A mom sparked debate on social media after saying she doesn’t want anyone to change her newborn’s nappies apart from herself and her partner.
Not even the baby’s grandparents, as it is crucial to protect the child’s privacy.
Taking to the British parenting website, Mumsnet, one concerned mother shared her annoyance after her mother-in-law changed her newborn’s diaper without her permission.
“I’m very keen on consent and protecting my baby’s privacy and prefer that only myself and my partner are the ones to change DS’s nappy (6 months)” she wrote.
“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 however this has not yet been the case.”
She continued, “a while ago my MIL was over and my baby started crying and rather than just give him back 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.”
The mum said that she didn’t say anything at that time as she was trying to be nice but from now on, she was drawing a line and banning everyone from changing her baby’s diapers except herself and her partner.
“I didn’t say anything at the time DS was 4 months and I was trying to be nice and friendly but starting to find her more overbearing and I’m getting close to drawing a line.”
Many people reacted to the post, and while a few people sided with the angry mom, many others slammed her for overreacting and said she was making a big deal out of nothing.
“It’s good to be aware but you do sound paranoid. They are related and you were right there watching. Did something happen to you as a child? If so, maybe you need therapy to talk through things. Or maybe you could have said, it’s OK I can do that or something,” one wrote.
“I think this is something you seriously need to address with yourself.
First of all, all my family members have offered to change nappies, and 9/10 it’s because they’re being helpful and just giving me a tiny break. I think it’s a lovely thing for them to do. I really don’t understand why you feel the way you do. But it does seem like you have your own underlining problem. If you can’t trust immediate family to change a nappy then, well, your child is going to grow up with you literally obsessing over ‘privacy’ for them,” a second said.
“So nursery workers or babysitters can change your child but their grandparent can’t? I suspect this is more about your feelings towards your MIL than anything to do with privacy and consent (consent being a ridiculous concept for a small baby who has no capacity to give informed consent at that age),” a third added.
“I don’t understand the logic here. If you’re genuinely worried about privacy and consent in these matters, then surely nursery must be a total no go?” a fourth commented.
“Totally ridiculous and irrationally paranoid, assuming this is genuine and not yet another MIL hating thread,” said another.,,
I would be more worried about your mate changing the baby. Some men
Get turned on by simply seeing private parts.