found a balance in doing EC in a way that works with their lifestyle. What that looks like is different for everyone, but you might:
- Practice EC only at home and not while away
- Limit it to waking hours
- Sit baby on the potty at specific times and use a diaper the rest of the time
In this way, you can get many of EC’s benefits without getting overwhelmed: introducing potty concepts early, getting better at reading your baby’s signals and saving on diapers.
EC-friendly potty options
Starting EC doesn’t require much special equipment, but a few thoughtfully designed products can make the experience more comfortable for your little one.
Our Handled Potty Chair is supportive for kids of all sizes with its back support and armrests. It also has a built-in splash guard and a slide-out compartment for easy cleaning.
Our 2-in-1 Potty is perfect if you’d like to start out with a potty chair and transition to the big toilet when your child is a little bigger. The removable seat can be used as a seat adapter on the big toilet.
If you’d like to be able to continue with EC no matter where you are, our Travel Potty Chair is a great portable option. It folds up compactly and is easily to take along in the included travel bag.
Mindset is most important
If you decide to go all in on EC, keep in mind that it won’t be perfect and it isn’t possible to catch everything. And that’s ok. As many parents can attest, EC works best with a flexible mindset.
EC isn’t about “getting” your baby to go. It’s about offering the opportunity to go when she shows the signs. It’s a natural process that needs to be done at your baby’s natural pace, so if it starts getting stressful, take a step back. Starting with just a few attempts per day can help you figure out what works best. Have fun with it and trust your gut!