Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Held & Heard: Infant potty training, elimination communication & postpartum motherhood

When my 15-month-old caught a virus from his new daycare, everything changed overnight.

His rash was so severe that he couldn't comfortably wear a diaper. As I cared for him through fever, blisters, sleepless nights, and a week at home, I found myself unexpectedly grateful for one decision we'd made from the very beginning: learning to listen to his potty signals.

He didn't suddenly become capable because he got sick. He had been communicating all along.

In this episode, I'm sharing the story of one difficult week that completely reinforced why I believe the best time to begin elimination communication isn't "when life settles down"—it's from the very beginning, when your baby is already wired to communicate.

We'll talk about:

• Why waiting until "later" often makes things harder, not easier.
• What my son's illness revealed about babies' natural awareness.
• The surprising benefits of building communication long before potty independence.
• Why the fruit of EC comes from the practice, not just the end result.

If you've ever thought, "I'll start when things calm down," this episode is for you.

And if listening leaves you wondering what your own baby's signals might look like, I'd love to help you experience your very first catch. Join me inside The First Catch Weekend, where I'll walk you through exactly how to recognize your baby's natural timing, make your first catch in the potty, and discover just how much your baby has been communicating all along.

Because once you see your own baby's signals, you'll never look at them the same way again.

-----

Learn more at Readyfrombirth.com

🐣Preparing for birth? Know what to do from Day One, start the Born Ready course today!

🐥Ready to get on with toilet independence? Help your baby graduate from EC with Ditch the Diapers

📱Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

You wanted to start elimination communication from birth...

...but life happened.

Maybe postpartum survival took over. Maybe you only recently discovered EC. Maybe your baby is already crawling, cruising, or even walking, and you're wondering if you missed your chance.

The good news?

You didn't.

In this episode, I'll walk you through the exact 3-step framework I use to help parents successfully start potty learning with babies 6-18 months and beyond—even if they've never used a potty before.

You'll learn:

• Why timing matters more than anything else (and how to stop guessing)
• How to help your baby feel comfortable with the potty instead of resisting it
• Simple ways to keep even the busiest mobile baby engaged long enough for a successful catch
• Why older babies are still communicating their need to pee and poop—even if you think they've stopped signaling
• How to build confidence one catch at a time without pressure, rewards, or forcing the process

If you've been waiting for the "right time" to start, this episode is your reminder that today is the right time. Your baby is still communicating. You just need to know what to look for.

Ready to get your first catch this weekend?

Join First Catch Weekend, my guided experience that walks you through exactly how to recognize your baby's signals, offer the potty with confidence, and experience your first successful catch—often in just one weekend.

Learn more at readyfrombirth.com.

You started elimination communication because it felt right.

But now you're wondering...

Am I offering too often?

Am I missing her signals?

Why does this still feel so hard?

If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out your baby's subtle potty cues - on top of everything else - this episode is for you.

Today I'm answering a thoughtful question from one of our podcast listeners who asked how I stayed grounded during those early weeks of trial and error. The truth surprised even me: my confidence didn't come from getting every catch right. It came from something much deeper.

In this episode, I'll share:

• Why learning EC with your first baby feels completely different than your second.
• The mistake almost every new EC parent makes when trying to build confidence.
• Why your baby—not a book, not social media, not even me—is ultimately your greatest teacher.
• The subtle shifts that helped me stop guessing and start recognizing my babies' signals with confidence.
• How I adapted EC to fit a busy working mom life with daycare, disposable diapers, and three kids.

If you've been trying to piece together EC from Instagram posts, AI searches, or free tips online but still feel like something isn't clicking, this episode will help you understand why.

Ready to stop guessing and start recognizing what your baby has been communicating all along? Inside Born Ready, I'll teach you the exact framework I developed after years of practicing EC with my own children—so you can learn to see your baby's signals clearly, build confidence faster, and make early potty learning fit your real life as a busy mom.

Learn more at Ready From Birth and join us inside Born Ready.

What if your baby's biggest "problems" aren't actually problems at all?

What if they're communication?

In this episode, we're unpacking five everyday parenting struggles that almost every family encounters—from "colic" and bedtime battles to constant nursing, unexplained fussiness, and babies who just won't settle.

Most of us have been taught to treat these behaviors as sleep issues, feeding issues, or digestive issues.

