I Started Potty Training My Newborn at 4 Weeks Old — Here’s My Honest Opinion of Elimination Communication

Olivia Marie
Nov 9
4 min read

When I first heard about elimination communication—the idea of tuning into your baby’s cues and helping them use the potty instead of relying entirely on diapers—I thought it sounded both fascinating and mildly intimidating. But at just four weeks postpartum, I decided to give it a try.

What I discovered surprised me: it was way easier than I expected… but also a lot of work for me as the caregiver.

What Is Elimination Communication?

Elimination Communication (often shortened to EC) is a gentle, baby-led approach to toileting that focuses on reading your baby’s natural signals and providing regular “potty-tunities.” Instead of waiting until toddlerhood to introduce potty training, EC encourages parents to start from infancy—sometimes as early as birth.

The idea is simple: babies are born aware of their bodily functions. With consistency and communication, they can learn to associate the sensation of needing to go with using a potty. You can still use diapers (most families do), but you treat them more as a backup than the primary toilet.

Common benefits of EC include:

Earlier potty awareness
Fewer diaper rashes
Cost savings from fewer diapers used
Less waste and a smaller environmental footprint
Strengthened caregiver–child communication

Our EC Journey: Starting at 4 Weeks

I started EC with my daughter when she was just four weeks old. The hardest part wasn’t training her—it was training myself. Learning to hold her over the tiny top-hat potty felt awkward at first. But within a week, I started catching most of her poops and pees.

She caught on quickly and would go almost on demand (if she needed to). I never waited more than a minute or two, and I offered her a “potty-tunity” every 20–45 minutes.

We still used diapers, but when she went successfully in the potty, I’d put the same clean diaper back on. That alone made a noticeable difference—it took us 7.5 weeks to go through a one-month diaper subscription box, which was a win for both our wallet and the planet.

And here’s a big one: my daughter only ever had diaper rash once—and it was before we started EC. After we began, she never had another. That alone made me a believer in the benefits of less time sitting in moisture.

When EC Stopped Working So Smoothly

Things went beautifully until she turned one. Once she started walking and exploring, her independence kicked in—and suddenly she didn’t want to stop playing to use the potty.

I followed all the advice warning against forcing it, so I let it go. Honestly, I had a moment where I thought, What was the point of all that EC if she’s not even going to use it now?

But when she showed interest again at 15 months, I realized all that early work had paid off. She already knew exactly what to do—it was just about timing and physical readiness.

Potty Training, Round One (15 Months)

At 15 months, potty training was conceptually simple but physically tricky. She wasn’t yet able to pull her pants up or down or clean herself, so I paused. I figured I’d wait until she showed signs of wanting more independence.

Around 19 months, she started dressing herself, so we gave it another go.

Potty Training, Round Two (19 Months)

This time, she resisted. Hard. She wanted diapers, cried when I offered underwear, and clearly preferred the convenience of not having to stop playing. The first day, she refused to use the potty at all.

But I didn’t give up. I kept her in underwear, stayed calm, and by day two she went in the potty again for the first time in months. By day three, she was going regularly—especially when she was bare-bottomed.

She’d even tell me when she was done so we could dump and wash together.

We watched Ms. Rachel’s potty episode every day, and she loved it. I sang along to make it fun—and highly recommend doing the same if your toddler’s into Ms. Rachel too!

What’s Working for Us Now

At 19 months, she’s not fully potty independent yet, but she’s doing really well. I check in with her every 30 minutes or so—she rarely initiates on her own, but if I ask at the right time, she’ll come and go successfully.

If she says “no,” I don’t push it. I let her experience the natural consequences of being wet and uncomfortable. That way, she learns through cause and effect, not through pressure.

We’re working toward her telling me before she has to go, but I know that might take time—and that’s okay. I expect she’ll be potty independent before two, but if not, no big deal. We’ll continue using diapers overnight until her diapers stay dry consistently for a couple of months.

Top Learnings (And What I’d Do Differently)

💡 Buy at least 20 pairs of training underwear. I started with eight and it wasn’t nearly enough—you’ll be doing laundry constantly either way.

💡 Consistency is key. EC works when you commit to it—it’s all about routine and attention.

💡 Don’t force it. Forcing can backfire. Gentle guidance and patience work far better.

💡 Make it fun. Songs, cheers, and positive reinforcement go a long way.

💡 Expect regressions. Milestones like walking or independence spurts often interrupt potty progress—it’s normal!

Is Elimination Communication Worth It?

For me, the answer is both yes and no.

The pros:It saved us money, prevented diaper rashes, reduced waste, and made potty training easier down the line.

The cons:It required constant attention, time, and extra work—mostly from me as the primary caregiver.

If you value connection, body awareness, and sustainability, EC can be a deeply rewarding experience. If you’re prioritizing simplicity and rest during the newborn stage, full-time diapers are absolutely fine too.

Personally, I’d do EC again with my next baby—maybe because it’s become second nature now—but I don’t think it’s essential. For me, it was worth it for the bonding, awareness, and head start it gave us. It’s extra work, yes—but also extra connection.

Have you tried elimination communication?

I’d love to hear how it went for you—what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d do differently next time.