An Australian sexuality educator has ignited widespread online debate after suggesting that parents should ask their babies for permission before changing their diapers.
Deanne Carson believes that building a “culture of consent” should begin at birth. Her comments quickly drew both curiosity and criticism across social media, with some users questioning the practicality of the idea. One commenter sarcastically asked whether pet owners should also seek permission from their cats before cleaning the litter box.
As parenting approaches continue to evolve, discussions about consent have expanded into unexpected territory — including routine childcare tasks like diaper changes. On the surface, asking an infant for consent may seem unrealistic, especially since newborns and young babies cannot verbally respond.
However, Carson argues that the point is not to obtain a literal “yes,” but to lay the groundwork for respect, bodily autonomy, and healthy boundaries from the very beginning of life.
Carson, who identifies herself on social media as a sexuality educator, speaker, and author, says that introducing consent early helps reinforce respect for a child’s body. She suggests that parents narrate their actions — for example, saying, “I’m going to change your diaper now, is that okay?” — and then pause briefly to observe the baby’s body language or make eye contact. In her view, this creates an early sense of personal agency and involvement.
According to Carson, the practice is about encouraging two-way communication, even if it is nonverbal. In an interview with Australia’s ABC network, she noted that while babies obviously cannot respond with words, leaving space for eye contact or physical cues signals that their reactions matter.
Many pediatric and early childhood experts emphasize responding to infants’ nonverbal signals — such as facial expressions, movements, or sounds — as an important part of healthy development. Carson’s approach, she argues, aligns with that principle by making babies more aware of what is happening to them.
Still, critics strongly disagree. Some commentators have dismissed the idea as excessive or impractical, arguing that infants are too young to grasp the concept of consent. Others have gone further, calling the suggestion misguided or even absurd.
Online reactions ranged from mockery to outright outrage. Some users argued that a crying baby already communicates discomfort clearly, while others insisted that immediate care — not conversation — should be the priority. A few critics warned that delaying a diaper change for the sake of symbolic consent could be harmful.
At the same time, Carson also received support. Some defenders said that although the example may have sounded extreme, her broader message about respect and communication had merit. They pointed out that babies begin learning interaction skills long before they can speak and that modeling respectful language can help shape future understanding.
As the discussion continues, many agree that attentiveness and communication with infants are important — even if opinions differ on whether framing diaper changes around “consent” is necessary. Ultimately, whether parents choose to verbalize permission or simply respond attentively to their child’s needs may depend on personal parenting philosophy.