Elimination communication

[korfire]

Just looking for some good sites to help out with this. Would also love to hear from any other people who have tried this and any tips thanks.

[Bellini]

Marnie from Noonee Wilga has some great information on this topic :) I came across it during the nappy hunt. There are some recommended resources and she also shares her own personal experience with EC.

http://www.nooneewilga.com/EC/index.html

[korfire]

Thankyou, this is very helpful.:)

[MamaBleech]

http://www.tribalbaby.org/ :)

[1st for Jess]

I started a similar thread a little while ago http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=350274

Please let me know if you find any other useful info. I'm not due till Feb but interested in trying once bub is here.

[korfire]

Thanks again for these links. I'm just reading through them.

I'm a bit nervous about starting this but I thought I could do cloth nappies and ec. I'm not sure if I will be able to do ec fulltime. But willing to give it a try.

Bit difficult when travelling in car and doing drop offs for school and daycare.

Will let you know if I find out any other useful info.

[korfire]

Just reading this on the tribal baby website. Very helpful.

I know it might be common sense but it's a good reminder.

As a Newborn and Young Baby:

when babe pulls on-and-off the boob during a feed, 'plucking' is a good description. This emerges over the first month.

when babe suddenly becomes fussy

when you see a piggly-wiggly (slightly bigger willy, pink at the end!)

when activity level increases (kicking legs while on his back, squirming on lap or in sling)

when babe starts making little 'uncomfortable' noises. "Ugh, ugh"

when babe frowns and looks closely at you - Giving you "The Eye"

when babe frowns and looks away from you

after an accident as they may have only peed a bit waiting for help (even this young!)

[1st for Jess]

Korfire when are you due, or is bubs already here?
Would love to have someone to talk to as they are dealing with it.

We are thinking a combo of disposable, cloth and ec. This will be our first so we really have no idea how we will deal with having a baby in the house let alone all the toileting options! So we are pretty much thinking we'll give everything a go and see what works best for us.

Anyway there are lots of stories and examples on the net that I have read but speaking to someone as they go through it will-i think- give me a more realistic version of the hard parts!

Good Luck!

[korfire]

Bubs is here. I have recently invested in some cloth nappies - Baby Beehinds magicals. They are working wonderfully.

I am really enjoying wearing my baby a lot in different slings and co-sleeping every night. Just wanted to try and learn more about her. So I thought taking the ec step might help me to get to know her even better. Plus I want to try and help reduce waste.

I heard some other members talking about ec and I started reading about it. I am trying to get as much info as I can on it.

I've made a little list of the things I am going to buy to make it a bit exciting so my husband can maybe join in.

So far I'm going to get these things

- a round tub (sometimes people use them to soak their feet in
- terry flats for play time on the floor
- microfleece for soft wipes

I don't really want to use one of those baby potty things yet. I thought if I got a nice round tub it would give me a lot more room for trying to catch whatever she does.

I bought some baby legs too so that might keep her warmer while we are trying during nappy free time. They are like baby leg warmers.

I'm actually hoping to start today. I'm just going to use some old towels and a bucket I have here. I'm sure you could use just about anything but I just don't want my husband to think I've lost the plot. It may take some getting used to.

I think it will be easier when it is warmer as I guess she won't need to wear pants in summer.

What are your thoughts on my plan? Any other advice is most welcome!

[1st for Jess]

Yup go for it!! Not having to change sooo many nappies HAS to be a good thing!

I first read about it in a book by James Woodford, he's just written a tiny little sentence about it. My boyfriend read it after me and he was even more keen than me! I think once your husband sees its not hard and its less nappies to change he'll swing pretty quick - but then I haven't done it!

I'm not planning to co-sleep so it'd be nappies at night and hopefully a chance to go to the toilet when I'm up to feed.

Many people just use their toilet or the bathroom basin (i'm thinking maybe the laundry basin) there are some great pics on one of the websites about safe holding techniques. See if I can find it.

Many people start with getting the morning poo caught (as usually bubs will go as soon as they wake up) and then carry on from there.

Hope you don't have carpet! :)

[1st for Jess]

http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/pottypositions.htm?&MMN_position=225:14:224

[korfire]

Guess what!!!!!

She woke up from her nap and I held over the old little potty (i know I said I wasn't going to use one - but couldn't find a bucket).

She did it!!!!! I am so proud. That's one less nappy to change.

Now going to feed her and put a towel on my lap so if she needs to go I can watch for cues.

And no carpet in our house which is great.

YAY!!!!

