Gransnet forums

Grandparenting

Changing diapers

(41 Posts)
Mama2020 Fri 31-May-24 17:00:12

How do you feel about changing your gran’s diapers? If you offer, how what motivates you to do so? What would be your reaction if their parents said they didn’t want anyone but themselves changing baby’s diapers?

kittylester Fri 31-May-24 17:07:51

This doesn't make sense.

crazyH Fri 31-May-24 17:09:31

???????

mumofmadboys Fri 31-May-24 17:20:14

Do you mean your grandchildren's diapers?

eazybee Fri 31-May-24 17:20:49

Probably means grandchild.
But reaching out across the ocean to discuss this?

Mama2020 Fri 31-May-24 18:08:43

Yes, I meant grandchild’s diapers. My apologies for the confusion.

Germanshepherdsmum Fri 31-May-24 18:12:15

Strange question. Obviously from the US again.

tanith Fri 31-May-24 18:14:03

I would not offer unless of course I was looking after the child. I'd be fine with the parents choices their child their rules.

MissAdventure Fri 31-May-24 18:18:58

I was always happy to leave that particular job to their mum.

Parsley3 Fri 31-May-24 18:24:31

Are you really asking what motivates a person to change a baby's nappy? If I am looking after the child I do it when it needs doing but if the parents are there I leave it to them. If they didn't want me to do it I wouldn't argue about it.

V3ra Fri 31-May-24 18:25:02

My youngest grandchild is out of nappies/diapers now, but to answer your questions:

I would be quite happy to change them, and have done so many times.

I would offer to do so if I noticed it needed doing, ie they were wet or had a poo.

If their parents said they wanted to do it themselves it wouldn't bother me.

It's really no big deal 🤷

BlueBelle Fri 31-May-24 18:30:07

When they were in nappies and when they were at mine i changed their nappies ???
Now they re in their 20 s I won’t bother🤣🤣🤣

M0nica Fri 31-May-24 18:31:30

Same as V3ra

Mama2020 Fri 31-May-24 18:34:19

And yes, I’m across the pond. I apologize for not using “nappies.” I’m yet to find a US-based group as good as this one.

kittylester Fri 31-May-24 18:43:25

I'd be relieved if the parent's wanted to do it - especially if it was a poo. grin

PamelaJ1 Fri 31-May-24 18:45:01

I can’t imagine why you would ask.
If you are looking after a grandchild and it needs its nappy changed of course you would do it.

Blackwit Fri 31-May-24 18:46:25

I’d be fine with changing a baby’s nappy, although I’d be curious to know the reason behind the parents insisting on changing their child’s nappy if there’s a willing grandparent around.
I guess it’s a case of ‘needs must’ if you’re looking after the baby, I wouldn’t leave a baby in a dirty nappy for its own welfare and comfort.

V3ra Fri 31-May-24 18:52:09

Mama2020

Yes, I meant grandchild’s diapers. My apologies for the confusion.

No worries Mama2020
Are we to understand there has been some debate or issue about who is or isn't allowed to change diapers in your family?

Norah Fri 31-May-24 18:58:01

I dislike changing GC/GGC nappies. Can, but much prefer not.

Needs-must is my only motivation.

If my daughters said nobody but themselves could change baby nappies - I'd be thrilled, overjoyed, elated. I don't like poo.

MissAdventure Fri 31-May-24 18:58:19

grin

LOUISA1523 Fri 31-May-24 19:15:10

Would often door DG1 as they lived with us tol she was 17m.....with GDs 2 and 3 would do if babysitting

TerriBull Fri 31-May-24 19:21:48

I don't think it's a big deal quite honestly. Their parents had no such qualms relinquishing those duties whenever they could. We get to grips with all of that as a parent, there's something quite satisfying in making ay baby feel clean and fresh again. Being in charge as a grandparent reminds you, unlike when you were a parent, this comes to end a whole lot sooner. I'm not always so keen on the grandparent duties to the granddog, as lovely as he is, It's the little bags [yuk] having been a parent to cats previously at least they had the grace to clear up after themselves.

Grams2five Fri 31-May-24 19:40:56

If I’m cari for the grandchild , parents are not there etc I’d change the nappies when they needed changed same as I did my own kids. Otherwise I leave the parents to it, rather a job for mum and dad isn’t it ?

If the parents didn’t want anyone but themselves to do the nappy changes I’d think nothing if it beyond it’s their baby and they want to provide the care .
Why would anyone feel a thing about that?

Grams2five Fri 31-May-24 19:42:20

Are grandparents in the states really having feelings about doing or not doing nappy changes ? Good grief.

flappergirl Fri 31-May-24 19:53:12

A lot of parents these days seem to object to anyone else changing their baby's nappy. I've gathered this from various posts on Mumsnet.

As for the motivation to change your grandchild's nappy, it would be because they were in your care and were uncomfortable in a soiled nappy. This, to me, would be the normal and correct thing to do.

I assume the OP has been told not to change the nappy under any circumstances?