ABC commentator says parents should ask babies for consent to nappy change

AN AUTHOR and educator has faced backlash from child experts after saying parents should ask babies for consent before a nappy change, and watch for a response through body language.

AN AUTHOR and educator has been criticised after saying parents should ask babies for consent before a nappy change, and watch for a response through body language.

Deanne Carson said in an ABC News segment that families could set up “a culture of consent” in the home by saying to their babies: “I’m going to change your nappy now, is that OK?”

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The CEO of youth relationship service Body Safety Australia added: “Of course, a baby’s not going to respond, ‘Yes Mum, that’s awesome, I’d love to have my nappy changed,’ but if you leave a space and wait for body language and wait to make eye contact, then you’re letting that child know that their response matters.”

Child behaviour expert Nathalie Brown said babies do not understand what consent is and therefore cannot give it when parents were trying to change nappies.

“Babies don’t know what permission is and so trying to teach such a young child about consent in this situation is wrong,” she said.

“If parents didn’t change their child’s nappy every time they cried or were upset then we’d have a country full of kids with soiled nappies.”

Deanne Carson was ridiculed after her appearance on ABC News.

Ms Brown said while teaching children the notion of permission was important, there was no way for parents to get that level of connection with a child so young.

“You have a duty of care as a parent or adult when you are looking after kids,” she said.

“Sometimes as a parent you have to make decisions that are in the best interest of your children.

“Whether that is changing their nappies, feeding them or putting them to sleep, there are some things that just have to be done despite the child’s reaction.”

“Babies are yet to develop their full emotion and understanding so it’s impossible for them to communicate accurately and effectively,” Ms Brown said.

Ms Carson’s segment on the ABC was highlighted on Sky News Australia’s Outsiders show, with Rowan Dean introducing the clip with a dig at the rival channel.

“This is just superb and it was on YOUR ABC earlier this evening, which you paid for this leftie lunacy, have a look,” he said.

“There we go Ross, consent for changing nappies,” he told co-host Ross Cameron. “I’m sure that that would, I think that might get a bit, er, anyway we won’t go there.”

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Ms Carson made a statement on Facebook in response to her vocal critics.

“I gave an interview the other day about teaching consent to young children,” she said. “Sadly, some people have chosen to ridicule me (oh no! Pink hair! Must be a lesbian!) and the notion of giving infants bodily autonomy (poo in nappies har har amiright?!)

“For those people I’m posting this.

“One in three girls, one in seven boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are eighteen years old. One in twelve girls will be sexually abused before their sixth birthday.

The work we do with children, teachers and parents is international best practice in abuse prevention. It teaches children their rights AND their responsibilities and connects them with people who care and can help. It invites their parents into the discussion and is sensitive to cultural and family values.

“Troll me all you want, add to your blog inches, but remember that when you do, you are negating the voices of these brave survivors of sexual abuse.”

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Originally published as ABC commentator says parents should ask babies for consent to nappy change