EC is also a great opportunity for dad to bond with baby particularly if mom is breastfeeding exclusively as this video clearly shows. Changing diapers is yucky and many dads will shy away from the task but who doesn’t want to spend time cuddling and singing to their cooing baby? Yes, it takes time, but time with babies is fleeting and EC gives you a chance to maximize it .

That said, the G-diaper is a superb alternative to disposables and this video shows why. The waste goes down the toilet where it belongs. You can even compost the inserts that only contain urine. It is really a great alternative and the best of three worlds (EC, cloth and disposable. You can learn more or purchase the G-diapers at Gaiam.com

According to those who use the technique, Elimination Communication is the practice of being responsive to a child’s need to eliminate wastes, and giving him the means to express this need clearly to his caregiver, regardless of his age. It also includes some training, called “cueing” through which the child associates a sound, place, object or position with the act of relieving himself.

Elimination Communication is often called other names besides the acronym “EC,” which was coined by author Ingrid Bauer, such as Infant Potty Training (IPT) and Natural Infant Hygiene (NIH). The term getting the most press, and causing some confusion among those not yet familiar with the idea, is IPT. The label IPT seems to be unpopular with ECers on the grounds that “Potty Training” brings to mind methods harsh and inappropriate for infants, which, they assert, EC is not. For a more thorough explanation, click over to Wikipedia’s article on the subject.

While it may be difficult to believe that it is possible to practice EC from the time of birth, according to Laurie Boucke, the author of two books on Infant Pottying and the most oft-quoted author on the topic, the best time to start is before the beginning of the sixth month. If we can take increasing traffic on EC-related Internet forums as evidence, more and more parents are choosing to do it to some degree or another. Some personal experiences written by parents and other caregivers who’ve practiced EC are available here.

There have been articles about EC in the NY Times and other city newspapers, in addition to alternative online magazines for additional perspective on this new trend. There are books and articles for those who are simply curious, and others for more instructional purposes. From these sources and input from caregivers on various EC message boards, a brief guide has been compiled.

To learn more, get answers to frequently asked questions and read about some families’ personal experiences with EC, visit http://www.ec-information.com and http://www.ec-information.co

Author: Adrienne Makita
About the author: Adrienne is the owner and operator of MountaintopPublications

Image Source: Daily dirty diapers >= size of baby

A number of companies have created “earth-friendly” diapers however there are varying opinions on how earth friendly these diapers actually are.”

The article goes on to critique some new brand of disposable diapers such as gDiapers and Safeties Nature Nappy . I believe that absolutely anything is an improvement over grocery store disposable diapers which are appalling for both the baby and the environment. While the new versions are a much needed improvement, they are still not the ideal solution.

Babies do not need to wear diapers at all. It is not necessary or natural for babies to sit in their own waste. While some parents argue that they are too busy to pay attention to their babies, holding your infant over a receptacle is less inconvenient than the physical time and effort required to change six to ten diapers a day.

I love the sustainableisgood blog but I do wish they would have considered the most eco and baby friendly option of all. Learn more at www.sustainableisgood.com

Can you be frugal and still have everything that your baby really needs? Excellent question! The key is to identify what babies truly need. Advertisers and manufacturers would have you believe that baby needs fancy expensive “stuff” that will keep you in debt until your baby is in college. Not true. Babies need very little in order to be happy. And those things are, in order of importance:

• A Mommy and/or Daddy to love
• Nutritious food
• To be kept warm
• Something to cover their bottoms

Its really pretty simple eh?

Free Food for Baby

“The newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three.” - Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, author of Childbirth Without Fear.

The interesting thing about the first 3 is that they can all be met at the same time with breastfeeding! You can’t get much more frugal than free can you?

Not only does breastfeeding save you money that you would have spent on formula, bottles and such, but you will save money on doctor bills. Formula feeding carries risks: Increased ear infections, respiratory illness, increased incidence of certain cancers, long term implications for obesity, diabetes, and I could go on.

