ELIMINATION COMMUNICATION (aka EC)
EC is a gentle, natural way to help your baby learn to go potty without relying on diapers all the time. Instead of waiting for your baby to fill their diaper, EC involves paying attention to the signals your baby gives when they need to pee or poop and helping them use a potty or toilet.
Here’s how it works:
1. Recognizing the Cues: Just like babies give signs when they’re hungry or tired, they also have signals when they need to go. Some babies squirm, get fussy, or make certain facial expressions. Over time, you’ll learn to recognize these patterns.
2. Offering Opportunities: Throughout the day, you can offer your baby chances to use the potty. Common times are after waking up, after feeding, or before sleep. You can hold them over a small potty or the toilet. Even if they don’t go, it helps them get used to the routine.
3. Building a Rhythm: As you practice, you’ll start to notice when your baby usually needs to go. You’ll get better at offering the potty at the right times, and your baby will start to associate the feeling of needing to go with using the potty, rather than just going in a diaper.
4. Less Reliance on Diapers: EC doesn’t mean you have to get rid of diapers completely, especially at first. Many parents use them as a backup, especially at night or during outings. Over time, your baby will need fewer and fewer diapers as they get used to using the potty.
5. Communication: EC is all about tuning in to your baby and working together. It’s not about training or pushing them to be diaper-free, but instead, it’s about responding to their natural body signals and helping them stay clean and comfortable.
For new parents, it can feel a bit daunting, but it’s flexible! You can practice part-time or full-time, depending on what works for your family. EC can lead to fewer diaper changes, less diaper rash, and a closer connection with your baby. Plus, it can help make potty training easier (or never have to do it!) later on because they’re already familiar with the process!
Potty Training Before (1940s-1950s):
Average Age: By the 1940s-1950s, most children in Western cultures were potty trained by the age of 18 months. Many babies were trained before or soon after they started walking, often by 12-18 months.
Method: Parents used cloth diapers and closely monitored their babies' cues. Potty training was often started early, as the inconvenience of cloth diapers (washing and drying) encouraged parents to help their child become diaper-free as soon as possible.
Potty Training Today:
Average Age: According to more recent studies, the average potty training age in the United States and other developed countries has risen significantly. Most children are now potty trained between 2.5 and 3 years old (30-36 months). Some children may not be fully trained until closer to 3.5 years.
Method: Today’s parents tend to follow a more child-led approach, starting when they believe their child shows readiness. The convenience of disposable diapers, which are more absorbent and keep children feeling dry longer, has reduced the urgency for early potty training.
Skip the Diaper Drama—Start EC for a Happier Baby!
Smarter Pottying, Happier Parenting—Start EC Today!
The Best Time to Start EC Was Yesterday. The Second Best Time? Right Now!
Your baby is ready and so can you be.
Copyright© 2024 Dariya Koncz - All Rights Reserved.
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