What Does “Elimination Communication” Actually Mean?
Elimination communication—often shortened to EC—is the term most commonly used for baby pottying in the West. You might have heard it mentioned by other parents, seen it on Instagram, or even come across it via the comedian Katherine Ryan.
But where did the phrase actually come from—and does it really reflect what’s going on in everyday life with a baby?
The origins of the term “Elimination Communication”
The term elimination communication was popularised in the early 2000s by Ingrid Bauer, author of Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene. Bauer didn’t invent the practice itself—far from it. Babies have been cared for without nappies across cultures for thousands of years.
What she did do was give a name to a practice that, in Western contexts, had largely been overlooked or misunderstood.
The phrase was chosen deliberately:
“Elimination” refers to a baby’s natural bodily functions—weeing and pooing.
“Communication” highlights the idea that babies signal their need to eliminate, and caregivers can learn to recognise and respond to those cues.
EC reframes toileting not as something that begins in toddlerhood, but as a relationship and awareness that can exist from infancy.
What the Term Gets Right, and What It Misses
The strength of the term is that it centres connection. It emphasises that babies aren’t passive—they’re communicating from the very beginning.
However, many parents find the term a bit clinical or abstract. It can sound:
overly technical
slightly intimidating
disconnected from everyday parenting language
Most people pracsting EC don’t feel like they’re doing anything particularly formal—they’re simply responding to their baby.
That’s why alternative terms have emerged.
Other Terms for EC (and Where They Come From)
1. Baby Pottying
This is probably the most intuitive and matter-of-fact.
Origin: Informal, parent-led language (especially in the UK and online communities)
Why it works: It’s simple, visual and easy to understand
What it emphasises: The practical act—offering a baby a potty
Many parents prefer this term because it feels accessible and non-intimidating. It also avoids some of the confusion around what “communication” means in this context.
2. Natural Infant Hygiene (NIH)
Origin: Also popularised by Ingrid Bauer
Why it was used: To frame the practice as something biologically normal rather than alternative
What it emphasises: Cleanliness, instinct, and evolutionary norms
This term is often used in more academic or advocacy contexts. It positions the practice as something humans are naturally adapted to do.
3. Diaper-Free / Nappy-Free
Origin: Western parenting movements and minimalism trends
What it emphasises: The absence of nappies rather than the communication aspect
While catchy, this term can be misleading. Many families who practice EC still use nappies part-time, so “diaper-free” can create unrealistic expectations.
4. Infant Potty Training
Origin: A more literal translation of how the practice is described in some cultures
Why it’s controversial: It clashes with Western ideas that “training” should only happen later
Many in the EC community avoid this term because it suggests pressure or expectations placed on the baby—whereas EC is intended to be responsive, not directive.
5. Early Toilet Learning
Origin: Academic and research contexts
What it emphasises: Timing (earlier than typical Western norms)
This term is more neutral but less commonly used in everyday parenting conversations.
Why the Language Matters
The different names reflect different ways of understanding the same practice.
“Elimination communication” → focuses on relationship and cues
“Baby pottying” → focuses on the practical action
“Natural infant hygiene” → focuses on biology and normalcy
None of them are wrong—they just highlight different aspects.
And importantly, no single term fully captures the nuance:
that some babies seem to have a strong awareness of their need to eliminate, and a clear preference not to go in a nappy—while others show it more subtly.
Why I use the term “baby pottying”
When I first came across the term elimination communication, I remember thinking it sounded a bit clinical and over the top. To me, it somehow took the humanity and gentleness out of the practice.
My actual experience with my baby didn’t feel like that at all.
It felt simple. Instinctive. Just noticing him and responding.
That’s why I’ve chosen to use the term baby pottying instead. It feels much closer to what it actually is—offering your baby a chance to go, the same way you’d respond to any other need.
It’s clear and practical, whilst still holding onto that sense of softness.
Final Thought
The term elimination communication helped bring visibility to a practice that many cultures never lost. But as more families explore it, the language is evolving—becoming softer, more intuitive, and more reflective of real-life parenting.
