Woman 'repulsed' by mother changing baby's nappy in front of her sparks online debate

While some women agreed, others said she needed to 'get a grip'

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A woman has sparked an online debate after admitting she was "repulsed" by a mother changing her baby's nappy.

Changing a child’s soiled nappy is accepted by most as a normal part of parenthood but for some non-parents such moments can prove a tad unpleasant.

In fact, one woman has gone as far as to say she was “repulsed” when her friend changed her baby’s nappy in front of her, and not everyone’s happy about it.

Writing on Netmums, the unnamed woman explained that she herself was not a parent and didn’t “particularly like other people’s children” however, she was prepared to accommodate those of her friends.

That being said, she goes on to reveal that she has spent the entire weekend annoyed since her friend came over with her toddler and had the audacity to change it’s nappy on her living room floor.

“Mid-pleasant catch-up it's apparent 19-month-old needs nappy changing and it's definitely solids,” she writes.

“Friend proceeds not to break conversation but whip out a very small changing mat and some wipes etc, lay it all on the carpet and introduce fresh faecal matter into my front room.

“My digestive biccie now has a overpowering scent of poo accompanying it, and my other friend looks like he's about to start retching.”

The woman admits that she didn’t say anything at the time and that she was genuinely a bit confused by what was happening.

“I am very supportive of breastfeeding in public etc, that just hasn't got any argument against it, why should anyone be made to eat their lunch in a toilet, but in the same vein - why is it acceptable to change a nappy in a living room rather than a perfectly well equipped bathroom or even any other room that we are not drinking tea in?” she added.

As a health-care professional, she says she’s not particularly squeamish but that she found the whole experience “pretty rank.”

“I get that you are probably completely immune to your own child's effluence, but to expect others to find it as delightful seems unreasonable.”

Responding to the post, users were divided and while some accused her of being unreasonable others agreed that the mother should have asked permission.

“As a mum, I would never do this without asking the person there where to change the baby, some friends say go ahead and change it there, others will direct me to where I can change them,” one person wrote.

“So I don't blame you for not being happy about changing a dirty nappy in your living room.”

Another added: "In someone else's house, especially someone who doesn't have young children, who I haven't seen for a while, I would definitely ask where to change her nappy. It's just common courtesy."

Others however thought the woman was overreacting and needed to “get a grip.”

"It's a baby's bum being changed, is it really that offensive?" someone asked.

Another person added: "Whilst it's not something I would do at a friend's house, I do think you need to get a grip. You are still so upset hours later that you have decided to write a very long rambly rant about it."

Some Netmums users also took up issue with the fact the woman compared changing a baby’s nappy to breastfeeding.

"Word of advice: breastfeeding and pooing are not the same thing and if you compare the two with any of your breastfeeding friends in real life, you might find yourself short of a friend," someone commented.

"It's quite an offensive thing to do."