An expert advises parents to get their baby’s permission before changing their diapers

An Australian “sexuality educator” has sparked a contentious internet discussion by recommending that parents get their baby’s consent before changing their diapers. The online community is intrigued and perplexed by Deanne Carson’s claim that a “culture of consent” must begin at birth.

One netizen inquired as to whether it is also required to obtain “consent from your cat to change its litter tray.” The subject of consent is becoming more prevalent in unexpected contexts, such as diaper changes, in a world where parenting practices are changing more quickly than ever before. Since newborns and infants lack the linguistic ability to respond, it may seem impracticable to ask for permission before changing a dirty diaper.

Baby changing. Credit / Shutterstock
However, according to Deanne Carson, it’s more important to establish the groundwork for consent and polite boundaries as soon as possible rather than waiting for a formal response. A culture of consent must begin at birth, according to Carson, who identifies herself on Twitter as a “sexuality educator, speaker, and author”.

A mother is seen changing her infant’s diaper. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock She clarifies that the goal is to highlight the child’s autonomy and respect for their body. Parents can teach newborns about personal agency by describing actions, such as “I’m going to change your diaper now, is that okay?” and stopping to observe body language.Educational toys

The self-described expert contends that the goal of this approach is to promote a two-way communication channel between parent and child rather than to wait for a verbal “yes.”