The Lifestyle of Developing Naturally, parenting, learning and interacting in a natural and peaceful way!

At Least 81 reasons to EC! 

(adapted from contributions of the members of the YahooGroups EliminationCommunication group)

1. Less irritation for child's skin by keeping urine and excrement off body, thereby reducing incidence of thrush or diaper rash.
2. Keeps unnecessary chemicals off baby's skin.
3. No need to catheterize a baby for urine sample.
4. Supports positive views about bodily functions.
5. Children learn how to urinate on cue (is not only convenient, but can prevent healthy problems due to holding urine or bowels).
6. Parent can develop a better sense of your child's digestive system and therefore react to irritants or detect problems more quickly.
7. May save baby boys from some infertility problems later.
8. Reduces likelihood that baby will urinate or have a BM in the bath or in a swimming pool.
9. Helps parents overcome any fears/qualms/phobias about bodily functions.
10. Protects baby from germs in public restrooms.
11. More sanitary than "swim-diapers," which don't prevent urine from getting into the pool (not to mention more comfortable for the baby).
12. Encourages the development of a trusting relationship with children through communication about a basic human need.
13. Provides more opportunities to hold one's baby.
14. Another reason to carry your baby in a sling - sling-time increases parent/baby communication leading to "success" with EC.
15. It is more comfortable to carry a baby not wrapped in a big nappy.
16. Fosters greater security in a baby - "Mummy and Daddy listen to what I am saying and respond when I need to go."
17. Protects against practices of "crying it out" - the crying child may have to pee.
18. A great explanation of why a baby does not sleep through the night - she sleeps without diapers and wakes to go potty!
19. Provides and additional positive response to a crying baby - see if the baby needs to go to the bathroom.
20. Encourages the use of sign language for enhanced communication with baby.
21. Provides additional support for "extended" breastfeeding - not weaning the baby early will NOT cause the baby to remain in diapers "forever." The baby will be completely "potty trained" long before weaning.
22. Reduces the use of disposable diapers, a major contributor to landfill.
23. Reduces the use of water and detergents used to wash cloth diapers.
24. Reduces the use of disposable wipes used to clean baby's bottom.
25. Does not support the manufacture of dioxins and other toxic chemicals used in the productions of diapers and diapering products.
26. Reduces use of plastic bags used to individually wrap dirty disposable diapers.
27. Getting peed on by an infant can be funny (the first few times at least!)
28. Pottying is more fun than changing diapers
29. Baby bottoms are only tiny for a short time; why cover up the cuteness?
30. Impress and amaze other people when baby pees or poops in the potty.
31. Teaches parents how to trust their intuitions (and practice ESP with baby!)
32. As if we needed another reason to appreciate our babies...
33. Keeps one humble (on the misses!!!)
34. A diaperless baby turns the dullest shopping trip into an adventure in new territory.
35. EC enhances one's creativity - many EC parents sew to make pants that fit without diapers or find the best restrooms in town.
36. Creates fond memories of places where baby peed.
37. After starting EC, it is very hard to find reasons not to do it.
38. Meet great people on EC-mailing lists.
39. The misses make funny stories (once you're done cleaning them up.
40. It's fun to see the looks on people's faces when you say that your 18 month-old is still nursing but is also out of diapers!
41. EC makes great material for silly nursery rhyme potty songs to sing while baby finishes his business.
42. Provides more opportunities to play in the mirror in the bathroom.
43. Babies have bladder and sphincter control from birth.
44. Babies are able to communicate their needs from birth.
45. An EC child will be more active earlier in pulling up and down his or her pants because of earlier involvement (versus being forced to lie passively on a changing table).
46. Teaches you healthy skepticism about things "everybody knows," such as "babies have no control..."
47. Babies gain more skills as they grow, so help them gain confidence by starting with what they know and can control.
48. Gives baby a chance to show how smart she is and how well she can communicate.
49. You know in advance when your baby is about to reach a new developmental milestone - increased "misses" often precedes a developmental change.
50. It teaches older siblings about communicating with the baby.
51. It helps older siblings develop healthy attitudes about bodily functions.
52. A diaperless baby smells wonderful!
53. Babies think it is fun!
54. Wearing underwear is a lot more comfortable than disposables or a wet cloth diaper.
55. Babies genitals are not out of reach for him, hidden under a fat diaper for the first formative years. Even when wearing pants he can explore his body much more freely.
56. Watering trees outside is fun for baby.
57. Baby doesn't have to be forced against his/her will to lie still while being changed.
58. Disposable diapering can cost nearly $3000 for three years of diapering.
59. Cloth diapering can cost $1000 for three years of diapering.
60. Conventional toilet training starts with learning to "hold it" while EC starts with learning to "let go" - this can make a big difference on a baby's perception of elimination and and of life in general.
61. Contrary to the promises in advertisements, diapers don't keep the baby clean and dry, but only his clothes and environment.
62. Who would want to wear his toilet?
63. Will not have to struggle with conventional potty training later.
64. Less frustration for parent and child.
65. Helping baby learn to use the bathroom in infancy avoids inconsistencies with discipline (i.e.: "No, Baby, you are NOT allowed in the bathroom...." then "Hey Toddler, you are REQUIRED to use the bathroom."
66. People have been doing it for centuries.
67. You will find out that your grandmother EC'd your mother or father before the "experts" told them what to do about toilet training.
68. Fewer diapers to change.
69. No more poopy diapers!
70. It is faster to flush than to lay down, take off, wipe, put on, sit up, etc.
71. It is faster to flush than to lay down, take off, wipe, put on, sit up, etc.
72. Cuts down on washing.
73. If you are (backup) cloth diapering and your washing machine dies on you, it's not much of a problem.
74. You travel light with baby - no diapers to lug around.
75. A baby without diapers fits on your hip much better.
76. It's rather unlikely you'll have "two in diapers".
77. How do you change a diaper in a NYC restaurant bathroom (teeny tiny) or an airplane restroom anyway?
78. You don't need to worry about running out of supplies while traveling.
79. You can take your baby anywhere.
80. You don't have to find the super leak proof and absorbent diaper. If you are using diapers for backup, almost anything will do - it's just in case and won't have to hold much and not for long.
81. You've got more room for baby's clothes as you do not need room for diapers.

