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

Heather Medlin, Ready From Birth
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Held and Heard is a podcast for mothers who believe their babies are communicating from the very beginning—and that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Hosted by Heather Medlin, mother of three and founder of Ready From Birth, this show explores elimination communication (EC), infant potty training, and the deeper postpartum journey of learning to listen—to your baby, your body, and your intuition. You’ll hear conversations about: - Baby-led toilet learning from birth - Understanding your baby’s signals - Practicing EC in real life (while working, using diapers, and staying sane) - Navigating doubt, resistance, and confidence as a new mother This is not about perfection or pressure. It’s about communication, connection, and remembering what you already know. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, EC-curious, or already practicing—this is a place to land, exhale, and feel less alone.

  1. 4d ago

    023 / Why EC Still Feels Overwhelming (Even When You're Doing Everything Right)

    You started elimination communication because it felt right. But now you're wondering... Am I offering too often? Am I missing her signals? Why does this still feel so hard? If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out your baby's subtle potty cues - on top of everything else - this episode is for you. Today I'm answering a thoughtful question from one of our podcast listeners who asked how I stayed grounded during those early weeks of trial and error. The truth surprised even me: my confidence didn't come from getting every catch right. It came from something much deeper. In this episode, I'll share: Why learning EC with your first baby feels completely different than your second. The mistake almost every new EC parent makes when trying to build confidence. Why your baby—not a book, not social media, not even me—is ultimately your greatest teacher. The subtle shifts that helped me stop guessing and start recognizing my babies' signals with confidence. How I adapted EC to fit a busy working mom life with daycare, disposable diapers, and three kids. If you've been trying to piece together EC from Instagram posts, AI searches, or free tips online but still feel like something isn't clicking, this episode will help you understand why. Ready to stop guessing and start recognizing what your baby has been communicating all along? Inside Born Ready, I'll teach you the exact framework I developed after years of practicing EC with my own children—so you can learn to see your baby's signals clearly, build confidence faster, and make early potty learning fit your real life as a busy mom. Learn more at Ready From Birth and join us inside Born Ready.

  2. Jul 13

    022 / No, It's Not Colic...(and 4 Other Common Baby Problems You're Probably Misreading)

    What if your baby's biggest "problems" aren't actually problems at all? What if they're communication? In this episode, we're unpacking five everyday parenting struggles that almost every family encounters—from "colic" and bedtime battles to constant nursing, unexplained fussiness, and babies who just won't settle. Most of us have been taught to treat these behaviors as sleep issues, feeding issues, or digestive issues. But what if we've been misreading the signals all along? I'll walk you through five real-life examples of baby communication that are hiding in plain sight and explain why understanding what's really happening can bring more peace, more confidence, and a much deeper connection with your baby. Whether you've never heard of elimination communication before or you've been curious but don't know where to start, this episode will challenge the way you think about your baby's behavior—and help you see your little one with fresh eyes. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "colic" isn't always what it seems. The surprising reason some babies fight sleep. What your breastfeeding struggles might actually be telling you. Why timing isn't the same as understanding your baby's cues. How recognizing one simple pattern can change the way you respond to your baby every day. If this episode leaves you wondering, "What if my baby has been trying to tell me this all along?" I'd love to help you experience it for yourself. First Catch Weekend is a simple, low-pressure way to recognize your baby's communication and get your very first potty catch (and the signal behind it)—without changing your lifestyle or giving up diapers overnight. Learn more at readyfrombirth.com

  3. Jul 6

    021 / What if EC Works...Simply Because It's God's Design for Babies?

    For years, I believed elimination communication worked because I had mastered the "right" techniques and was so in tune with my baby and my intuition. I don't believe that anymore. In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing a simple realization: The evidence for EC can be found right there in the Bible itself - and it will change the way you see your babies forever.  Together we'll explore passages from Genesis, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Jeremiah, the Gospels, and more as we ask a simple question: What if the awareness and capability that makes elimination communication work...is intrinsic to God's design for babies? Whether you're already practicing elimination communication, you're simply curious about infant potty learning, or you're wrestling with questions of faith and motherhood, I hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, look again, and consider what your baby may already be trying to tell you. In this episode: Why biblical life makes me question modern assumptions about babies What Scripture says about God's design for children How my own birth story strengthened my faith Why I believe elimination communication is ultimately about relationship—not potty training If you're curious how to see YOUR baby's signals, the First Catch Weekend will help you catch not just your baby's first poop, but the signal behind it.  Want the complete roadmap? Learn the full path to communication with your baby from birth to toilet independence inside the Born Ready course.

