EC Update 3.0

I thought we were due for another EC update, as my last one was back in July. Of course, I've mentioned it in various posts here and there, but I haven't done a full-on update. So, here we go.

Crawling around, dipe free

Elimination communication is not potty training. It is listening to and watching for signs that your little one needs to go. In Diaper Free Baby, the authors explain that there are part time and full time ECers and I'd say we are somewhere inbetween. When we're home, we EC, when we're out, we try to EC, but aren't always able to. If we're at the homes of friends and family, we generally have more misses, but it's not uncommon for Burkley to use their toilets as well.

Playing nakey

I for sure notice a regression in my ability to read his cues and his desire to sit on the potty when teething is in full-throttle. There's usually a day or two per tooth when the teething is really bad (butt rash, drool, irritability, etc.) that he simply will not sit on the toilet. Our course of action is that I just put him on the toilet when he wakes up in the morning and after every nap. During the day, if we are home, I let him go diaper free and then I take him to the potty approximately every hour or so. This method of EC is called the "timing" method. Rather than waiting for Burkley to show signs of needing to go potty, I just offer him a "pottytunity" because after careful monitoring, I simply haven't been able to learn his cues. Poop, on the other hand, is much easier. When he's diaper free, or even when he does wear a dipe, I can tell he needs to poop because he gets really gassy (don't we all?), heehee. When he's sitting nakey on the hardwood floor fartin' it up, it's particularly hilarious. Then, I take him to the toilet, give a little grunt, and the dude lets loose! Splendid, I know. Additionally, with poop, I know he poops first thing in the morning and then one more time at some point before the afternoon hits. Once it's afternoon, I know we're in the clear for poop and I feel much better about letting him roam dipe free and/or going out, knowing we won't have to be changing any poopy dipes while out and about.

Both of us squealing with delight about his new skivvies

The latest tidbit in our EC journey is that I got him some skivvies! I ordered them from Etsy and they are simply adorable. He likes the lightness and non-bulk of these undies, as I can see by how much more freely he moves around. These skivvies are made in XS size, which is good because most training pants start at size 2T in stores. Plus, these are just cute. There is a little padded liner in there so if he does have a miss, it won't soak through to his clothes.

Overall, EC means less dipes for me to wash, which is better on our water bill, and it means more air time for B's booty. This means less rash/soggy-booty and front parts and more fun play time. I often let him play on a crib pad that is waterproof, but now that he's mobile, it's highly unlikely that he stays on it. I never thought I would be an ECing mama, but I simply love it. I think it's tons of fun to let him go on the toilet and he likes it too. I am not pushing my child to be "potty-trained" or anything like that, I'm just letting him go when he wants to go. If there are times when he wriggles to get off and whines because he doesn't want to go on the toilet, then no big deal! That usually means he doesn't have to go anyway. While I never expected to be an ECer, we all have really enjoyed it!

And, as with anything, there are those in my life who clearly object to us doing this, and again I wonder why we can't all just support each other. I mean, does it really affect you if we practice EC in my family? I don't see how it would. :)