The Go Diaper Free Podcast
Andrea Olson
Andrea Olson of Go Diaper Free explains elimination communication - the concept of pottying your baby, as early as birth - which is what people have done for all of human history and in today’s world where there are no diapers. She makes it easy to integrate EC into your modern lifestyle as a new parent, demystifies how to know your baby needs to go, how to take them to the toilet instead of primarily relying on the diaper, and makes EC approachable, accessible, and fun, for all parents...whether part-time, with or without diapers, and in any region of the world. Contrary to popular marketing messages, diapers are tools, not toilets, and babies are ALL born “ready” to use the toilet. Learn how to connect with your baby on this very natural level with Andrea’s expert guidance, and experience the freedom of a life without dependence upon diapers, a life without traumatic toilet training, a life where your baby gets a head start on developing motor skills, communication, and learning by prioritizing this age-appropriate skill (0-18 months). EC honors your baby’s dignity and makes parenting THAT much easier! Stop changing blowouts...and learn how to listen to your baby’s requests for good hygiene. Learn more at godiaperfree.com. (PS - Andrea also occasionally covers potty training, for those of you who find us after 18 months.)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 26, 2025 • 21min
#78 Twyla is diaper-free!
If you’re new to EC or in the midst of doing it with a smaller baby, you may be wondering…What are the steps to have a potty trained 1 year old?How do you wrap up EC by the time baby is walking? And, after you take your baby out of diapers at 1 year old...what do you do next? This is the story of how I took my 5th EC baby, Twyla, out of daytime diapers at 13 months old. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/78 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Aug 19, 2025 • 16min
#77 Potty power
Do you need a special potty to successfully do elimination communication? Nope. You can just hold them over the sink or toilet (I definitely have!) BUT it can make a huge difference if you can choose the right potty! That includes a better experience for both you AND your baby. In today’s episode, let me walk you through the options, and why and how they work. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/77 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Aug 12, 2025 • 15min
#76 The EC wardrobe
One of the most common reasons people don’t start EC is…They think it just sounds like too much work. But then…the “easy” alternative is just leaving that baby in a soiled diaper for hours on end. Don’t our babies deserve better than that? Let me help you reduce the friction of trying to potty your baby. In this week’s episode I’ll cover all the best EC-friendly ways to outfit your LO (they’ll still be cute, dw!) Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/76 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Aug 5, 2025 • 12min
#75 How to begin elimination communication
So you’ve heard me yapping about EC and you’re interested in trying it but…Maybe you have a newborn and it just seems daunting to add one more thing. Maybe you’re too busy chasing after a newly mobile baby. Maybe you’re nearing those toddler stages and not sure if it will still help you. In this week’s episode I break it all down for you and make it super easy to get started–No matter what stage you’re in! Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/75 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Jul 29, 2025 • 17min
#74 Tiny changes for good habits
So you’re ready to find a better system to take the stress out of pottying your baby…Now how exactly do we do that? This episode we continue our discussion of the book Atomic Habits, and the concept of Habit Stacking! I have some specific and practical tips that you can start doing TODAY to improve your EC experience big time! Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/74 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Jul 22, 2025 • 18min
#73 Forget about goals
OK, I know my whole company is literally called “Go Diaper Free” BUT… Did you know that actually focusing TOO MUCH on the “goal” of being diaper free can actually hinder your EC practice? I’m sure almost everyone has heard of the wildly popular book Atomic Habits by now. It’s referenced a lot in productivity and business circles, but there are definitely some fantastic takeaways we can apply to the whole potty learning journey. Make sure you tune in to this week’s episode if you want to hear how we can build a system for doing EC that sets us up for success. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/73 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Jul 15, 2025 • 18min
#72 Preparing the environment for pottying
If you know anything about Montessori, you know it’s all about preparing the child’s environment to facilitate learning. This applies to toys and mealtime and other routines, but it applies to pottying too! Today’s episode gives you action steps that you can take right now to make toilet learning a seamless and easy task for everyone in your home. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/72 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Jul 8, 2025 • 14min
#71 "Remedial" potty training?
Guess what? Montessori educator Merry Hadden called any potty training after age 2 “REMEDIAL”. Even I wouldn’t have the guts to put that on my website. What it really means is that children who have exclusively been in diapers have missed out on so much of the developmental picture. All is not lost. Listen to hear how parents can help “restore” their child’s natural propensity for good hygiene, cleanliness, and order. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/71 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Jul 1, 2025 • 13min
#70 The role of the adult
OK, imagine you’re a baby, and you’ve been told to poop in this diaper for your entire life. Suddenly, you’re three, and the adults get mad if you still poop in the diaper and want you to poop on the toilet instead. What gives?? That is exactly what we’re talking about in today’s episode about how you, as the adult, can best help prepare your child’s physical and mental environment around toilet learning. This is part 2 of a 4 part series. Catch the previous episode about supporting infant potty instincts if you haven’t already! Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/70 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
Jun 24, 2025 • 12min
#69 Natural Development
You’ve probably heard of Montessori. Do you know that a lot of Montessori methods overlap with what I teach about EC? Today's episode is the first in a four-part series based on the Montessori approach to toilet learning, starting at birth. I’ll tell you all about what Mother Nature intended for your baby re: toilet learning. Let’s consider how we can return to our instincts and trust the natural laws of development. Get full show notes and add your comments or questions here: https://godiaperfree.com/69 Get my free easy start guide for EC https://godiaperfree.com/start Start EC with your baby today with my popular book, Go Diaper Free: https://godiaperfree.com/thebook
