Elimination Communication

[nameobsessed]

This isn’t for any specific reason, I am not pregnant or intending to be anytime soon but it’s something I’m very interested in. I’d love to hear from anyone that’s done it successfully, or unsuccessfully, and talk about the pros and cons.

We did pretty early potty training with DC, and it worked as she was reliably dry and out of nappies completely (day and night) by her third birthday but if I was to do it again I’d want to try and do it younger. I think she would’ve been capable sooner.

I have a friend that did elimination communication from a couple of months old, she absolutely swears by it as it’s how her culture have always done it and it worked for her no problems but I do worry about UTIs if I was to do it without all of the facts.

Can anyone recommend any books or resources to learn more or have any experience to share?

I half-heartedly did it with my youngest two. I basically just held them over a loo when they woke up, at every nappy change, before a bath etc….and just any time it was convenient. They always ‘went’ and it basically just halved my nappy usage! The biggest bonus was no dirty nappies by about nine months, just wet ones. I was actually really easy, I don’t know why more people don’t do it.

*it

Andrea Olson Go Diaper free has some great books and courses. I have helped do EC part time with a family I nannied for youngest was out of nappies just after 1st birthday during the day and 15 months at night. Odd bit of regression here and there but overall it's a very rewarding process and it's amazing how quickly you pick up a babies cries and cues
well worth doing some research for the future.

Thanks for the reply! It’s great that it worked for you without all of the faffing, it usually seems like it takes so much timing and planning. Also the environmental factor is wonderful.

For us it was nappies until she was on her feet and then we were really on it straight away and she picked it up quickly, especially in the daytime. Wishing we’d started with her!

Thankyou so much, I will have a read. Wow, 15 months is great for nighttime, she was pretty much accident free in the daytime at that age but not at night at all.

DD1 - still struggling with accidents at nearly 4 no matter what we try.

DD2 - 9 months and only poops on the potty since she was 7 months. We were advised to put her on to help her constipation and it’s done wonders. I do agree with the logic that it’s instinctive and we kind of train them into using nappies.

Kids are all so different.

That’s awesome, thanks for sharing! I’ve done some more research since this thread and I will definitely try it with our second.

Yep, did it kind of half heartedly in that put on potty after feeds and on waking once a few months old. No dirty nappies from about 9 months and dry about 2. Mumsnet will totally deny it's possible and that you must wait until they are at least three. That's why you'll rarely hear it talked about because people can't be bothered to entertain the thought that others do things differently. Also we used reusable nappies so that probably helps.

I love that for your family! EC sounds wonderful and I wish I’d known more when LO was a baby.

I completely agree re Mumsnet waiting until they’re three, there’s always some questionable advice on anything potty training related, usually including:

+He’s just not ready yet
+She’s still so little (when the child is 3+)
+They’ll let you know when it’s time to try

I found the exact opposite to be true, speaking to other EC communication parents, and early potty trainers as well, it’s actually more about consistency, patience and setting them up for success from the early days.