Mothers have always been a symbol of kindness and maternal love. So much so that often people forget that they are human as well.
Like everyone else, some mums are averse to pee and poo, or the smell of it. That does not make their love for children any less. Let’s be honest, even if it’s your child, how many times do you really like changing their nappies?
Not too often right. And that’s all right. The point is, you get done with it and move on to the next task of the day around the house, while your baby continues to process of filling up the diaper once again.
The point we are trying to make is that not everyone is comfortable around bodily fluids and smells, but that does not make them any less of a person or a mum.
However, for a certain mum or Reddit, this turned into a serious question of self-doubt and even guilt about the love she has for her child.
While this mum knows how to put on a diaper correctly, she just chooses to do so while wearing gloves and a face mask. And no, this isn’t a pandemic problem.
Mum’s Squeamish To Sensitive Smells
Image Source: Pexels
Sharing her ordeal on Reddit’s ‘AITA’ community page, the mum with the username ‘babychangerah ‘wrote, “This issue has been going on for a few months and now our families are involved. I…could really use some unbiased advice here.”
The mum goes on to explain she and her partner, the mother of the child had their first baby four months ago. They both work from home and split childcare responsibility 50:50.
Both mums are pretty comfortable carrying out different tasks of raising a baby right from feeding to changing clothes. The problem with this mum though is diaper changes.
The mum writes, “I’ve always been really really squeamish and sensitive to bad smells. (My wife knows, I even fainted briefly while she was giving birth!) Therefore if it’s my turn for the change, I have a get-up that helps me get through it. I wear disposable gloves, a mask and put a minty smelling salve underneath my nose before I get started.”
“I keep all this in the changing room and diaper bag if we are out of the house, so it only takes me a couple of seconds to get “suited up.”
Wife asks to “get over it”
While the wife was understanding of this at first, she’s now more insistent that the mum let her habit go.
“My wife has become more and more insistent that I “get over it” and “grow up” because, in her mind, I am not bonding with our daughter.” the Redditor writes.
“When she changes her, she likes to linger and talk sweetly to her and caress her — I don’t because I find it very difficult to get through already. But I love spending time with my daughter otherwise — I hold her and read to her and play with her a lot.”
The families are a part of this conversation
A simpler way to blow up a small argument between a couple is to involve families into it. Sadly, that’s exactly what’s happened with our mum here.
“My mum and MIL [mother-in-law] came over the other day and I feel like my mum and my wife ganged up on me about this issue. My mum said that I was acting like a toxic man and that she was ashamed of how I was acting.”
Thankfully, the mum-in-law was more sympathetic. But she also said that the num would get used to the smell.
“I don’t think what I’m doing is wrong — again I have no issue changing the baby when needed — but maybe I am being really cold and stunting her development in some way?”
Not The Bad Guy – The Internet Declares
Image source: iStock
Anyone who’s ever changed a diaper can tell you that nothing that happens in those 10 minutes is pleasant. Babies can be cute on the surface, but boy is that an asbestos plant going under those nappies.
Of course, the milk-based diet plays a role in the early months. It’s something most parents have to live with until the child starts solid food.
The Redditor mum here doesn’t say she won’t change diapers but if the gloves, mask and mint help her overcome a mental barrier, there’s nothing wrong.
And the Internet agrees with this too.
One user commented, “God forbid that a loving parent NOT like the smell of fresh shit.”
Another user had an even hilarious analogy, they wrote, “Especially baby shit. Looks like a guacamole smoothie and smells like the Black Plague.”
One Redditor had an apt suggestion, “Ask your wife and mom if they would prefer you gag and accidentally vomit on the baby?”
Another user sympathised with the mum, they commented, “Seriously, anything that gets you through the diaper phase. I don’t care if you have to put on a level 3 HAZMAT suit. If you’re standing up and doing the job, it doesn’t matter how you do it.”
How To Put On A Diaper Correctly
Image Source: Unsplash
One of the ways you can ease your ordeal of changing diapers is by learning to do it correctly. Not only will you save a lot of time but a lot of effort as well. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to put on a diaper correctly.
- Gather all your supplies or the baby care kit. Place it in a way that everything is within your arm’s reach but not of your baby’s.
- Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly or use a sanitiser if you are outside.
- Place your baby on their back gently on the changing table.
- Unfasten the diaper tabs and raise the little one’s bottom to pull the soiled diaper out.
- Slide the diaper away and place it nearby, out of the reach of your baby.
- Wipe the little one’s bottom clean using wet wipes or with wet cotton balls. Make sure to collect all the trash items in a corner.
- Slide the new diaper under your baby’s bottom. Do check for markers that tell you which side is the front.
- Apply any ointments necessary for rashes before you close the new diaper.
- Pull the front of the diaper between your child’s legs and over their stomach.
- Then pull the diaper tabs open and around to the front. The new diaper should be a snug fit and not too tight.
- Roll up the wet wipes, cotton balls and the soiled diaper, and toss them in the dustbin.
- Clean the changing surface using a disinfectant so that that table is ready for the next round of diaper change.
- Wash your baby’s hands and yours too.
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