⭐ Start Here
The simplest possible way to begin today
What is EC in One Paragraph?
Elimination Communication means responding to your baby's need to pee and poop — the same way you respond to hunger and sleep. You hold baby over a sink, potty, or toilet, make a cue sound ("psss"), and let them go. The diaper becomes a backup, not a full-time toilet. It's not potty training. It's communication. Babies are born with sphincter control and a strong instinct not to soil themselves. You're just listening and helping.
The 4 Easy Catches
Don't try to catch everything. Start with the four moments that give you the highest success rate with the least effort:
- Wake-ups — When Eliana starts wriggling awake, hold her over the sink and cue "psss." The hormone that suppresses peeing during sleep (ADH/vasopressin) wears off as she wakes. She will need to pee.
- Poops — You can usually tell: bearing down, grimacing, turning red, grunting, going still. Say "stop," remove the diaper, catch the rest.
- Diaper changes — Every time you change her, offer a quick pottytunity first. Even if the diaper is already wet.
- Transitions — Before/after the car seat, carrier, bath, or stroller. Babies tend to hold it during movement and release when taken out.
Tomorrow Morning Checklist
Try just one thing tomorrow — the morning wake-up catch:
The Baby Care Cycle
EC fits into what Andrea calls the baby care cycle. It's not a separate thing you're adding — it's woven into what you're already doing:
Key Mindset Shifts
- The diaper is a backup, not a full-time potty. That one mental shift changes everything.
- No perfection. Part-time EC works beautifully. Even "spirit of EC" (just being aware of when she goes) counts.
- "Catches" and "misses" are both data. No judgment. A miss teaches you timing.
- Babies don't hold it until it hurts. They'll release. You can't cause harm by offering.
- This is what humans have done for hundreds of thousands of years. Diapers are about 60 years old. EC is ancient.
What is EC?
Communication, not training
EC is Two-Way Communication
Elimination Communication is exactly what it sounds like: communicating with your baby about their need to eliminate. Just like you respond to hunger cues and sleep cues, you respond to potty cues. You hold them in position, make a sound, and let them go somewhere other than their diaper.
Andrea Olson puts it simply: pretend like I'm sitting in your living room with you and we're talking about this one-on-one, heart to heart. That's the energy of EC — it's personal, intuitive, and low-pressure.
The Diaper is a Backup
This is the single most important mindset shift. In EC, the diaper is not a full-time toilet. It's a backup for when:
- You're too tired (and you will be)
- You're driving or it's not convenient
- You missed the signal
- Baby isn't feeling it right now
- You just don't want to in this moment
EC doesn't mean no diapers. It means the diaper is a tool, not the default destination.
Babies Have Sphincter Control From Birth
Contrary to what many pediatricians say, babies are born with sphincter control. They are not incontinent. They have a smaller bladder, yes, but they can and do hold their pee and poop — especially during sleep and when being held.
All mammals are born with the instinct not to soil themselves or their "den." In the wild, a baby would wriggle in the sling, the caregiver would hold them away, they'd go, and back in the sling. This has been the norm for all of human history. Diapers as full-time potties are a very recent invention.
The Science: ADH Hormone
Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin, suppresses urine production during sleep. As baby wakes and starts wriggling, ADH wears off and the bladder fills rapidly. This is why the wake-up catch is so reliable — it's biology, not luck.
Same thing happens to you: when you wake up, you need to pee. Babies are no different, just smaller.
The Instinct is Ancient
For all of human history, humans didn't soil their dens. Babies were carried in slings and taken out to eliminate. The instinct to signal "I need to go" is hardwired. In the first few months (the "fourth trimester"), this signaling is loud and clear. By 4-5 months, babies who aren't responded to often stop signaling — they learn that nobody's listening.
The Full Spectrum of EC
There's no "right" amount of EC. It's a spectrum:
- Spirit of EC: Just being aware of when baby eliminates. Talking about it. No catches required.
- Super part-time: Catching just the poops. Saves cleanup and is very instinctual.
- Part-time: Catching wake-ups, transitions, and obvious signals. A few catches a day.
- Regular: Offering at most natural opportunities throughout the day.
- Full-time: Responding to most signals and timing cues. Still using backup diapers.
No Perfection, Only Learning
Andrea is emphatic about this: you can never be perfect with EC, and if you try, it will backfire. Every miss is data. Every catch is a win. The goal isn't a catch rate — it's communication and connection.
The deeper benefit of EC isn't fewer diapers (though that's nice). It's that you learn your baby on a level that's impossible if you're not tuning in to their elimination needs. You become fluent in a whole additional channel of communication.