But what if we've been misreading the signals all along?

I'll walk you through five real-life examples of baby communication that are hiding in plain sight and explain why understanding what's really happening can bring more peace, more confidence, and a much deeper connection with your baby.

Whether you've never heard of elimination communication before or you've been curious but don't know where to start, this episode will challenge the way you think about your baby's behavior—and help you see your little one with fresh eyes.

• Why "colic" isn't always what it seems.
• The surprising reason some babies fight sleep.
• What your breastfeeding struggles might actually be telling you.
• Why timing isn't the same as understanding your baby's cues.
• How recognizing one simple pattern can change the way you respond to your baby every day.

If this episode leaves you wondering, "What if my baby has been trying to tell me this all along?" I'd love to help you experience it for yourself.

First Catch Weekend is a simple, low-pressure way to recognize your baby's communication and get your very first potty catch (and the signal behind it)—without changing your lifestyle or giving up diapers overnight.

Learn more at readyfrombirth.com

For years, I believed elimination communication worked because I had mastered the "right" techniques and was so in tune with my baby and my intuition.

I don't believe that anymore.

In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing a simple realization:

The evidence for EC can be found right there in the Bible itself - and it will change the way you see your babies forever. 

Together we'll explore passages from Genesis, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Jeremiah, the Gospels, and more as we ask a simple question:

What if the awareness and capability that makes elimination communication work...is intrinsic to God's design for babies?

Whether you're already practicing elimination communication, you're simply curious about infant potty learning, or you're wrestling with questions of faith and motherhood, I hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, look again, and consider what your baby may already be trying to tell you.

In this episode:

• Why biblical life makes me question modern assumptions about babies
• What Scripture says about God's design for children
• How my own birth story strengthened my faith
• Why I believe elimination communication is ultimately about relationship—not potty training

If you're curious how to see YOUR baby's signals, the First Catch Weekend will help you catch not just your baby's first poop, but the signal behind it. 

Want the complete roadmap? Learn the full path to communication with your baby from birth to toilet independence inside the Born Ready course. 

If EC has been feeling harder as your baby grows, and now they're refusing the potty?

In this episode, you'll learn why relying on timing alone eventually stops working, why "easy catches" become less reliable as babies grow, and how learning your baby's communication completely changes the experience.

You'll discover:

• why potty refusal is usually an accuracy problem—not a behavior problem

• the difference between offering too early, too late, and just in time

• the two foundational skills that make elimination communication dramatically easier

• how to recognize the subtle body language your baby is already using before they pee or poop

• why mobile babies often appear to "regress" even when their awareness is increasing

Heather also shares the simple shift that helped one First Catch Weekend mom go from frustration to catching two pees in a single day after months of struggling.

If you've started EC but feel like you're losing momentum, or you've wondered whether your baby has simply outgrown it, this episode will help you see what's actually happening—and once you see it, you won't be able to unsee it.

Ready to finally catch a signal...not just a poop?

Join First Catch Weekend, where Heather walks you through exactly what to watch for with your own baby over one weekend so you can experience your first confident catches together.

→ Learn more at Ready From Birth.

What do you do when your baby has missed naps, missed bedtime, been stuck on an airplane for hours, and is melting down in a hotel room at 3 a.m.?

Most parents would assume the answer is sleep.

That's exactly what I thought, at first.

In this episode, I'm sharing the most stressful travel day I've ever experienced as a mom of three. Flight delays, missed connections, airport chaos, a packed hotel room, and a toddler who absolutely would not settle down. By the middle of the night, I was exhausted, frustrated, and completely out of ideas.

But there was one detail I almost missed...

And once I saw it, everything changed.

This story isn't really about travel. It's about what happens when you stop guessing and start recognizing what your baby is trying to communicate. It's about the difference between reacting to behavior and understanding what's underneath it. And it's a reminder that the "knowing" experienced EC parents talk about isn't magic, intuition, or a special gift—it's a skill you can learn.

If you've ever wondered:

• How do EC parents know when their baby needs to go?
• What does it actually feel like when it clicks?
• Can this really work outside of a perfectly controlled environment?
• How do I become more confident reading my baby's signals?

...this episode is for you.

This Friday, June 26, I'm opening the very first First Catch Weekend.

