Effects of Early Toilet Training and Elimination Communication With Respect to Diaper Types.

The article focuses on a web-based survey investigating the effects of elimination communication (EC)—a practice of early toilet training based on infants’ natural cues—and diaper-free times on toilet-trained age, caregiver sleep, diaper rash, balm usage, and defecation frequency. The study found that increased diaper-free times, including part-time EC, significantly reduced the age at which infants were toilet trained, with cloth diaper (CD) use enhancing this effect when changed frequently. EC was also associated with fewer diaper rashes, reduced balm usage, and more regular defecation patterns in infants aged 1 to 2 years. While caregivers practicing EC reported less continuous sleep, this may reflect infants signaling elimination needs more clearly rather than poorer sleep quality. The findings support EC’s benefits and suggest that part-time EC combined with frequent CD changes can positively influence infant toileting outcomes.