Ready for elimination communication
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Welcome
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We're glad you've found our community
What our community seeks to do is normalise elimination communication for our young families. Read the book Elimination Communication Babies and check out our website and socials. We have answers to your most frequently asked questions and have solutions to implement elimination communication, as a potentially simple part of your family life.
Read moreWhat is Elimination Communication?
Elimination Communication (EC) is a gentle, instinctual way to assist babies to use the potty from birth — offering toilet chances based on timing, signals, and caregiver cues rather than relying on full-time nappies.
Elimination Communication is a new name for an old fashioned method to assist a baby to potty. In some countries, it was called 'holding a baby out'. When born, a baby will not want to instinctually soil themself and if given the chance (held out) they can eliminate into a potty/container. Caregivers can offer the toilet opportunity to their baby based on natural elimination 'timing', and watch for their baby to signal the need to eliminate. A caregiver will also communicate with the baby using cues (verbal or sounds). Our book Elimination Communication Babies is a step-by-step guide from birth to toilet independence. Prefer a start checklist? Read how to start elimination communication , browse all guides , or dig into age stages from newborn through toddlers .
How it works
Timing
Caregivers can offer the toilet opportunity to their baby based on natural elimination timing.
Signals
Watch for their baby to signal the need to eliminate.
Cues
A caregiver will also communicate with the baby using cues (verbal or sounds).
Nappy backup
Most of our parents use a diaper/nappy as 'back-up' until toilet training around 14–20 months.
Four stages from pregnancy to young toddler
Pregnant
By the time baby arrives, healthy and ready for the world you'll know exactly how to start elimination communication with your newborn.
Newborn
Toileting will come naturally at this age – this is an optimal time to start. Diaper rash is common at this stage but easily avoided with EC. See our newborn EC guide for holds and timing.
Starting Solids
Baby is now learning to sit and the change in their diet is also noticed in their bowel movements. This is also an ideal time to start as most poop can be caught in a potty! Continue with our 6–12 months guide.
Young Toddler
It's never too late to start and with consistency and practice your young toddler can still be out of diapers soon. See EC for toddlers when you begin later.
Books, courses & resources
Order books, ebooks and courses through our AuthorDirect shop — secure checkout with fast delivery.
Brain Building with Elimination Communication
Still, very few (Western) parents have heard that you can potty a newborn. The once-standard healthy practice has been replaced with a relaxed attitude that a c
Read moreFAQ
Elimination Communication FAQ
Open a question for a short answer — or go deeper in How to start EC and all guides.
View full FAQ pageElimination Communication (EC) is a gentle, instinctual way to assist babies to use the potty from birth using timing, signals, and caregiver cues — usually with nappy backup. Full primer: What is elimination communication?
Observe timing and signals, offer a potty or container at likely times, use a simple cue, and keep nappy backup while you learn. Step-by-step: How to start elimination communication.
From birth is ideal; after six or twelve months is still welcome — you begin at a later stage. Details: When should I start EC?
Yes for many families: progress means fewer blowouts and shorter nappy years, not perfection. See Does EC work? and testimonials.
Yes when it stays noncoercive — assisting, not forcing. Most families use nappy backup. Full answer: Is EC safe?
Combine timing (after feeds, wakes, transitions) with signals like stillness or fussing, plus a consistent caregiver cue. Guide: Baby pee cues.
Yes — mornings, weekends, or easy windows still count. See Part-time EC.
EC assists from early infancy with timing and cues; traditional potty training usually starts later as a toddler shift out of nappies. Compare: EC vs potty training.
You offer toilet opportunities using natural timing, watch for signals, and communicate with cues. Most parents use a diaper or nappy as backup while they learn. Our book and video course walk through the ages and stages.
Yes! Our book and course is not a diaper-free approach. You're welcome to do that, but most of our parents use a diaper/nappy and in EC terms it's called 'back-up'. Your baby will wear their back-up until you are ready to toilet train around 14–20 months.
The Elimination Communication Babies book is a step-by-step guide from birth to toilet independence — a quick, easy read outlining the ages and stages of potty learning (best for babies/toddlers up to 18 months, with value for older toddlers too). Browse editions in our book shop page — including the UK English colour edition on Amazon — or see all books and ebooks.
Our video course helps you start elimination communication quickly. It includes five simple videos covering the four stages of toilet learning (introduction/winning formula, holding baby out, sitting potty, toilet independence, and nighttime dryness), plus seven downloadable handouts with tips, tricks and gear lists. The course is $31.53 NZD. Buy it via the shop, then access videos with AuthorDirect sign-in on the course page.
The book is a step-by-step written guide from birth to toilet independence. The video course is five videos and seven handouts for parents who learn best by watching. They pair well together — the course page recommends the book as the perfect companion if you want the full guide. Start with whichever suits you, or get both from the shop.
Elimination Communication can easily fit into your normal daily routine. It cuts down the time your child wears diapers or nappies considerably, so this would ultimately be a time-saver for you. It is also much less messy, saving you time cleaning poop off your baby. We firmly believe Elimination Communication is a time-saver and we'll show you how easy it can be. Part-time practice helps: part-time EC.
It's never too late to start — we will just be starting at a different stage and your baby will need to adjust where they associate going to the toilet from their nappy/diaper to the potty/toilet. With your consistency and assistance, your baby will learn. See when to start and EC for toddlers.
No, but you will need to consider how easy it is to remove clothing. Babies and toddlers are best to wear comfortable, stretch options. You can get specific clothing for Elimination Communication such as split pants and leg warmers, but these would be optional.
Babies are born ready to be assisted with elimination – it is instinctual and noncoercive. Full safety answer: Is elimination communication safe? Myths cleared in EC myths.