The 4 Roads to Potty Time
Four ways to know when baby needs to go
Andrea's framework gives you four different "roads" to knowing when to offer the potty. You don't need all four. Even one road is enough. Most parents use a combination, and the mix changes as baby grows.
Signals — Baby's Body Language
Your baby communicates elimination needs through physical cues. Common newborn signals include:
- Squirming or wriggling — especially when waking
- Fussing or a specific cry — not hungry, not tired, just uncomfortable
- Bearing down, grimacing, going red — usually poop
- Going very still — some babies freeze right before going
- Pulling off the breast — suddenly can't stay latched despite being hungry
- Passing gas — almost always means pee or poop is coming
- A specific "heh" or "eairh" cry — see Dunstan Baby Language for discomfort/gas sounds
What If You Can't Read Signals?
That's completely normal, especially early on. Andrea is clear: signals are only one of four roads. Many babies signal strongly; some are more subtle. If you can't tell a potty cry from a hungry cry yet, use the other three roads instead.
As you practice, signal recognition develops naturally. You'll start noticing patterns — "oh, she always does that little squirm before she pees." It builds over weeks, not days.
Natural Timing — Baby's Personal Rhythm
Every baby has their own rhythm. Through observation (naked or not), you'll discover patterns like:
- She pees 10 minutes after feeding
- She poops within 5 minutes of the morning nurse
- She pees again 15-20 minutes after the first pee
You can discover natural timing through naked observation (laid on a waterproof pad, watching and logging). Or you can just pay attention during diaper changes over a few days and start to notice the rhythm.
Generic Timing — Universal Patterns
These are times that most babies need to go, regardless of individual rhythm:
- Upon waking from any sleep (ADH wearing off)
- During or right after feeding
- At every diaper change
- At transitions: in/out of car seat, carrier, bath, stroller
- After periods of being held or contained
This is the most reliable road for beginners because it requires zero signal reading — just offer at predictable times.
Intuition — Your Gut Feeling
Sometimes you'll just think about it. A random thought crosses your mind: "I wonder if she needs to go." Andrea says: act on it. That thought is often right.
Intuition strengthens with practice. The more you tune in, the more reliable these nudges become. Trust them. Even if you're wrong, you've only spent 30 seconds offering.
How the Roads Work Together
Early weeks
- Lean on Generic Timing (wake-ups, transitions)
- Watch for obvious signals (bearing down, fussing)
- Build intuition naturally
Over time
- Natural timing gets clearer
- Signals become familiar
- Intuition sharpens
- You blend all four
Getting Started
Positions, cueing, and the simplest start
Wake → Potty → Nurse
Andrea taught her friend Nicole this exact method when Nicole's baby was two weeks old. It's the simplest, lowest-effort way to begin:
- Baby begins to shift and wriggle awake — the ADH hormone is wearing off, bladder is filling
- Hold baby in position over the sink — make the cue sound ("pssss")
- No naked observation needed. Just catch what comes.
- Then breastfeed — you've established the pattern: bathroom first, then eat
While she's going, make the cue sound ("psss" for pee, gentle grunt for poop). This builds the sound association during the act itself. Over time, the sound becomes a trigger — she'll hear it and know it's time to release.
If She Wants to Nurse First
Sometimes they're too hungry to potty first. That's fine. Options:
- Nurse her over a pad or the top hat potty (you'll feel/see if she goes)
- Nurse first, and when she pops off the breast, take her to potty, then finish nursing after
- Nurse fully, then offer potty at the first fuss after feeding
Popping off the breast is often a signal — if she's hungry but keeps unlatching, she probably needs to pee or poop first.
How to Hold a Newborn
Andrea demonstrates several positions. Try them and see what Eliana prefers:
🏛 Classic Hold
Baby's back against your chest. Support her thighs with your hands, holding them in a relaxed deep squat. Aim over the sink, potty, or toilet. This is the most common EC position.
🤱 Cradled Classic
Baby in the crook of your arm (like nursing position). One hand holds one thigh, the other hand holds the other thigh. Point and aim into the potty or sink. Great for newborns who like feeling cozy.
⬇️ Bottom-Back
Set baby's feet on a solid surface (your hand, the edge of a counter), and gently push their bottom back slightly. They pee straight down. Andrea used this with her first son who didn't like being held in other positions.
🎩 Top Hat Potty
A small potty held between your legs on the floor or bed. Baby sits on it (with a cozy liner so it's warm), and you support them. Great for floor sitting, in bed, and especially in the car before/after the car seat.
