Get Started | Start Pottying Your Baby Today — BABY POTTYING

START POTTYING GUIDE: PART 3 OF 5

Baby pottying positions are the ways you hold or support your baby so they can comfortably wee or poo outside of a nappy.

The position you use helps your baby relax their body and release naturally — often using a supported squat.

Elimination Communication (EC) / baby pottying positions are simple and flexible. You can hold a newborn in your arms, support your baby over a potty, or help an older baby sit independently. As your baby grows, the position naturally evolves.

The Basic Baby Pottying Positions

A woman holding a baby doing Elimination Communication in the classic EC hold in the bathroom, holding the baby over the sink. standing by a white sink with a brass faucet, with plants on the windowsill and a reflective backsplash.

The classic hold

This is where your baby's back is placed against you, with each hand under baby's thighs. This puts baby's bottom hanging down.

A woman is sitting on a blue couch, breastfeeding a newborn baby whilst also pottying her from birth. She is holding her baby in the cradle hold (Elimination Communication).

The cradle hold

Rest your baby’s head on one of your arms and hold their legs with your arms. This hold is particularly helpful for very young babies or newborns.

The Physiological Benefit of Squatting

The physiological benefit of squatting has been shown in several studies. This position straightens out the passage that stools pass through and relaxes the pelvic floor muscles, which results in less straining and complete emptying of the bowel. And this is for all humans: babies, children and adults!

Diagram of a human rectum showing muscle tightening and bending to create a passage.

SITTING

A close-up of two long, slender, yellow sticks or rods against a plain white background.

Illustration of a person sitting on a toilet, with a foot on a small stool, appearing to be in a thoughtful or contemplative pose.

Diagram of the rectum showing muscle relaxation and straightening of the passage.

SQUATTING

The Basic Baby Pottying Positions: Mobile Babies

A baby sitting on a yellow potty on a wooden deck surrounded by green bushes and plants.

Sitting on the potty

As soon as your baby can sit up, they can use a potty.

Child sitting on a toilet on a toilet seat reducer with legs spread apart, wearing a striped dress, with a focused or neutral expression.

Sitting on the toilet

Another option is a toilet seat reducer. Some babies love to feel as though they are copying you by using the big toilet.

A young child using a potty in a bathroom, smiling and wearing a colorful striped sweater over a red and white striped shirt, with a green step stool and a small rug on terrazzo flooring.

Standing up

Babies are also good at peeing standing up. Either outside, in the shower, or on the potty.

Your Next Steps to Start Pottying

01

What Is Baby Pottying?

02

How To Get Started

03

What Are My Baby’s Signals?

04

How To Hold Your Baby: Positions

YOU ARE HERE

05

Cueing: Sound Association

Let’s make this ancient wisdom feel second nature again.

Three folded cloth nappies with colorful prints, placed on a wicker basket outdoors with white flowers beside them.

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.

EXPLORE MY TOP PRODUCTS

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