As some of you might remember I started practicing Elimination Communication (EC) with Aidan when he was about 2 months old. I never considered practicing full time but when the timing was right and we were both relaxed we brought the potty out.I only lasted 2 months before even practicing part time became tedious. Aidan wasn’t sleeping so everyone was tired, Steve and I weren’t perfect and it just seemed like another chore to add to the list. Watching constantly for signs was exhausting at the point in Aidan’s life. A couple of weeks later we realised that my milk had dried up and that’s why everything was off balance.
I didn’t put any pressure onto myself to pick up EC again. I was just starting to make friends within my mothers group and I didn’t want to scare anyone off with my cloth nappies and potty. Steve and I were just starting to get in sync again and I just knew I couldn’t commit myself and didn’t want to confuse Aidan. A couple of weeks ago I thought I’d test the water and see how Aidan responded.
I started by letting Aidan see Steve and I going to the toilet, then about a week later I brought the potty into the bathroom and popped him on it just before his bath. We did that every night for a week and by the second day he’d had a Bowel Movement (BM) and continued to do a BM on the potty every night. Over the weekend Steve and I took Aidan to the potty before and after every sleep and whenever he signaled that he needed to go. We had a couple of dry nappies but mostly wet and it’s been 9 days since we’ve had to clean a pooey nappy.
Steve is better at catching his signals than I am and is really enjoying EC. I think he feels more in tune with his son and likes the principles of EC. We both read this great book and I can totally recommend it. Sometimes Aidan’s signals are really clear, he makes grunting noises and wriggles about. Sometimes they’re quite subtle and it may be just a different whinge, it definitely keeps you on your toes. Having Aidan in cloth seems to help as he can feel the wetness and he’s always hated having a pooey nappy and I think that’s why we’ve had such a good run so far.
Once on the potty (which is from Ikea) Aidan is quite happy. Being able to sit up unsupported has made EC so much easier. He usually sits and plays with a bath toy, his socks or claps his hands and sings songs. When he’s finished he puts his hands up in the air to be picked up or leans forward as if he’s trying to pull himself up into a standing position. I turn him around so he can see his BM and he watches me as I put it in the toilet and as I flush we say “Bye Bye“. Then I usually put the same nappy on if it’s still dry or I put a new one on.
I’d love to know if anyone else has done or is doing EC. If you have any questions I’ll do my best to answer them and if I can’t I’ll refer to my book.
I wasn’t sure if I should write this post. I even called my Mum and asked her opinion. I know EC isn’t for everyone and I didn’t think I could handle any negative criticism (please, if you have nothing nice to say please say nothing at all). Then I remembered why I blog… to share. Someone else could be sitting at home, happily practicing EC in private feeling like they’re all alone too. I finally got the courage after reading an article on EC in the latest Practical Parenting. I guess the land of EC isn’t so lonely after all.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Great idea Dani! I love how you bring these "non convential" things into discussion
I think everything is worth a try.. We do a bit of sign in our house but not for potty.. I dont think I would have time to watch out for that when needing to two boys..
Keep us posted on how it goes.. :)
http://www.boysmumma.blogspot.com
Thats a great idea to introduce Aidan to the potty. It'll make toilet training so much more easier.
I would have loved to have done EC with my daughter, used cloth nappies but her father doesn't think that way.
Hi Dani
What a great post! I think you should post what you want to post, and not worry about what people might think. Your blog seems more honest that way, and I know I read it because I like hearing about your life.
We did a little bit of EC with our first (he's 4 now), and I'm just starting to get into with our second (who is precisely the same age as Aidan!). It's fun – but definitely does keep you on your toes! Over the next few months, you'll probably find it even easier, as Aidan settles into a bit of an elimination routine.
BTW, I do know what you mean about scaring off people IRL. I tend to not mention I had a homebirth, unless I'm fairly certain of what reaction we'll get, as I get a bit sick of the negative reactions. I have an awesome birth story, and it's a shame to have to selectively share it :(.
Allison
Oh I dont think there's anything wrong with that post at all!! (I'm surprised some people would think it's bad?). They can go jump because as we all know…. everyone poops. And if someone wasn't toilet trained then I'm guessing that theyr'e still pooing in their pants and very dirty and are probably the only people who would be jealous of Aidan's mad pooing on the potty skills!
I'm so impressed! It's something that we keep saying we will do, but they are at a terrible age where I know someone is going to 1) throw or 2) eat poo.
i want to do this when i have kids. my husband doesn't like the idea, but i think it sounds great. interesting to see that it actually works!
that is the cutest damn photo!!!
I think that this is awesome! And thanks for the suggestion, I just bought that book!
You rock sister!!
Correct me if I'm wrong but EC doesn't mean that potty training is any easier does it?
I see no problems in your post! I also feel that how you birth and raise your children is no one else's business!
Michelle
I would not say we did EC but we did do alot of nappy free time and only used cloth. My girl was fully day trained (with no pushing from me) by 22 months and now at 25 months she has just night trained herself.
I emailed ages ago when I saw the book on your reading list and recommended part time nappy free.
We haven't EC as kanga is at Daycare so figure it was a lot for him in a short space but will be starting probably just after he turns one.
For what it is worth, I was toilet trained by 9 months and that was 31 years ago. My mother didn't have a name for it, just did what you did which was the same as for her previous two children and it stuck. I was very upset when due to a lot of visiting of my brother in hospital and nurses not allowing me to use the toilet I had to wear nappies again at 18 months.
I jumped on the cloth train early on because I wanted William to learn the link between wet & uncomfortable and popping pretty quickly.
We bought a potty and started sitting him on it a few months ago, but he showed no interest- it seemed to stress him out a bit so we stopped.
I've got a million questions- like if Aidan was in daycare, do you think it would work? Is once a day before a bath not enough to push the point across?
I'm with Sharnee- would people ACTUALLY say negative things about this?!
Not having children myself, I really have no idea about this stuff- but I want to learn early so I'm prepared! I think I might get this book you recommend!
As far as potty training Adian goes, it sounds like you're doinga perfect job- naturally, and as he's ready- the way ALL teaching with children should be! (sorry, personal rant/annoyance there with the education system!! Lol).
If it saves changing pooey nappies it's always going to be a positive thing!
We put Ten on the potty from early on but because I went back to work and he was at daycare it wasn't really possible to keep going with it.
Well done Aidan! And a great job to you and hubby!
I've been trying to introduce the potty to my 16 month old and having mixed results. He can tell when he's doing a BM which is really good but when I try to put down on the potty he'll protest and try to take apart the potty. I'll try and show him how mummy uses the toilet but he doesn't get the connection. Feeling a bit frustrated with it all so we're on a potty break for now.
Wow thanks everyone for such a positive response. I'm quite sensitive when it comes to people judging me, I have this overwhelming need for approval lol. I've actually cried and stressed about some comments that have been left in the past. I like what Sharnee said, everybody poops… thanks for making me giggle.
It's great to hear so many people share their stories and to feel that connection. Trying to make the best choices for our families with information overload available to us it's understandable that we all have our own journeys. I don't believe there is a wrong way or a right way, just like there is no such thing as a normal child. Everything is individual although I know it's hard not to draw comparisons when you're a mum.
Gosh maybe I should turn this comment into a post lol. Anyway, thanks everyone for your support and interest.
thats really amazing that you can do that while he is still so young.
great work.
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