[1st for Jess]

Wooo Hoooo!!!!!:yelclap:

Congratulations that is very cool.
I'm sure once hubby sees how excited you are there will be no looking back! :smiliedance:

[MummaBear03]

I did cloth nappies and part-time EC and had her TT'd through the day, no accidents by 1.5 when she started daycare :thumbsup:

[Bellini]

Wow well done, that's excellent!! :yelclap:

It's such an amazing thing. Let us know how your EC journey goes, I look forward to regular updates :D

[1st for Jess]

Hey Korfire how did the first week go? You still hanging in there?:yelclap:

[korfire]

Well it is going so well!!! I am just doing it part time and using cloth as it's a bit hard with the other kids.

Everytime she wakes from her nap the first thing I do is hold her over her potty and make a pssssst sound. She goes every single time!!! I bought a really little potty and have it sitting on the change table.

When I carry her in her sling I can usually pick up on if she needs to go - figdety an pulls at me. But mainly I just try when she wakes up and after a feed. Then it's not too much pressure on either of us.

I love when I hold her over the potty and she wees as I make the sound. She looks s proud and smiles.

I just love that I am so in tune with my baby. It's amazing. I didn't think I would be able to do something like this.

[futureherder]

When I first read about EC I thought 'my god these people are nuts!' but 13 months in to being a parent for the first time I am wanting to start it :laughing: oh how you change.

So I am going to read a little about it all and start ASAP. I work 9 days a week but there is no reason why I cant work it in to our night time and morning routine the two days she goes to day care.

I am really excited!

I have loved reading your journey and will give you updates on mine :)

[1st for Jess]

Just wanted to let you both know that I'm still reading and love hearing about how your going.

Korfire - what your doing sounds exactly like what I want to try. Just start with after sleeps and feeds so there's no pressure on either of you.

Glad its working out well!! :yelclap:

[Bellini]

I'm still following your EC journey too, sounds wonderful so far :goodvibes:

[futureherder]

Will our first attempt was okay.

DD had no nappy for 40mins before bath, just trying to observe her for a week or so then start her on the bucket after naps and feeds.

She did a poo and a wee and I picked up on a few signs so we will see how we go tonight :)

Hows everything going with everyone else? :wave:

[korfire]

Still going good. Thanks for the support people, didn't know others were reading.:o

Well I've worked out when she wants to do a poo she slaps me a little. Nice eh? But at least it's a bit of a signal.

Unfortunately I'm not that good at the poos as she will only signal that if in a nappy at the moment and by the time I get the nappy ripped off she's gone.

Might have to go back to feeding on a towel again.

Lol, I remember reading about women who tried this and I seriously thought they were off their heads. But now I feel a bit guilty that I never even bothered with it.

Women have been doing this for sooo long. Totally encourage others to have a go.

Keep going with it futureherder. I just try not to put too much pressure on myself.

At least I'm consistently catching the wee as soon as she wakes up still so that is now part of our routine and she loves it! She responds really well to the praise and clapping when she goes and I tell her good girl psssst!!!! She smiles so much!

Anyone else willing to have a go?

[1st for Jess]

I've just been telling my student midwife about EC and you guys.. hehe she's going to look it up
:yelclap:

[futureherder]

That is really great :thumbsup: the more information about it the better. I would have done it much earlier if I had known more about it and not just seen people holding their tiny NBs over a bucket :no::laughing:

Last night was okay, DD was running around without nappy but seemed a little insecure so lots of hugs.

We got side tracked looking in some bags (she was already squating) and she did a wee so we missed that one and there were no signs...I think the squating just sort of set it off...cant wait to try the bucket after naps.

Oh there is something I was going to ask...do you have enough time to take bubs pants off then nappy off then get in to position for wees when bubs wakes up? did you adjust what you put bubs to bed in?

[korfire]

The nappies I use have snap buttons so they are easy to get off. I sometimes have bub in baby legs (little leg warmers I got off the BBH site). So you just have to remove the nappy.

But mainly I have just let bub wear the same clothes. I try not to do everything too quick. I keep it pretty calm and talk to her about what we are doing when she wakes up. It's just a normal part of our routine now. I don't want to have to stress or get frantic.

I have some good news though from today. DH managed to notice her squirming and making a few toot toot sounds on the mat today. He got her onto the potty and was talking to her and making sounds with his mouth and she did a poo for him.

It's going well. I don't plan on going full time. But it's really wonderful getting to know her so well.

[1st for Jess]

Hey Kor,

Glad to hear it's going so well.
Just wanted to know what kind of potty you bought. No idea where/what to start looking for in them. And do you get a different one for boys than girls?

Have you used anything other than the potty as well?

