Elimination Communication in Pictures

We started part-time elimination communication when Nathan was about 3.5 months; a couple of days ago, he signed for us to take him potty for the first time (that we have noticed).  He has been signing potty the last couple of weeks, but only when he is already on the toilet or in the bathroom.  To commemorate the occasion, here are some pictures showing the different stages of our elimination communication process.

 When Nathan was really small, we would hold him over the sink to pee.  We also used the toilet, but it was much easier than stooping down every time we took him (and we did clean the sink frequently).  This was also when he was getting accustomed to the cue ("psss"), so sometimes he would not pee right away and we would have to hold a little longer than was comfortable over the toilet. 

This picture was taken during a little diaper-free time.  We only did diaper-free time a few times at the beginning of the process, but it was really helpful in getting him to understand the cue and associate it with feelings of elimination.  It also helped us to notice his patterns and signals that he would give when he needed to go. 

At around six months, we switched from the in-arms position over the toilet to the little potty almost exclusively.  About this time, it seems like he really started understanding the cue, and we started catching most poops.  What a relief it has been not to have to clean poop out of cloth diapers!

We moved back to the toilet using the toilet insert/in-arms position around 12 months.  Gus started using the insert before I switched because he was tired of cleaning out the little potty.  Nathan is also really too big for the little potty now, too, though I'm considering buying a bigger potty for him.

I purchased a bunch of cheap prefold diapers and a prefold belt when we started elimination communication, and we have used them sporadically over the last year.  For the past month or so, we have been using them every day pretty consistently during the morning hours when we are at home.  It is much easier to take him potty when you don't have to undress him or unsnap and re-snap diapers.  This also helps us know pretty quickly when he has peed in his diaper, and we can communicate with him quickly and change him immediately so he gets used to being clean and dry.  I'm still a little nervous about letting him go without a diaper completely since we have carpet, so this works as a great substitute. 

With learning how to walk and summer finally here, we are able to do some diaper-free time outside now.  I feel like we are entering the final stages of elimination communication (though this stage may last many months) as he has started signing "potty" and is trying to talk so much now (at least once he has said "sss" while on the potty).  I'm hoping to slowly increase his diaper-free time to help him with his communication even more.