Elimination Communication in a Nutshell

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Here is the text of the elimination communication in a nutshell infographic:

Elimination Communication

Elimination Communication is also known as Natural Infant Hygiene, Infant Potty Training, Diaper Free, or EC. And in many parts of the world, there is no special name for it, it is just the way caregivers deal with a baby's need to eliminate.

What is Elimination Communication (EC)?

• Gentle toilet learning for babies beginning between 0 and 18-months-old.
• Communicating about Baby's elimination needs.
• Allowing Baby to pee or poo in a potty, toilet, or nature.
• An alternative to complete reliance on diapers.

Benefits of Elimination Communication

• Strong Communication
• Baby's Comfort
• Responsive Parenting
• Fewer Diapers
• Hygiene
• Potty Independence

Insights

• Newborns are aware of their need to eliminate and attempt to communicate their needs through signals.
• Babies instinctually do not want to soil themselves or their caretakers.
• Babies normally do not pee during deep sleep.

Big Picture - Potty Independence and the Diaper Industry

• The average age of potty independence in the U.S. was 18-months-old in 1957 versus 36-months-old today.
• Early potty training got a bad reputation in the U.S. because it was once associated with harsh training methods. Source.
• Throughout much of the non-Western world, infant toilet training is the norm. In India, China, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, the arctic, and parts of Latin America, parents leave baby bottoms uncovered. Source.
• More than 50% of the world's children are potty trained by 1-year-old. Source.
• The baby diaper market is projected to reach USD 52.2 billion globally by 2017.
• With EC, the investment is the parents' time, love, and presence. Source.

"Pottytunities" = Opportunities to use the potty

When to Offer Pottytunities

Parents offer pottytunities based upon:

• Timing;
• Intuition; and/or
• Signals.

Common signals of the need to eliminate include crying, squirming, grunting, or becoming still.

How to Offer Pottytunities

When offering a pottytunity, parents often use:

• A cue sound, such as "psss" or a grunt;
• EC hold or allowing the baby to sit up; and
• A receptacle, such as a toilet or potty.

That wraps up elimination communication in a nutshell. Next up, find our full list of Elimination Communication Books.