EC: practical advice for (almost) never using diapers

Do you know that there is the possibility of raising a newborn without diapers? It's called Elimination Communication (EC) and it's a very popular system

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When a child is born, the family takes into account that, for years, they will be struggling with mountains of diapers. The most environmentally conscious parents choose biodegradable products or opt for the use of washable nappies. But did you know that there is also the possibility of raising a newborn without diapers? Yes chiama Elimination Communication (EC) and it is a very popular system especially in the United States.

It seems impossible, yet there are many testimonies of parents satisfied with this practice that has seen them abandon the idea that children necessarily need diapers for their small and large needs. Essential though knowing how to grasp the first signs and immediately place the baby in front of the sink, on the toilet, on the potty or on a basin, depending on the needs and the situation in which you are.

If you think about it in many parts of the world where diapers do not exist, EC is not such an absurd thingindeed it is about everyday life.

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The theory behind CE: babies without diapers

In the book “Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene, ”author Ingrid Bauer explains how this is possible raising babies without ever, or almost never, using diapers. The concept is quite simple: the mother, father or caregiver frequently has to learn to read the messages that the little one sends whenever he needs to get rid of pee or poop (those with children know that there are indeed signs which over time become more and more clear and recognizable).

The name Elimination Communication was chosen precisely to emphasize the importance of communication between baby and mother, essential to grasp all the needs of the little one, including that of "eliminating" the body's waste.

When to start and how to practice elimination communication

You can start experimenting your communication skills with your child right away but most parents begin to approach CE after 2 to 3 months. The moment of childbirth and the first times when a new guest has arrived in the house are already quite demanding and perhaps you do not yet have the desire, time or calm to devote to this system which still requires a little patience.

To start it is necessary dedicate a day or two to observe the newborn and understand what specific messages he sends in particular when he pees. The arrival of poop, as mothers know, is easier to recognize as the little ones often make very characteristic faces.

Keep in mind that the first months between a pee and the other pass at least 20-30 minutes then the times are lengthened to 1 or 2 hours. Observing the newborn you will also be able to understand more or less the hours it has, also depending on the feedings or the bottle of milk she drinks.

Generally after a few days you can understand the habits of the newborn and then you can act accordingly. A good tip is to write down the times that you have noticed to always be the same: for example if the baby pees in the morning upon awakening, immediately after a nap, or after a feed.

It's up to you then find all possible associations between movements and sounds of the newborn and the production of pee or poop. There are those who wave their hands or feet, make verses, move their mouths or whatever.

Once you have identified the right moment (early days be prepared for some failure) you can choose to place the baby on a basin to always keep at hand or go to the bathroom or, maybe after a few months, use the potty directly. In the case of pee there is no need to assume particular positions while as regards the poop to help the little one to free himself you can raise both legs slowly pressing against the belly.

In addition to arming yourself with a lot of patience, prepare yourself at home panties, towels and sleepers to be placed on beds, bouncers and other places where the little one usually stays. Always ready they must also be clean clothes for you and your baby. In this regard, especially in the early days, choose to dress the baby in comfortable clothing that you can easily remove when you pick up on the signs you have learned to recognize. Excellent in this sense, for example, the gaiters or two-piece rompers.

You will see that after the first few weeks of practice it will also be the baby himself who will help you because he will have associated the position you make him take or where he is with the time to pee or poop.

For at night and when you are in uncomfortable places out of the home routine, there are those who still use the method, those who want to feel more comfortable and bring traditional diapers with them.

Pros and cons of elimination communication (ec)

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The advantages of using this system immediately are different: save money on diapers whether they are disposable or washable, therefore helping the environment with an eco-friendly choice, avoid possible rashes, let the children's private parts breathe but also find themselves at an advantage when other parents have to "smear" their children and this is not always a very simple and quick phase to overcome.

As regards the against surely the first thing that comes to mind is the need to have some time available and patience to be dedicated to the EC. Prepare to wash lots of your own and baby's clothes as well as collect pee and poop from floors, various surfaces but also beds, cots and bouncers. Then there is often resistance to be fought in the family or those who take care of the baby who are not used to this system without diapers.

Perhaps for a novice mother who still has to get used to the upheaval of having given birth to a child with all that this entails, adding even this "difficulty" might not be a good idea. Perhaps the situation is different in the case of a second or third child when you have become familiar with it both with the life of a mother and with the signals that the little ones send when they have to free themselves from pee or poop.

What do you think, have you ever tried the EC?

Read also:

• ELIMINATION COMMUNICATION, OR RAISING CHILDREN WITHOUT A NAPPY, BUT HOW DO YOU DO IT?
• 10 EXCUSES NOT TO USE WASHABLE DIAPERS