Elimination Communication: Potty Training a Baby

Sounds like you may be interested in learning more about Elimination Communication (EC). EC is a potty training method in which a parent uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant's need to have a BM. Typically the goal is to partially or completely avoid diapers. EC emphasizes communication between the mother and child, helping them both become more attuned to the child's innate rhythms and control of the elimination process. The term "elimination communication" was inspired by traditional practices of diaper-less baby care in less industrialized countries, as well as, hunter-gatherer cultures.

Interestingly enough, in a 1977 study, anthropologists found evidence of numerous successful potty training methods among supposedly "primitive" East African tribes. It may surprise you that these parents appeared to be far more sophisticated than their Western counterparts when it came to listening for cues to their kids' readiness. The parents in these tribes began potty training with a soothing, calm approach shortly after birth, and were able to achieve day and night dryness by the age of just 5 or 6 months! These kids are not undressing and dressing themselves and they're not using toilets in the sense that we think of them, but they are able to tell when they need to go to the bathroom and take care of it themselves. Might there be an important lesson in there for us?

One organization very popular among EC enthusiast is the Diaper Free Baby Organization. You might also want to check out an EC expert discussing elimination communication on YouTube. More on potty training:

• Potty Training Tips from the Potty Pro, Teri Crane
  
• Figure Out Your Kid's Potty Training Schedule
• Actress Clare Kramer shares her experiences with potty training her baby!