Smart Mum: Getting Your Partner to Help with Diaper Duty

Let’s be honest here, no one likes the diaper duty. No matter how much you love your baby, it will always be disgusting. I once heard my neighbour (who was a new mum) scream and curse one morning only for me to rush to her aid and find her covered in her baby’s poop.

The little girl who was lying on her back quite contently had managed to spray her mum with a fine yellow and smelly breeze while also kicking the untied diaper as far from her as she could. I don’t think she ever told her husband about it but I can tell you a few clever tricks she used to get him on the diaper duty as well.

BRIBE YOUR WAY OUT OF IT

As unorthodox as it may sound, bribery actually works very well. You just have to introduce another option that seems reasonable. Try to find something that will be convenient for your partner and he will find it hard to refuse.

For instance, if he was supposed to change the diaper next, you could ask him to change the baby and you will do it the next two rounds.

FIND ANOTHER TASK TO EXCHANGE WITH HIM. FAIRLY.

You don’t have to bribe your way out of it. You could find another ‘fairly reasonable’ task and ask him to switch the duties. For instance, you could offer to take out the trash if he was on duty for it. The only difference is, you won’t have to smell the trash and you get to take a nice refreshing baby-free walk down the driveway or front yard. You could even stand there for a few minutes and have a chat with the neighbours as your lovely husband helps you out with the baby.

REMIND HIM OF HIS RESPONSIBILITY

It is important for you to remind your partner that you are in the baby drama together. Remind him that you spend 90% of the time with the baby nursing and feeding them. The baby needs to bond with both parents after all. Let him know that if he doesn’t spend much time with his child then he may become the estranged dad. There is no better time to remind him all this than when you sense the diaper duty coming up. And no, do not feel guilty about it. You KNOW you deserve that break.

SOME EXAGGERATION COULD COME IN HANDY

A mother with a new-born is always tired. If your partner does not see that then exaggerate it as much as you can. Every woman is a natural-born actress and even if they can’t stand on stage or shoot a film, the skill automatically comes to play when they need it. Your partner should come running to your aid unless he has a heart of stone.

Conclusively, being a mother is mostly about survival. Tricks and tactics are not forbidden, so use them to get that break you need.