Diaper free or Elimination Communication – why and how

This post is also available in: Deutsch (German)

“Diapers are a relatively new invention. They are not necessary. Elimination Communication, no matter if practiced full-time or not, allows the baby to keep the feeling for its excrements and it’s not necessary to hardly “re”-learn to control them.”

Newborns “signal” before they pee or poo

Only a hand ful of people are familiar with the diaper free concept. A baby without diapers? How could this work? It’s easy… even the Swiss pediatrist Remo Largo describes it in his book “Babyjahre” (baby years): Newborns make a special kind of noise and move actively when they need to pee or poo. The parent or care-taker then reacty by holding the baby above the sink, toilet or a simple bowl (naked, of course). He or she than makes a characteristic sound like “shhh…” to signal the baby that it know can releave and pee (or poo).

Later, it’s also possible to just use the word for it and/or signal it by hand (baby sign language). If parents keep reacting on their babys signals and let them pee or poo freely, the child will keep the ability to recognize or even control what’s happening “down there“… 😉 If nobody does, this capacity will disappear after around three months.

It will not be easy to get it back after years of using diapers with high suction power. It’s possible, of course, and some children even use the potty and refuse wearing diapers from one day to another by themselves but some don’t want to let it go for years.

You can introduce the potty at any age

Theoretically, you can start with the diaper free concept at any age. It just might be harder if you wait three months or longer. It needs a lot of obervance at the beginning. Still, you can start at 8, 12, 15, 18 months, too and introduce the potty (you will no longer hold your child above the sink at a certain age).

And of course, also grandparents and other care takers can recognize a signal and help the baby with its excrements. That’s why it’s also called elimination communication: the baby signals, the parent reacts and also signals, and baby lets it go.

Most children in Africa, China, South Amercia etc., especially those living in tribes close to the nature, don’t wear diapers at all. The baby are carried most of the day and are just held away when they signal their needs. Babys don’t want to get dirty, they don’t like to lay in their pee or poo, it’s not fun.

If baby’s signal isn’t heard, they resign

It would be great if more parents in the Occidental World would be aware of the diaper free concept. Also, it’s interesting that peoples who don’t dress their babies in diapers never heard of the phenomenon of colics babies here often suffer from.

One explanation is that babies cry desperately for help to get rid of their pee or poo. They try to keep it inside until someone helps them. After several weeks they give up and “use” the diaper. Like they also resign when they are left alone crying in their crib. And parents believe it finally learnt sleeping on their own. It’s a sad story.

Helpful accessories when living the diaper free way

Children who grow up without diapers, sometimes wear funny clothes. In Asia, they often wear split pants (Kaidangku) with an open crotch. This way, toddlers just can just squat and pee where it’s destined to do. Those pants have been adapted by many diaper free parents here, too.

Often they sew it themselves. A good buy are small Asia potties for newborns. Instead of a normal bowl, they have a broad rim, often coated with a piece of fabric, so it’s more comfy for the baby.

The diaper free concept can be adapted freely and individually. Some parents still use diapers (mostly cloth diapers) or they use diapers during the night or when they’re not at home.

Advantages of the diaper free concept

• It stimulates bonding and communication between caretaker and baby. The needs of the baby are noticed.
• Babies feel better without a stuffed diaper bum. The motor acitivity is stimulated because crawling, sitting and walking is easier without a hindering diaper.
• Diaper rush? You won’t ever have it without or with less diapers during a day 🙂
• Hygiene
• You will save money (and the planet as well) because the less diapers the more ecological.
• Diaper free babies cry less and are more content because you react to their need to release.
• It’s not a long way, if at all, to get your child used to the potty.

Have a look at cloth diapers – the ideal sidekick

Related to the diaper free topic is the topic of cloth diapers. Because parents often combine both. Some people, especially from older generations, only know cloth diapers as a complicated thing. Our grandparents used some kind of muslin cloth and folded it around the bum.

Of course you can still do this today and muslin clothes are often used as a diaper insert but modern cloth diapers can be as easy and practicable as disposable diapers. They are far from complicated and really stylish if you look at their vivid designs and bright colours. Noone would ever dare calling you a greenie seeing this beautiful diapers. But of course they are ecological because you don’t produce waste but only wash them.

Would you like to tell me your diaper free story? Or want to know more about it? Feel free to contact me! 🙂