When your baby wakes up crying for a diaper change in the middle of the night, most parents rush through the process to get everyone back to sleep quickly. However, child development experts now suggest taking an extra moment for something that could significantly impact your child's future understanding of consent and body autonomy.
The Revolutionary Approach to Diaper Changes
According to early child development researchers Katherine Bussey and Nicole Downes from Deakin University in Australia, nappy changes present an ideal opportunity to teach infants about consent from their earliest days. In their November 2025 guide, the experts emphasized that parents should actively seek consent from their babies before proceeding with diaper changes.
The process begins with communication, even with pre-verbal infants. Instead of immediately reaching for wipes and clean diapers, parents should first inform their child about what's going to happen. "Get down to their level and say, 'You need a nappy change,' and then pause so they can take this in," the researchers advised.
Practical Steps for Indian Parents
The experts recommend giving children choices during the diaper-changing routine. After informing them about the need for a change, parents can ask: "Do you want to walk or crawl with me to the change table, or would you like me to carry you?" This simple question introduces the concept of choice and participation in what happens to their bodies.
Many parents traditionally view diaper changes as mere chores to complete quickly, often while distracting the child with toys or songs. However, the researchers caution against this approach. "It's important children notice when someone is touching their most intimate parts," they emphasized, noting that distraction techniques might prevent children from developing awareness about their bodies.
Reading Your Baby's Cues
But how can parents determine consent from babies who cannot yet speak? The answer lies in careful observation of non-verbal communication. Experts suggest watching your child's facial expressions, body language, and reactions to understand their comfort level.
Using a positive and gentle tone while being responsive to your child's cues creates a foundation of trust. Even with very young infants, consistent verbal cues and regular routines help establish understanding. For example, asking "Can you please lift up your bottom so I can slide your nappy out?" plants the early seeds of bodily autonomy.
The researchers stress that consent education shouldn't wait until adolescence. "There has been a lot of focus on teaching older children about consent, but parents should not wait until kids are teenagers to talk about appropriate touching or how everyone has the right to say what happens to their body," they noted.
This simple practice of seeking consent during routine care like diaper changes helps normalize the concept, making it a natural part of your child's understanding of personal boundaries as they grow older.