Over one simple weekend, I'll help you learn how to recognize your baby's signals, make your first potty catch, and experience the confidence that comes from truly understanding what your baby is trying to tell you.

Because once you experience that moment for yourself, you'll never see your baby the same way again.

Sign up now for the First Catch Weekend

We start Friday, June 26th at 5 PM ET, and I can't wait to show you what's possible with YOUR baby.

Can a potty-trained baby really succeed in daycare?

If you've ever worried that returning to work, using childcare, or having other caregivers would undo all of your elimination communication progress, this episode is for you.

When my 14-month-old son started daycare, I expected a smooth transition. After all, he'd been practicing EC since birth, communicating his potty needs for months, and was fully potty trained at home before his first birthday.

Then something happened that almost made me give it all up - three poop accidents in a single day.

Was daycare going to undo everything we'd worked for? What happened next completely changed the story.

In this episode, I'm sharing:

• What those daycare accidents were really telling me
• The simple adjustments that turned things around almost immediately
• Why EC works even when you're a full-time working mom
• Why successful infant potty learning has nothing to do with perfection
• The hidden skill that matters far more than having a perfect routine

Most importantly, you'll discover why elimination communication is less about potty training and more about learning to understand the unique rhythms, patterns, and communication your baby has been showing you all along.

Whether you're practicing EC already, curious about starting, or simply looking for a more connected way to respond to your baby, this episode will help you see what's possible.

Enrollment is now open for First Catch Weekend, a live guided experience designed to help you get your very first catch—even if you've never tried EC before.

In just one weekend, I'll show you exactly when to offer the potty, how to recognize your baby's natural timing, and how to experience that moment when you realize your baby has been communicating with you all along.

No special equipment. No complicated routines. No lifestyle overhaul.

Just one catch that changes how you see your baby forever.

Learn more and make this your First Catch Weekend.

You've learned your baby's signals.

You're catching pees and poops.

Maybe EC is working beautifully.

But now you're wondering:

When is my baby actually ready to move beyond diapers?

This is where many EC families get stuck.

Some parents wait for dry diapers before introducing underwear. Others continue using diapers long after their baby has the mobility and communication skills needed for greater independence. And many discover that the transition they assumed would happen naturally... never quite does.

In this episode, I'm breaking down:

• The 3 signs your baby may be ready to stop relying on diapers
• Why consistent dryness is not a prerequisite for underwear
• The surprising connection between mobility and toilet independence
• What potty refusal is really telling you
• Why many EC families struggle after crawling begins

You'll also hear why we transitioned our own baby out of daytime diapers at just 7.5 months and what happened once he became mobile enough to communicate his potty needs more independently.

If you've ever wondered whether your EC baby is truly on track for toilet independence—or you're worried about ending up in a stressful toddler potty training battle later—this episode will help you understand what comes next.

Ditch the Diapers is my step-by-step program for babies who are already communicating their potty needs and are ready to begin the transition toward daytime dryness and toilet independence.

Inside, you'll learn exactly how to reduce diaper dependence, introduce underwear strategically, handle accidents without frustration, and support your baby's growing independence without pressure.

Learn more and Ditch the Diapers.

Wondering which diapers to use for the early months?

Look no further than Hiro diapers, the only truly non-toxic disposable diaper on the market made of blanket-soft unbleached cotton and sustainable wood pulp, paired with Hiro's proprietary friendly fungi that break down the entire diaper and contents in just months in the landfill. Best yet? It's perfect for EC - a slower wicking core protects your baby's sensitive skin while also keeping the feedback and letting them know that something happened, so you don't lose your EC progress while they're at daycare or on the go. 

Use the code READYFROMBIRTH to claim your lifetime discount on a 🍄Hiro diaper subscription. 🌱

Why would a working mom choose to ditch diapers before her baby is even walking?

And what’s the actual downside of keeping babies in diapers until age 2, 3, or beyond?

In this episode, I’m diving into what I call “The Diaper Effect”—the hidden developmental and behavioral impact of modern diaper dependence, and why our family chose to transition both of our younger children out of daytime diapers around one year old (with our youngest beginning the transition at just 7.5 months).

