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. 5d ago

    029 / Every Baby is Signaling: 6 Elimination Communication Questions Answered

    Every baby is signaling. But what if you can't figure out what your baby's signal actually is? What if you offer the potty and nothing happens…only for them to pee five minutes later? What if they used to poop in the potty consistently—and suddenly they're refusing altogether? In this week's episode of Held and Heard, I'm answering real elimination communication questions submitted by listeners, from the newborn days all the way through the transition toward toilet independence. We're talking about: • Whether EC is still worth doing if you can't identify your baby's pee signals • How long a newborn or older baby should actually sit on the potty • The surprisingly simple way babies tell you they're finished • What to say when your baby needs to potty in public—and you need to make a quick exit • Why some babies seem easier to “read” than others • Why potty signals can actually get stronger when you respond to them • What may be happening when EC suddenly starts falling apart around 10–12 months Because successful EC isn't about watching your baby every second of the day or getting every catch right. It's about building communication. And when you understand how that communication develops as your baby grows, pottying can become something your baby actively participates in—not something you have to manage entirely on your own. If you have a newborn or young baby and want the complete roadmap for building that communication from the beginning, Born Ready walks you through the process from first signals to increasing independence. And if your older baby was doing beautifully with EC but you're suddenly dealing with refusal, regression, missed poops, or pee right after offering, Ditch the Diapers will help you understand what's changing and gently guide your baby through this next developmental stage toward toilet independence.

  2. Aug 31

    028 / She Tried Pottying Her Baby at 5 Days Old. Here's What Happened.

    Five days after giving birth to her first baby, Kate Vazquez decided to try something she'd learned about while she was pregnant. She fed her newborn. Noticed her getting a little squirmy and fidgety. Remembered that this could be a potty cue. So she offered her the potty. And her baby peed. "Oh my gosh. I caught her first pee!" But what surprised Kate most wasn't that it worked. It was how EASY it was. In today's episode, I'm sharing a conversation I originally recorded with Kate during her first 12 weeks postpartum. Kate was a first-time mom who had never heard of elimination communication before we met while she was pregnant. Through our conversations, she became curious about what babies might actually be capable of from birth—and when her daughter arrived, she decided to try it for herself. We talk about: • What made EC make sense to her before her baby was even born • The newborn cue that led to her very first catch • How she began recognizing the difference between hunger, sleep and potty cues • Why her initially skeptical husband eventually started taking their daughter to the potty too • The connection between meeting a baby's needs, fussiness and feeling more confident as a new mom • How to start when you're exhausted, learning to breastfeed and already feel like you can't possibly add ONE MORE THING • Why starting can be as simple as choosing one predictable moment in your baby's day If you're pregnant and thinking, This sounds amazing, but will I actually be able to do this with a newborn?—I especially want you to hear Kate's story. Because you don't need to wait until you're in the fog of postpartum to figure this out. You can learn what to look for, understand what to do when you see it, and feel prepared to simply try when your baby arrives. That's exactly why I created Born Ready. Born Ready takes everything I've learned from practicing elimination communication with my own babies and teaching other families and turns it into a simple, step-by-step method you can learn before birth or begin with your newborn. Kate had something most pregnant moms don't: close proximity to someone who was already doing this and could show her what was possible. Born Ready gives you that education before you're trying to figure it out on your own. So if you're pregnant or holding a brand-new baby and Kate's story has you thinking, Okay...but how do I actually do this?—Born Ready is your next step. Learn more at readyfrombirth.com. And if you know a pregnant or brand-new mama who needs to know this is possible, send her this episode. 🤍 ------ Connect with Kate Vazquez:  https://www.instagram.com/thekatevazquez https://radiantbydesign.com/  The Radiant & Resilient Podcast   Start and save on your sustainable diaper subscription with Hiro Diapers

  3. Aug 24

    027 / Before You Change Your Newborn's Diaper, Do This First

    One of the most important things to learn before your baby arrives is how to change a diaper. But has anyone ever taught you what to do before you change it? In this episode of Held and Heard, I’m breaking down one of the most overlooked parts of newborn care: your baby’s natural potty cues. Just like newborn babies communicate when they’re hungry or tired, they can also communicate when they need to pee or poop—often before it happens. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: What a newborn may do right before they pee or poop How responding before your baby goes is different from simply changing a dirty diaper afterward Why newborns may actually wait for you to respond The brain-body connection that develops in a newborn when you do this How I used this with my own babies from their first weeks of life Because what if diaper changes were never supposed to be your first response? Learning your baby’s potty cues is part of elimination communication (EC), sometimes called infant potty learning—and it can be much simpler than it sounds. You don’t have to throw away your diapers, watch the clock all day, or wait until your baby is a toddler to begin. You can simply start learning another way your newborn communicates. Want to know exactly how to do this from birth? Inside Born Ready, I teach you my complete step-by-step process for recognizing your baby’s signals, offering the potty, responding confidently, and building this communication from the newborn days toward toilet independence. Whether you’re pregnant and preparing now or already holding your newborn, you can start from the beginning with a simple plan instead of trying to figure it out as you go. Join Born Ready here. Your baby is already communicating. Join the conversation. ---- Learn more at Readyfrombirth.com 🐣Preparing for birth? Know what to do from Day One, start the Born Ready course today! 🐥Ready to get on with toilet independence? Help your 10+ month old baby graduate from EC with Ditch the Diapers 📱Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

