Held & Heard: Infant potty training, elimination communication & postpartum motherhood

015 / How to Potty Train Your Baby by One (Even as a Busy Working Mom)

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 [https://hirodiapers.com/readyfrombirth]? 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 [https://heldandheard.podbean.com/e/006-your-newborn-doesnt-have-colic-the-30-second-fix-your-doctor-didnt-tell-you/] 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 [https://heldandheard.podbean.com/e/007-but-what-about-daycare-how-to-make-elimination-communication-work-as-a-working-mom/] 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 [https://pages.readyfrombirth.com/products/born-ready]course is the place to start.  Inside Born Ready [https://pages.readyfrombirth.com/products/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 [http://readyfrombirth.com/] 🌱 Check out Hiro Diapers [http://hirodiapers.com/readyfrombirth], the healthiest diapers you can buy (for your baby AND the earth) 📲Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec [https://www.instagram.com/readyfrombirth.ec]

014 / I Almost Became a Single Mom of 3: The VBAC Story That Changed My Marriage, Motherhood & Faith

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. [https://community.readyfrombirth.com/plans/1951718?bundle_token=20abbf482f916036d59e95927f056ff1&utm_source=manual] Learn more here: Ready From Birth [https://community.readyfrombirth.com/plans/1951718?bundle_token=20abbf482f916036d59e95927f056ff1&utm_source=manual]

013 / The Part of EC No One Talks About (Raw Behind The Scenes with a Potty Trained 1-Year Old)

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 [https://community.readyfrombirth.com/plans/1951718?bundle_token=20abbf482f916036d59e95927f056ff1&utm_source=manual]

012 / Think Your Baby Isn’t Signaling? 5 Signs They Need to Pee

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 [https://pages.readyfrombirth.com/products/born-ready] — 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.

011 / Afraid You’ll Fail at EC? Why Part-Time Elimination Communication Works (Even If You Can’t Keep Up)

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 💛 Ready to Start (but don’t know how to begin)? 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] [https://pages.readyfrombirth.com/products/born-ready] 🤍 Already Trying… but It Feels Inconsistent? 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] [https://community.readyfrombirth.com/plans/1951718?bundle_token=20abbf482f916036d59e95927f056ff1&utm_source=manual] 🚽 Ready to Move Toward Independence? 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] [https://pages.readyfrombirth.com/products/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.