Recently, an Australian educator, Deanne Carson, has sparked an intriguing debate by suggesting that parents ask their babies for consent before changing their diapers. While this idea has caught the attention of many, it has also raised some eyebrows—one person even jokingly asked if a similar request should be made before cleaning a cat’s litter box.
Parenting methods are constantly evolving, and the concept of consent is slowly making its way into unexpected areas, including infant care. The thought of asking a baby for permission to change a diaper might seem impractical at first, given that infants can’t verbally express their approval or disapproval.
However, Carson’s perspective focuses not on expecting verbal consent but on setting the groundwork for understanding boundaries and autonomy from an early age. Her approach is grounded in the belief that fostering respect for a child’s body and personal space is key. By speaking to the baby—using phrases like, “I’m going to change your diaper now, is that okay?”—parents can begin teaching the concept of personal agency, all while observing the baby’s non-verbal cues. In this way, even the youngest infants can start to engage with the idea of consent and their own bodily autonomy.