To find the public sniffing of babies' bottoms/nappy changes undignified?

[gail734]

Even though I have one of my own now, I still try to avoid the "lift and sniff" nappy check technique. If I do it, I try to be very subtle about it. It's always made me uncomfortable, don't really know why. Also the public "I don't have to go anywhere to change this really rotten nappy. I'll just do it here while you eat your scone," school of thought. I always go away somewhere, not because my child's nappies are horrid, (they're not, they smell like Angel Delight) but because I think it's more dignified for the baby. Babies deserve some privacy, no? My two SILs do both of these things all the time and I'm silently judgey, but they have six kids between them so maybe IABU?

What Kansas said!

I would always take them somewhere to change a dirty nappy though.

I do the lift and sniff but I wouldn't change a baby anywhere other than a changing room or the car/house.

Nothing wrong with sniffing.

Pooh should be changed somewhere discrete simply because of the smell.

And I don't think babies care too much about privacy, they are happy if they have a clean nappy'

Meh the sniff test is the easiest way to check.

Changing nappies in public you need to give a clearer example. Ie in a place where people eat ie cafe they are unreasonable.

But if out at the park etc and no changingfacilities or its an emergency i will lie a mat on the floor or lay the pushchair flat and do it there.

Privacy for babies? They dont care, hell i have to persuade my five yr old to wear clothes, he seems to be a natural.naturist!

Yes to rather lift n' sniff than shitty fingers. no to changing willy nilly, shit stinks after all

Not edifying but I did the sniff test.

Like Kansas says have had the shitty finger and not nice.

Change discreetly though.

Lines I never I thought I'd hear my friend of 30 plus years say - hoists his infant son in front of me and says 'can you sniff his arse for me and see if he's shat his nappy I've got a cold and more than one sniff will look like I'm doong it for pleasure'

Lift and sniff here but always change away from others and never ever where people are eating.

I always lift and sniff! Doesn't everyone?! Everybody knows babies wear nappies, everybody knows you need to check them for poos - what's the problem?

Wouldn't change a nappy on my knee in public though, DS far too wriggly.

I lift and sniff or bend myself and sniff.
I have never seen anyone change a nappy where food is been eaten, Be that in a cafe or in someone's home.

I really don't think babies care a whit about privacy, it's just not nice at all to inflict the stench of a shitty nappy on other people.

Changing in a place where food is served/eaten is rank.

Don't see what the harm is with the sniffing though?

Also don't see the relevance of your SILs having six kids?

Lift and sniff, always! How else are you meant to check?

I always went somewhere discrete to change DD though, especially if people are eating close by. It's just common courtesy isn't it?

It is undignified, but as other posters have said, better than a shitty finger! If DS is wearing a t shirt instead of a peppered vest, I tend to peek down the back instead of lift n sniff, but if its a best, lift n snif is quickest! Yes to changing somewhere discreet though. I can't stand the smell myself, and don't want to subject innocent bystanders to it!

How else are you going to check if they need a change? I'm not going to rush off to the toilets every time a child is wandering around toddler group with a stinky bum. I want to check whether it is my child.

But I agree on public changing. I will happily do a nappy places like the edges of playgrounds where there are no facilities. But in rooms where others are eating is just totally rank.

I was shocked recently to find people defending this mothers actions (on another parenting forum):

Potty training in a busy restaurant

I would never change a nappy newr anyone eating but do the lift and sniff if needed. Your SIL's having 6 between them probably just means that they got over judgey attitudes to it long ago

I don't care if the shit is dropping out of a toddler's bottom or a tramp's arse, shit is shit and there is never a reason to shit at the dinner table. How extremely vile and colossally inconsiderate.

YABU about sniffing, that's normal, but I am with you re changing in cafe

YADNBU!

I do not like the lift and sniff in public, especially in cafes, etc.

I just don't think you need to draw everyone's attention to the fact that your baby has just done a poo.

A friend does this - holding the baby right up in the air at the lunch table - I just think it's unnecessary. I thought so before having children and I still think so after having two of my own.

I think if you're suspicious you can usually tell in a more discreet way by just subtly moving down towards the nappy area, without practically announcing it.

Also somebody from my antenatal group once changed her 3 month-old baby's nappy in their pram at the table of a restaurant, which was a small local place, as she didn't want to go upstairs to the toilets. I was astonished....

Mmmmm peppered vest

L O L @ discreet nappy sniffing :o

We all know you're doing it!

Might as well just invert and stick your nose in.

Yes, I think maybe the idea is that the pepper masks the smell of the poo!

Yanbu in either respect.