Did you know that you can help your baby to use the potty from birth?
It might sound surprising, but babies are capable of sensing when they need to wee or poo right from the start. By around six months, they can also communicate that they need to go and respond to cues.
The idea might be new to you, since nappies use is so normalised that we often think nappies are the only option. But nappies, which are designed to feel dry, make it harder for babies to recognise when they have done a wee or poo and this delays their natural development. Giving your baby the opportunity to also use a potty can help them stay connected to their body’s signals, making it easier when the time comes to prepare them for independence.
In fact, research shows that becoming fully toilet-independent involves learning around 40 skills! The gentlest, most effective way to help your child is to introduce them to the potty from the start, alongside nappy use.
Read about the life-changing magic of baby potty learning
What is Baby Potty learning?
Also known as Elimination Communication, EC, baby pottying, potty whispering, infant toileting, baby-led potty training or natural infant hygiene.
It is the centuries-old practice of learning your baby’s signals or natural timing to recognise when they need to wee or poo, then holding them over a toilet or potty rather than using a nappy. Before 70 years ago (when disposable nappies were invented) the majority of parents helped their baby to use a potty from when they could sit up, so they could stop using (and washing) nappies sooner.
10 reasons to try baby potty learning
What are babies capable of at different ages and stages?
What resources are available to help me?
You can learn about Baby Potty Learning from Rebecca’s first book, The Baby Pottying Guide or explore the products she has created to help you succeed with your potty catches.
You can also explore answers to our frequently asked questions about Baby Pottying.
Blogs about Baby Potty Learning
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The Dirty Secret Nappy Companies Don’t Want You To Know
Most of us with babies reach for a nappy without thinking. But what did people do before nappies? Nurse Rebecca Mottram helps you to find out what your favourite nappy brand isn’t telling you about the impact of using nappies, and what to do about it.
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What’s the best nappy for baby pottying?
When you want to help your baby use a potty, the kind of nappy you use can make or break your success. That’s because when you baby needs to go potty, speed is the essence of success. Read on to find out which nappy system is best for pottying and why.
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Part time pottying or part-time nappy use?
Most parents choose to practise infant pottying (EC/elimination communication) part-time, using nappies as ‘backup’ and offering the potty when they think baby needs it. In this article, I want to draw attention to the importance of nappy-off time as part of infant pottying, as well as considering how we may think of this unique parenting…