Benefits of Elimination Communication
112 Reasons to EC your baby
(adapted from contributions from members of the Elimination Communication Yahoo!Group)
A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Gradually, then drastically reduces nappy use.
Ends nappy usage earlier than current toilet training trends.
After starting EC, it is very hard to find reasons not to do it
Conventional toilet training starts with learning to "hold it", while EC starts with learning to "let go" - this can make a big difference on a baby's perception of elimination and of life in general.
Contrary to the promises in advertisements, nappies don't keep the baby clean and dry, only their clothes and the environment.
Who would want to wear their toilet?
PARENTING
Parents want the best for their little ones, which means they want to communicate, be responsive and provide excellent hygiene. And because babies and their parents are so closely linked, many of the benefits listed below as benefits for parents are also benefits for the baby.
EC is flexible, with families tailoring it to their specific situation.
Gives parents another tool for responding to and helping their baby. What could be better than to be responsive to your infant's signals and needs?
Helps settle a fussy baby during breastfeeding and at night.
Encourages natural and unique communication, fostering the development of a trusting relationship between parent and child.
The closeness you experience is a wonderful form of bonding.
Fosters closeness between the baby and other caregivers by allowing dad, sibling(s) and other trusted people to bond and communicate with the baby.
Provides more opportunities to hold one's baby.
It is more comfortable to carry a baby not wrapped in a big nappy.
Fosters greater security for the baby - "Mummy and Daddy listen to what I am saying and respond when I need to go."
Protects against practices of "crying it out" - the crying child may have to pee.
Provides an additional, positive response to a crying baby - see if the baby needs to go to the bathroom.
A great explanation of why a baby does not sleep through the night - she sleeps without nappies and wakes to use the potty!
Provides additional support for "extended" breastfeeding - not weaning the baby early will NOT cause the baby to remain in nappies "forever." The baby will be completely "potty trained" long before weaning.
Demonstrates respect for your baby. Many babies cry when they are wet or soiled, but we ignore their signals and communication, teaching them to use a nappy as a toilet, then expecting them to unlearn this behavior later.
Fits with many Attachment Parenting practices as desired by the family.
Can be used in conjunction with carrying your baby in a sling - sling-time increases parent/baby communication and contact, leading to observation of more subtle signals.
You know in advance when your baby is about to reach a new developmental milestone due to increased "misses" that often precede a developmental change.
Provides a way for parents of all walks of life to "make a difference" for the environment.
HEALTH
Provides excellent hygiene for your baby as they are not wearing a toilet.
Prevents irritation from nappy rash and thrush by reducing exposure to chemicals in disposables and keeping bodily waste off the babys skin.
Prevents heat rash from nappies during warm weather.
No need to catheterize a baby for urine sample.
Supports positive views about bodily functions.
Children learn how to urinate on cue which is not only convenient, but can prevent health problems due to holding urine or faeces.
Reduces the incidence of nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) in childhood by encouraging children to be aware of their eliminations from an early age.
Parent can develop a better sense of your child's digestive system, therefore detecting problems and reacting to irritants more quickly.
No need to thoroughly clean the childs most sensitive area multiple times a day. This is bad for the skin, no matter how gentle the cleaning.
May save boys from some infertility problems later ("Scrotal Temperature is Increased in Disposable Plastic Lined Diapers," Archives of Disease in Childhood 83, Oct 2000. from The Politics of Diapers
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/politics.html )
Reduces likelihood that baby will eliminate in the bath or in a swimming pool.
Helps parents overcome any fears/phobias about bodily functions.
Protects baby from germs on public change tables.
ENVIRONMENT
Most parents are conscientious, wanting to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution and cut down on the use of and/or exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. For this reason, the cloth v disposable nappy debate still rages strongly. But EC is the ultimate solution to this argument: Reduce and end the use of nappies as soon as possible. Thats got to be better for the environment! EC has other environmental benefits such as: (Note that some of the benefits for the environment can also be classified as health and sanitation benefits.)
Far less laundry to do, not only in terms of cloth nappies but also in terms of soiled clothing, bedding and towels, as well as rinsing or washing dirty baby bottoms, hands, legs and other body parts.
Reduces waste water pollution and sludge. Water is polluted by laundering cloth nappies and manufacturing disposables. Flushing disposables down the toilet creates tons of sludge every year.
Cuts down on use of fuel and air pollution. If you use disposables, you need to drive to a shop to buy them; if you use a nappy service, someone has to drive to and from your home.
Less contact with urine and faeces. Whichever type of nappy one uses, by reducing and ending use, baby does not have to come into (frequent) contact with urine and faeces.
Disposables
Reduces the use of disposable nappies, a major contributor to landfill. Even biodegradable nappies take a long time to decompose (over 100 years) in a landfill.
Reduces the use of disposable wipes used to clean baby's bottom.
Does not support the manufacture of dioxins, chemical gels, dyes, glues and other toxic chemicals used in the productions of nappies and nappy products.
Reduces use of plastic bags used to individually wrap dirty disposable nappies
Reduces groundwater contamination. Groundwater can become contaminated by viruses carried in the human feces and urine from disposables. Flies and other insects can spread viruses and bacteria.
