What is Elimination Communication or Infant Potty Training?

These are two different names for methods with a similar outcome: a baby that is given the opportunity to learn to be in control of their bodily functions and avoid the unhygienic conditions of a dirty diaper.

Here are the basics:
 Babies don't like to go in their diaper - baby boys are notorious for this.
 Babies know when their diapers are on and off.
 Babies who are given the opportunity to go in the potty will prefer to do so.

There you have it!  Now all you need to do is figure out when your baby needs to go.  Here is a scenario:
  Baby wakes up unhappy.  Mom tries to feed Baby and Baby continues to cry.  Mom holds Baby over the utility sink and Baby eliminates.  Now Baby is relaxed and happily latches on to eat.

Many babies tend to go at certain time in the day and cue their parents by fidgeting.    Here is a list of times you can try taking your baby to the potty:
 When Baby keeps poping off while eating
 When Baby has a hard time falling asleep
 When Baby wakes up, or a minute or two after
 When Baby is upset and doesn't want to eat and doesn't have any burps

By around three months my son's bowel movements tended to take place between 7:30 and 8:00 AM.  Peeing takes a lot longer to nail down but remember that you get to practice everyday.  Sometimes I would get over zealous, taking my son every 20 minutes and then I would take a break for a couple of days until I felt I could read his cues again.

Do you have any questions?  :)

I love flushing away the mess...

Elimination Communication Pros and Cons

Elimination Communication teaches parents how to know when their baby needs to eliminate and then take care of that need in the best manner possible. 

Pros
·         Learn how to help your baby when he or she is uncomfortable, crying, or not falling asleep when he or she normally does.
·         Avoid diaper rash and other hygienic problems.
·         Save on diapers, laundry and time.
·         Bypass the potty training blues.
·         You can start at anytime.  You can do this part time, for example only during the day when at home.  
·         This is a great way to increase bonding, especially with dads who don't want to clean up poopy diapers.
·         Your baby becomes aware of and in control of his or her bodily functions.


Oh, there is a little feeling you get when your friends tell you how hard it is to get their four year old out of diapers, but I wont mention it...  ;)

Cons
·         It takes a few minutes each time you take your baby out of his or her diaper to go potty.
·         Not all care providers will do this.
·        It can be frustrating:

• If your a perfectionist remember that there is no way possible to prevent your baby from going in the diaper.  It's what babies do.  I had a hard time getting over the fact that I wouldn't be able to keep my boy's diapers clean 24/7.
• Babies pee a lot.  If your baby isn't peeing right now, that means that it could happen at any time!
• Babies don't always give you fair warning that they are going to go.  It takes time for them to understand their own body.

 Here is one expression of EC:

What are your thoughts?