We’re talking about:

• Elimination communication (EC) for working moms
• Early potty learning and infant potty training
• Why modern disposable diapers “mask the moment”
• How diapers affect potty awareness and communication
• Research on diapers and walking development
• Why babies in underwear learn differently than babies in diapers
• Responsive vs reactive potty learning
• And how we made this work with two full-time working parents and three small children

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Why start potty training so early?”
• “Can EC work for working moms?”
• “What’s the benefit of ditching diapers before age 2?”
• “Do diapers affect walking or potty awareness?”
• “Can babies really learn to use the potty this young?”

This episode is for you.

Because this isn’t about pressure, perfection, or forcing independence early.

It’s about helping your baby connect: 👉 bodily awareness 👉 communication 👉 and response

So that potty learning becomes something gradual, relational, and intuitive—instead of a battle later on.

In this episode, I also share:

• the studies linking bulky diapers to altered gait patterns and increased falls
• why wetness feedback matters
• and how responsive parenting changes the potty learning process entirely

Whether you’re fully practicing EC already, just EC-curious, or somewhere in between, this conversation will completely change the way you think about diapers.

✨ Is your baby already cruising? Learn how to Ditch the Diapers here (without stress, pressure or perfection)

✨ Ready to make potty learning work in real life?

Inside my courses and support community The Listening Circle, I help postpartum and working moms build a practical, responsive approach to EC and early potty learning—from birth through toilet independence.

You can learn more at: 👉 readyfrombirth.com

—

If this episode resonated with you, send me a DM on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec or email me at hello@readyfrombirth.com. 

If you're a working mom, preparing for a too-short maternity leave and already lining up daycare - this episode is for you. 

You want the best for your baby, you're setting up the premium diaper subscription (by the way, do you know about Hiro? They're my number one pick for disposables to use with EC), and you're wondering how you're going to juggle it all. 

But did you know, elimination communication can work for YOU too?

In this episode, I’m sharing how we used EC to potty train both our youngest two children by one (and why you'd even want to)  — while working, using childcare, juggling multiple kids, and living very normal busy modern lives.

Not by “training” a newborn. Not by forcing independence. And definitely not by sitting at home staring at our baby all day.

We’re talking about:

• how elimination communication actually works in real life as a working mom
• why early potty learning can make postpartum easier, not harder
• why misleading guidance about “readiness” often delays toilet learning longer
• how to lay the foundation during maternity leave before returning to work
• what to do about childcare for EC
• why consistency matters more than perfection

If you want a simpler, more connected and more sustainable way forward than diapers as usual — and you’re tired of being told to just wait until your child is older — this episode will open up an entirely different possibility.

Especially if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking:

“I would love this… but there’s no way it could work for someone like me.”

Friend, I work too. And this episode is for you.

And if this episode resonated with you, here are two more episodes to listen to next:

→ Why EC Makes the Newborn Phase Easier If you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or wondering how on earth you could add something “extra” during the newborn stage, start here. 

→ How We Make EC Work as a Working Family Curious how we make EC work with childcare? Here I share the behind-the-scenes logistics of how we’ve made early potty learning sustainable as a working family.

And if you’re ready to stop guessing and learn exactly how to start potty learning with your baby from birth to 12 months, the Born Ready course is the place to start. 

Inside Born Ready, you'll discover:

• how to recognize your baby’s potty signals
• how to respond confidently without stress or obsession
• how to make EC work in real life with diapers, work, daycare, and modern motherhood
• how to lay the foundation for easy, natural potty independence from the very beginning

--------

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

This week’s episode is unlike anything I’ve shared before.

We’re talking about the parts of postpartum motherhood that rarely make it online: the disconnect, the loneliness, the strain on marriage after children, and the quiet search so many women find themselves in after becoming mothers.

I’m sharing pieces of my own story — including a rare VBA2C birth after two emergency C-sections, postpartum separation, rebuilding a relationship that I thought was over, and the unexpected faith journey that changed everything for me.

This episode explores:

• postpartum marriage struggles
• motherhood and identity loss
• reconciliation after separation
• faith, healing, and forgiveness
• choosing repair over “starting over”
• rebuilding trust after conflict
• and what happens when postpartum cracks open every part of your life

Whether you’re walking through tension in your relationship, processing your own birth story, navigating early motherhood, exploring faith, or simply feeling overwhelmed by this season of life — I hope this conversation makes you feel less alone.