Baby Clothes

My best tip for obtaining baby clothes frugally is to make it known that you welcome hand-me-downs. Most mothers hate throwing away perfectly good baby stuff. When babies are young, they almost never wear things out before they are outgrown. If someone gives you things, accept it gratefully and thank them. Even if the stuff isn’t as good as you would like and you end up donating it to charity, you still send a message that you aren’t too proud for used things. And truly, it has nothing to do with charity. Obtaining used things is better for the environment. And you can put the money you save to better use. Why not start a savings account for your little one and add to it when you use creative frugality to save money? Your child will thank you later!

EBay, thrift stores and consignment shops are also great places to find baby clothes frugally.

Experts agree that babies don’t really need shoes when they’re learning to walk because it’s best for their toes to grip the floor. If it’s cold and baby’s tootsies are cold, use soft soled baby shoes. They’re flexible and the healthiest, safest choice.

Saving Money On Diapers

The most frugal way of dealing with this issue is to forgo diapers altogether the way women around the world do. It’s called “elimination communication” and basically involves watching for baby’s elimination cues (and they do exist, even in newborns) and holding her over the potty so she can take care of business. However, if you’re not so inclined, the next best thing is cloth diapers.

Ask people to give you cloth diapers at your baby shower instead of those cute but impractical outfits. A lot of the cloth diaper companies that sell online have baby registries. Buy the high quality cloth diapers if you plan on using them for more than one child. They will likely last you for years. I recommend Fuzzi Bunz.

More Frugal Baby Ideas

Frugality is mostly about what you don’t buy than what you do, so I suggest thinking about what you can do without. Do you really need a crib or bassinet? Why not let baby sleep with you? It works for 90% of the population. Do you need a baby swing? Why not wear baby on your body in a sling? It promotes bonding, keeps baby happy, you burn extra calories and get things done too! Everybody wins.

Does baby really need those educational toys and gadgets? You know, Einstein didn’t have flash cards. All the stimulation your baby needs is you! Talk to baby, read to baby, sing to baby, let baby watch your daily activities from his spot in the baby sling, and breastfeed your baby.

The best baby toys are things you have around the house. (Ever noticed how babies and toddlers would rather play with your keys than any expensive toy?) Babies would rather bang on pots and pans with wooden spoons than just about anything else. Save empty plastic food containers that would have been thrown away, and toss them into an empty cabinet down low in your kitchen. This will provide hours of frugal fun for baby!

One exception: Baby car seats are best obtained new…don’t risk taking a chance on a used car seat that “looks” fine but that may have been involved in a fender bender. Baby’s needs are truly few, and the best things you can give your baby are free.

by Carrie Lauth
About the author: For more tips on raising baby naturally, visit http://www.NaturalBabyWorld.com and get your free report: Organic Baby: How To Raise A Happy Healthy Baby

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/recurrence/70117058/

As a single mother with very limited resources I was looking for ways to save money from the get go. While I was pregnant I began to question many common “extras” that go with parenting such as a separate nursery, crib, stroller, etc. It just all seemed expensive, would clutter my home, was one more thing to clean or carry or lift out of the trunk and I began fighting the system one plastic contraption at a time.

Despite my battle against other society imposed baby “necessities, it never occurred to me to fight traditional diapering. (I am using the term traditional loosely since disposable diapers are a relatively new phenomenon). I happened to be surfing the internet when my daughter was about a month and a half old. I googled “diaper alternatives”. I am not sure what I was looking for exactly but I was hoping to find a way to save money on disposables because I simply couldn’t afford them.

I ran across a few elimination communication sites. I thought they were a joke. I had never heard of such a thing. (This was about six months before the 2005 media coverage of elimination communication kicked in). I had to read through about five websites on the subject before I concluded that so many people would not create joke websites about pottying their babies.

I immediately took my little 1.5 mo old daughter to the kitchen sink and held her naked butt over it and said “pssssssssssssss”. She peed. It was utterly miraculous to me. I just could not believe it. She has been using a potty ever since.

For the first few months I had to hold her over a receptacle (usually a sink or bowl) and make a noise. “psss” to pee and raspberry noises if I felt she had to poop. She would sometimes have to suck on the tip of my thumb in order to poop. Why? I have no clue why she needed the thumb but it worked so I did it.