  4. Aug 10

    026 / The 5 Things Every Newborn Needs (The Secret to a Calm, Peaceful Baby)

    Have you ever watched another mom with a peaceful, content newborn and wondered... "What is she doing differently?" Maybe you've convinced yourself she just got lucky. Maybe her baby is naturally easy. But what if the difference isn't the baby at all? In this episode, I'm sharing the five basic needs every newborn has—and the one that almost every parent is taught to ignore. We'll talk about why babies cry, why "colic" often leaves parents feeling helpless, and how learning to recognize your baby's communication can completely change your postpartum experience. Inside this episode you'll learn: The five basic needs every newborn is trying to communicate Why a crying baby isn't a "bad" baby The surprising biological need almost every newborn care class leaves out Why some babies seem calmer—not because they're easier, but because they're better understood How learning to recognize your baby's cues builds confidence for both of you Whether you're still pregnant or holding your newborn in your arms right now, this episode will help you stop guessing and start understanding. If you're ready to learn exactly how to recognize your own baby's communication—including the elimination cues almost nobody talks about—the Born Ready course is the complete guide from birth through walking. Learn more about Born Ready. ---- Learn more at Readyfrombirth.com 🐣Preparing for birth? Know what to do from Day One, start the Born Ready course today! 🐥Ready to get on with toilet independence? Help your baby graduate from EC with Ditch the Diapers 📱Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

  5. Aug 3

    025 / My 15-Month-Old Couldn't Wear a Diaper...But He Knew What do Do Instead.

    When my 15-month-old caught a virus from his new daycare, everything changed overnight. His rash was so severe that he couldn't comfortably wear a diaper. As I cared for him through fever, blisters, sleepless nights, and a week at home, I found myself unexpectedly grateful for one decision we'd made from the very beginning: learning to listen to his potty signals. He didn't suddenly become capable because he got sick. He had been communicating all along. In this episode, I'm sharing the story of one difficult week that completely reinforced why I believe the best time to begin elimination communication isn't "when life settles down"—it's from the very beginning, when your baby is already wired to communicate. We'll talk about: Why waiting until "later" often makes things harder, not easier. What my son's illness revealed about babies' natural awareness. The surprising benefits of building communication long before potty independence. Why the fruit of EC comes from the practice, not just the end result. If you've ever thought, "I'll start when things calm down," this episode is for you. And if listening leaves you wondering what your own baby's signals might look like, I'd love to help you experience your very first catch. Join me inside The First Catch Weekend, where I'll walk you through exactly how to recognize your baby's natural timing, make your first catch in the potty, and discover just how much your baby has been communicating all along. Because once you see your own baby's signals, you'll never look at them the same way again. ----- Learn more at Readyfrombirth.com 🐣Preparing for birth? Know what to do from Day One, start the Born Ready course today! 🐥Ready to get on with toilet independence? Help your baby graduate from EC with Ditch the Diapers 📱Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

  6. Jul 27

    024 / How to Start Potty Training Your Mobile Baby: The 3-Step Framework for 6-18+ Months

    You wanted to start elimination communication from birth... ...but life happened. Maybe postpartum survival took over. Maybe you only recently discovered EC. Maybe your baby is already crawling, cruising, or even walking, and you're wondering if you missed your chance. The good news? You didn't. In this episode, I'll walk you through the exact 3-step framework I use to help parents successfully start potty learning with babies 6-18 months and beyond—even if they've never used a potty before. You'll learn: Why timing matters more than anything else (and how to stop guessing) How to help your baby feel comfortable with the potty instead of resisting it Simple ways to keep even the busiest mobile baby engaged long enough for a successful catch Why older babies are still communicating their need to pee and poop—even if you think they've stopped signaling How to build confidence one catch at a time without pressure, rewards, or forcing the process If you've been waiting for the "right time" to start, this episode is your reminder that today is the right time. Your baby is still communicating. You just need to know what to look for. Ready to get your first catch this weekend? Join First Catch Weekend, my guided experience that walks you through exactly how to recognize your baby's signals, offer the potty with confidence, and experience your first successful catch—often in just one weekend. Learn more at readyfrombirth.com.

  7. Jul 20

    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.

  8. 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

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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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