‘You’re joking right?’: Australian childcare chain suggests getting consent from babies before changing diapers; baffles all online

Providing some ideas to achieve this properly, the organisation argued “toddlers don’t like to be interrupted when they are playing, wait for a gap in their playing before starting the nappy changing process.” Asking parents or caregivers to give them undivided attention, they also suggested, “talk them through what you are doing and encourage the use of senses”.

While the advice doesn’t mean nappies won’t be changed if the child doesn’t consent, it encourages relationship building and learning, 7 News reported. So, the website urges parents to let their young ones know when it gets “tough one for both”.

Parents are being urged to ask for their baby’s permission before they change their nappy. A national childcare chain is encouraging more mothers and fathers to ask for consent and show respect right from birth. https://t.co/sxSiGaptp6 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/slJ0bSYt4J

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) June 29, 2021

The organisation argued that although a nappy change may seem pretty mundane, “They are valued as important opportunities for learning and relationship building.” Jenny Kable, Only About Children’s in-house Children Services Curriculum Advisor said that nappy changes are not just another routine caregiving task to rush through so that you get to the more important parts of the day.

However, experts begged to differ. Talking to Sky News, Child Psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said babies don’t have the “cognitive capacity” to give consent. “Trying to seek consent from a six-month-old baby is like trying to teach your dog Shakespeare – there’s absolutely no point,” the expert was quoted.

“They seriously don’t have the cognitive capacity to understand this. Babies respond to touch and tone – be gentle, make soothing noises but really, that’s your job.”

While most were left in disbelief, others couldn’t stop cracking jokes and reacting with hilarious memes. While a few quipped “I was denied my fundamental right as a child”, many questioned what happens if the child says no and it leads to a bigger mess, also highlighting it would be highly unhygienic.

Here’s how netizens reacted to the news:

“Can I change your nappy or would you rather wallow in your own filth for a couple of days?”……. Is it April 1st again? #givemeaspell https://t.co/cSF0y4TaT6

— Schwarzwalder@SCT (@SchwarzwalderSC) June 30, 2021

https://t.co/mfWhzQIaS6 pic.twitter.com/m6rbPTRDhQ

— Pandit (@tidnaps) June 30, 2021

Please tell me this is parody 😭😭 https://t.co/Ej2z9iBs0S

— Archi 🇮🇳 (@NonwokeBong) June 30, 2021

The kid must poop only after taking my consent. Only then I will ask for his/her consent before changing nappy. 😂 https://t.co/IoT3OYJko2

— Jal Desai (@jaldesai_) June 30, 2021

My whole childhood passed without this basic fundamental right !! https://t.co/1sZXQ12Kqe

— Jitendra Soni (@jitendra_soni14) June 30, 2021

Throughout our planets history there have been a number of extinction level events that have allowed life to reset. After reading this post, I believe now is a good time for another.

— Ay Murkel. (@MurkelGav10) June 29, 2021

pic.twitter.com/WPVGDbOygr

— Preetam Rao (@Preetam_M_Rao) June 29, 2021

So what happens when the child says no to changing their dirty nappy? They leave them in it for the whole day? What if it’s cold outside and the child refuses to put on a jacket? You let them play in a singlet in 2degrees? Someone has to be adult/carer!

— Camo0 (@strangeorange12) June 29, 2021

pic.twitter.com/D0K6K60tTr

— Johnny Ashler (@JohnnyAshler) June 29, 2021

Indian parents: pic.twitter.com/12gYc7qOWJ

— Dr. GILL 2.0 (@ikpsgill1) June 30, 2021

Parents can file legal case against them for it😂

— gajjar shubh (@ShubhGajjar) June 30, 2021

What if the kid doesn’t give permission, do you refuse to change its dirty nappy until it does? Then the parent gets in trouble? pic.twitter.com/PUjCxVoaTH

— Robyn Vaux (@RV_27) June 29, 2021