All parents will know what a trial potty training can be. Some children can pick it up and respond easily, whereas others have anxieties and fears of using the potty.
Potty training can be a long and tiresome process that can take up to six years or more to master.
If you are a parent, then you will already understand how desirable it is to get your toddler out of diapers and using the potty.
You may have noticed that some cultures can begin to have their children potty trained from birth.
Children in other cultures will go diaper free, and the parents will watch for signals that their child may need to use the toilet.
By using the no-diaper method, these cultures can have their babies potty trained by 18 months old! Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not.
With elimination communication, you can begin to listen and understand your child’s natural cues when they need to pee or poop, and start communicating with them so that they know when to use the potty.
Elimination communication is the process of using timing, signals and natural cues in order to understand your baby’s bodily needs to eliminate their waste.
By understanding their signals, the parent can provide an appropriate place, such as a toilet or a potty for them to defecate safely and hygienically without a diaper.
This method helps both the baby and the parent to understand when they will need to go the bathroom, to help the child understand to respond to natural cues and use an appropriate place to eliminate.
Thus, you can get your babies out of diapers much quicker, and save yourself from the messy clean ups, the expensive diapers, and wasted time trying to coax your child out of diapers.
When it comes to elimination communication, you will need a potty available in every room, ready to grasp at the shortest notice.
To help you on your potty training journey, we have gathered the best elimination communication potties available on the market.
Our Best Pick
With so many different types of potties available, it can be hard to find the right one for your child, and for the best elimination communication practice.
This is why we have done all of the searching for you. The best elimination communication potty is The Baby Potty for early potty training.
This is the shortest, smallest potty available on the market made for younger, smaller babies and toddlers that are beginning elimination communication.
The Baby Potty is perfect for children who have trouble mounting the larger potty chairs available.
Therefore, this potty allows for more ease of use and independence when it comes to eliminating.
This elimination communication potty also features a high splash guard for messy little boys, with a large handle on the back for carrying around and grabbing quickly.
Made from recyclable, BPA free, lightweight plastic, this potty is perfect for keeping in any room, taking in the car, or even fitting into your diaper free bag.
With the non slip rubber grip on the bottom, thick, durable plastic and reinforced design, you can take this potty to use anywhere.
For the best option to begin elimination communication training, you will want to purchase the Baby Potty.
OUR TOP PICK
If you are looking to get your baby into elimination communication as soon as possible, then we have a potty for you.
The Mini Baby Potty is the shortest potty on the market, which makes it perfect for smaller, younger babies who are early on in their potty training development.
The Mini Baby Potty is perfectly designed and sized for babies and toddlers who struggle to fit onto the other potty chairs available.
This potty makes sitting on the potty easier, and little ones may feel more independent and comfortable when using.
The new and improved design means that there is a non slip rubber grip underneath, thick, durable plastic and a reinforced back handle for easy use.
What is great about this elimination communication potty is that it is recyclable, made of lightweight plastic and BPA-free materials.
You can keep this elimination communication potty in the car, by the bed, in the bathroom, or even in your diaper-free bag.
The high splash guard also makes it perfect for use with boys, for much less mess.
This potty comes in three different colors, and an easy to carry design to quickly grab and go whenever your little one will need it.
Pros
- Smallest, shortest potty available
- Perfect for beginning elimination communication at young age
- Non slip rubber
- Lightweight
- High splash guard
- Easy to clean
- Portable
- Reinforced back handle
Cons
- Only intended for babies from 0-24 months
EDITORS CHOICE
If you want to start potty training as soon as possible, then this is the potty for you. The Top Hat potty can be used to practice elimination communication with newborns!
The unique top hat design can be held between the legs, as you hold your newborn over the potty.
This potty is perfect for outings, nighttime, travel and breastfeeding whilst potty training, as it can be held easily and tightly in place, even if your hands are busy holding the baby.
The innovative design of this elimination potty includes a 100% cotton fleece around the outside of the potty for comfort and slip prevention. It also comes in four different gender neutral colors.
The plastic on this potty is made of lightweight, BPA-free materials that are completely recyclable for your convenience and peace of mind.
The Top Hat Potty is actually specifically designed for elimination communication, or infant diaper free potty training, so it is hygienic, portable, and easy to grab quickly.
Pros
- Designed for elimination communication purposes
- Intended for newborn use
- Can be held underneath the baby
- Portable
- Easy to clean
- 100% cotton fleece around the neck
- Recyclable, safe, lightweight plastic
Cons
- Only intended for babies 0-12 months
BEST VALUE
When it comes to great elimination communication potties, you will want to try the BabyBjorn Smart Potty.
This potty is cost efficient, compact and practical, perfect for use at home, or on trips and in the car.
The BabyBjorn elimination communication potty is sturdy yet comfortable to use, designed with BPA and PVC free plastic.
This potty is perfect for use throughout the elimination communication journey, as the interior is removable and can be used as a top hat potty for early stages.
In addition, the insert also has a splash guard for use with boys!
The design is highly ergonomic and comfortable for toddlers to use, and lightweight enough to take anywhere with you.
