Nanny keeps changing baby's clothes

[coverp]

I know this is far from the world's worst problem and that I'm letting it annoy me more than it should, but any ideas on if/how to address appreciated.

We have a nanny part time for DD (8mo), 2 older children in pre-school/school. Literally every single time I get the baby dressed, the nanny will change her clothes. For a while I just assumed poonami but then realised that there were clean clothes (worn for an hour or 2) in the laundry.

I have asked a couple of times and she's said 'Ah I just thought she'd like to look a bit more girly' (I had dressed her in a vest with blue bears on) and 'I thought she needed another layer' (I had dressed her in long sleeved vest plus light jumper, which she replaced with short sleeved vest and different patterned light jumper).

I know I just need to let it go as it's such a minor thing overall, but it's making me irrationally cross. The unnecessary laundry is part of it, although in a household of 5 it's not a huge thing. It's more the feeling that she's saying she knows better than I do.

YABU - just shut up and let it go, you're lucky that the relationship with the nanny is pretty good

YANBU - say something (what?!)

"Nanny, unless she's too hot/cold or her clothes get dirty, could you leave DD in the clothes I put her in please? The extra outfit changes are creating a lot of laundry. If you have plans and want to suggest anything particularly weather/play appropriate, just let me know the night before so I can get her dressed for that"

Tell her to stop re-dressing your baby. She isn't paid to do as she wishes and repeat jobs you have already done because she thinks she can do it better.

I think if she dresses the baby how she would prefer her to look, it can only improve her positive feeling towards her

I would be having serious reservations if I heard this. I would definitely be explaining why I am not ok with that and I would be seriously considering getting rid of her.

Are you sure baby isn't dribbling, getting dirty, snotty? I remember chaining my kids constantly at that age...

But, what about the mother's?
We do dress our babies in clothes that we do like or someone we know has bought for the baby. Or hand me downs from sibblings that remind us of the times with those babies. It is not that a trivial thing....

I would get irrationally angry at someone changing my baby if there hadnt been a poo or pee leakage!!

My babys outfits are thought of, and are not up for discussion. So unless they are dirty, they are staying!
I would be having firm words with the nanny.

I have to admit as a nanny that I used to do this sometimes Mainly down to different taste in clothes. I looked after one little girl whose Mum would just put on the nearest thing to hand - didn't matter if it matched or was weather appropriate. I looked after a toddler boy and Mum would often dress him in clothes too small, so trousers flapping round his ankles or a jumper that wasn't quite long enough in the body.

It’s strange because it doesn’t fit with the routine you had in place - which by no means reflects someone else’s. Perhaps OP likes getting her DC ready in the morning? Perhaps the nanny arrives later than yours did? etc etc. An aside to the thread, but people aren’t “strange” simply because they might do something differently to you.

It sounds like you haven't asked her directly so you could try that. If you prefer not to, you could ask her to leave any clothes she takes off that are not visibly dirty in a particular place so that they can be reworn.
The using expressed milk when you are there is something I would be more direct about. If she's never had a baby herself she might not appreciate the trouble that goes into expressing the milk nor how precious every drop is.

I wouldn't like this at all. She's your child, not the nanny's doll. And the sexist point needs picking up.

if you read the op she explains the clothes are clean and in the laundry basket

You have a nanny. You need her more than she needs you. She changes your child's clothes. We've had bad nannies (like...bad, leave tomorrow). Don't play with fire! Enjoy what you have!!!!

I would leave your DD in PJs to be honest. It doesn't feel like a hill to die on.

I change both my grandsons outfits when I look after them as there clothes are way too big and they look really scruffy and im embarrassed is it maybe this the reason ?

This. I’m a seasoned nanny (who loves being in charge of dressing the baby 😂) and what she’s doing is ridiculous. I get that it’s enjoyable to choose the clothes but what a waste of time. Both for her and the laundry! (Actually the extra laundry would have me raging!)

This. You don't need to clean clean clothes. So wasteful

If you’re not comfortable, then get rid of her, and look after your child yourself. 🙂

It would annoy me she was creating even more washing! We seem to have our machine on constantly and that's without putting clean clothes in the wash. Tell her to knock it off!

Yeah, because those are the only two options; this woman or OP quitting her job. Good one. 🙄

Also, given the baby is seemingly on solids, she only needs to wait for the next mealtime and it'll be all change anyway if she's anything like my baby.

That’s also a very fair point 😂

What a stupid answer. 🙄

It is not Quit your job or put up with it. There are other answers. Shockingly

Tell her that you've dressed her how you want her to be dressed and she is only 8 months old and has no opinion on her clothes or preference for looking 'girly' or not.

probably put it more politely than that.

My in-laws used to look after my eldest as a baby/toddler about once a week, and always used to change him (into clothes MIL had bought and kept at her house) with the excuse that he'd got dirty. Once I had to pop back after a few minutes because I'd forgotten something, and they were already changing him - you should have seen the look on her face knowing I'd caught her at it!

It used to drive me wild, but I didn't feel I could say anything as they were doing us a favour. You, on the other hand, are employing her so just tell her to pack it in.