A group of early childhood development researchers in Australia is advising parents to begin asking infants for “consent” before changing their diapers, according to a November 2025 guide released by Deakin University, as reported by The New York Post.
The recommendations outline a new approach to diaper-changing that encourages parents to communicate with their babies about the process, even though infants cannot yet speak.
“At the start of a nappy change, ensure your child knows what is happening,” the researchers wrote.
“Get down to their level and say, ‘You need a nappy change,’ and then pause so they can take this in.”
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The guidance suggests that parents should take additional steps once notifying a baby of the diaper change.
“Then you can say, ‘Do you want to walk [or] crawl with me to the [changing] table, or would you like me to carry you?’” the report states.
Researchers recommend observing a child’s “facial expressions and body language to check if they understand what is happening.”
“This can be a time to help children learn about consent and how their bodies work,” the authors wrote. They did not respond to a request for comment from The Post.
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The suggestions fall under what is commonly referred to as “gentle parenting,” a child-rearing method that emphasizes empathy, communication, and connection over traditional forms of discipline.
The approach is often associated with millennial and Gen Z parents and has generated significant debate online.
The Deakin University guide also encourages involving infants directly in the diaper-changing process. Parents are advised to ask questions such as, “Can you please lift up your bottom so I can slide your nappy out?”
Researchers said that “these habits plant the seed of the idea that a child has the right to say what happens to their body.”
Yamalis Diaz, a clinical child psychologist with NYU Langone Health, told The Post that involving babies verbally during diaper changes can help prepare them for future conversations about bodily autonomy.
“This is more about integrating the teaching of consent into the [adult’s] parenting practices early on,” Diaz said. “It’s aimed at increasing the parents’ awareness of all the ways that the need for consent occurs in a child’s life.”
Diaz added that beginning these discussions early helps establish comfort with boundary-setting. “Parents and kids will be more comfortable talking about and establishing boundaries,” she said.
Lesley Koeppel, a psychotherapist based in New York City, agreed that parents can set the foundation for autonomy by narrating their actions.
“Babies cannot verbally agree or disagree, but parents can still narrate what they are doing,” she said. “This builds a foundation for bodily autonomy long before a child has language.”
Koeppel said the practice is “symbolic rather than literal,” adding that its message is intended to communicate, “You matter. Your body matters. I will always tell you what I am doing.”
The researchers urged parents not to distract infants with toys or songs during diaper changes.
“It’s important children notice when someone is touching their most intimate parts,” they wrote, noting that “even in early infancy, children can respond to consistent verbal cues.”
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The guidance also recommends using anatomically correct terms during diaper changes and bath time, including “vulva,” “penis,” and “anus.”
“Parents may feel uncomfortable doing this and think more childish names should be used,” the researchers said. “But this keeps children safe, as it means they can then inform trusted adults about their experiences with all the people who care for them.”
The authors acknowledged that the suggested practices may feel overwhelming. “The habits we outline above may also seem to add more work to the already demanding parental load,” they wrote.
“So try and do them as often as possible and be kind to yourself if every nappy change isn’t a perfect moment of connection. You are supporting a small child after all.”
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This has to be about the stupidest thing ever to come out of the mouths of the over educated dummies called experts. Add to that the fact that it’s coming from a dumbed down socialist country.
You have to go to college to be taught to be this stupid.
i agree college would be a good idea lol
If you think this is a good Idea Your as Nuts as these Morons. How about working with parents to Change the Diaper early as to prevent Injury from rashes and Infection. These people are Nuts
😂
Who are these so called “experts”. Libtards, who are nuts, evidently!
How, pray tell, has the human race survived and thrived for the last few hundred thousand years without advice like this?
This is the most ignorant and stupidest thing I’ve ever seen!! Next you will have the “dumb as a rock” parents not changing their child’s diaper because the child didn’t acknowledge what they said!!
Anyone else tired of these so called ” Experts” yet ???
I remember about a decade or so ago, that Molestation charges were on the docket, for mothers, who changed their children’s diapers. SO>the result? About 40 women entered the Courtroom, with their babies, all of whom, needed a diaper change including the nasty. When the Court was called to order, and the Judge entered, he was greeted with the odorous aroma. His comment? Speechless. The Defendant, stood with her attorney, and asked the JUDGE, JUST HOW DO YOU EXPECT THESE BABIES TO CHANGE and CLEAN THEIR BOTTOMS and their PRIVATE PARTS, without Doing the OBVIOUS? It is not molestation, it is carrying out a process which they are too young and helpless to do!
One added, I hope you can clean yourself, because, when you get too old to do YOUR OWN maintenance, Someone else will have to perform that DUTY!
With a little laughter from the group, the Judge, EMBARASSED, DISMISSED THE CASE!
NOW, I ask, because this was also at the center of this CASE; the baby did not give its CONSENT.
JUST HOW IS a few days old, or months old, going to understand, or SPEAK? IDIOTS!
“experts”… More like tyrannical, anti-family, leftist lunatics doing the damage they love to do. If you don’t change a baby’s diapers, it’s serious abuse because they will get skin infections. How could anyone labeled and “expert” give such fantastically stupid and evil “advice”?
This is freaking insanity! Good grief! Fire these nincompoops!
Can’t believe how dumb supposedly “educated” adults can be. Seems like these “researchers” have never actually raised a child.
Just when you think the heights of stupidity have been reached, along comes another expert opinion. These people should be quarantined so they can’t infect others.
That’s about par for the course.
dumbest thing I have read lately
You Aussies have gone as crazy as the English. What’s next, asking the shrimp on the barbie if they consent to being grilled???
All these “Experts” would patently be more usefully “employed” in developing Shrimpise so THEY may ask the Shrimps’ permission to be grilled and eaten ;)
Seriously – Why not ? If a human baby can be expected to communicate “agreement” to its tenderist parts being saved from painfull Nappy-Rash amongst other things, then Shrimps MUST be capable of discussing their final few seconds :) :) :)
May God protect Humanity from the insanities of its Wannabe-Experts and mentally depleted !
Don’t forget about that consent for circumcision, and Pediatric Dr. visits. These people need to go to McDonald’s and get a real job. We have apparently reached the state of over-education.
Almost right ;) It should actually be “The State Education System” has now reached its’ ultimate depth beyond “Scraping the Bottom” ( pun intended ! ) and Government must reapply funds misallocated to something more useful and valued such as “Applications for the day to day thoughts of a Land Crab !”
So long as this takes place behind robust security walls protecting Mankind from these dangerous fools.
I have never heard of such bill shit in my life.
I question the word “expert” in this article.
If they develop diaper rash that means yes do, no rash means no?
The so called experts are getting dafter daily.