Pros
- Can be utilized for entire EC journey
- Cost efficient
- BPA and PVC free
- Compact
- Portable
- Splash guard
- Inside can be removed and used as top hat potty
- Easy to clean
Cons
- No anti-slip for use on the floor
RUNNER UP
For a unique and innovative potty to use for elimination communication, you will want to try the Moby Potty from Be Mindful - How cute is this potty?
This potty has an eye catching and attractive design that encourages children to become independent when it comes to using the potty.
The design features a large whale to sit on, whilst the fin supports the back for a comfortable fit and sit.
Moby has a removable bowl that includes a high gloss finish to naturally repel liquids and solids for an easy and quick clean.
This potty is designed to fit under most sink spouts so that you can easily swish it out, with quick drying properties for those busy parents.
The ergonomic style is perfect for cleanliness and comfort, as Moby’s shape keeps the contents inside with ease.
Pros
- Ergonomic, comfortable design
- Attractive for little ones
- Stable
- Back rest
- Splash guard
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Have to assemble tail onto the back
RUNNER UP
As your child progresses on their elimination communication journey, they may require a larger potty.
We recommend this one, as it replicates the toilet that mommy and daddy uses.
This way, you can encourage your toddler to do what mommy and daddy does, and entice them to use it more often.
The Summer Infant My Size Potty features a realistic design that looks and feels just like a normal toilet, ensuring that your child is comfortable and confident in their transition towards the real thing.
This potty is easy and convenient to use, making potty training mess free. With the splash guard, you can also use this potty with boys without worrying about a mess all over the floor.
This potty even has its own flush sound to make your child feel like they are using the toilet just like mommy, to help reward and build confidence in your child.
In addition, it also builds up the habit of flushing the toilet after use, for when they are ready to move onto the big toilet.
With an easily cleanable design, the lid simply flips up and has a removable inside bowl for an easy empty and clean up time.
Pros
- Designed to look like a normal toilet
- Convenient to use
- Flush sounds
- Sturdy design
- Easy to clean
- Mess free
- Great for transitioning from potty to toilet
Cons
- Only intended for children above 18 months and later on in their potty training
- Not suitable for beginners
Buyer’s Guide
Things to consider when purchasing an elimination communication potty
When purchasing an elimination potty, there are a few things that you will have to consider in order to find the best one,
First and foremost, you will need to find one that will fit your child. If you have a smaller, younger child beginning the elimination communication process, then look for a very small and portable potty that you can grab at a moment’s notice.
You will have to purchase elimination potties that are easy to carry around, place in the car or take anywhere with you to continue your child’s potty training wherever you go.
In addition, you will need to find an elimination communication potty that can fit your toddler’s bum comfortably so that they are relaxed enough to use the potty.
If you have a little boy, then you will also want an elimination communication potty that features a splash guard, as boys can be much messier than girls.
Obviously, you will want to purchase a potty that is easy to clean, empty, and wipe out as you will have to reuse and keep it handy for the next elimination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is elimination communication?
Elimination communication is the process of using signals, timing, or your own intuition in order to understand when your child will need to use the potty.
The method of potty training with elimination communication is based on the idea that a baby will naturally signal when they need to go to the toilet.
If you can figure out your child’s cues and signals, then you can act quickly to position them over a toilet, and make a sound so that they can respond or poop on demand.
Elimination communication is a non-coercive means of responding to your child or baby’s natural elimination needs.
How do you start elimination communication?
Some parents begin elimination communication as early as from birth, in order to understand their child’s cues and communicative signals that show they will need to eliminate their waste.
However, others have started much later and have had great success with elimination communication.
The first step to start elimination communication is to begin observing your child. Give them more freedom with some diaper-free time on a waterproof mat, in case of any accidents.
Babies often have similar potty times, like after a feed or just after waking up. You should start taking notice of your child’s natural cues when they are about to poop or pee.
If you begin to notice your child eliminating, then try to introduce a cue for them to recognize. Making a psssss sound for peeing or a pushing noise as they poo, they will begin to associate those noises with eliminating.
When first starting elimination communication, you will need to keep a potty nearby for quick action.
Try to keep one in each room, so that you can bring one to your baby quickly whenever they show signs that they are going to eliminate.
With many processes of parenthood, it takes a lot of time and effort to see results from elimination communication.
For more information, see our post about Elimination communication, what it is, and how to start elimination communication with newborns and twins.
What age should a child be potty trained by?
When it comes to potty training, it can be difficult for some children and parents to master.
It is important to try not to compare your child’s potty training to anyone else, as everyone is different and will take their own steps towards being potty trained.
That being said, the average age a child should be potty trained is four to five years old. Some can start earlier, and others take much longer to become completely potty trained.
How often should I take my toddler to the potty?
Generally speaking, if you have taken off the diaper, then you should set a timer and take your toddler to the potty every 20 or 30 minutes.
However, you must keep an eye out on your child’s signals and cues, and take them to the potty immediately if you think they are going to eliminate.
Toddlers can often get distracted by toys or playtime, and will forget to listen to their body’s natural cues, so you will have to watch and repeatedly take them to the potty.
