Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Is 14 months Too Late to Start the Elimination Communication Process?

by Robyn
(Indpls, IN)

I just recently heard about elimination communication and was wondering if it is to late to start EC with my 14 month old son. If not, do you have any suggestions on the best plan of action??

Answer:

Hi Robyn,

I don't think it's ever "too late" to start EC'ing with a little one. I do think things are different, and you will probably rely on timing a lot.

With a small baby you can often intuitively know when he needs to use the potty. With an older baby or a toddler he has lost some of the awareness of knowing when he needs to go, and so it's often harder for you to pick up on it too.

That's why timing is really helpful. When he wakes up, you set him on the potty. When you finish a meal, set him on the potty (actually with 23 month old Galen, we have him sit on his potty before he sits down at the table!). When you go to the bathroom, set him on a potty beside your potty. Just make it part of his routine more than anything.

There is a good chance you can pick up on cues for bowel movements because they're often more obvious ;) Some kids develop habits, like standing really still or squatting, when they need to poop. You can watch your son and see what he does. Take him to a little potty when you notice he needs to go.

Or, if you miss it, you can put him on the potty directly after. If I had a "miss" with Galen I would put the poop into his little potty, then put him down on top of it. I'm not sure how vital this is, but to me it seemed it helped him understand that pooping is done over the potty.

You can put him in little trainers or a cloth diaper without a cover while you're at home, so you can notice immediately when he's wet and set him on the potty.

I've always found that with the older babies it's best to really work on making using the potty part of the routine. It's not something to get upset over, and you may cheer, but it's really no big deal either. It's one of those "this is how we do it" things - just calm, pleasant, and matter-of-fact.

Little ones are smart and they get it. As you start working on it with him you will probably pick up on more cues and signs. You will also notice times he's likely to need to go.

Good luck to you!