Loving the updates! :yelclap:

[korfire]

I went to a baby market and got a little girl potty for $1. I had a boy one at home but I noticed the girls ones are a little different and smaller.

Fits on the change table it's so small so I always have it there ready to go and my back up one in the loungeroom.

Only other thing I've used is old towels on my lap when I'm feeding.

Really looking forward to summer as I think it will be a lot easier with less clothes etc.

[1st for Jess]

Hey Ladies!

Just thought I'd check in and see how your going..

Couple of questions for you too:
- How old are your bubbas?
- Would you start trying to incorporate EC from newborn age (like day 1)? A few weeks, a month..?
- Have you told people you are doing EC? What have their reactions been?
- Have you been using a toilet at all? Basin? Potty?
- Do you use EC when you're out and about or just at home for now?

Hope the journey is going well and getting easier for you and bubs.

Cheers
J

[korfire]

Would you start trying to incorporate EC from newborn age (like day 1)? A few weeks, a month..?
- Have you told people you are doing EC? What have their reactions been?
- Have you been using a toilet at all? Basin? Potty?
- Do you use EC when you're out and about or just at home for now?

I would have started from day one if I known how easy it is. The thing is, you don't have to be able to do it every time, you just have to try. Don't force it into your routine, just do it when you can.

People think it's weird, but hey I thought it was insane before I tried it. But I didn't really understand the history of it all and now I feel a bit silly because it has been around for so long.

People think I'm weird for doing cloth nappies too but hey I'm trying to save some of our environment and I really have learnt so much about how bad it is to use disposables against babies skin...bad..bad chemicals (wish I had a cloth nappy mentor yrs ago).

I feel so empowered and happy because I really understand my child. I find that because I am always concentrating on her ec needs I am doing the same with all of her other needs. She is so content and is learning at such a fast pace. Other mothers are really picking up on it too.

I ony do ec when I am at home.

[1st for Jess]

Thought this thread may be of interest to some of you http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=196792

Very similar to this one but a few more stories being shared. It was started in 08 and a few people have updated their story each year.

[MellieMJ]

Hi all,

Thanks for linking the two threads 1st for Jess.

To answer your questions -
>How old are your bubbas? 5 weeks old

>- Would you start trying to incorporate EC from newborn age (like day 1)? A few weeks, a month..?
I'd start as soon as possible - we started at 2 weeks after I'd recovered enough from the emerg c/s and had the hang of breastfeeding. Mind you, it did actually help breastfeeding because he was needing to toilet and popping on and off, falling asleep or wriggling (his signs) and once I'd realised it made feeding him much easier.

>- Have you told people you are doing EC? What have their reactions been?
I've told my parents and in laws - mum is from Hong Kong so has heard of it before and thinks it's great - thinks DS is so clever! And the in laws have been interested but never heard of it before - and encouraging.
I've discussed with a friend who has an 8 month old who was already thinking of starting to toilet her little one (but thought it was too early) as she knows when she needs to go - she just hasn't heard of 'EC'.


>- Have you been using a toilet at all? Basin? Potty?
We've been using all three - I bought a little potty which is great from thepottyshop.com?.au, however he goes in all three - just needs to be put in the position. I haven't needed to cue for a week or so now.

>- Do you use EC when you're out and about or just at home for now?
I haven't been out so much - but have toiletted him at my parent's house. Will see how we go in the future - Mum's already bought me a foldable potty! (mothercare)

Cheers,

M

[korfire]

That's great Melly. you sound like you are doing really well.

Have you looked at the tribal baby site? It's really good.

[MellieMJ]

I joined the tribal baby site while still pregnant - but thanks for the reminder to re-read the 7 steps now - now that I actually have a baby to try it out on!

how old is your little one, Korfire? how is it all going?

I've bought the book (from thepottyshop.com.au) 'infant potty training' by laurie boucke a great read. It does emphasise that it should all be a positive, not stressful experience and to do what you can - it is more about the COMMUNICATION than the ELIMINATION.

We're not co-sleeping so I do the EC around feeds, and during the day when I hear him stir. I've just purchased a hugabub so it should be delivered next week - i plan to try baby wearing to see if i can pick up some more cues with him during the day.