And while this episode is only loosely connected to elimination communication, it is deeply connected to the heart behind this podcast: connection, listening, healing, and learning to build strong families in a culture that often tells us to walk away instead.

✨ If you want ongoing support and real conversations about motherhood, postpartum life, EC, relationships, and family rhythms, you can join us inside The Listening Circle community.

Learn more here: Ready From Birth

If you’ve ever thought:

• “It was working… but now I’m missing everything”
• “My baby was signaling, but now they’re resisting”
• “I don’t know what to do at this stage”

This episode is for you.

Because this is the part of elimination communication that almost no one talks about.

Not the first catch. Not the highlight reel.

But the messy middle—where your baby is learning, growing, changing… and things stop feeling clear.

In this episode, I’m sharing a real, unfiltered excerpt from one of my Listening Circle coaching calls—where I talk through what actually happened when:

👉 my baby clearly needed to poop… 👉 I gave him the space to get there on his own… 👉 and he did THIS instead...

But that doesn’t mean failure.

It means the process is working.

We’re talking about:

• Why misses and messes are part of learning
• What “progress” actually looks like in EC
• Why independence comes after awareness and communication
• And what to do when you’re no longer a beginner—but not fully confident either

Because EC isn’t something you learn once and master.

It’s something you live with your baby—and it changes constantly.

—

✨ This is exactly why I created the Listening Circle.

A space for moms who are already practicing EC and need support in the real-life moments:

• when your baby stops signaling
• when they resist the potty
• when you’re thinking about ditching diapers
• when you’re not sure what to do next

Inside, we get on live calls together and work through what’s actually happening with your baby—in real time.

Not theory. Not guesswork.

Real support, so you can stop second guessing and make this work in your life.

You can join us here:

👉 Join the Listening Circle

What if your baby is already showing you exactly when they need to pee or poop… and you’re just missing it?

In this episode, I’m walking you through 5 clear, everyday signals that your baby is already communicating—some of which probably happened today without you even realizing what they meant.

We’re talking about:

• The moment your baby suddenly goes quiet (and why it matters)
• What squirming during feeds is really telling you
• Why babies lose interest in food mid-meal
• The truth behind fussiness in the carrier
• And one of the most overlooked sleep disruptions that’s actually a potty cue

These aren’t advanced techniques or complicated routines. These are real-life moments—things you’re already seeing—that can completely change how you approach elimination communication.

If you’ve ever felt like:

• “I don’t know when my baby needs to go”
• “I think I’m missing the signals”
• “I don’t want to guess and get it wrong”

This episode will give you a whole new lens to see what’s already happening.

Because EC isn’t about doing more. It’s about noticing what’s already there.

—

✨ Ready to stop guessing and actually understand your baby’s signals?

Inside my Born Ready course, I walk you step-by-step through:

• How to recognize your baby’s unique signals
• How those signals change by age and stage
• And how to build a simple, repeatable rhythm that actually works in real life

So you can move from “hoping you catch it” to confidently knowing exactly when your baby needs to go.

👉Learn more about Born Ready here

—

If this episode gave you an “aha” moment, send me a DM on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec—I’d love to hear what you’re noticing with your baby.

If you’ve been curious about elimination communication (EC) but feel like you don’t have the time, energy, or consistency to do it “right”… this episode is for you.

Because here’s the truth no one talks about: EC is not a perfect practice.

In this episode, I’m sharing a real, unfiltered look at what infant potty learning actually looks like in a busy, working-mom life—with three kids, early mornings that don’t go as planned, missed cues, messy moments, and yes… poop on the floor.

You’ll learn:

• Why you don’t need to catch every pee or poop for EC to “work”
• How to practice elimination communication while still using diapers
• What it looks like to follow your baby’s signals without pressure or perfection
• Why missed catches still build your baby’s awareness and communication
• How to approach EC with confidence—even if you work or your baby goes to daycare

If you’re pregnant or newly postpartum and thinking, “I want to do this… I just need a clear, simple way to start…”

👉 Born Ready walks you through exactly how to begin EC from day one (or wherever you’re starting), without overwhelm You’ll learn what to look for, when to offer, and how to make this feel natural in your real life

[Explore Born Ready here]

If you’ve gotten a few catches, but you’re still wondering:

• “Am I doing this right?”
• “Why did signals disappear?”
• “Why does it feel so hit or miss?”

