Ep. 453: Elimination Communication Explained: Potty Cues, Diaper-Free Babies & EC Tips w/ Andrea Olson

Today’s episode is brought to you by Two Pages Curtains. After struggling to find nursery curtains that were both beautiful and made with higher-quality materials, HeHe fell in love with their customizable cotton and linen styles for Saggy Boy’s nursery. Visit twopagescurtains.com and use code HEHE for exclusive savings on your favorite styles.

In this episode, HeHe dives into one of the parenting topics that gets so many raised eyebrows… elimination communication (EC). 💩✨ After starting EC with her own baby around 8–9 weeks postpartum, HeHe shares how learning her baby’s potty cues actually helped her feel more confident, connected, and intuitive as a new mom—not less.

She’s joined by EC educator and Andrea Olson, author of Go Diaper Free, to break down what elimination communication really is (hint: it’s not forcing a newborn to potty train). Andrea explains how babies naturally communicate their need to go, the simple “easy catches” parents can start with, and how EC can work in real life—even if you use disposable diapers, have multiple kids, travel often, or use daycare.

Together, they unpack the history behind modern diaper culture, why potty training timelines shifted so dramatically over the last century, and how “Big Diaper” marketing changed the way parents think about infant toileting. They also discuss diaper rash, environmental impact, attachment, intuition, and how EC can reduce stress, save money, and strengthen communication between parent and baby. Whether you’re EC-curious or fully skeptical, this episode will absolutely make you rethink what’s “normal” when it comes to babies and diapers.

Guest Bio:

Andrea Olson is the author of Go Diaper Free and The Tiny Potty Training Book, and the world’s leading educator on elimination communication. A mom of six who practiced EC with every one of her babies, Andrea has helped over a million families tune into their baby’s cues and ditch diapers earlier than they ever thought possible. She’s passionate about restoring the gentle, intuitive potty wisdom that modern diaper culture has quietly replaced — and making it accessible for every family. she also owns TinyUndies.com where she sells natural super small undies, trainers, and potties.

Connect with Andrea:

Godiaperfree.com

Get 25% off with code EASYSTART

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Connect with Andrea on IG: https://www.instagram.com/godiaperfree/

BIRTH EDUCATION:

Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app

LINKS MENTIONED:

Baby language video: https://youtube.com/shorts/xNJlS3f70gk?si=j56LT6RPVpNyFjl5