An expert has left people baffled after she claimed that parents should ask babies for permission first before changing their diapers.
Deanne Carson, a self-proclaimed educator, speaker and author, has sparked a lengthy debate after she appeared on ABC and shared her thoughts about fostering a culture of consent in early childhood.
She explained that even though newborns can’t make any verbal response, it is important to have non-verbal communication and eye contact.
“We work with children from three years old. We work with parents from birth,” Carson said, to which a reporter asked: “From birth?”
The expert said: “Yes, just about how to set up a culture of consent in their homes so ‘I’m going to change your nappy now, is that OK?’
“Of course, a baby is not going to respond ‘Yes, mum, that’s awesome, I’d love to have my nappy changed.’”
Carson further explained that waiting for non-verbal cues, eye contact and a brief moment of anticipation lets parents communicate to their babies.
But many questioned the purpose of asking permission from babies who do not know what was happening, with one person writing: “Either she has never wrestled a toddler during a change or worse, she just left hers in a s****y nappy until it was ready to consent.”
Another asked: “And what happens when baby says no? Do it anyway? Whoa now there is the real problem.”
A third added: “For sanity’s sake – if a baby’s nappy needs changing, you change it. You are the adult & in charge of the baby – the baby isn’t in charge of you. Although it feels like it sometimes.”
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