I think only parents should change their kids' nappies

"It wasn't her place to change him," the mum explains, feeling very strongly about her baby's privacy.

Seeking consent from a young child before touching them to perform a routine activity has become a controversial topic in recent years.

Child advocates insist that children should be given the opportunity to understand that they're about to be stripped for a bath, or have their nappy changed, for example.

It's a concept that more parents are adopting - by not insisting kids must greet relatives with a kiss or hug, for example.

But one mum this week has asked for opinions about her rule that NO ONE is allowed to change her baby's nappy except for her or her partner (the father).

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RELATED: My father-in-law refuses to change my daughter’s nappy

"It wasn't her place to change him"

The mum writes in her post:

"I'm very keen on consent and protecting my baby's [six months old] privacy and prefer that only my partner and I are the ones to change his nappy.

"Obviously I understand if we're not available due to nursery eventually or if someone else is babysitting - then I'm happy for someone else to do it.

"A while ago my mother-in-law was over and my baby started crying. Rather than just give him back, she decided to take it upon herself to change him (I was standing right there).

"He continued crying throughout the change and she gave him back straight after, but it annoyed me as it wasn't her place to change him."

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"This has got to be some sort of wind up?"

The comments section of the post was divided with parents who could see the mum's point, and those who refuted it, saying that consent didn't apply to kids for practical acts on them.

The pros included:

"I think it was cheeky of her to go ahead and change the nappy while you were right there without so much as asking first. People are territorial about babies and it's fine for you to draw boundaries, you don't have to accept any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable no matter how much people try to pressure you."

And this: "I understand where you are coming from. You need to step in. If she tries to change it you need to say oh no I do the nappy changes but thank you. And if she starts to insist then get firmer."

The cons included:

"I would have loved a relative on hand to change the occasional nappy. Feel sorry for your MIL. She probably thought she was helping."

And this: "I am not sure you realise this makes you sound a bit unhinged. You need to let this go, and then some."

Originally published as I think only parents should change their kids' nappies