  4. Jun 29

    020 / EC Was Going Great...Why is My Baby Suddenly Refusing the Potty?

    If EC has been feeling harder as your baby grows, and now they're refusing the potty? In this episode, you'll learn why relying on timing alone eventually stops working, why "easy catches" become less reliable as babies grow, and how learning your baby's communication completely changes the experience. You'll discover: • why potty refusal is usually an accuracy problem—not a behavior problem • the difference between offering too early, too late, and just in time • the two foundational skills that make elimination communication dramatically easier • how to recognize the subtle body language your baby is already using before they pee or poop • why mobile babies often appear to "regress" even when their awareness is increasing Heather also shares the simple shift that helped one First Catch Weekend mom go from frustration to catching two pees in a single day after months of struggling. If you've started EC but feel like you're losing momentum, or you've wondered whether your baby has simply outgrown it, this episode will help you see what's actually happening—and once you see it, you won't be able to unsee it. Ready to finally catch a signal...not just a poop? Join First Catch Weekend, where Heather walks you through exactly what to watch for with your own baby over one weekend so you can experience your first confident catches together. → Learn more at Ready From Birth.

  5. Jun 22

    019 / I Thought My Toddler Was Overtired. He Was Trying to Tell Me He Needed to Pee.

    What do you do when your baby has missed naps, missed bedtime, been stuck on an airplane for hours, and is melting down in a hotel room at 3 a.m.? Most parents would assume the answer is sleep. That's exactly what I thought, at first. In this episode, I'm sharing the most stressful travel day I've ever experienced as a mom of three. Flight delays, missed connections, airport chaos, a packed hotel room, and a toddler who absolutely would not settle down. By the middle of the night, I was exhausted, frustrated, and completely out of ideas. But there was one detail I almost missed... And once I saw it, everything changed. This story isn't really about travel. It's about what happens when you stop guessing and start recognizing what your baby is trying to communicate. It's about the difference between reacting to behavior and understanding what's underneath it. And it's a reminder that the "knowing" experienced EC parents talk about isn't magic, intuition, or a special gift—it's a skill you can learn. If you've ever wondered: How do EC parents know when their baby needs to go? What does it actually feel like when it clicks? Can this really work outside of a perfectly controlled environment? How do I become more confident reading my baby's signals? ...this episode is for you. Ready for your first catch? This Friday, June 26, I'm opening the very first First Catch Weekend. Over one simple weekend, I'll help you learn how to recognize your baby's signals, make your first potty catch, and experience the confidence that comes from truly understanding what your baby is trying to tell you. Because once you experience that moment for yourself, you'll never see your baby the same way again. Sign up now for the First Catch Weekend We start Friday, June 26th at 5 PM ET, and I can't wait to show you what's possible with YOUR baby.

  6. Jun 15

    018 / He Was Potty Trained Before His First Birthday — Then Daycare Happened

    Can a potty-trained baby really succeed in daycare? If you've ever worried that returning to work, using childcare, or having other caregivers would undo all of your elimination communication progress, this episode is for you. When my 14-month-old son started daycare, I expected a smooth transition. After all, he'd been practicing EC since birth, communicating his potty needs for months, and was fully potty trained at home before his first birthday. Then something happened that almost made me give it all up - three poop accidents in a single day. Was daycare going to undo everything we'd worked for? What happened next completely changed the story. In this episode, I'm sharing: What those daycare accidents were really telling me The simple adjustments that turned things around almost immediately Why EC works even when you're a full-time working mom Why successful infant potty learning has nothing to do with perfection The hidden skill that matters far more than having a perfect routine Most importantly, you'll discover why elimination communication is less about potty training and more about learning to understand the unique rhythms, patterns, and communication your baby has been showing you all along. Whether you're practicing EC already, curious about starting, or simply looking for a more connected way to respond to your baby, this episode will help you see what's possible. Ready to Experience Your First Catch? Enrollment is now open for First Catch Weekend, a live guided experience designed to help you get your very first catch—even if you've never tried EC before. In just one weekend, I'll show you exactly when to offer the potty, how to recognize your baby's natural timing, and how to experience that moment when you realize your baby has been communicating with you all along. No special equipment. No complicated routines. No lifestyle overhaul. Just one catch that changes how you see your baby forever. Learn more and make this your First Catch Weekend.

