Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Starting Elimination Communication

by Jennifer
(Virginia)

Even though I have read Ingrid Bauer's Diaper Free book, and I have done a good bit of research online, i still don't seem to be starting out well trying to EC with my baby.

So far all I've really done is make the SSSS sound when i hear him poop. It's been cold and we heat with a wood stove, so I haven't done much diaper free time to actually watch when he is peeing to see his cues. I was able to do it one day when the stove got too hot and it was over 80 degrees in the family room! But I still didn't make much of a connection.

What should my next step be?

Answer:

Hi Jennifer,

I think that starting elimination communication in the winter can be a little harder than in the warmer months.

You didn't say how old your baby is, and I think it depends a lot on age. With a newborn that mostly just stays in your arms, you can easily keep a prefold diaper wrapped loosely around your baby's bottom and keep a diaper wrapped around him. Keep your baby on your lap with a hand down over the diaper and between his legs. Keep a blanket wrapped around him to keep him warm.

If he's bigger and getting mobile it's harder.

You can work with times you know he's likely to need to go - when he wakes up in the morning and after naps is a great place to start. Even if he wakes with a wet diaper, immediately put him over the potty. Babies will often go again.

After nursing and just before nursing as also good times to try to cue him. Some babies will go just before nursing but others get too fussy, so you can do what feels right to you and your baby.

Any time you think your baby is going to have a bowel movement is a good time to offer the potty!

If you're worried about the cold while your baby is on the potty you can drape a blanket around his legs. Leg warmers or split pants are another option for keeping legs warm.

Anytime you notice your baby has wet or soiled a diaper you can take it off and hold your baby over the potty. This can help your baby start to understand the association between going potty and sitting on the potty.

I think that you and your baby will find your own way with EC - watch cues, observe timing and other signs your baby gives, but try not to stress out about it. Often in the colder weather you have a lot more "misses" than you do when it's warm. It's OK to have your baby in diapers sometime, and you can even make it work with diapers on full time. Just do what works for you and you'll figure it out!