Baby Wearing and Elimination Communication 

5 simple keys to success when wearing the EC baby

by Charndra Josling

Baby wearing is a key aid to developing your diaper-free or nappy-free confidence.

Baby wearing helps me care for my baby in so many ways. Early morning, he 'wakes up' in the sling before going about his day. On outings, it is a boon to quick trips in and out of the shops, keeping baby (now toddler) held close and safe.

The close contact, non verbal communication, conversations and kisses enable me to fully enjoy the in arms stage of his life. We share warmth, touch, viewpoints, conversations with others and life’s experiences. As humans are a carrying species, carrying our babies is what they expect, and they soon relax so close to our bodies – even after a full emotional storm or big bump on the head! We are just as soothed by smoothing them in the sling and kissing their snuggled in head.

Baby Wearing Builds Your EC Confidence

Wearing your baby really helps you to be in tune with your baby's needs. It turns up the volume on your 'baby radar' and kicks into action your motherly (and fatherly) intuition. You simply learn, and then begin to 'know' when your baby needs to go to the toilet. Parenting becomes simpler - you need your baby and a sling, that is all! That sense of being a primal mother/infant 'dyad' really becomes the truth. Babies need to be in their parents arms, and toddlers love to be there just as much!

Baby wearing is my number one solution to a 'missy' day. These days he'll practically pitch a fit before peeing on me in a carrier. Many a day I have worn him just to avoid having misses! I had to wear him for an entire week at 10 months as we had workmen renovating our ensuite - I only had a miss during the few times he was on the floor, and had several completely EC perfect days - so COOL! Great for confidence through the mobile stage of more misses with changing signals and patterns.

Whichever sling or carrier you use, expect to have a stage of adjustment as you learn to recognise baby’s signs and signals, and then to react in time! It is easier than you might think by following these 5 simple keys to success:

1. Choose a carrier that has good ‘poppability’ – that is, you can fairly easily work out your own system of quickly popping baby out and back in for a wee break. Use more structured or snug wraps for when baby is sleeping on you or is wearing a nappy.
   

2. Practice at home! Pop baby in and walk around when baby is feeling calm and in a good general frame of mind, so they don’t get spooked by the new contraption. A good first time for using a new carrier is when they are due for a sleep – pop them in and head out for a walk so they fall asleep and wake up in there and you can pop them out for a timing wee when they awaken.
   

3. When learning baby’s signs, ALWAYS put them in the carrier AFTER they have just done a wee – this way you know they are more likely to be relaxed and feel comfortable. Plus, you will have a space of time of this ‘normal’ behaviour before the need to wee changes their behaviour.
   

4. At first, use a cloth nappy on the baby to protect the carrier, perhaps loosely on the baby so you can remove them swiftly for a pee-op, or wrapped around or sitting under them (though it is tricky to arrange at first! You might even settle baby in the sling, make a note where their bottom is by looking in the mirror and marking the area with some chalk, then putting a backup cloth in that area for a time.
   

5. Be aware of sudden changes in baby’s behaviour that may indicate their need to go. Based on your feel of their patterns and timing, pull them out and offer a wee…

There is a simple equation with practicing EC and baby wearing:

The more you hold your baby, the less you will need to use nappies!

This is because we are a carrying species, that is, baby expects to be carried and it aids in their normal development.

Before long wearing a baby simply means nappy-free time, as it is SO much easier to respond, and nappies just get in the way.

5 common signs for a need to go while in the sling (and it will depend on the type of carrier)

1. Changes in baby’s body tension, general body language (use your awareness)

2. Sudden noises, un comfortable noises from smaller babies, Vocal calls from older babies and toddlers

3. Twitching, tensing, straightening legs, pulling up their legs, straining at the sling.

4. A feeling of warmth on your own body – as if baby has had an accident (yet no accident there!) – this is known as the ‘chi-pee’, ‘psychic pee’ or ‘phantom wee’.

5. Facial tension changes, eye contact, frowning.