As soon as she could hold her head up, I got a Baby Bjorn little potty and she was totally delighted to be able to “sit up” long before she could sit on her own. I think it gave her a feeling of independence early on. I usually put some of her favorite books or toys in a basket next to her potty and let her play for as long as she felt like sitting there.

I would like to say that I stopped using diapers entirely then and there but I did not. In retrospect I would have done that and if I ever have another child I wont use diapers at all. I had a tough time doing the EC out of the house and I didn’t really want her to pee in my brother’s sink so we continued to use disposables any time we were out of the house.

I can count on my hands the number of times that she ever had a soiled diaper against her skin. (she did have her share of wet ones though). As soon as she was able to communicate that she had to go (by grabbing her crotch) I stopped buying diapers altogether. She was out of diapers for good, before her second birthday.

Would I recommend infant pottying? Absolutely, without a question. It is so much better for the child. It is cleaner, more sanitary and I believe it shows the child that you respect them and it maintains their dignity. It is also a heck of alot easier on the environment. Are there misconceptions? Do people fight this idea? Do they consider it uncivilized? They do. But tell me who is the loser when the parents refuse to try EC?

Common misconceptions about Elimination Communication
EC Communities
Purchase the: Levels of Discovery Her Majesty’s Throne Potty Chair

Click here to watch video

Many parents do not realize that these are options that benefit the baby in many incalculable ways but also benefit the parents and the environment.This is an excellent primer if you are new to the concept of natural, instinctive, gentle or attachment parenting.

Although these methods are commonplace in the rest of the world throughout history they are new to modern American parents and this is a great place to get your feet wet.

read full article

Can newborn babies do EC?
One of the primary arguments against EC, is the claim from “professionals” that state that babies have no sphincter control and are not able to “hold it” or release it at will. Without making a huge argument out of it, simply observe the millions of parents and babies around the world who successfully practice EC and that is usually proof enough that newborn babies can in fact hold it and release it on cue. Thank goodness the “experts” are wrong because EC works and parents never regret their decision to practice EC, but they frequently regret finding out about EC too late.

The drawback of newborn EC
Just because babies can hold it until given a cue that it is time to “go”, does not mean that they can hold their bodily functions in forever any more than you can. A newborn baby will urinate every 10-20 minutes while awake and every few hours while asleep (although they do wake up enough to alert mom or dad and then use a receptacle).

If you baby needs to pee three times an hour, then it can be difficult to go totally diaper free if you will be in a car, store or restaurant for more than 20 minutes. A busy, modern life is simply not conducive to full time EC, which is why many, if not most parents are unable to go 100% diaper free until their babies are a bit older and there is more time between eliminations. Many parents are very relieved to find out that part time EC works great if they want to use diapers during part of the day or week.

Why EC from birth
Despite the frequency of elimination, many parents choose to EC immediately after birth simply because it is much easier in the long run, it saves a ton of money and it is great for the environment.

“It’s not as if the Chinese don’t use disposables at all. They do. More and more young parents are using disposables at night so that they don’t need to get up in the middle of the night to EC. They might also use them briefly, say in a nice restaurant, if they know the opportunity to EC will be difficult. Still, disposables are a temporary solution. Since “bum breathability” is so crucial, I doubt that the Chinese will ever switch to full-time disposable use.” EC Blog #1

It may seem to be more work to an outsider, but it takes substantially less time, less clean up and less gross factor to empty a potty than to clean up a messy, writhing, crying human being. It is also a matter of basic human dignity.

Parents who go 100% diaper free from day one have the easiest time with EC because their babies will always know where to “go”. This will work best when at least one parent can stay home with the baby, the baby is worn in a carrier, slept with and breastfed.

Not you? Don’t despair. EC works just fine on a part time basis. You can use disposable diapers, cloth diapers or G diapers as a backup for outings, babysitting or other events when you are unable to closely monitor and respond to your baby’s signals.

How to EC from birth
It does not matter if you start EC at birth or start “traditional” toilet training at 3 or 4, you are going to have accidents, period. If you plan to go diaper free from the beginning, the best thing you can do is be prepared for accidents and use them as opportunities to teach your baby the cues and track your baby’s elimination patterns.

