Home › Learn EC
The EC Hub

What is elimination communication?

A gentle, natural way of responding to your baby's need to wee and poo, from as early as birth. Instead of relying on a nappy for every single one, you tune in to your baby's cues and offer them the potty. You work together, as a team.

It's not about a nappy-free house by next Tuesday. It's about connection, less waste, and giving your baby the chance to do what comes naturally.

A baby with the Potty Plane, elimination communication from birth
6,000

disposable nappies the average baby uses before potty training, a lot of waste, money, and missed chances to connect with your baby's cues.

From birth

Many EC families begin in the newborn weeks. Even one or two potty offers a day makes a real difference.

Why parents love EC

Fewer nappies

Less washing, less spending, and a lot less landfill.

More connection

You learn your baby's signals, and they learn they're heard.

Kinder on the planet & wallet

Nappies can cost thousands. EC quietly chips away at that from day one.

No hard deadline

Your baby is capable far earlier than we've been told.

A stack of nappies beside a Potty Plane
The nappy maths

6,000 nappies, or a gentler way

The average baby gets through around 6,000 disposable nappies before potty training, a lot of waste, a lot of money, and a lot of missed chances to connect with your baby's cues. EC quietly chips away at that from day one.

How to start (the short version)

1

Learn the basics

EC is about offering the potty at natural moments, not catching every single wee.

2

Spot the cues

Fussing, grunting, a focused little face, or those predictable post-nap and post-feed moments.

3

Create a rhythm

Offer the potty at easy transitions: after waking, after a feed, before a nap.

4

Get the right tools

A newborn-friendly potty (hello, Potty Plane™) and clothes that come off quickly make all the difference.

5

Start small, stay relaxed

One or two offers a day is a real start. Accidents are part of it, for both of you.

EC cues by age

0 to 6 weeks

Mostly timing based, right after sleep and feeds, plus early squirms and fusses.

6 weeks and beyond

Cues shift and become clearer as your baby grows. You'll start to read them like a pro.

Signals to watch for

Squirming · certain facial expressions · timing patterns · little sounds or grunts. When you notice a cue, you offer the potty.

Larissa, founder of Bimbi Bums
A note from our founder

"But can you really start with a newborn?"

Yes. Many parents practising EC begin from birth. Babies naturally signal when they need to go, and once you start noticing those cues, pottying becomes surprisingly intuitive. You don't need to be perfect, the Potty Plane™ just gives you a comfortable, stable place to start.

Larissa · founder of Bimbi Bums & mum of two

Still finding your feet?

Browse our plain-English EC glossary, every term explained simply, no jargon.

Open the EC glossary
EC Guide by Age · Free download

The right guidance, at the right age

EC looks different at every stage. A newborn's cues, timing and holds are nothing like a 9-month-old's. Choose your baby's age and we'll send your free, stage-specific guide straight to your inbox.

What the guide covers

    Sent straight to your inbox. No spam, just EC support at the right time.
    Unsubscribe anytime.
    Ready to get the potty too? The EC Starter Kit includes the Potty Plane™ + the complete guide, from $55.
    Loved by EC families

    What Aussie parents are saying

    ★★★★★

    "I started at 3 weeks and caught my first wee within days. The Learn EC guides made it feel so doable, not overwhelming."

    Steph M. · Melbourne
    ★★★★★

    "So much less washing, and I feel far more tuned in to my baby. The Potty Plane sits perfectly on my lap."

    Priya K. · Sydney
    ★★★★★

    "I wish I'd known EC was even an option with my first. We're nappy-free way earlier this time around."

    Jess T. · Brisbane

    Ready to go deeper?

    Grab our free 5 Steps to Begin EC guide, take the quiz to find your starting kit, or shop the Potty Plane™.

    Get the free 5 Tips guide Take the EC quiz Shop the Potty Plane™
    Good Design Award Gold Winner 2026
    Recognised in the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards