Elimination Communication is a method of potty training that is widely misunderstood in America.
For the next four posts, we’re going to explore many of the misconceptions and misinformation that surrounds the subject.
Welcome to part three of Understanding Elimination Communication. Click here for part one and here for part two.
So far in the series we’ve discussed the differences in global mentality in regard to elimination communication and toilet training between America and the rest of the world.
Read on.
More than 50% of the world’s children are potty trained prior to their first birthday.
So what are we missing?
From birth forward, infants are aware of their body’s need to eliminate. While it is true that muscle control is not yet fully developed, an infant can still learn to release upon simple command.
By relying on thick and absorbent disposable diapers, today’s average American parent is merely teaching their baby to ignore the otherwise obvious signs of elimination.
This adds unneeded difficulty to eventual potty training.
Ingrid Bauer, well recognized author of the book, “Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene,” believes the optimum time to pull the trigger on toilet training is within the baby’s first six months.
In order to start elimination communication, the baby must be held by their thighs (comfortably) in a seated position against their stomach. It’s part of an infant’s instinct not to go to the bathroom on themselves. A parent can play into this natural instinct by positioning them over the potty at the appropriate time and encouraging them to make the natural hisses and grunts that sometimes accompany elimination.
Communication is of course required on the part of the parents, as they must learn to observe their child’s natural rhythm. Some parents elect to keep their child in the same bed with them, with the potty at arm’s length, so they may attend to their child’s needs whenever required.
No it isn’t easy, but yes it may be worth it. Consider the many advantages of elimination communication.
Families able to successfully potty train their infants will save thousands of dollars on diapers. Not only is this a boon to the family bank account, it is a tremendous benefit to the environment.
Each year American landfills are over crowded with 22 billion disposable diapers!
A potty trained infant will also be spared the suffering of diaper rash, never need sit in their own mess while waiting for mommy or daddy to clean them, and develop fewer (if any) issues with constipation or urinary tract infections.
In the next installment of Elimination Communication, we’ll finish our thoughts and leave you with a bit to ponder.
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I have that book, it is a nice read – I read it twice while pregnant to accustom myself to the ideas and changes in attitude needed to begin elimination communication.
Hi Charndra,
It’s really about getting comfortable with the idea. It is foreign to most of us as it is counter to what we’ve always been taught. It does make practical sense, however. Especially when you take history into consideration.
Thanks for dropping by!