An Introduction to Elimination Communication
PDF VersionWhat is EC?
Elimination communication, or EC for short, is a timeless way of helping babies to wee and poo without soiling a nappy or making a mess. It gives them the experiences they require to become aware of their pottying needs - with practice, even small babies can learn to communicate when they need to go.
How it works
Just like you, your baby feels discomfort when they have a full bowel or bladder. That discomfort might cause them to wriggle, make noises, or fuss, and these signals can give us a clue to what might be about to happen.
By responding to the signals and helping your baby use a potty they will begin to associate using the
How it works
Just like you, your baby feels discomfort when they have a full bowel or bladder. That discomfort might cause them to wriggle, make noises, or fuss, and these signals can give us a clue to what might be about to happen.
By responding to the signals and helping your baby use a potty they will begin to associate using the potty with the relief it brings, then, in time, they'll learn to seek assistance when needed.
potty with the relief it brings, then, in time, they'll learn to seek assistance when needed.
In addition to visible signs, you can also offer the potty based on timing; for example, after a sleep or feed, or at set intervals. A good time based routine can be a very practical way to get started.
When to start
Babies are literally born ready to be assisted with pottying: in fact, many parents who do EC from birth, or at least just a few weeks, believe it is the best time to start. These parents often report seeing an innate response in their babies that makes it easy to tell when they need pottying help.
Starting later is fine too; by three or four months babies are a bit more robust, and as parents we've had time to gain confidence in handling and positioning them. The visible signals might not be quite so obvious, but a timing-based approach can be a very effective way to get going: then, with regular practice, new physical signals are likely to emerge.
If starting at six months, your baby might be able to sit on a small potty
Babies are literally born ready to be assisted with pottying: in fact, many parents who do EC from birth, or at least just a few weeks, believe it is the best time to start. These parents often report seeing an innate response in their babies that makes it easy to tell when they need pottying help.
Starting later is fine too; by three or four months babies are a bit more robust, and as parents we've had time to gain confidence in handling and positioning them. The visible signals might not be quite so obvious, but a timing-based approach can be a very effective way to get going: then, with regular practice, new physical signals are likely to emerge.
If starting at six months, your baby might be able to sit on a small potty by themselves, or with just a little support. They will have got used to relieving themselves into a nappy, and sitting on a potty will probably feel a little odd to them at first. However, they will have a more predictable routine, and building regular opportunities for potty use into that routine can be an effective way to get started with EC.
by themselves, or with just a little support. They will have got used to relieving themselves into a nappy, and sitting on a potty will probably feel a little odd to them at first. However, they will have a more predictable routine, and building regular opportunities for potty use into that routine can be an effective way to get started with EC.
A significant change happens when you begin to wean your baby. Unsurprisingly, when your baby starts on solid foods it will make a noticeable difference to the poos they produce. Things will feel different to them, and their responses to the sensations will be more obvious and easier to act on. This, coupled with your baby's developing ability to convey their intentions, needs, and desires, makes it a great time to start or progress with EC.
EC Holds
When you first start to offer the potty, your baby might be too small to use it directly. That's OK, there are several holds you can use to make it work.
These holds are really useful, they help to position your baby's knees higher than their hips which actually make it easier for them to wee and poo successfully.
There are many options, the key is to find holds that provide sufficient support for your baby that you can maintain for as long as required.
Classic
The classic EC hold, perfect for at a sink.
Tophat Potty - Small Baby
Top hat potty between the thighs - good for doing EC with small babies.
Squatting
Squatting works well outdoors.
Tophat Potty - Bigger Baby
Top hat potties are good for bigger babies too.
Potty Support
Sitting behind your baby while they use the potty can be very practical.
During a Feed
Multi-tasking with a top hat; making a catch, during a feed, whilst taking a selfie!
Traditional Support
Feet: baby faces in for a no.2, or away for a no.1.
Sitting
Unaided sitting is a bit of a game changer.
Together
Sitting with your baby as they use the toilet works really well.
With a Reducer
Reducers are ideal, having a travel one can be extremely useful!
EC and Natural Development
During your baby's first year of life, they'll begin to develop mental models of the world around them. First they'll become familiar with their own bodies, then objects in their surroundings. They’ll discover controlled movement and ways to interact with nearby items.
Play and experimentation advances these abilities. Soon babies begin to coordinate actions to achieve goals; they learn to roll over, adjust their bodies to be picked up, or stretch out an arm to have their water passed to them.
There hasn't been a formal lesson that water is good, water goes in cups, and if they stretch an arm towards a cup it will get handed to them. They've pieced this together from earlier experiences.
There hasn't been a formal lesson that water is good, water goes in cups, and if they stretch an arm towards a cup it will get handed to them. They've pieced this together from earlier experiences.
Development theory suggests that the first mental models babies develop are simply establishing what normal is. The more an experience is repeated, the clearer the mental model becomes and the easier it is for babies to take their understanding further.
Through regular EC, over time babies learn that being assisted with weeing and pooing is normal; to anticipate being assisted with weeing and pooing; and eventually, to seek assistance at the appropriate time.
How much is enough?
The terms “part-time” and “lazy” get used a lot in EC circles. They're loose terms that can mean anything from skipping night-time pottying, to occasional pottying during nappy changes. While the latter will help get your baby familiar with potty use, it's unlikely to be enough to help them learn to consistently hold for it. You'll get catches, but going in the nappy will be what feels most normal, and will still be your baby's default.
Ultimately, going beyond the approach of just trying for the most convenient catches, and working towards getting the majority of wees and poos in the potty will maximise opportunities for your baby to learn to anticipate, and then seek, assistance ahead of time!
Support in other child care settings is useful, but not essential; babies will learn to adjust their expectations based on where they are and who is looking after them.
Ultimately, going beyond the approach of just trying for the most convenient catches, and working towards getting the majority of wees and poos in the potty will maximise opportunities for your baby to learn to anticipate, and then seek, assistance ahead of time!
Support in other child care settings is useful, but not essential; babies will learn to adjust their expectations based on where they are and who is looking after them.
EC Videos
Carmen and Alba
Although this video is billed as a guide to doing EC with a newborn, it’s full of insights that can help all parents with an interest in EC. Even if you can’t be as full-time as Carmen, it’s still well worth a watch.
Environment & Health
In the UK, disposable nappy use accounts for 12-15% of non-recyclable-collected household waste; about a million tonnes every year! Reusable nappies generate less waste, but the additional electricity, water and detergents used during washing mean they are still not ideal.
The good news is that EC leads to less dirty nappies and therefore a reduced environmental impact, regardless of the nappy type.
The benefits don't stop there. Studies have shown that babies who are assisted with toileting empty their bladders more completely when they wee. This in turn reduces their risks of contracting urinary tract infections. Other studies have shown that babies who begin potty use before 6 months are least likely to have childhood bladder and bowel problems, such as incontinence or chronic constipation.
The good news is that EC leads to less dirty nappies and therefore a reduced environmental impact, regardless of the nappy type.
The benefits don't stop there. Studies have shown that babies who are assisted with toileting empty their bladders more completely when they wee. This in turn reduces their risks of contracting urinary tract infections. Other studies have shown that babies who begin potty use before 6 months are least likely to have childhood bladder and bowel problems, such as incontinence or chronic constipation.