1st for Jess -
We don't 'catch' every time - far from it! I don't find that we have reduced our nappy use yet - although he sometimes wakes up with a dry nappy, he is sometimes tooooo hungry to want to pee first. I have spent some time observing and writing down the times he pees/poos/burps etc, particularly around feeding time, and when he stirs he can sometimes go from fast asleep to crying for a feed in an instant - and gets too distressed on the potty as his main concern is the feed.
However, I am getting better at 'knowing' that he'll need to pee and/or poo around that feed and try my best to give him time before he's ready to do this. This means offering a 'pottytunity' (potty opportunity!) between sides of the feed, when he falls asleep between sides and when he squirms. I usually try burping first as that is the easiest! We have been trying day feeds (and some night feeds) with the nappy off - i take it off gently while he's feeding - and have a prefold around him and towels under him to try and catch any misses...although we did miss a poo and wee at 4am today and all i could do was laugh (quietly)! At least he missed the carpet. :0) He often does 2 wees and 3 poos each feed! I might not catch all of these- and therefore we haven't managed to reduce the number of nappies really, but that's not why we're doing it at the moment.

I also sing to him while he's on the potty - to relax him - sometimes he starts crying when on it (even though i made a fleece potty cover so the 'seat' isn't cold!) but settles very quickly when I distract him and he goes. Sometimes when he doesn't want to go he arches his back so i take him off. It used to be easier to tell that he was doing a poo - he would grunt - but now he grunts if he doesn't want to be on the potty! Apparently signals change!

Hope this helps you in your EC journey - with knowing what we're trying!

You also might consider joining the OZNF (OZ nappy free) yahoo group - some helpful discussions there as well, like here.

M

[1st for Jess]

Thanks girls.
I'm sure I'll be re-reading this entire thread once I have a baby and that all your hints, tips and advice will be much appreciated!
Thanks for sharing all your successes.

[1st for Jess]

Hi All, hope all is going well.

Have any of you heard of this? http://www.3daypottytraining.com/

I just had a quick read and it doesn't sound like it would be a suitable thing for newborns/young babies. But was wondering if anyone has read more and can tell me if it has some similar principles...

Any new triumphs to share?

[MellieMJ]

Hi 1st for Jess,
Haven't heard of that 3 day training and although not sure exactly how it works, the similarities in it sound like the positive encouragement - EC is not about any negative connotations or pressure - it is about the positive communication.
Hope all is going well with the end of your pregnancy - you must be due soon? Enjoy it all and good luck!

M

[PA80]

:wave: Hi Ladies, hope you don't mind me popping in, I have just today stumbled across EC..... never heard of it before!
I can't believe that this practice hasn't caught on in Western Society.... it makes sense to me, and I would consider myself fairly 'traditional'.
I am currently TTC #2, after DS was stillborn last year. During that pregnancy I was sure I was going to use disposables, hadn't even heard of MCN's at that point. So today started checking out MCN's and found EC!

This thread is great, I hope it continues :yes:
Has anyone attempted it with twins? Would this be impossible?

Good luck & well done on your efforts so far... I look forward to following this thread and learning more about EC.

[1st for Jess]

I've been meaning to post in here for the last week or so!
Hi All :wave:

So bubs is finally here yah! A little girl who is now 6weeks old :eek:
We definitely know how poo look but have yet to do anything about it. We're still getting used to exactly what to do with a baby and the world of MCN's. I do feel like if we don't get started with the ECing soon then it won't happen. But I'm not quite sure how to get started.... Help?

We don't have a potty or anything and she doesn't like nudey time.

[MellieMJ]

PA80 - welcome! If you're interested in learning more there's a great yahoo group you can join - OZNF (oz nappy free) which has lots of advice (and questions) on EC and all things related. Good luck with TTC # 2, I can't imagine what you went through with Austin.
I would definitely think you could do it with twins. You'd potentially have separate times for nappy free times so you could watch one at a time and learn their cues separately. It would obviously be more to juggle, but with partners helping and not taking it too seriously, then it would be possible.

Jess - Congratulations!! What did you name your little girl?
I bought a little potty off thepottyshop.com.au but that didn't last long because DS grew very quickly. You could use a bucket, the sink, the shower, the garden...etc!
Re: Nappy free time - maybe it's too cold? Google noonee wilga. She sells wrap fleece skirts which keep bub warm without wearing a nappy. You could of course make your own, or fashion one from some fleece. I had DS in legwarmers when not in a nappy. Don't stress too much about it, maybe just keep the nappy free time short - maybe 10 minutes here and there? Watch for cues just before she eliminates and go from there!

I also started with pottying over the loo/over the bath straight after DS woke. Also straight after a feed. Take note of when she goes, even in her nappy, and then start trying to offer the potty (or bucket or whatever you choose!) at these times. I was so amazed and excited after the first catch!:cheerleader2:

Good luck! And consider joining the OZNF group, there's lots of discussion and lots of advice.

Cheers

Melissa




Check out: http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/ec-positions.html
which shows different ways to support bub while she goes.

[Busy Bee]

Hi guys, I am really interested in this and am just subscribing. Great to see you are all doing well!