👉 The Listening Circle is where you get real-time support, troubleshooting, and reassurance This is where we take everything from “I think I get it…” to “I feel confident doing this every day”

Join us for our next live call + ongoing support: [Join the Listening Circle]

If your baby is standing, cruising, or walking—and you’re starting to think about life without diapers…

👉 Ditch the Diapers shows you how to transition from assisted pottying to true independence (without power struggles, pressure, or waiting until age 2+)

[Learn more about Ditch the Diapers]

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I love this idea, but I could never do it like that”
• “I tried EC and it didn’t go perfectly”
• “I don’t have the capacity for one more thing”

I want you to hear this clearly:

You can do this imperfectly—and it still matters.

Because EC isn’t about being diaper-free. It’s about learning to listen to your baby—and trusting yourself to respond.

What happens after your first “catch”… and how do you actually get to a potty-trained baby?

In this episode of Held and Heard, I’m walking you through the exact 3-part framework I used to support my baby in becoming dry, aware, and communicating his need to go by just 10 weeks old.

Whether you’re starting elimination communication (EC) from birth or finding this later with an older baby, this episode will show you what actually makes early toilet learning work.

Inside, we cover:

• How to build body awareness from birth (and why this is the foundation of EC)
• How babies naturally communicate potty needs—even without words
• How to support your baby in holding, signaling, and initiating potty use
• Why waiting until age 2–3 often makes potty training harder—not easier
• And how to begin, even if you feel like you’ve “missed your window”

If you’ve ever felt like:

• “I got a few catches… now what?”
• “My baby isn’t signaling clearly”
• “I don’t have time to sit around hoping they’ll go”

This episode will give you a clear, simple path forward.

And if you’re ready for step-by-step support, you can learn exactly how to apply this framework inside:

• Born Ready (for newborns and early postpartum)
• Ditch the Diapers (for mobile babies 10–18 months)

Start where you are. It’s not too late—and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you’ve ever thought, “This sounds amazing… but I don’t know where to start,” this episode is for you.

In this episode, I’m walking you through three simple, natural moments that are already built into your day—where your baby is very likely to pee or poop… and how to respond in a way that feels easy, intuitive, and doable (even in the newborn stage).

We’re talking about:

• Why your baby almost always poops during or after feeding—and how to use that to your advantage
• The subtle “waking up” cues that actually mean your baby needs to pee
• What to do right when you take your baby out of the car seat (this one is a game changer)
• How to start EC without pressure, perfection, or doing it “all day long”

This is not about doing more. It’s about noticing more—and responding just a little sooner.

You don’t have to wait until things feel easier. You can start right here—with what your baby is already showing you.

Let's do it together: get real time support, encouragement, and troubleshooting inside The Listening Circle , a global community of EC mamas learning to listen to our babies, together.

______________________________

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

If you’ve ever wondered…

• “What is elimination communication actually like day-to-day?”
• “Am I signing up for something stressful or unrealistic?”
• “Can babies really be potty trained before 1?”

This episode answers that—honestly.

In this behind-the-scenes, real-life walkthrough, I’m taking you through a full 24 hours of doing elimination communication (EC) with my 11-month-old baby.

You’ll hear exactly what it looks like:

• How babies signal they need to go (and how to recognize it)
• What nights, mornings, and outings actually feel like
• How EC works with a nanny, work schedule, and multiple kids
• What changes as your baby becomes more independent
• Why EC gets easier, not harder, over time

I also break down one of the biggest misconceptions about EC: 👉 That it adds more work to your life

In reality, when you understand your baby’s communication, everything becomes simpler, calmer, and more connected.

Whether you’re:

• Pregnant and curious about starting from birth
• A few months in and unsure if you’re “doing it right”
• Or starting later and wondering if it’s too late

This episode will show you what’s possible—and what to expect.

—

Your baby (and you!) can do this too - f you want a clear, step-by-step way to:

• Understand your baby’s signals
• Know exactly when and how to offer
• And move toward early potty independence without stress

Explore the Born Ready course (best for babies starting EC from 0-12 months) and Ditch the Diapers (best for young toddlers 10-18 months) 

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

If you’ve ever thought:

• “Elimination communication sounds amazing… but I work.”
• “What about daycare?”
• “I can’t be with my baby 24/7…”

This episode is for you.

