Episode #29
S9E29 (EP 207): A Conversation with Andrea Olson
What if your baby could communicate when they need to pee or poop long before they can say, “I need to go potty”? In this episode of the Be A Better Parent Podcast , Celia Kibler welcomes Andrea Olson , author of Go Diaper Free and The Tiny Potty Training Book , and an educator specializing in elimination communication (EC). Andrea shares how she discovered elimination communication while preparing for her first child and how she went on to use the approach with all six of her children. Together, Celia and Andrea challenge some common assumptions about diapers and potty training while exploring a different way to think about how babies communicate their basic needs. The conversation isn't about being a “perfect” diaper-free parent. Andrea explains that EC can be done part-time, used simply as an exposure technique, or adapted around a family's schedule and capacity. Parents who work or use daycare can still incorporate it into their routines. In this episode, you’ll hear: What elimination communication is and how it works How babies can communicate their need to use the bathroom Why certain moments—like waking up, after eating, diaper changes, and transitions—can be natural opportunities to offer the potty How responding to a baby's signals can strengthen communication and connection Why parents don't have to go completely diaper-free to benefit from EC How working parents and daycare families can adapt the approach Why parents may need to change their own habits when transitioning away from diapers The importance of boundaries, guidance, and respectful parenting Why parenting doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all experience One of the biggest messages Andrea shares is simple: You don't have to do everything. Just start with one small thing. For a newborn, that might mean offering the potty after waking. For an older, mobile baby, it might mean noticing when they're about to poop and giving them the opportunity to finish on a potty. For an older toddler, it may mean intentionally planning a potty-training experience. The goal isn't perfection. It's paying attention, experimenting, and learning how your child communicates. Celia and Andrea also talk about the pressure parents face to follow a specific parenting formula. Whether it's diapers, potty training, screen time, sleep, or other parenting decisions, parents can easily feel guilty when they don't follow what everyone else says they “should” be doing. This conversation is a reminder that you know your family’s capacity best . You can learn, adjust, ask for help, and choose an approach that works for your child and your circumstances. And perhaps most importantly, you don't have to parent alone. Having people who have been there before can make the learning process easier and give parents the confidence to try something new. If you've ever wondered whether babies can really communicate their bathroom needs, felt overwhelmed by potty training, or simply want to explore a different approach, this episode is worth a listen. Take one small step. You don't have to change everything at once. To learn more about Andrea Olson and her work with elimination communication and potty learning, visit GoDiaperFree.com . To stay connected with Celia Kibler, visit BeABetterParent.com and explore the Be A Better Parent app and other resources designed to help you create a calmer, more connected family. Visit TimeForSkool.com and take the Parenting Success Snapshot . This quick assessment will help you better understand your family’s unique strengths and challenges so you can begin identifying the parenting shifts that may create the greatest impact. You don't have to do it all. Just take the next step.
