EC, NIH, IPT

The practice of Pottying from Birth goes by several other names.

Most commonly on the web, it is referred to as Elimination Communication (or ec for short) - a phrase coined by Ingrid Bauer in her book 'Diaper Free!'. I avoid using this term when trying to explain our pottying strategy to other parents. I think it makes me (and therefore the way I raise my children) seem very weird indeed. If I'm trying to present this as natural, logical and applicable to everyone, that isn't a good starting point.

I prefer the term Natural Infant Hygiene (nih) but it doesn't give much of an idea of what it's all about.

Most descriptive for other parents is Infant Potty Training (ipt) - but that tends to imply that the 'training' aspect (and outcome) might be similar to that associated with 2 to 3 year olds (what I would call 'conventional potty training') and it simply isn't.

I've heard tell of people's grand parents calling it In Arms Pottying which is a pretty accurate description.

Then there's Nappy Free! which sounds wonderful but suggests a complete lack of nappies (or any other absorbent assistance) and is rather daunting.

So for me, Pottying from Birth or Infant Pottying it is.