You can get started with EC or Potty Training without any fancy tools – people have been doing it for millions of years! But, as with anything, and especially in today’s complex society, sometimes the right tool or some extra information or tips can make a big difference.
The links below are my affiliate links for resources and tools that I have found have helpful to many. Having them listed here doesn’t mean that you will need them to succeed, nor does it mean that I have used all of them myself or that they will be the right fit for your family. They are simply items or resources that have frequently proven to be helpful to many others on their own EC and potty training journeys, and so they are worth having a look at in case you feel they’re right for you. If you are interested in purchasing anything listed below, using my links will shoot me a tiny percentage of the sale. There are two things about this I would like to highlight: 1) this does not cost you anything extra nor impact any sales that may exist – it’s exactly the same cost as going directly to the seller’s website, and 2) no one but the website you buy from sees any of your personal information.
Support & Community
We have started a private Facebook support group, Go Diaper Free of Toronto. While it is there to support those practicing or looking to practice EC or Non-Coercive Potty Training in Toronto and the GTA, she welcomes anyone from anywhere with these interests (and especially her clients!) to request to join.
If you are looking for a resource that can help you through your journey to toilet independence, godiaperfree, our certifying organization, is a great place to start. Andrea Olson, the company’s founder, has written some very well-researched books that can serve as 24/7 references or simply as accompanying guides to your EC or potty training practice.
Resource Books
For Elimination Communication, the book is Go Diaper Free.
For Potty Training, the book is the Potty Training Book.
She also has a cute potty training board book, Tiny Potty, which helps to teach children as young as 6mth the pottying process in a fun and engaging way.
A new addition to teaching aids, Night Potty has now been released, to help children remember to wake up to pee if they can’t hold it through the night, and assist with nighttime potty training.
Undies & Training Pants
If you are looking for some great trainers and underwear 
that fit babies (6mth+) through preschoolers (5T), Tiny Undies have some that are tailored to the baby and toddler body (with lower waists to accommodate those cute baby bellies). They also now sell some cloth diapers, pull-up covers, and top hat potties! which can be a very useful early EC tool, as well as other EC and potty training tools. For $5 off your first purchase, use our coupon code: RUTHANNGDF5
Other great trainers are Sloomb Trainers. They have a baggier fit which can help babies/children who think that the fitted feeling of other undies and trainers is just like a diaper. With Sloombs, they can feel that they are wearing something completely different but still have the security of some protection from messes. You can find them carried at the delightful Canadian cloth diaper store, Lagoon Baby.
If you’re looking for added protection when out and about or at daycare/preschool without going back to diapers, you can try a waterproof training pant. Just remember: training pants are NOT diapers, and they CANNOT be used like diapers – they simply aren’t designed to hold a whole pee, but rather to give the child warning that they’re going, and to make cleanup of accidents easier. We have found the Kanga Care Lil Learnerz to be effective, although they do get a little warm (they are fleece-lined) and shouldn’t be worn all the time. Again, these can be found at Lagoon Baby in Canada.
The other waterproof trainer we have found helpful has been the Bummis Potty Pant. These have a cotton inside, so they don’t get hot like the Lil Learnerz, but just like trainers are supposed to do, they only provide minimal backup to assist getting to the potty to finish a pee and to make cleanup easier. You can find them in Canada at Bumbini Cloth Diaper Company.
Cloth Diapers
If you have a baby and you would like them to keep an awareness of when they are peeing/wet so that EC and/or potty training is easier either now or down the road, cloth diapers are usually a better choice than disposables. Plus, cloth will save you money and will reduce environmental impact – two great wins! There are MANY different styles and types of cloth. However, my very favourite system is the Best Bottom All-in-2. They strike an amazing balance between everything I am looking for in cloth – they are very easy to use, with no stuffing involved; the shells are one-size and grow with your child, so you only have to get inserts in different sizes as they grow, which saves you money; they have a wipe-clean shell which can be reused if the diaper was only peed in – this cuts down a lot on laundry; they have the option of very absorbent natural hemp/cotton inserts; and they wash very well and dry quickly. Even those hesitant to use cloth because it seems overwhelming can make this awesome system work. And they’re made in North America, which is great! Available at Lagoon Baby if you want to take a look!
Useful Clothing
For those of you interested in dressing your children in clothing that can make EC and early potty training a little easier, EC wear is a mom-owned company that creates garments that give you quick access to the potty or otherwise specifically aid in this process.
Leggings like Baby Legs were my number one favourite tool when I first started EC. I could keep my baby’s diaper exposed for easy on and off at potty visits, while also making sure he was always toasty warm. If you want to “dress for success” in EC, I totally recommend these! They are available at Bumbini Cloth Diaper Company.
Potties, Travel Potties & Toilet Seat Adapters
Potette Plus red or blue is a very useful collapsible travel potty AND toilet seat adapter in one. The best part about it is that it is great for the tiny bums of EC babies and early potty trainers. The Potette can be used on its own over a toilet or setup outside on the grass; or with disposable liners (or plastic shopping bags) or a reusable liner, which turns it into a regular (but small) potty.
The OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty for Travel is another great option for a collapsible travel potty and toilet seat adapter. It’s sturdy, well-designed, and small enough for little bums. Like the Potette, it can be used with disposable liners (or plastic shopping bags), with nothing over the grass, or over top of a toilet. However, it does not have a reusable liner option that turns it into a regular potty.
The Munchkin Sturdy-Potty Seat seems to fit most toilets (but please do check!). It has handles at the sides so small children feel secure when they’re sitting on it, and it accommodates smaller bums than many toilet seat adapters.
The Baby Bjorn Potty Chair is a favourite potty, especially for those starting young. Babies as early as 6mth (or even younger) can sit on the potty like big kids, with the narrower seat and the support offered by the full back. The removable pot is also ideal to fit between your legs for ECing babies 0-6mth. It can be pricey compared to many potties, but is much more suited to and comfortable for young babies and toddlers than other high-backed potties we’ve tried. They are available at many retailers, including Well.ca. If you are a new customer to Well.ca and would like to make a purchase, you can use our coupon code: ruthanngdf10 for $10 off a purchase of $40+.
Go Diaper Free with Ruthann Drummond, Certified Consultant & Coach 