EC With Multiples

EC with multiples may seem daunting but with it comes multiple benefits too. Below are some tips for ECing with multiples designed to give you the confidence to start reaping the rewards.

- Make rest your top priority. Start slowly. Go for the "easy catches" first- just upon their waking or at diaper changes.

- Stay relaxed.

- What you experience with each of your children will be different and they may reach certain milestones and developmental stages at different times.

- Your children might interpret your excitement and happiness differently. Be aware that a compliment to one child may be interpreted as a criticism to the other.

- Always stay "matter-of-fact", yet positive. Punishment and showing disappointment, and even rewards or excessive praise, could result in power struggles later on.

- EC can be done part time or occasionally and still have benefits. It isn't an "all-or-nothing process". Simply staying aware of their elimination patterns or making a "cue" noise as they eliminate into a diaper will increase communication and awareness.

-Have at least one potty for each child, change the style of potty to match their stages.

-Keep extra potties in your car.

-Keep potties in multiple locations around your house to make catches easier.

-Use a consistent "cue" word, sound or association.

-Put both on the potty at the same time before making the "cue" (once they can sit unassisted), or potty separately to avoid confusion over hearing/seeing a cue when one is not in an appropriate place to eliminate.

- Have them pick out their own potty chairs together when it is time(based on age, more than stage).

-Use cloth diapers, if possible.

-Change diapers frequently. Potty during diaper changes.

-Dress them for success as they gain independence, put very little clothing on them or clothes that are easy to get off and on.

-Have them both pick out their own small underwear when it is time (base this on age, more than stage).

- Have an "open door" policy in your bathroom. Your children will model you and especially each other. Capitalize on their modeling each other, but avoid comparing.

-Seek out information and support.