Edwina Bartholomew weighs in on ‘absurd’ nappy change debate

Edwina Bartholomew is sharing her thoughts on the current nappy change debate.

Conservation was sparked earlier this week when a popular childcare chain urged parents to be more ‘respectful’ of babies and toddlers when changing nappies, and to ask for ‘co-operation’ from the youngsters.

‘I find the suggestion that you ask your child to give consent before changing their nappy to be a little absurd,’ Edwina wrote in an op-ed for the Daily Telegraph.

‘Asking for consent is a nice thought but just not practical on a day-to-day basis when you are juggling Sudocrem, wipes and nappies with a less than co-operative small person,’ she added.

Mum-of-one Edwina shares baby daughter Molly with husband Neil Varcoe. 

Staff at the childcare chain Only About Children recently sent a letter to parents encouraging them to wait before their child has finished playing before changing their nappy as they ‘don’t like to be interrupted’. 

‘Ask for your baby’s help, talk them through what you are doing and encourage the use of senses,’ the letter read, according to The Herald Sun.

Family: Mum-of-one Edwina shares baby daughter Molly with husband Neil Varcoe

‘When toddlers become mobile, nappy changing may look quite different. Continue to ask for co-operation but understand that your toddler may wish to now stand for their nappy change.’

National education manager Angela Ngavaine said staff ‘involve’ the babies and toddlers in the process by asking ‘are you ready for a nappy change?’

‘Some may look away or shake their head and so we say, “I can see you’re not ready, how about I change Jack and then come back to you?'” she said.

Ms Ngavaine said staff are also encouraged to warn a child before wiping food off their face.

Overdoing it? Staff at Only About Children have encouraged parents to ask their babies for permission to change their nappies (stock image)

But Aussies have slammed the move as ‘utterly ridiculous’ and ‘nonsense’.

‘I wonder what a respected clinical psychologist would say about this?’ one social media user wrote.

‘What a joke. The world’s gone mad and to think some mothers/parents will believe this crap,’ said another.

‘Can I ask my toddler to cook dinner for us. Vacuum the house and do some washing. Then they can put themselves to bed,’ a third comment read.

‘If I had to ask and wait for my toddler son to stop playing. He would have had nappy burn from sitting too long in a dirty nappy. He never stopped playing. This is just stupid.’

Coddling: Workers at the childcare centre also don’t give children time outs if they engage in bad behaviour like hitting other kids