Should Parents Ask Babies for Consent Before Changing Diapers?

An Australian sexuality educator, Deanne Carson, sparked controversy when she suggested that parents should ask their babies for permission before changing their diapers. While she doesn’t expect a spoken “yes” from infants, Carson says it’s about creating a “culture of consent” from birth — by explaining actions to the child and watching their body language.

Her approach is meant to teach respect and body autonomy early on. But not everyone agrees.

Critics have slammed the idea as impractical and even absurd, pointing out that babies aren’t capable of understanding consent. Some online commentators mocked the suggestion, likening it to asking a cat for permission to clean its litter box. Others dismissed it as extreme or politically driven.

Still, many parenting experts and advocates say Carson’s message has value. Talking to babies, they argue, helps build trust and strengthens communication. Even if infants can’t consent, the act of engaging with them respectfully could lay the groundwork for healthy boundaries later in life.

Ultimately, whether parents choose to ask for diaper-changing “permission” may depend more on their values than on hard rules — it’s one of many personal choices in how we raise respectful, confident kids.