EPISODE 03: WHEN TO BEGIN EC
This is the Go Diaper Free Podcast with Andrea Olson, session 3 - where we’re ditching diaper dependence for good.
Welcome to the Go Diaper Free Podcast, where we're all about teaching you how to stop changing diapers, starting at birth. And now your host...She has a backyard chicken that lays green eggs...Andrea Olson.
Indeed I do! Her name is Ellie. :) Welcome to today’s show.
So far on the Go Diaper Free Podcast we’ve covered why parents are going “diaper-free” and what EC is (part 1, anyway). In this episode I’m going to share with you when to begin EC, including the optimal starting age, starting where you are, and what to do if you’ve exceeding the optimal window for EC altogether.
In any case, there is a resource for everyone, no matter what age baby, and I aim to match you up with what you will need to make potty independence a reality starting at any age. That’s my job folks, that’s my job.
So, let’s get started. When to Begin EC?
Well, the first, advantageous window for beginning EC is early. In fact, it’s best to start preparing for EC when you’re pregnant. However, there is no definite cut-off to beginning and you can start (with some modifications) at any age, 0-18 months. If you have a baby who’s over 18 months old, you can skip EC and go straight to non-coercive potty training. Visit godiaperfree.com/ potty-training-book for my favorite resource. It’s shorter, sweeter, and more effective at that age. But back to what we were discussing....
The golden window with EC is during the pre-mobile months. The reason for this is that your baby isn’t mobile yet. It is obviously easier to observe a naked baby who is not crawling or running around than one who is. Also, the younger they are, more more babies are sensitive to their inborn needs and instincts. The longer they are trained to use a diaper, sometimes the harder it is to train them out of them...but that’s not necessarily always the case.
If you are able to start within the first 4 months of your child’s life, it will be easier for you to integrate EC into your relationship. You will enter your rhythm together more naturally during this fresh time of hormone-enticed deep connection, resonance, and intuition. Your baby will not have been conditioned to go in a diaper and ignore her instincts for dryness. You will achieve faster and better results.
As compared to other potty training methods, this one must begin early...to be specific, at ages 0-18 months...there is no waiting for signs of ‘readiness’ or the ability to self-train. Babies are born ready, and EC takes advantage of that.
However, people start at various times for different reasons.
Wherever you are, here you start!
When your baby is born, you may feel overwhelmed at the newness of so many little things...and the incredible amount of energy required...so if you’re not committed, EC will fall through the cracks. Avoid this by entering into birth prepared to respond to your baby’s needs and cries in this additional way.
NOTE: If you’re beyond that first window, do not sweat it! 0-4 months is the “first optimum” age range, but you can begin at any age. You’ll just do it differently.
Let’s now chat about What “Starting Early” Can Involve
Your baby asks for food on day one. Your baby asks for warmth on day one. Your baby asks for comfort on day one. Your baby asks for sleep on day one.
She also asks for assistance keeping the bed, herself, and you dry, and maintaining good hygiene, on day one.
Starting at this time is similar to starting breastfeeding at this time. Although it may be a bumpy road, it’s about beginning to listen. Committing to listen. To support a little being do what he can’t do by himself.
“But I just had a baby and am recovering (painfully) myself!”
Well, perhaps you didn’t know this, but...you do not have to physically take your child to the bathroom on day one, or even know how. And you don’t have to do it 24/7. What I am saying is that a commitment to connecting with your baby on this level is totally possible from day one...as is starting the observation and cue cycles.
This early attention lays the foundation for the ongoing commitment that EC requires of parents. Starting on day one, even in a tiny way, can help keep you from putting off EC until it’s less opportune to start.
And you’re sitting around staring at your beautiful new baby all day long anyway, right? :)
All that said, seriously, start wherever you are!
Let’s chat a second about “Late Start EC”...have you heard about that yet?
A great majority of parents do not become aware of EC until after the blissful, dizzying fuzziness of birth passes. Most need help navigating EC with an older baby.
I used to call EC from 5-12 months “Late Start EC” and from 12-18 months it was Early Start Potty Training.” I dropped these titles because they either make you feel guilty...or entitled...neither of which are all that good.
However, if you hang in EC circles, a silly terminology exists. At 0-4 months it’s EC; 5-12 months Late Start EC; and 12+ months Early Start Potty Training.
When you call it by these names, if your baby is over 5 months old you’re probably gonna feel like you missed some kind of special boat.
You didn’t! You are fine where you are. Thus I now call it “Starting EC Older.” And that’s for 5-18 month olds across the board.
With EC, the consensus is: It’s never too late to start. Period. If EC resonates with you and you are willing to commit to trying, go for it!
Let me tell you, with the confidence of experience: Babies are born ready...start any time.
Whether you’re just waking up from birthing or you’re starting conventional potty training earlier and seeking a kinder, gentler potty learning experience, I want to help you begin where you are.
EC will absolutely still work for you if your child is between 5-18 months...just know that there are some special developmental things going on. I will help you work with these. You are okay. It will work out.
Trust me?
Good. Okay....so...
A few more things about those who are over 18 months of age:
IF you have a child who is 18 months or older, please do not do EC. Please go straight to my Mama friend, Jamie, and do her non-coercive potty training method (the current average time to completion is 7 days). It’s in your toddler’s best interest to have swift mastery of this task...s/he is capable and Jamie knows how to help you both get there and feel, well, masterful.
Additionally, when you get to that 19+ month mark with EC, if you want to wrap things up at that time, you have my full permission to jump off the EC boat and onto Jamie’s program to finish the job. I also cover completion 100% EC style at godiaperfree.com...if you should need this type of guidance.
You can grab a copy of Jamie’s book at xxxxxx - just check out the show notes at the end of this episode for the exact link. [See update below]
Okay, now that your options are clear...Good News: some older- starting babes finish earlier than those who started on day one.
Apparently, there are mysterious windows of opportunity that
open and close all the time, and if you catch one, you’re golden. All babies are different and develop at different paces. The primary window is “supposed” to be 0-4 months; the next could be 8-12 months, 18, or even 20.
So, again, don’t feel bad, like you’ve missed some unseen imaginary boat!
You are exactly where you need to be and it’s all perfect. Start wherever you are, with the resources at hand, come visit me if you need said resources, and practice acceptance: it’s all perfect! It’s all in the right order! It’s all happening at the perfect moment. Start where you are and forgive yourself for unknowingly not knowing what you didn’t know in the first place. ;)
So that’s it for this episode of the Go Diaper Free Podcast. When to start EC, and what to do if you’ve gotten here past the ole EC window.
You can find a full transcript of this episode plus the show notes at GoDiaperFree.com/session3.
In our next episode, we will cover The 9 EC No-no’s. Super-important for most of you who are probably already doing one of these no-no’s, albeit with good intentions. I’ll lay em out for you and then tell you exactly how to skirt past each and every one of them. These are things I wish someone would have told me prior to starting EC, and yet these tips can help you no matter where you are in the ECing process.
Please subscribe to this podcast at iTunes to get the No-no episode and 99 more to follow, automatically updated to your computer or mobile device...and leave me a review if ya could. I’m working on improving and take each of your comments to heart.
Thanks for being part of this awesome community. Come see what the community’s cooking up over at godiaperfree.com - a little hint...it’s growing!
Til next time, may potty time be ever so much fun!
[UPDATE: Please note, that since the release of this podcast I have written my own, wildly popular & very effective, potty training book!!! Please go to godiaperfree.com/ptbook to find out more and purchase your own copy! Plus, my book even comes with private support group! Check it out!!!]