Cueing: "Psss" and Grunting
The cue is a Pavlovian association. Here's how to build it:
- For pee: Make a soft "psssss" sound (like running water)
- For poop: Make a gentle grunting sound (they can feel your diaphragm when held against your body, which helps them bear down too)
How to build it: Make the cue while she's already going. Over days and weeks, the association strengthens. Eventually you can cue first and she'll release in response. But start by pairing the sound with the act, not the other way around.
You can also try running water in the sink — the sound of water helps some babies relax and release.
Naked Observation (Optional)
You do not need to do naked observation. The simplest start (wake → potty → nurse) works without it. But if you want to learn Eliana's natural timing and signals more precisely, here's how:
- Lay her naked on a waterproof pad (a Cushie pad or wool soaker + cotton prefold)
- Start right after a feed or a wake-up
- Use Andrea's observation log: note the time, whether she peed/pooped, and any signals you noticed beforehand
- Make the cue sound ("psss") every time you see her peeing — this builds the sound association
- You'll quickly learn: how often she pees after feeding, what her pre-pee body language looks like, and her natural intervals
How Long to Hold Her
Hold for about 1-2 minutes. If nothing happens, that's fine. You can ask "all finished?" and if nothing comes, put the diaper back on. No pressure. No force. You're offering an opportunity, not making a demand.
If she's clearly uncomfortable or crying hard, switch to the cradled position or just stop. Try again next time. This should never feel like a struggle.
The 10 Pottytunities
The core concept — when to offer the potty
A "pottytunity" is Andrea's term for a natural opportunity to offer the potty. These are the 10 most reliable times that newborns need to eliminate. You don't need to offer at all 10 — pick the ones that fit your day. Even using 2-3 of these consistently builds the EC pattern.
Every Wake-Up
The #1 most reliable pottytunity. When baby starts to wriggle and shift from sleep, the ADH hormone is wearing off and the bladder fills rapidly. Catch the very first stirring — before crying, before she's fully awake. Hold in position, cue "psss," and she'll almost certainly go.
This includes wake-ups from naps, not just morning.
Popping Off the Breast or Bottle
If baby keeps unlatching despite being hungry, it's often because she needs to pee or poop. She can't stay latched because her body is asking her to eliminate first. Take her to potty, then return to finish the feed. You'll often get a much better, longer feed afterwards.
When You Know They Usually Go (Natural Timing)
Through observation, you'll learn her rhythm: "She usually pees about 10 minutes after a feed" or "She poops after the morning nurse." Once you've noticed a pattern, you can preemptively offer at those times. Useful when you need to leave the house — potty her at the timing you know, and go.
The First Fuss After Feeding
After a good feed, if baby fusses and it's clearly not hunger (she just ate), offer the potty. This first fuss is often the body's signal that feeding has stimulated the gastro-colic reflex and elimination is imminent.
The Next Non-Tired Fuss
After the first post-feeding potty, if she fusses again 10-20 minutes later and she's not yawning or showing sleep cues — offer again. This one is optional if you're doing part-time, but it catches a lot of second pees.
When They Bear Down, Push, or Grimace
The poop face. You know it: turning red, grimacing, going quiet, pushing. When you see it start, say "stop" (gently), remove the diaper, and catch the rest where it belongs. Over time, she'll learn to wait for you and consolidate her poops.
Tip: What looks like a smile in early weeks is often a push. Red face = poop incoming.
When They Fart
Short and sweet: a fart often means a pee or poop is right behind it. Andrea calls this "always, always reliable." If she farts, offer the potty.
At Transition Times
Any time baby moves from one context to another:
- Before and after the car seat
- Before and after a baby carrier
- Before and after the bath
- Before going for a walk
Babies tend to hold it when contained and release when freed. The transition out is a prime pottytunity.
At Every Diaper Change — Even When Wet
Even if the diaper is already wet, offer the potty during the change. Andrea learned this the hard way when she took off a wet diaper, turned away, and stepped in a fresh puddle. Babies often pee in stages. The wet diaper doesn't mean they're done.
Every Non-Hungry, Non-Sleepy Fuss
If you follow the baby care cycle (wake → potty → feed → play → potty → sleep), you'll develop a sense of whether a fuss is hunger, tiredness, or something else. When it's clearly neither hungry nor tired: it's probably a potty need. The "Heh" (discomfort) and "Eairh" (gas) cries from Dunstan Baby Language are good clues.
