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'''Elimination communication''' (EC) is a [[toilet training]] practice in which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address  an [[infant|infant's]] need to eliminate waste.  Typically the goal is to partially or completely avoid the use of [[diaper]]s.  EC emphasizes communication between the caregiver and child, helping them both become more attuned to the child's innate rhythms and control of urination and defe(contracted; show full)s a way to meet the baby's present needs and to enhance attachment and communication in general. In that sense, EC is often likened to [[breastfeeding]]. "Toilet mastery is, of course, an inevitable consequence," writes Bauer, "Yet it's no more the goal of Natural Infant Hygiene than weaning is the goal of breastfeeding." (2001, p. 217)

Today, one often hears the terms ''natural infant hygiene'', ''infant potty training'', and 
''potty whispering''"elimination communication" used synonymously.

==Benefits==
According to "The Diaper-Free Baby" by Christine Gross Loh, EC offers a large range of advantages. Because EC lessens families' reliance on diapers, this helps reduce the number of diapers sent to landfill, and is cheaper. ECed babies are free from the problems of conventional diapering: diaper rash; diaper change battles; not being able to explore this area; vulnerability to urinary tract infections; potentially delayed or difficult potty training. Gross Loh(contracted; show full)

===Timing===
Timing refers to identifying the infant's natural timing of elimination. Newborns tend to [[urination|urinate]] every 10–20 minutes, sometimes very regularly, which makes timing extremely useful.  Older babies may still be very regular, or may vary in timing based on when they have last eaten or slept. As infants get older, the time between eliminations will increase.  By six months, it is not uncommon for babies to go 
as much as an hour or more without urinating while awake (babies, like adults, rarely urinate during a deep sleep). Timing varies radically for [[defecation]], as some infants may have several bowel movements a day, while others may only have one every few days. Parents report that some babies as young as three months will appear to hold all their bowel movements until they are held in a particular squat position, as long as this is offered regularly enough. <ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecuk/</ref> Parents also offer the potty at various times according to routine, e.g. after a feed, when coming out of the sling, just before bath or bed. <ref>http://www.nappyfreebaby.co.uk/</ref>

===Signals===
Signals are the baby's way of informing a caregiver of an elimination need. Some babies signal very clearly from the beginning, while others may have very subtle signals, or no signal at all. These signals vary widely from one infant to another, and include a certain facial expression, a particular cry, squirming, a sudden unexplained fussiness, as well as others. Babies who are nursing will often start delatching and relatching repeatedly when they need to eliminate. For defecation, many babies will grunt or pass gas as a signal. Older babies can learn a gesture or [[baby sign]] for "[[potty]]."As babies get older their signals become more conscious and babies often point to, or look at, a caregiver or potty to indicate need. Older babies can learn a gesture or [[baby sign]] for "[[potty]]." Later they may learn a word as part of their early acquisition of language.<ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ecuk/</ref><ref>"The Diaper-Free Baby" by Christine Gross Loh (Los Angeles: Regan, 2007)</ref>

===Cueing===
Cueing consists of the caregiver making a particular sound or other cue when the baby is in an appropriate place to urinate or defecate, in order to develop two-way communication. At first, the caregiver can make the cueing sound when the baby is eliminating, to develop an association. Once the association is established, the cue can be used to indicate to the baby that he or she is in an appropriate [[toilet|potty]] place. This is especially useful for infants who may not recognize public toilets or unfamiliar receptacles as a "potty." Common sound cues include "psss psss" for urination, and "hmm hmm" (grunting) for defecation. Older babies (late starters) may respond better to more word-like cues. Cues do not have to be auditory.

===Intuition===
Intuition refers to a caregiver's unprompted thought that the baby may need to eliminate. Although much intuition may simply be subconscious awareness of timing or signals, many parents who practice EC find it an extremely reliable component.

==See also==
* [[Attachment parenting]]
* [[Infant potty training method]]
* [[Dunstan Baby Language]]
* [[Toilet training]]

== References ==

<references/>

==External links==
⏎
⏎
* <strong>[http://www.natural-parenting.net/elimination-commudiaperfreebaby.org DiaperFreeBaby] - international support organiczation-potty-training-issues/ ''Elimination Communication Potty Training'']</strong> - Sarah Jones's experience with practical EC for caregivers who practice EC
* [http://www.nappyfreebaby.co.uk Nappy Free Baby] - UK information and support site with contact details for local support groups
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20080601033146/http://www.natural-wisdom.com/nihgentlealternative.htm ''Natural Infant Hygiene''] - Ingrid Bauer's article summarizing EC
* [http://www.timl.com/ipt/ Infant Potty Training] - Laurie Boucke's Infant Potty Training website in 10 languages
* [http://www.diaperfreebaby.org DiaperFreeBaby] - international support organization for caregivers who practice EC
* [http://www.nappyfreebaby.co.uk Nappy Free Baby] - UK information and support site with contact details for local support groups⏎
* [http://www.aitt.evassist.it International Board for the Study, Research and Promotion of Assisted Infant Toilet Training] - Supportive pediatricians, medical journal articles and research
* [http://www.parttimenappyfree.com.au ''Part Time'' Nappy Free - A Free Online Guided Tour of EC and Support for Easing Into Part-Time Baby Pottying...]
* [http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/elimination-communication.html Getting Started with Elimination Communication] - Basic EC information
* [http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=227 EC forum at Mothering.com]
* [http://www.BornPottyTrained.com BornPottyTrained.com]
* [http://www.WhatisEC.com WhatisEC.com]⏎
* [http://www.pottywhisperer.com/ The Potty Whisperer]
* [http://www.tribalbaby.org/ Tribal Baby] - From full time nappies to nappy free - Practical tips and strategies for practicing EC
* [http://www.viviente.com/2005/10/how_to_do_parttime_pottytraini_1.html How to Do Part-time Potty Training with Your Baby] - EC for working parents and caregivers⏎
* [http://www.nappyfree.com.au Nappy Free] - An Australian shop with EC information.

[[Category:Excretion]]
[[Category:Infancy]]
[[Category:Parenting]]

[[es:Higiene natural infantil]]
[[fr:Hygiène naturelle infantile]]
[[ru:Естественная гигиена новорожденного]]