Because the truth is—those aren’t actually barriers to elimination communication. They’re just the wrong questions.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what it really looks like to practice EC as a working mom, including:

• Why “daycare” isn’t the real issue (and what is)
• What to say to caregivers (and what to expect)
• Why most U.S. daycare settings struggle with EC—and what to do instead
• Real-life childcare setups that actually support your baby’s learning
• How to create consistency (even when you’re not the one with your baby all day)
• The exact system I’ve used with multiple caregivers, nannies, and an au pair
• How EC can still lead to potty independence by 12–15 months—even with a job

I’m also sharing behind-the-scenes of how I made this work as a full-time professional with three kids—so you can see what’s actually possible.

Because this isn’t about staying home.

It’s about understanding your baby, creating consistency, and choosing a system that works with your life—not against it.

If you’re pregnant or newly postpartum and want a clear, step-by-step system to make this simple:

Inside Born Ready, I walk you through exactly how to:

• Start from birth (or wherever you are)
• Recognize your baby’s signals
• Create routines that caregivers can follow
• Stay consistent all the way to early potty independence

This is the piece most moms are missing—and it’s what makes this actually work.

👉 Learn more at: readyfrombirth.com

Your baby won't stop crying. Their belly is full and their diaper is dry—but nothing works. Is it gas? Constipation? Your pediatrician says "colic" and tells you to wait it out. But what if your newborn isn't colicky at all?

In this episode, I'm revealing the one communication signal that almost every new mother misses—and why understanding it can transform those hours of unexplained crying into 30 seconds to relief.

If you've ever felt helpless while your baby screams, convinced there's something wrong but unable to figure out what, this episode is for you. I'm breaking down exactly why the newborn phase (0-8 weeks) is actually the EASIEST time to start understanding your baby—not the hardest—and how tuning into this one overlooked need can help prevent the overwhelm, frustration, and postpartum depression that so many mothers experience.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The real reason your newborn cries that has nothing to do with gas or colic
• Why babies communicate most clearly in the first 8 weeks (and what happens when we miss it)
• The exact body language and facial cues that signal your baby needs help—before they start screaming
• How I went from hours of unexplained crying with baby #1 to peaceful, confident postpartum with baby #3
• Why starting elimination communication from birth makes newborn care EASIER, not harder
• What a "30-second potty pause" looks like in real life (yes, even one week postpartum after a 4th degree tear)

This isn't about adding more to your plate. This is about understanding what your baby has been trying to tell you all along—so you can finally help them, trust yourself, and stop second-guessing every cry.

If you're pregnant or in the thick of the newborn phase right now, this episode could change everything.

Ready to learn more? Check out the Born Ready course for a step-by-step system to start elimination communication from day one.

🌿Already practicing EC? Join The Listening Circle for real-time support and community

______________________________

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com

🌱 Interested in sustainability and toxin free gear? Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

If you're pregnant or in the early postpartum weeks and feel overwhelmed by your baby’s crying, you’re not alone.

Many new moms are told that newborn crying is “normal,” mysterious, or something you just have to survive. But what if your baby is actually communicating something specific — and you can learn to understand it?

In this episode of Held and Heard, Heather Medlin shares a powerful reframe that can transform the newborn stage: babies don’t cry randomly. They cry because they have a need.

You’ll learn the five basic needs every newborn communicates, including one that is almost completely overlooked in modern parenting — your baby’s need to pee or poop.

Heather explains how elimination communication (EC) and infant potty learning can help you understand your baby’s signals, reduce unexplained crying, and create a calmer postpartum experience for both of you.

This episode is especially helpful if you:

• Are pregnant and preparing for the newborn stage

• Have a newborn who seems to cry constantly

• Feel unsure how to meet your baby’s needs

• Are curious about elimination communication or natural infant potty learning

• Want a more connected, responsive approach to parenting

Instead of adding more to your plate, this approach helps you listen to what your baby is already communicating.

When you understand your baby’s signals, everything begins to feel easier.

Don't have the bandwidth to figure this out alone? Let's do it together: get real time support, encouragement, and troubleshooting inside The Listening Circle , a global community of EC mamas learning to listen to our babies, together.

______________________________

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

Can a newborn really be potty trained?

Or have we misunderstood what “ready” actually means?