Night & Outings
EC while co-sleeping and on the go
How Nighttime EC Works
At night, Eliana will wake every 2-5 hours to nurse. Each wake-up is also a pottytunity. The ADH hormone wears off as she stirs, so the pattern is the same as daytime wake-ups.
Andrea's nighttime routine with her co-sleeping newborn:
- Baby starts wriggling (the signal — before full crying)
- Remove pants/diaper
- Hold over the top hat potty between your legs in bed
- Cue "psss"
- Nurse back to sleep after
- Repeat at next wake-up
Nighttime Setup Options
- Top hat potty between your legs in bed — Andrea's preferred method. Quick, minimal disruption. Baby can even face you once they have some neck control.
- Shallow container next to bed — Some parents keep a small basin bedside and point-and-shoot without getting up.
- Walk to bathroom sink — Works but may wake baby more. Top hat in bed is gentler.
- Soaker pad under baby — If you co-sleep on a waterproof surface with a soaker pad, missed signals aren't a crisis.
Nighttime Backup is Fine
Andrea uses a backup diaper at night because:
- It gives baby something to "resist against" (proprioceptive feedback)
- It protects the bed
- It doesn't teach baby to "pee wherever whenever"
- Missed catches at 3am are totally normal and expected
Early Morning Switch
Andrea notes that in the very early morning (5-6am), some babies want to nurse first before pottying. That's fine — switch the order. Nurse first, then potty, then back to sleep. Flexibility is key at night. Follow baby's lead.
EC On the Go
The golden rule for outings: potty before and after transitions.
- Before putting in car seat: Offer pottytunity. Baby will often hold it while contained.
- After taking out of car seat: Immediately offer. They've been holding it.
- Same for carriers, strollers, and wraps.
Practical Outing Tips
- Potty in the car using the top hat potty before you drive
- Carry a wet/dry bag for any misses
- Family restrooms and changing stations work fine for EC holds over a toilet
- Disposable diapers are great backup for outings (less bulk, easier cleanup)
- Don't stress about catches while out. Outings are "backup diaper time" if you want.
- The transition pottytunity (in/out of car seat) alone will catch a lot
Troubleshooting
Common challenges and what to do about them
Crying While Being Pottied
Some babies cry every time they're held in potty position. Andrea says several of her own babies did this. It doesn't mean it hurts — the sensation just feels new and strange to them.
What to do:
- Try the cradled classic position instead of the classic hold — feels cozier
- Run water in the sink — the sound helps them relax
- Hold and cue calmly, don't rush
- For boys, gently touching the tip can signal "it's okay to go"
- This usually resolves by a couple months old
Guilt
Andrea's message on guilt: Do not feel it. Do not let yourself go there.
- There is no perfection in parenting. There is no perfection in EC.
- People who do EC very, very part-time — even "lazy" about it — still often don't have to potty train later.
- A missed catch isn't a failure. It's just information.
- If things aren't going well, it's okay to take a break and come back to it.
Pees a Few Minutes After You Put the Diaper Back On
Frustrating but normal. Possible reasons:
- You didn't wait quite long enough (try holding 30 seconds more)
- Baby pees in stages — the first pee was small, but more was coming
- Natural timing is slightly off from what you expected
Fix: Ask "all finished?" and wait a beat before re-diapering. Or do a quick naked observation session to recalibrate her timing. And remember — this is data, not failure.
Potty Pauses
Around 4-5 months, many babies go through a "potty pause" — they temporarily stop signaling or resist being held in position. This is developmental, not a regression.
- It often coincides with a developmental leap (rolling, reaching, new awareness)
- Keep offering at easy catches (wake-ups, transitions)
- Don't force it. Back off and try again in a week or two.
- The pause is temporary. EC usually resumes smoothy once the leap passes.
Resistance to Being Held
Some babies don't like the classic hold. Options:
- Try the cradled classic (arm cradle) — more secure feeling
- Try the bottom-back position — feet on solid surface, bottom pushed gently back
- Try the top hat potty on the floor — baby sits on it, you support from behind
- Some babies prefer facing you (once they have neck control) on a mini potty
Every baby has position preferences. Experiment in the first few weeks and you'll find what works.
Stopped Signaling
If baby was signaling and stopped, it usually means one of:
- Developmental leap — brain is busy with new skills, signaling takes a back seat
- Signals changed — they may have developed a new signal you haven't recognized yet
- Over-reliance on timing — you've been catching on timing alone, so baby stopped bothering to signal
Fix: Do a naked observation session. Watch for new signals. Slow down and let baby lead for a few days. Signals usually return.
