A so-called Australian sexuality expert has been ridiculed after saying parents should ask for their baby's permission before changing their nappy.
Deanne Carson was being interviewed by ABC News when she said teaching a "culture of consent" should begin from birth.
She said to tell babies, "I'm going to change your nappy now - is that okay?" and then wait for a response.
"Of course a baby's not going to respond, 'Yes mum, that's awesome - I'd love to have my nappy changed.' But if you leave a space and wait for body language and wait to make eye contact, then you're letting that child know that their response matters."
Parents know how uncooperative babies can be, and so do Twitter users, who laid into the pink-haired educator.
"If a child has a dirty nappy then their parents should change it because that's part of caring for your child properly - not because their child granted them permission," said @Kezzabelle5.
"I think a baby crying because he's wet or poopy is giving you consent to change him," said @akvawe66.
"Many children never want you to change their nappy," said Kirralie Smith, who stood for the Australian Senate. "Asking for their consent is a serious indication of severe mental problems."
Others said the very idea that a baby can give 'consent' was a step closer to legalising paedophilia, calling it "lefty lunacy".
"Babies can't give consent. You know where these sick freaks are headed with this," said one Twitter user.
"Do babies need to give consent before they're born too cause I never signed up for this life," asked another.
According to parenting site Babygaga, the risks of not changing a nappy promptly include rashes, yeast infections, chafing, bladder infection and every parent's worst nightmare - a poop overflow.
Ms Carson defended her stance, saying in a post on Facebook it was important to give infants "bodily autonomy".
"Troll me all you want, add to your blog inches, but remember that when you do, you are negating the voices of these brave survivors of sexual abuse."
But the attacks continued.
"It's an insult to genuine sexual assault victims to compare their experience to a baby having a nappy changed without giving the right expressions," one person wrote in response. "The interview was unintended satire."
According to medical site WebMD, babies start understanding basic words such as "no" and "bye" around nine months of age, and can understand basic commands around 12 months - but don't necessarily follow them.
Newshub.
