EASY START GUIDE: PART 4 OF 4
One of the ways parents communicate with their baby during baby pottying is by using cue sounds.
Cue sounds are simple noises or words that you make when your baby wees or poos. Over time, babies begin to associate these sounds with the act of eliminating.
This is sometimes called sound association in baby pottying or cueing in elimination communication, EC.
Just as babies learn the meaning of words like “milk” or “bath,” they can gradually learn that certain sounds relate to going to the toilet.
Cue sounds can help babies connect the feeling of needing to go with the action of weeing or pooing.
Over time this can support:
• awareness of bodily sensations
• communication between parent and baby
• confidence using the potty
Cue sounds help babies relax when they are offered the potty, because the sound becomes familiar and reassuring, and is letting baby know that it’s a good time to go.
Why Cueing Is Important
How Do You Cue Your Baby?
Many parents choose simple sounds such as:
“Psss” — Often used for wee.
Hmm-hmm — Sometimes used for poo.
As babies get older, many families naturally switch from sounds to simple words like “wee”, “poo”, or “potty.”
There is no single “correct” cue sound. The most important thing is simply to use the same sound consistently.
You can make the cue sound whenever your baby is weeing or pooing—when they go in the potty, but also when they go in a nappy.
Even if your baby doesn’t use the potty every time, using the cue sound still helps build the association.
Over time, many babies begin to relax and eliminate when they hear the cue sound.
How Long Does It Take To Work?
Some babies start responding to the sound within a few days or weeks.
For others, it can take a little longer.
You might notice things like:
your baby weeing soon after you make the sound
them relaxing when they hear it
them waiting until they hear the cue
These are all signs that the association is developing.
Your Next Steps to Start Pottying Your Baby
PART 1
Get Started With Baby Pottying
PART 2
What Are My Babies Signals?
PART 3
How To Hold Your Baby: Potty Positions.
PART 4
Cueing: Sound Associations.
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Included: benefits, what age to start, potty positions, when baby needs to go and common signals.
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What You’ll Learn
The philosophy behind baby pottying, exploring global traditions, historical shifts, and the beliefs that shaped modern potty training.
The science of pottying, from bladder and bowel development, to what the research says about “readiness,” muscle control and long-term health.
Clear guidance to get started, including when to begin, how to spot signals, natural timings, positioning, cueing and building a daily rhythm.
How to navigate real life, with guidance on nighttime, out-and-about pottying, childcare, siblings and busy family life.
Supporting your baby’s development, covering capability stages, fostering independence, temperament differences and going nappy-free.
Troubleshooting common hurdles, including potty pauses, resistance, missed catches, illness, developmental leaps and feeling overwhelmed.
Let’s make this ancient wisdom feel second nature again.
Product Recommendations
Whilst you don’t need any special products to get started with, check out the products that have helped me along the journey.
