Baby Wearing and Elimination
Communication
 5 simple keys to
success when wearing the EC baby
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 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:
-
 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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)
-
Changes in baby’s body tension, general body
language (use your awareness)
-
Sudden noises, un comfortable noises from
smaller babies, Vocal calls from older babies and toddlers
-
Twitching, tensing, straightening legs, pulling
up their legs, straining at the sling.
-
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’.
-
Facial tension changes, eye contact, frowning.
 Recommended carriers for EC ease:
Learning to wear baby
Well, I love baby wearing, love the philosophy, the reasons behind it,
the
benefits, and
the closeness. However, I found it tricky. Many a time I threw the sling against
the wall in frustration! Having no help in real life was a major bummer. Reading
instructions on the internet and looking at photos wasn't enough for me - there
was always some little bit I didn't get.
I'm sure seasoned baby-wearing experts would have laughed at the dramas I had!
Turns out they are pretty common.
We had very good
success with the red polar fleece pouch - only when going for a walk would he go
off to sleep in it - so we did this every day! Then I made a wrap sling, and
that was useful for a while. I used an ABA
Simplicity Sling for some months - didn't realise it could be a back carry
until I'd moved on to a ring sling and packed it away though.
I managed the kangaroo carry at last with the ring
sling - he was happy in it, but not so good for EC as he is sort of in the
classic position that way.. At seven months I could do the hip carry (after
wrenching my back trying it at 6 months!) and that was the revelation stage for
us - I could carry him nappy free in it, and respond SO EASILY to the warmth
signal (Chi pee) on my hip.
Of course, in time I DID learn how to use carriers, and
eventually even met others who used them!! I went to a baby wearing class run by
Jenny who founded The
Baby Wearer and Kate of Wild
Slings,
learnt all the little minutiae I needed, tried a bunch of different carriers,
lovely!
The 'In-arms' phase
This stage, during the baby's first year in particular is so important for
many many reasons. It is hardly surprising then that practising EC with a babe
in-arms, and 'attached' is easier and the way to go in building confidence and a
strong connection, and getting your connection back on a 'rainy' day.
The
Importance of the In-Arms Phase
Wearing Baby
When he was little I'd wait until he had done a pee before putting him in
the sling. After a while he'd begin to squirm uncomfortably - I'd take him out
and he'd pee - I had good success learning his signs this way - I remember the
first time I was successful - it was SO exciting!
Why
Wear Your Baby?
Carrying Your Baby
Improving his muscles
I'm certain being in the sling improved his muscle control faster,
and helped him have a better awareness of his body sensations, and so he
signalled strongly in the slings. Perhaps due to fewer distractions, the closeness or the
natural desire not to pee on Mum!
Responding to signs
At first I found he just peed when I put him in, as I couldn't tell what
were 'pee sign' and what were 'I'm pissed off in this weird contraption'
grumbles. Over time it improved. I'd be aware he was making little noises and
squirming, and sure enough - he'd pee when I took him out for a pee break. At last, a new sign and a new way to
respond and communicate!
Pee Frequency
while Wearing Baby
When I wear him, instead of going half hourly or less while wandering the
floor, he will go once per hour, even to the minute - it is odd pulling him out
at twelve minutes past the hour for three hours in a row! I often feel very
relaxed with him in a carrier as I know he will clearly signal me, so I just
carry on...
Adapting
Your EC Senses to Different Carriers
I spend a bit of focussed time learning how his signs feel differently in
each new carrier I get, usually over a couple of days, which may mean a few
misses.
Quick
Tips Again for
Practising EC with a sling:
-
Practise around the house.
-
Practise when baby is happy.
-
Wait until baby has had a pee, then put them in the carrier
so that you have some 'normal' behaviour with a relaxed baby to compare to.
When the babe gets anxious or squirmy, you can be aware of the change and
respond to a possible 'pee sign'
-
Have a waterproof nappy on for a while when learning. Who
wants to wash the sling all the time?
-
When feeling more confident after responding well for a
while, use a cloth nappy, or a flannel between their legs - although I found
this tricky to arrange. Wrapping a cloth around them is ok too.
Check out
YouTube for great Baby Wearing videos!
I learnt to do the "Chitenge" back carry from the
"Potty Whispering" DVD. Here is a video of how it is done from YouTube:
Chitenge Back Carry The
Chitenge is the name of the piece of fabric that is used for many different
purposes - one is for wearing the baby. There are some instructions to do
the Chitenge carry also.
I use
a sarong I got up in Darwin when I was fourteen. It works just perfectly.
Browse
from this video to see other baby wearing videos, to help you gain familiarity
in doing the wraps and ties.
The ties
used are much like those used with the Rebozo: The
Original Rebozo Way 'How - to"
Online resources supporting
baby wearing that have helped me:
www.mamatoto.org
Wear your Baby - the Mamatoto Project
www.thebabywearer.com
The Baby Wearer
The Rebozo Way Project - This
article about how important it is to pass the baby around to other carers
for one's own balance is one I read before Maven was even born, when I was
reading everything related to in-arms parenting. It is called "Reflections
on Constant Carrying".
Tummy
2 Tummy is a highly recommended DVD on baby wearing - it is great! I watched a
description of a back carry twice, threw Maven on my back with a long piece of
cloth, just like that!
Learn
Part Time Elimination Communication (EC)
- how we all get started!
Coming
Soon
Online
Stores to explore that offer Slings, wraps and pouches for sale:
Wild
Slings
Bear
Hug Baby
Chickadee
Baby Slings
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