In today’s episode, I’m unpacking one of the biggest misconceptions around potty training and elimination communication — the idea that children must walk, talk, and fully manage the bathroom independently before they “deserve” to be out of diapers.

If you’ve ever Googled:

• “When is my child ready for potty training?”

• “Is elimination communication realistic?”

• “Can newborns control their bladder?”

• “Infant potty training vs traditional potty training”

This conversation is for you.

In this episode, I share:

• Why the cultural definition of potty training may be incomplete

• The three criteria I use to define “potty trained" for a baby

• Why your newborn already shows readiness from birth

• Why elimination communication is about dignity, not pressure

• The difference between independence and capability

This isn’t about adding something new to your already full postpartum plate.

It’s about recognizing what your baby is already communicating.

🧭 Learn more about the Born Ready course (0–12 months roadmap) 🌿 Join community support inside The Listening Circle

______________________________

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

Do babies really have bladder and bowel control — or is that a myth?

In this episode of Held & Heard, Heather Medlin shares what actually happens when you begin elimination communication (EC) with a newborn or young baby.

Instead of talking about long-term potty training benefits, we focus on what changes right now in the postpartum season.

You’ll hear:

• Real stories of newborns holding and waiting for the potty

• What “bladder control” actually looks like in babies

• Why babies don’t immediately eliminate the moment they feel pressure

• How infant potty training builds body awareness and communication

• Why elimination communication works even part-time

• What changes in connection, trust, and confidence when you start listening

Many parents are told that babies have no bladder or bowel control until much later. But when you start responding to their signals, something surprising happens.

Whether you’re pregnant, in the newborn phase, or starting EC at 6–12 months, this episode will help you understand what’s possible.

🌿 Download the Free Elimination Communication Quick Start Guide 🌿 Learn more about the Born Ready course (0–12 months roadmap) 🌿 Join community support inside The Listening Circle

Your baby is aware. Your baby is communicating. And you are capable of listening.

______________________________

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

What is elimination communication — and is it really about raising your baby without diapers?

In this episode of Held & Heard, Heather Medlin — infant potty learning educator and founder of Ready From Birth — explains what elimination communication actually means, what it doesn’t mean, and why every baby is communicating their potty needs from the day they are born.

You’ll learn:

• What elimination communication (EC) really is

• Why infant potty training isn’t about perfection or going diaper free

• The history of modern disposable diapers

• How early toilet learning works in cultures around the world

• Why listening to your baby’s body language builds confidence and connection

• How you can practice EC while still using diapers

Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, curious about potty training from birth, or wondering if elimination communication works for working moms — this episode will give you clarity.

Elimination communication is not about performance. It’s about listening.

🎧 Learn more about the Born Ready course (your complete roadmap to EC from birth to 12 months)

🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers, the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth)

______________________________

🐣 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com 🌿 Explore community support inside The Listening Circle  📬 Grab the free EC Quick Start Guide

📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

Discover how elimination communication (EC) can transform your postpartum experience—no perfect conditions required. Learn to understand your baby's natural potty cues, reduce crying, and build deeper connection through responsive caregiving. Perfect for babywearing, cloth diapering, and eco-conscious mamas seeking gentle, intuitive parenting practices. Start with just one offer a day.

[00:00] Welcome to Held and Heard - Introduction to elimination communication and infant potty learning

[01:01] Why this episode is about practice over perfection 

[02:18] What is elimination communication (EC)? Understanding your baby's natural potty cues

[03:30] Why EC matters: How humans have cared for babies throughout history

[04:37] Your baby is already aware - Understanding infant body awareness from birth

[05:53] The truth about "colic" - Why babies cry at 4-6 weeks old

[08:15] How ignoring potty cues affects your baby and future potty training

[10:27] You don't need to do it perfectly - Starting with awareness and one offer a day

[12:00] Heather's personal story - The difference between baby #1 and babies #2 & #3

[13:19] Trusting your maternal instincts - You already know what your baby needs

[14:36] The relief and calm that comes from responsive pottying

[15:37] Take the next step - Don't wait for perfect conditions

______________________________

🎧 Learn more about natural infant toilet learning and elimination communication at readyfrombirth.com 🌿 Explore EC courses + The Listening Circle community at Ready From Birth 📬 Grab the free EC Quick Start Guide

Follow Heather on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec