Goodbye Poopy Diapers! Intro to Elimination Communication
The Ultimate Hack
Ah, you've found yourself in the wonderful realm of parenthood, or perhaps expanding your family. And now, by some stroke of luck, you've stumbled upon the extraordinary concept of Elimination Communication (or as I like to call it, Infant Potty Training). But skepticism starts to creeps in, as it inevitably does for any new parent. After all, we were all taught to rely on diapers until the dreaded "potty training phase" later on, right?
Well, what if I were to tell you that you can potty train your precious little one fresh out of the womb? Yes, you heard me right! And what's more, by combining cloth diapers with Elimination Communication, you can save a small fortune on disposable diapers. As if that weren't enough, get ready to witness enhanced infant development and learning like never before!
Intrigued? Well, I'm just getting started. Buckle up for an awe-inspiring journey through the wonders of EC from the heart of Detroit, Michigan.
What Is Elimination Communication?
Let me introduce you to the magical world of Elimination Communication, lovingly referred to as EC (short and sweet, right?). This ancient practice, also known as infant potty training or natural infant hygiene, involves attuning yourself to your baby's cues and signals to address their elimination needs without solely relying on diapers.
Picture this: babies are born with the incredible ability to communicate when they need to eliminate, just like they do when they're hungry or tired. Diapers are convenient, no doubt, but they inadvertently turn into the "potty" we later have to wean them off. Fear not for you can master this art even with the busiest of schedules. Just read your baby's cues and routines, and voilà , you're on your way to EC greatness!
The secret sauce is routines, my friend. Start there, and you'll soon become an expert at deciphering those subtle baby signals. Each baby is a unique little universe, so there's no one-size-fits-all approach. However, grunting, pushing noises, or fussing when not hungry could very well be your baby's way of saying, "Hey, it's potty time!" Let's dive deeper into this fascinating journey of EC.
What did we do before disposables?
Ah, let's take a delightful trip down memory lane, shall we? EC isn't a new-fangled trend; oh no, it's deeply rooted in cultures around the globe. Long before disposable diapers became a thing, folks in Asia, Africa, and various Indigenous communities were proudly practicing EC for generations. They knew the magic of this age-old tradition well before modern convenience swept it aside. So, think of EC as a beautiful return to our roots. It's time to revive this time-honored wisdom for the greater good!
The benefits of elimination communication
1. Early Potty Independence
Yes, you heard me right. EC nurtures early potty independence in babies. By tuning into their elimination needs from the get-go, your little ones become more aware of their bodily functions. You'll be amazed at how young they can master the potty, leaving diaper-dependence in the dust. Let's face it; learning to hold a bowel movement or start one on command is a skill we all take for granted, but newborns need a helping hand. EC to the rescue!
2. Environmental Impact
Let's get serious for a moment. Traditional diapering is responsible for a staggering amount of waste piling up in landfills. By embracing EC, you'll be waving the flag of environmental conservation. Now, how cool is that? Combine it with cloth diapers, and you're on your way to becoming an eco-warrior! Remember, those disposable diapers can take anywhere from 50-500 years to decompose!
3. Enhanced Parent-Child Bonding
We all yearn for a strong bond with our little bundles of joy, right? Well, EC is like the secret sauce for building that deep parent-child connection. Promptly responding to your baby's cues builds trust and communication, bringing you closer than ever. It's a practice both mom and dad can easily embrace!
4. Financial Savings
Ka-ching! Now, who doesn't love saving money in this economy?! EC to the rescue once again. Say goodbye to those expensive disposable diapers. Trust me, the cost adds up faster than you can say "potty time!" By reducing diaper usage and opting for cloth diapers, you'll be swimming in savings. The average time in diapers is 18 to 30 months. With disposables costing $70-$80 a month, that's a whopping $1,260 to $2,100 down the drain. But wait, there's more! Some kiddos may not be fully potty trained until age four, meaning you could be facing a staggering $3,360 bill! Fear not, for cloth diapers offer a more affordable and sustainable solution. Initially, it may seem like a significant investment, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll be amazed at the thousands you'll save over 2-3 years. Now, that's money well-spent elsewhere, like on adorable baby outfits or a well-deserved vacation (yes, parents need vacations too).