Saves trees. It takes trees to provide the pulp for disposables, so by reducing/ending disposable nappy use, you cut down on the amount of trees felled for faeces
Less contact with chemical gels, dyes, glues and other synthetic irritants for both baby and caregiver. This can eliminate nappy rash and allergic reactions.
Cloth
Conserves water and reduces the use of detergents used to wash cloth nappies.
Conserves electricity by cutting down the amount of electricity used for washing and drying laundry; to a lesser extent, the same applies if you use a nappy service.
Conserves water and reduces the amount of bleach used in the production of cotton by reducing the amount of nappies needed for the childs nappy stash, especially for sized cloth nappies.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT/CAPABILITIES
Shows that babies have sphincter control from birth, and encourages them to develop muscular and neural control at the earliest moment possible, in line with his or her own natural development
Shows that babies are able to communicate their needs from birth.
Taps into the sensitive period for toilet learning.
Gives the child freedom by letting the baby learn early control (reasonable control starts around 9-12 months) and complete potty training at a relatively young age (around 24 months).
Frees baby from nappy bulk, giving greater movement and making it easier to roll over, crawl, walk and perform other activities at the earliest moment possible.
Allows toddlers to be free to play and explore rather than spending this time potty training.
Provides more opportunities to play in the bathroom mirror.
Gives baby a chance to show how smart she is and how well she can communicate.
An EC child will be more active earlier in pulling up and down his or her pants because of earlier involvement (versus being forced to lie passively on a changing table).
Encourages the use of sign language for enhanced communication with baby.
Babies gain more skills as they grow, so help them gain confidence by starting with what they know and can control.
Teaches older siblings about communicating with the baby and provides them with a practical way to help with baby care.
Helps older siblings develop healthy attitudes about bodily functions.
Eliminates embarrassing "accidents" and bedwetting for toddlers and older children, helping to build their self esteem.
Teaches you healthy skepticism about things "everybody knows," such as "babies have no control..."
FINANCES
One benefit and joy for many parents is the ability to save money on nappies and laundry. It's fun to be a tightwad! And for many, it's a necessity. Whether you are an at-home parent or use EC on a part-time basis, it is a practical and efficient way of handling the disposal issue.
Disposable nappies can cost nearly $3000 for the three years of average nappy usage.
Cloth nappies can cost $1000 for three years of average nappy usage
Reduces the amount of water and detergent used in washing not only cloth nappies but also soiled clothing, bedding and towels.
Reduces the amount of nappies needed from nappy services.
Reduces the amount of use cloth nappies get, making them more likely to last through subsequent children.
HISTORY
People have been doing it for centuries.
You will find out that your grandmother EC'd your mother or father before the "experts" told them what to do about toilet training.
It is used in about 75 countries around the world still today as the traditional infant hygiene method.
CONVENIENCE
Fewer nappies to change.
Far fewer soiled nappies!
It is faster to flush than to lay down, take off, wipe, put on, sit up, etc.
You never have to worry about running out of nappies.
Cuts down on washing.
If you use cloth nappies as backup and your washing machine dies, it's not so much of a problem.
You can travel lighter - no nappies to lug around, so theres more room for baby's clothes.
A baby without nappies fits on your hip much better.
It's rather unlikely you'll have "two in nappies".
How do you change a nappy in a restaurant bathroom (teeny tiny) or an aeroplane toilet anyway?
You don't need to worry about running out of supplies while traveling.
You can take your baby anywhere.
You don't have to find the super leakproof and absorbant nappy. If you are using nappies for backup, almost anything will do - it's just in case and won't have to hold much and not for long.
In hot weather you can have your baby nude, and therefore cooler than if they had to wear a nappy.
HAPPY BABIES, HAPPY PARENTS
A nappy-less baby smells wonderful!
Babies think it is fun.
Wearing underwear is a lot more comfortable than disposables or wet cloth nappies.
The babys genitals are not out of their reach, hidden under a nappy for the first formative years. Even when wearing pants babies can explore their bodies more freely.
You have more freedom to hold your baby, anytime, anywhere, any amount of clothing.
Watering trees outside is fun for baby.
Baby doesn't have to be forced against his/her will to lie still while being changed.
SENSE OF HUMOUR AND FUN
As if we needed another reason to appreciate how clever our babies are...
Pottying is more fun than changing nappies as you can sing and chat to them while they do their business.
Baby bottoms are only tiny for a short time; why cover up the cuteness?
Impress and amaze other people when baby pees or poops in the potty.
Teaches parents how to trust their intuitions (and practice ESP with baby!)
Keeps one humble (on the misses!!!)
A nappy-less baby turns the dullest shopping trip into an adventure in new territory
Creates fond memories of places where baby peed
The misses make funny stories (once you're done cleaning them up).
It's fun to see people's faces when you say that your 18 month-old still nurses but is out of nappies!
EC makes great material for silly nursery rhyme potty songs to sing while baby finishes his business.
Getting peed on by an infant can be funny (the first few times at least!)
Meet great people on EC-mailing lists
Boosts creativity with activities like sewing pants to fit with no nappy or finding the best toilets in town.
DISCIPLINE
Will not have to struggle with conventional potty training later.
Less frustration for parent and child.
Helping baby learn to use the bathroom in infancy avoids inconsistencies with discipline (i.e.: "No, Baby, you are NOT allowed in the bathroom...." then "Hey Toddler, you are REQUIRED to use the bathroom."
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