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Early childhood experts are urging parents to use nappy changes as a teaching moment to help babies and toddlers learn about consent.

The Australian academics say while there’s been a big focus on teaching older children about consent, there’s no need for parents to wait until their kids are teens to talk to them about appropriate touching and consent.

Deakin University Research Fellow, Early Childhood and Teacher Education, Katherine Bussey and her colleague Nicola Downes, a lecturer in Early Childhood, penned an article for The Conversation explaining why we should rush through nappy changes.

“Nappy changes can easily be seen by parents as a task to rush through and just ‘get done’,” they explain.

“But this can be a time to help children learn about consent and how their bodies work. Toileting is something young children will take charge of in the future. What happens before learning how to use the toilet should not be a mystery.”

The experts say the earlier we talk about consent with our children, the earlier it simply becomes an everyday part of life.

They’ve also outlined tips for parents who want to introduce consent during nappy changes. It starts with letting your child know what’s happening, and giving them some control.

“At the start of a nappy change, ensure your child knows what is happening. Get down to their level and say, “you need a nappy change” and then pause so they can take this in. Then you can say, “do you want to walk/crawl with me to the change table, or would you like me to carry you?”

“Observe their facial expressions and body language to check if they understand what is happening. Aim to be positive, gentle and responsive to your child.”

The researchers recommend not distracting your child during nappy changes, so they learn to notice when someone is touching their intimate areas.

“Even in early infancy, children can respond to consistent verbal cues. So try to use similar language and follow regular nappy changing routines that involve children in conversation. For example, “can you please lift up your bottom so I can slide your nappy out?” These habits plant the seed of the idea that a child has the right to say what happens to their body.”

The researchers also recommend using the correct anatomical terms for parts of the body, and recognising your child’s body language and cues.

What do you think of this advice? Let us know in the comments below.

  • It’s a good Idea to teach consent but asking consent from a babies or infant make more a problems?
    Some examples
    Babies or infant staying in soil nappy for longer.
    More babies and infant needing medical care.
    Caregiver or guardian neglecting babies or infant with the excuse they said no.
    Caregiver or guardian using babies or infant consented word no has away of physical abuse.
    as the babies or infant get older they might use the consent as a way to manipulate caregiver or guardian.

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  • I really dont get this to be honest.
    It wasnt done with me when I was a baby and there are no ill effects because of the lack of it. I would say the same with all my children. When your child needs their nappy changed they need it changed and its not something to argue over.

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  • It is also so very important to teach children about how their bodies work and that their bodies belong only to them. Teaching children about their bodies and about consent is so very essential. Children have such a great capacity for learning and taking on new information and new skills.

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  • We have always taught consent because it is so important and should always be reinforced. It is so good to start this conversation and learning from a very young age. It is important to think of how you like to be treated and teach children the same key life skills.

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  • Not exactly a practical idea but I do understand its value. It’s good to talk to children but if you ask and they say no, then that’s not teaching them as you still have to change their wet nappy for health reasons. Tricky situation. Good to teach them consent, just not sure at what age. For my grandchildren I’d do so if that’s what their parents wish.

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  • Yes I get what these ‘experts’ are saying but a baby isn’t going to answer back, that’s just ridiculous, they can be taught in other ways. Changing a baby / toddler nappy is something that needs to be done, what are we teaching them when you need to change it and ask but they say no? You’ll have to do it anyway so you’re going against their consent.

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  • I agree 100 % that we have to teach our children from very young how to treat their own bodies, who they have to allow to touch them or look at them and in what circumstances, how properly name these parts and how they work. Sexual education should be a must have.

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  • Hmm what they are suggesting just isn’t going to work. My kids at young ages would always say NO and kick and scream when we needed to change their nappy. I would always ask but more so to make conversation but I was always hit with a no lol. So I don’t think the idea of asking for consent when nappy changing is ideal. It’s just not practical as if they say no we can’t leave them in a soiled nappy! Cmon.

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  • I ask my 2 year old Grandson al the time if he wants his nappy changed and he always say no. So am I supposed to leave him in a wet nappy. I don’t think so. Also my 5 month old Grandson would have no idea what I am saying. I don’t think he would understand if I asked him to lift his bottom. Asking for consent at such a young age I don’t think is practical.

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  • NO! They really should not! The whole rigmarole with consent is getting out of hand. Yes, it is a relevant and big issue, but we are talking babies here! A baby does not know anything about consent. Quite frankly, I would not care if my child wanted their nappy changed or not, I would be doing it regardless because it needs to be done. Honestly, the world has gone mad!

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  • Hearing all the news all the time with all the new issues in schools and childcare is so scary .

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  • From what they’ve written here, it just sounds like treating them how you would like to be treated. Rather than just doing things, let them know what is happening so its not a shock. I like normalising using the correct terminology and feel that is so important to do to keep our kids safer.

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  • I talk my child through it, while I am doing it of course but I’m sorry I just don’t agree that these conversations around consent are happening in infancy.

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  • This seems like a lot. Especially when some kids have changes often every day. As mums, we honestly just try to get the job done. The faster the better, especially when they reach wriggle stage or when they are distracted! Im not against it, but i dont think it’s realistic to do everytime either.

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  • I agree with most of the Mums on here, a good idea for toddlers but sometimes it will be easier said than done. Defiant or stubborn little individuals are not always easy to handle, especially when they are having a bad day. The concept is good though and should be used.

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  • I thought this was something most parents did while changing a toddler anyway.
    Asking them to move so you can place the nappy under them and asking how they want to go to the change table is just communication with your child.

    I do think speaking to your child about consent should be done at a relatively early age and nappy changes are a good place to start that conversation.

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  • As a grandmother of three granddaughters I think the concept is great but not always an easy thing to carry out. We can talk through what we are doing but all babies are different and just want the nappy change done as quickly as possible. As they are toilet trained I feel this concept becomes a lot easier.

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  • I absolutely love the thought behind this, bit it wouldn’t work for us. My toddler isn’t the biggest fan of nappy change time. I try to make it fun, sing songs and let him read a book. But if I were to ask him if we should do it it opens him to saying no, and it’s pretty important it’s done

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  • In theory this is a good idea… in practise, from a toddler mum who recently introduced various concepts relating to consent, I’m now negotiating consent at every nappy change. And little man has developed an odd lump in his penis and trying to look at it or even suggest the doctor needs to look at it is being met with a very defiant no, you’re not allowed to look at my penis!!

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  • In theory this is a good idea… in practise, from a toddler mum who recently introduced various concepts relating to consent, I’m now negotiating consent at every nappy change. And little man has developed an odd lump in his penis and trying to look at it or even suggest the doctor needs to look at it is being met with a very defiant no, you’re not allowed to look at my penis!!

    Reply

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