  7. Jun 8

    017 / 3 Signs Your Baby Is Ready to Ditch the Diapers (And the Mistake That Delays Toilet Independence)

    You've learned your baby's signals. You're catching pees and poops. Maybe EC is working beautifully. But now you're wondering: When is my baby actually ready to move beyond diapers? This is where many EC families get stuck. Some parents wait for dry diapers before introducing underwear. Others continue using diapers long after their baby has the mobility and communication skills needed for greater independence. And many discover that the transition they assumed would happen naturally... never quite does. In this episode, I'm breaking down: The 3 signs your baby may be ready to stop relying on diapers Why consistent dryness is not a prerequisite for underwear The surprising connection between mobility and toilet independence What potty refusal is really telling you Why many EC families struggle after crawling begins You'll also hear why we transitioned our own baby out of daytime diapers at just 7.5 months and what happened once he became mobile enough to communicate his potty needs more independently. If you've ever wondered whether your EC baby is truly on track for toilet independence—or you're worried about ending up in a stressful toddler potty training battle later—this episode will help you understand what comes next. Ready for the next step? Ditch the Diapers is my step-by-step program for babies who are already communicating their potty needs and are ready to begin the transition toward daytime dryness and toilet independence. Inside, you'll learn exactly how to reduce diaper dependence, introduce underwear strategically, handle accidents without frustration, and support your baby's growing independence without pressure. Learn more and Ditch the Diapers.   Wondering which diapers to use for the early months? Look no further than Hiro diapers, the only truly non-toxic disposable diaper on the market made of blanket-soft unbleached cotton and sustainable wood pulp, paired with Hiro's proprietary friendly fungi that break down the entire diaper and contents in just months in the landfill. Best yet? It's perfect for EC - a slower wicking core protects your baby's sensitive skin while also keeping the feedback and letting them know that something happened, so you don't lose your EC progress while they're at daycare or on the go.  Use the code READYFROMBIRTH to claim your lifetime discount on a 🍄Hiro diaper subscription. 🌱

  8. Jun 1

    016 / The Diaper Effect: Why We Ditched Diapers at 7.5 Months (Even as Working Parents)

    Why would a working mom choose to ditch diapers before her baby is even walking? And what’s the actual downside of keeping babies in diapers until age 2, 3, or beyond? In this episode, I’m diving into what I call “The Diaper Effect”—the hidden developmental and behavioral impact of modern diaper dependence, and why our family chose to transition both of our younger children out of daytime diapers around one year old (with our youngest beginning the transition at just 7.5 months). We’re talking about: Elimination communication (EC) for working moms Early potty learning and infant potty training Why modern disposable diapers “mask the moment” How diapers affect potty awareness and communication Research on diapers and walking development Why babies in underwear learn differently than babies in diapers Responsive vs reactive potty learning And how we made this work with two full-time working parents and three small children If you’ve ever wondered: “Why start potty training so early?” “Can EC work for working moms?” “What’s the benefit of ditching diapers before age 2?” “Do diapers affect walking or potty awareness?” “Can babies really learn to use the potty this young?” This episode is for you. Because this isn’t about pressure, perfection, or forcing independence early. It’s about helping your baby connect: 👉 bodily awareness 👉 communication 👉 and response So that potty learning becomes something gradual, relational, and intuitive—instead of a battle later on. In this episode, I also share: the studies linking bulky diapers to altered gait patterns and increased falls why wetness feedback matters and how responsive parenting changes the potty learning process entirely Whether you’re fully practicing EC already, just EC-curious, or somewhere in between, this conversation will completely change the way you think about diapers. ✨ Is your baby already cruising? Learn how to Ditch the Diapers here (without stress, pressure or perfection) ✨ Ready to make potty learning work in real life? Inside my courses and support community The Listening Circle, I help postpartum and working moms build a practical, responsive approach to EC and early potty learning—from birth through toilet independence. You can learn more at: 👉 readyfrombirth.com   — If this episode resonated with you, send me a DM on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec or email me at hello@readyfrombirth.com.

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About

Held and Heard is a podcast for mothers who believe their babies are communicating from the very beginning—and that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Hosted by Heather Medlin, mother of three and founder of Ready From Birth, this show explores elimination communication (EC), infant potty training, and the deeper postpartum journey of learning to listen—to your baby, your body, and your intuition. You’ll hear conversations about: - Baby-led toilet learning from birth - Understanding your baby’s signals - Practicing EC in real life (while working, using diapers, and staying sane) - Navigating doubt, resistance, and confidence as a new mother This is not about perfection or pressure. It’s about communication, connection, and remembering what you already know. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, EC-curious, or already practicing—this is a place to land, exhale, and feel less alone.

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