I get asked this question all the time: do people do "elimination communication" in indigenous communities, or is it altogether something different? I've hand-picked my fave stories from Laurie Boucke's encyclopedic book on infant potty training, and also an article by Continuum Concept author Jean Leidloff. This is a great episode to listen to while you're cleaning the house or doing yardwork! I hope you'll join me. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/87 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
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#86 Just START
I had a chat with about 40 parents in our Go Diaper Free community. 🗣️Most of them had been following me for ages, downloading guides, even buying potties…but hadn't started EC yet. 🙊 Why? Overwhelm. Fear of messing it up. Worrying their baby was too fragile. Or just sitting on the sidelines, watching instead of trying. 👀 In today's episode, I'll walk you through these common blocks and share the simplest way to finally begin EC with your baby. Spoiler: it's way easier than you think. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/86 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
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#85 Infant Potty Training in Indigenous Africa
Ever wonder how parents in other cultures potty their babies? In today's episode, I'm sharing stories of indigenous peoples in Africa who never used diapers—long before "elimination communication" had a name. From Botswana to Uganda, you'll hear how mothers simply knew when their babies needed to go, how older siblings pitched in, and why there's so much less fuss around pottying outside the Western world. It's fascinating, eye-opening, and might just shift the way you see EC in your own home. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/85 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
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#84 To daycare...without diapers
That first morning, I almost caved. I had the disposables in my hand, ready to make things "easier" for the teacher. But deep down, I knew I'd regret it. So I took a deep breath, sent Branson to preschool diaper-free at 18 months…and wow, what a rollercoaster it was. Day one went great, day two was a disaster, and by day three we'd finally found our rhythm. In today's episode, I'm sharing exactly how we navigated those ups and downs—and how you can make it work at daycare or preschool too. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/84 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
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#83 An elevator pitch for EC
It's happened to us all (right?)…you get really excited about how EC is going for you and your baby so you start telling more people about it and you're met with judgy looks and people questioning your sanity. If you're ready to explain infant pottying to people without getting the stink-eye, this week's podcast episode is for you! Trust me, I've had more than a decade of practice telling people about how my babies poop in the potty from birth Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/83 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Andrea Olson of Go Diaper Free explains elimination communication - the concept of pottying your baby, as early as birth - which is what people have done for all of human history and in today's world where there are no diapers. She makes it easy to integrate EC into your modern lifestyle as a new parent, demystifies how to know your baby needs to go, how to take them to the toilet instead of primarily relying on the diaper, and makes EC approachable, accessible, and fun, for all parents...whether part-time, with or without diapers, and in any region of the world. Contrary to popular marketing messages, diapers are tools, not toilets, and babies are ALL born "ready" to use the toilet. Learn how to connect with your baby on this very natural level with Andrea's expert guidance, and experience the freedom of a life without dependence upon diapers, a life without traumatic toilet training, a life where your baby gets a head start on developing motor skills, communication, and learning by prioritizing this age-appropriate skill (0-18 months). EC honors your baby's dignity and makes parenting THAT much easier! Stop changing blowouts...and learn how to listen to your baby's requests for good hygiene. Learn more at godiaperfree.com. (PS - Andrea also occasionally covers potty training, for those of you who find us after 18 months.)