Our Favourite Activities... 

These are things that we do together on a regular basis to facilitate learning opportunities and really just becasue we like to!

• walking, riding, scooting, and running together...
• reading anything and everything together and separately...
• preparing, sharing, discussing and enjoying food together...
• playing games - indoors, outdoors, boardgames, organised sports, dramatic games, silly games... any kind of games!!!
• art and crafting together, learning new techniques and skills and creating and sharing...
• socializing with a wide variety of others of all ages, some with kids, some without, getting involved in community events and being active and aware of others around us...
• writing, telling stories and sending letters to pen pals and family and sharing information about our part of the world...
• singing and dancing together and putting on performances for each other...
• going to new places and trying new things is a big one we are always thirsty for new experiences...
• changing, discussing and re-evaluating the ways we do things, moving house, moving furniture around in the house, creating routines and abolishing old habits...
• telling jokes, sharing a laugh and seeking out that which is humorous...
• appreciating, observing, discovering and interacting with our natural world in every way possible, whether it be collecting and cataloging insects, feeding wild dolphins in the bay or just feeding the cat in the kitchen...

What is Natural Learning? 

How do I know if I am doing it?

• Is an enjoyable thing to do for everyone. (So there shouldn't be any moaning or rolling of eyes.)
• Is a conscious decision that learning should take place in a natural manner without recourse to the institution of school. (So it's not a bossy thing and it's not a pressured thing where you have to create comprehensive lesson plans.)
• is a "post-modern" form of education often known as 'un-schooling'. (Definitely not just a crazy hippy ideal.)
• Is the learning people do every day of their lives. (It happens regardless of whether you choose it or not. But you can make the decision to support the process and influence the content that is being learned. For example, allow your child to develop positive self esteem by refraining from criticizing their life choices.)
• Is invigorating because the learner feels a strong personal connection to the content, is ripe for it and has selected it. (So you can just let your child enjoy their own process of discovery.)
• Is a very complex form of learning because it fits the person as well as a finely tailored suit or perfectly crafted dentures. (In other words your child will naturally learn what is appropriate for their development at the appropriate time if you give them the right materials and the space to explore themselves.)
• Natural learning is, and will always remain, the most important form of learning.