Elimination Communication

For decades there has been a great divide among parents regarding the diapering needs of their babies. Some prefer being more environmentally conscious by using cloth diapers. Some parents enjoy the convenience of using disposable diapers. Then there is a third segment that keeps their babies clean and dry without using diapers at all! These parents are able to tune into their babies’ elimination cues and hold them over a proper receptacle. The idea of infants using toilets may seem new and unusual to North American and European parents but this practice is common in Asia, Africa and in parts of South America.
How Does Elimination Communication Work? The same way parents know when their babies are hungry, sleepy, or scared, parents can learn when their babies are signaling their need to eliminate. Infants will stop nursing and become still or get fussy for no apparent reason or squirm.

Parents can also pick up on common timing patterns. For example, babies often eliminate upon waking from a nap and about 20 minutes after nursing.

With practice, parents develop an intuition or a feeling that their babies need to eliminate. Sometimes parents will sense what is called a “phantom pee” right before the baby actually urinates. Parents feel as if the baby has urinated on their arm or lap before it actually happens. Parents can learn to hold their infant over a toilet or sink in time to make the catch.
 
Elimination Communication certainly requires patience, commitment and effort the same way unmedicated childbirth, extended breastfeeding, and breastfeeding on demand require extra effort. It is a parenting choice that opens another avenue for parents to tune in and focus on their relationship, responding to their babies needs through enhanced communication.

If you are interested in learning more about elimination communication (EC), contact me for private, in-home instruction.