ELIMINATION COMMUNICATION AND REUSABLE NAPPIES

BY STEPH ELLIOTT, FOUNDER OF BABYPOTTYING.CO.UK

What is Elimination Communication (EC)?

Elimination Communication (EC), or Baby Pottying, is a gentle, natural approach to toileting that involves responding to your baby’s signals when they need to go. Babies are born with a primal instinct to communicate their elimination needs, in the same way they communicate hunger and tiredness. Whether that’s through crying, wriggling, or going still all of a sudden, our babies let us know when they need something.

With EC, you can offer the potty (sometimes called a "pottytunity") throughout the day, right from birth. Nappies are still used, but they’re treated as a back-up rather than a full-time toilet. The aim isn’t perfection–it’s about connection, communication, and learning together. Over time, you build on the innate skills babies are born with and avoid the challenge of re-training them to go on the potty rather than their nappy.

How Reusable (Cloth) Nappies Encourage Potty Awareness

Disposable nappies are designed for maximum absorbency and to give babies the sense of being dry. And whilst that offers convenience, wicking away any feeling of wetness reduces babies’ bodily awareness of when they eliminate.

Cloth nappies, on the other hand, come in a variety of materials and absorbencies, making them the perfect tool for practising EC. This allows you to decide how much wetness your baby feels and how quickly the nappy dries. That subtle feedback helps babies tune in to their natural signals, supporting their communication and learning.

The Surprising Way EC Simplifies Cloth Nappy Life

Without EC, using cloth nappies can feel more time-consuming due to frequent washing and concerns about leaks. Disposable nappies, by comparison, often feel more convenient because they minimise clean-up.

Practising EC can significantly reduce the number of wet and soiled nappies, making clean-up quicker and simpler. With fewer poos in nappies, a quick potty rinse replaces lengthy washing saving time and effort. Not to mention it also helps keep the baby’s skin cleaner and more comfortable.

Which Products Best Support EC?

Every family will find their own preferences but a few basic EC principles will help your choice:

• Easy on and off: Since you’ll be giving your baby regular pottytunities, nappies that are easy to pull up and down will be a lifesaver. Thanks to Little Lovebum’s stretchy waterproof covers and popper system, you can easily pull the nappy up and down without removing the entire nappy.

• Quick changes: You’ll want to reinforce the principle that the nappy is not a toilet. When your baby wees in the nappy, change to a dry liner to support the idea that a wet nappy is undesirable. This makes Little Lovebum’s Snap & Wrap Cloth Nappy Covers (or the downsized Newborn version), used in combination with an Organic Cotton Liner ideal–you can simply pop in a new liner after a nappy wee while the wrap stays dry.

• Nighttime EC: Whether or not you choose to practice EC at night will influence your nappy choice. Little Lovebum offers a specialised, highly absorbent nighttime nappy which is perfect if you prefer not to potty at night. If you do decide to potty at night, you’ll want to balance absorbency with ease of pulling the nappy up and down. A good approach is to use a Snap & Wrap Cover with a Hemp Fitted Cloth Nappy, and an additional Bamboo Booster closest to your baby’s skin for extra absorbency.

• Minimise mess: Part of successful EC is creating an environment where accidents are easy to manage. Little Lovebum’s Grow With Me Mat is perfect for this principle: it protects surfaces from spills and wees, making clean-ups simple. It’s ideal for nappy-free time and provides extra protection under the potty or on the mattress at night.

For more information on EC, head over to BabyPottying.co.uk for expert tips, guides, and resources to help you and your baby get started.