EC and Cloth Diaper Purchase List :
You will want to buy an infant potty to get started, but these are fairly cheap and easily available on Amazon.
We ended up buying Cloth-Eez pre-fold diapers and combined them with Thirsties Hybrid Outers.
A combination of 10 outers and 36 pre-folds is a good balance of laundry and stock for 3-4 days until you can capture more potties with EC. Once you are able to use EC more often your laundry days tend to favor 5-7 days of frequency and the majority of your diapers will be urine only meaning you can just dump them in your washer and go with no dirty mess to worry about!
Notes on Getting Started with EC and Cloth Diapers:
We did utilize disposables until the umbilical cord fell off in the first week because the cloth diapers tend to put too much pressure on this area and we did not want to force it to fall off accidentally.
We opted to buy Novice and Medium sizes for prefolds, and size one and two for the outers. The Novice size covers 9lbs to 15lbs and Medium covers 14lbs to 29lbs which means you will have full coverage for your child from birth until around 20 months of age. By then we figured we can potentially double up a Novice and Medium if we still need diapers, but with EC we predict to be fully off diapers by then (fingers crossed!).
Your initial start up cost to get started with EC & Cloth Diapers will be $276 before shipping/taxes/fees for Novice/Size 1 diapers and $30 for the potty which will cover you through 15lbs of weight. Once your child is large enough you will need to upgrade to Medium/Size 2 diapers and the larger potty which will set you back an additional $294 for the diapers and $30 for the larger potty.
The grand total for both sizes will be $628 and that will cover your child until 20 months or 29lbs (whichever comes first), so that will add up to a minimum savings of $632 and a maximum savings of $2,732 over the course of 3-4 years!
5. Health Benefits
Hold on, we're not done yet. There's something even more precious at stake here—your baby's health! In this age of awareness, we've all heard about the scary stuff hidden in everyday products. Do we really want our little ones exposed to harmful plastics and forever chemicals? I think not! But fret not, EC combined with cloth diapers comes to the rescue once more. Say goodbye to those pesky endocrine disruptors, phthalates, BPA, BPS, and the whole gang. Cloth diapers with organic unbleached cotton pre-folds are the unsung heroes of your baby's well-being. And with a whole-home water filtration system and non-toxic laundry detergent, you can rest easy knowing your child is in good hands!
Implementing Elimination Communication: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Observe and Learn
Start your journey by closely observing your baby's routines and cues. Take note of those adorable facial expressions, tiny body movements, and sweet sounds before, during, and after elimination. This is the key to successful EC - understanding your baby's language.
Step 2: Create a Potty Routine
Establish a consistent potty routine by offering your baby the potty at regular intervals, such as after waking up, before and after feeding, and before bedtime. Repetition and consistency are your allies in this endeavor. Soon, you and your little one will recognize the process like seasoned pros!
Step 3: Use Cue Sounds
Now, here's where you get to unleash your inner performer. Introduce cue sounds, like a gentle "pss" or "sssh," when placing your baby on the potty. These magical sounds help associate the action with elimination and can become your secret communication tool. Who knew potty time could be so fun and musical?
Step 4: Be Patient and Positive
As with any grand adventure, there will be mishaps and oops moments along the way. Fear not! Patience and positivity are your allies. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and your newborn won't master the potty immediately. Celebrate the successes and offer a warm smile for those little mishaps. With time, practice, and a sprinkle of parental love, you'll master the art of EC like a pro!
Goodbye poopy diapers
Congratulations! By following this step-by-step guide, you've embarked on a slightly different, yet incredibly rewarding, journey. By combining your newfound EC prowess with cloth diapers, you're about to save a small fortune while ensuring your baby's well-being and happiness. Now, get ready to drop some wisdom bombs on your fellow moms and dads. They'll be shocked at first, but rest assured, they'll soon come begging for your secret sauce. Oh, and don't forget to share this article with them, so they can join the fantastic movement of returning to our roots! Together, we'll create a generation of eco-savvy, happy, and potty-trained little champions! Happy potty adventures!
