To think babies/toddlers deserve the right to privacy?

[WorryLessCherishEveryDay]

I am pregnant with my first child but have worked as a nanny for years. I am always surprised when I see people changing their babies/toddlers nappies/clothes in public. For example I attend a playgroup twice a week and often a toddler will have wet themselves or a baby needs changing and the parents (different ones) think nothing of changing them in front of everyone.

You wouldn't get changed yourself in front of a group of people so why is it ok for a baby/toddler to be seen?

I have never, in my 15 years of nannying, had to change a nappy/wet toddler in front of anyone.

[user1471545174]

YANBU OP, I remember being mortified as a toddler if expected to (for instance) go for a wee in the open.

Babies have no sense of privacy but as PP have pointed out, it isn't actually polite to change them in front of other people.

[neonrainbow]

The two things aren't mutually exclusive. Its possibly to change nappies discretely.

[alltouchedout]

Babies need clean nappies far more than they need 'privacy'.

[neonrainbow]

Her child is going to be repressed because she thinks young children deserve privacy? Oh do fuck off. What a stupid thing to say.

[Robinkitty]

My toddler would rather have her nappy changed in a comfortable place in public than an unpleasant place in private.
Personally i wouldn't change a stinky nappy in public as I wouldn't want to inflict the smell on others but a quick whip off a wet nappy, not a big deal really.

[Beansonapost]

🤣

[cdtaylornats]

It's not like the nappy change is being filmed to play at their wedding in 30 years.

You've spoiled the surprise I had for my goddaughters wedding

[babyinarms]

They're babies ! A lot of changing rooms for babies are communal now. I don't see the problem. Yes, as they get older , privacy is needed but not for babies.

[GerdaLovesLili]

Mmmmmmkay..... how very odd of you.

[MrsTwix]

I would understand if you said that people don't want to see/smell dirty nappies when they are eating for example, but babies don't have any concept of privacy or any need for it.

Changing nappies in front of other parents at playgroup is perfectly normal. It's not like the baby is embarrassed by being naked, and nor should they be.

If you are a nanny, didn't you study child centred thinking? You are not showing child centred thinking by changing a baby in private. If you helped a 6 year old get dressed and they said "I don't want people to see my knickers" then respecting that would be appropriate and child centred.

Changing a baby in private is about what you want, and if you mentioned this to me in interview, I wouldn't employ you, because you clearly can't tell the difference between what your values are and what the child wants or needs.

I'd also have concerns if you were working in a nursery setting rather than a home, because as others said, nappy changing isn't done privately, for your safety against allegations and for the child's safety against abuse.

What you do with your child is your business, but you risk them becoming either a little repressed or them rebelling and stripping off at every opportunity. I feel a bit sorry for your child tbh.

[museumum]

I did my card that much about privacy myself for changing. I often change in the car or car parks after cycling or running. I use a towel because I don't want to make others uncomfortable but I'm not that fussed.
I also use the open-plan changing at the gym (again with a towel until I have my bra and pants on).
I think most people in the uk are too hung up in hiding their bodies resulting in us only seeing our own and airbrushed models and comparing unfavourably.

[newdaylight]

I think being self-concious and wanting privacy is something that develops as children get older and is part of a norm in our adult world. Does that make it better or absolutely necessary? Not really. I see no reason why people who don't care about privacy should be forced to be private

[HMWelsch]

[Mummyoflittledragon]

I understand from a safeguarding POV as a nanny you would perhaps do this only in private. As a parent, I am entitled to use my judgment for my child. So I wouldn't change their nappy in restaurant for example for hygiene reasons.

[SomethingBorrowed]

YABU as long as my toddler doesn't think anything about peeing himself to avoid interrupting his playtime, I don't think he cares about a quick change of clothes in a corner of the room...

[user1491572121]

Secret I agree. Shit stinks whether it's a baby's or an adults and I DON'T want to see it thank you!

[usernumbernine]

Yeah. You're a nanny. And you're pregnant. With your first. And because you've been a nanny you think that means you know it all.

Come back in 20 years and tell us how that worked for you op 😂🤐

[PuckeredAhole]

I agree with you OP. I always afford my kids the level of privacy I'd like.

[yaela123]

When they stop walking in on me on the toilet/in the shower/getting dressed/etc then I'll change them in private

[SecretNetter]

Changing a nappy in the middle of a room full is gross and usually unnecessary...that's my issue, not because a x week/month old baby needs privacy.

IME enforcing privacy is usually unnecessary and will develop naturally in dc. 3 years ago, ds1 (9) would happily strip naked on the beach or in swimming showers to dress without a care in the world. He's now very careful with his towel and would be mortified for someone to see anything.

[Crumbs1]

Ridiculous - nothing healthier than seeing little ones jumping naked in the waves, completely confident in their bodies and free of imposed hang ups from over sensitivite parenting. Plenty of adults go skinny dipping - the need for privacy is about how you feel not about a set of imposed rules. It's like the bathroom door debate. If people are happy for others to wander into bathroom, it's fine. If it makes someone uncomfortable then that should be respected.

[AnnieAnoniMouse]

What other batshit ideas do you have OP?

[MoreThanUs]

I sometimes change my DS' nappy in the corner of a room because it's cleaner and more hygienic than going into the dirty loos and changing there.

[outabout]

What happened to 'common sense'?
The child needs changing so the process should be done as quickly and with as little fuss as possible given the location. If in a 'public' place you position yourself so that the general view is impeded without making it obvious to the child. This should then infer a sense of 'caution' to the child over time, not a 'DON'T' but a more considered approach to who may be watching and with the prevalence of cameras possibly photographing, intended or otherwise.