The best way to prepare for accidents is to always have something washable and absorbent, such as an open cloth diaper or flannel blanket underneath your diaper free baby. Ideally, you will take a babymoon in which you spend alot of time in bed or lying down with your baby in the first week or so. Simply keep your baby on the pad or diaper next to you or inside the sling you are wearing and replace it when it gets wet.

“Have plenty of diapers or cloths handy where you’ll be spending most of your time with your baby (in bed would be the best place to spend that first week!)” Naturalbirthandbabycare.com

Keep a Baby Bjorn Little Potty or a little bowl next to you all the time. Carry a small plastic bowl with you rather than a bulky diaper bag when you go for a walk and keep a potty or other receptacle on your nightstand. Anticipate that your infant will need to go 3-6 times and hour and offer the potty with the appropriate cue before your baby gets uncomfortable and restless. Think efficiency. It is not necessary to rush your newborn to the bathroom while stripping of his clothes in a mad rush to “catch it”. That will stress both of you out. Take it easy, keep your baby close, and keep a suitable receptacle just as close.

As you feel your baby eliminating, make the noise that you intend to use as an EC cue. For the uninitiated, that means that as you and your baby become accustomed to EC, you will “cue” your baby that it is time to eliminate with a noise, usually a “pssssss” for pee and maybe a raspberry type of noise to cue a poop. You want to make the cue noise each and every time your baby goes so the noise in inexorably linked to that bodily function in your infant’s mind. You will be shocked and delighted the first time you hold your baby over a receptacle at certain times or when your baby indicates the needs to go, you make the noise, and they actually go. It is not what we are used to, but it really works.

The other component of infant potty learning, is the timing. First of all, most people, not just babies, go immediately upon waking. Your baby will go after all naps and will also stir in the middle of the night with a need to go. Babies will also predictably eliminate either in the middle of breastfeeding (or bottle feeding) or immediately after. It can be very helpful to track your baby’s schedule so you can make some sense of it. Without a written record, it will just seem like your baby pees all day long. If you know your baby is on 20 minute intervals, then you can anticipate the need, and take a second, hold your baby over a receptacle and give the cue.

The final component of EC is non-verbal communication. Your baby will communicate their need to go. Whether or not you respond to it is up to you. In the first few weeks of your baby’s life, get to know how your baby squirms, fidgets or cries immediately before eliminating. Paying attention and being in the moment with your child will ensure your success.

How EC evolves with your child
After the first week or two, you will know your babies signals and timing and your baby will know what the cue sounds mean. After the first three months, during which you stay close to home, lay low or use diaper backups, you will be in a lovely routine in which the frequency of elimination has reduced considerably and communication has increased. By the end of six months, your baby may be sleeping through the night, and only going once an hour while awake. By the end of ten months your baby may be able to use sign language or even say a word to signal their need to go. It is all uphill from there.

Think of it this way. If you were incapacitated today, would you prefer that someone take some time to hold you over a receptacle or put you in Depends because they are too lazy or too busy to help you to the bathroom? This is a very real issue in nursing homes today and it boils down to preserving dignity and treating people with respect. Other people call it the golden rule.

Additional Resources:
75 Benefits of EC
Natural Infant Hygiene - FAQ
Getting Started With EC’ing

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/revjim/471867006/

If you practice elimination communication, you will need even less “stuff” to carry, most notably, the ubiquitous and often hideous diaper bag. They are unsightly, usually difficult to carry, require an extra arm and have about ten pounds of contents that are never touched.

There are still times, however when even the most minimalist, attached parent will have to bring some items with them, whether it is toys, items for an overnight or day trip, a travel potty or a rolled up sling. Never say never, because all parents end up dragging out some sort of bag at least once.

In the spirit of bringing only what you need and doing it in style, Fleurville, a San Francisco company, has designed some wonderful diaper bags in assorted sizes. I found this great bag over at Plentymag.com and according to the article, the Fleurville bags are “fully PVC-free, and made from Fleurville’s signature “Re-Run” fabric, crafted from recycled water bottles (ten bottles per bag!).”

Is the best part that they are fully functional, eco friendly or that they are almost too sexy to be a diaper bag?

Buy the Fleurville Re-run Diaper Messenger Bag