Floor Peeing During Observation
This is literally the point of naked observation — baby pees, you see it happen, you make the cue sound. The "mess" is the data. Use a waterproof pad (Cushie pads or a wool soaker with cotton prefold on top) to keep it contained.
The goal of observation isn't to catch — it's to learn. Every floor pee teaches you something about timing and signals.
Won't Eat or Pee but Seems to Need Both
Sometimes they're caught between needs. They're hungry but also need to pee, so they can't settle into either.
- Try pottying first — even 30 seconds. If nothing comes, nurse.
- If they keep popping off the breast, stop nursing, potty, then resume.
- If truly stuck: nurse over a pad or top hat potty. Let it sort itself out.
Dealing with Naysayers
People will question EC. "Isn't she too young?" "That's not possible." "You're crazy."
Andrea's advice: you don't need to convince anyone. This is between you and your baby. People who see it in action usually come around. And remember — this is what every human did for hundreds of thousands of years. Diapers as full-time toilets are a ~60 year experiment.
Diaper Rash
EC actually reduces diaper rash because baby spends less time sitting in waste. But when it happens:
- Use a good bottom balm (Andrea recommends Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm with calendula gel)
- Dry thoroughly with a cloth wipe before applying balm
- Naked time on a waterproof pad helps — air is the best healer
- Consider if a diaper type is causing irritation
Gear & Dressing
What you actually need (less than you think)
The Absolute Essentials
All you need to start EC is:
- A sink (or toilet, or any receptacle)
- Your baby
- Whatever clothes and diapers you already have
That's it. Everything else below is helpful but optional.
Top Hat Potty
A small, low potty shaped like a top hat. Andrea calls it "invaluable," especially for:
- Pottying between your legs on the floor or bed
- Nighttime EC (hold between legs in bed, no need to get up)
- Pottying in the car before/after the car seat
- Once baby can sit with support, they can sit on it themselves
Diapers (Yes, You Still Use Them)
EC doesn't mean no diapers. Your diaper strategy:
- Newborn stage (now): Disposables are totally fine. Andrea uses Seventh Generation disposables for newborns because they fit better on tiny babies. Her babies don't like to pee in them (which helps signaling!). She reuses dry ones throughout the day.
- Later (4-5+ months): Transition to cloth if you want — babies are bigger, poops are more consolidated, fewer "wet farts" and tiny stains.
- Cloth option: Prefold inserts in a cover (like Bum Genius). Andrea sews a quick fold for her easy diaper setup described in the book.
Nice-to-Have Gear
- Cushie pads — Waterproof pads with cloth on top, peel on back. Perfect for naked observation, diaper changes, and placing under baby anywhere. Baby can pee on them and it stays contained.
- Wet/dry bag — Two compartments: one for wet/soiled items, one for clean. Essential for cloth diapering and outings. Andrea sells them at godiaperfree.com.
- Wipes warmer — Warm wipes are much kinder at 3am. Old-school style with thinner wipes works best for EC because you're not cleaning up blowouts.
- Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm — Calendula gel, great for preventing diaper rash. Dry with a cloth wipe first, then apply.
- Cloth wipes (Thirsties brand) — For drying after using wet wipes. Keeps skin dry and prevents rash.
- Soaker pad (wool) — For the bed during co-sleeping. Cotton prefold on top. Absorbs any misses without soaking through.
How to Dress Baby for EC
The goal: quick diaper access. Every second counts when you see the signal.
- Best: Leg warmers + diaper (or just a diaper). Fastest access possible.
- Good: Snap-bottom onesies (snaps, not zippers). Unsnap from the bottom.
- Good: Two-piece outfits — pull down the pants, no top removal needed.
- Avoid: Zippers that require full undressing. Rompers with complicated closures. Anything that makes a 10-second potty opportunity take 60 seconds.
- Split-crotch pants: Exist for EC. Open at the crotch for instant access. Useful at home.
At home, less clothing is easier. When going out, prioritize snap-bottom access.
Go Diaper Free by Andrea Olson
Andrea's comprehensive book covering the full EC journey from birth to potty independence. Available in print and audiobook. It covers everything in this guide in much more depth, plus the complete journey beyond the newborn stage.
This is the resource Andrea recommends above everything else — it prepares you for the whole varied journey ahead.
What You Don't Need
- A fancy potty system
- Special EC clothing (regular snapping onesies work fine)
- A perfect setup before starting — start with the sink you already have
- Permission from your pediatrician (though feel free to share!)
- Your partner to be fully on board immediately (they usually come around after seeing catches)