# Is there any way to tell if a baby has a dirty nappy other than by sniffing around them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815 "2019-10-15T19:26:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dunmurry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d2c977/32.png) [@Dunmurry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunmurry)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/1 "2019-10-15T19:26:41Z")
Well I have to say first and foremost that this is a rather disgusting thread about the subject of dirty nappies. I have very limited knowledge of this area and I suppose it is similar to alot of people who may have seen someone who is a parent basically having to sniff around the baby and around its bottom to see if it has a dirty nappy. And is there any way of telling if it has a dirty nappy without doing something like this alot? Also if there is a factual answer to other possible ways of telling this? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/2 "2019-10-15T19:30:07Z")
Sometimes you can catch the baby in the act. Apart from that, there’s sniff test, the squish test, and the sample test. And the dreaded blowout, but that’s a giveaway, not a test. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/3 "2019-10-15T19:33:53Z")
[This article](https://community.babycenter.com/post/a22174711/best_way_to_check_diaper) suggests several other tests: - The squeeze test - The peek test - The finger test (which I’ve also heard called “the dipstick test” :eek: ) ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/4 "2019-10-15T19:36:18Z")
Modern disposable diapers have a line on them that changes color when they get wet. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/5 "2019-10-15T19:57:24Z")
I can’t think of an alternative better than the sniff test. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/6 "2019-10-15T20:37:27Z")
When we suspected a present awaited us, we tapped the bottom of the diaper. The extra weight would be quite noticeable. (Esp. after gaining the experience of changing a few hundred diapers.) When in doubt, it was the peek test. (Note: we used cloth diapers almost all the time. YMMV with one-use ones.) ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/7 "2019-10-15T20:59:37Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > Modern disposable diapers have a line on them that changes color when they get wet. Given the OP’s references to “dirty” nappies, and having to sniff around the baby’s bottom, it seems clear they are inquiring about the presence of feces rather than urine. I suppose if the baby has severe diarrhea then there might be enough moisture to show up on the wetness indicator, but this seems like an exceptional case. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/8 "2019-10-15T22:28:47Z")
The lil’wrekker told me. She was always the ‘princess and the pea’ type baby. Things had to feel right or she protested. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/9 "2019-10-15T22:48:41Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The lil’wrekker told me. She was always the ‘princess and the pea’ type baby. Things had to feel right or she protested. Before she could talk, how would you tell if she needed a diaper change versus just normal crying? ~Max ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/10 "2019-10-15T23:58:12Z")
A parent knows, Max, just because an infant doesn’t use words, that doesn’t mean that they don’t vocalize with different cries for different things. Dad of 4 and very experienced changer of diapers and feeder at midnight and 3 am ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/11 "2019-10-16T00:42:56Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Before she could talk, how would you tell if she needed a diaper change versus just normal crying? > > ~Max As Dork says. Mom, Dad or daily caregiver knows the diaper cry, cranky cry or hunger cry. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/12 "2019-10-16T00:56:15Z")
Yep. The “where is everyone” cry. There are quite a few cries. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/13 "2019-10-16T07:16:21Z")
The “who are you and why are you holding me” which leads to “i want my parent” which can very quickly morph into “I want THAT parent” Babies have a pretty good vocabulary, just not words. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/14 "2019-10-16T16:56:35Z")
Funny story; when Mid-daughters first born was 8mos. old he caught an upper respiratory virus and was put on prescription meds. She had a little spoon thingy to give him the liquid meds with. One morning he was in his little chair and she was pouring his meds up. He really hated the meds. She swears his first words were “no medicine Momma”. I think maybe sleep loss and the 1st baby syndrome was in play. She’s convinced he did it. The lil’wrekkers first communications were alot of cooing, goo-goo,gah-gah and pointing and hand signals. Almost like signing. Her first word was fire-truck only she said ‘fire-fuck’ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/15 "2019-10-16T17:58:34Z")
The baby knows. And believe it or not, many of them do not like sitting in a bag of shit until someone else notices. They tend to tell you in their pre-lingual ways. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/16 "2019-10-16T18:07:47Z")
Sometimes you can tell by the expression on their face. It’s a sort of inward focus. But as mentioned, they will let you know. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/17 "2019-10-16T20:18:26Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Sometimes you can tell by the expression on their face. It’s a sort of inward focus. My nephew did that. It was very quickly dubbed “poopy face” by his mother. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/18 "2019-10-16T20:23:35Z")
Well, Pampers is now offering a “smart diaper” with a built-in sensor that sends an alert to your phone when your baby has soiled it. No, I’m seriously not making that up: [Did Your Kid Pee? This Pampers Smart Diaper Will Let You Know | PCMag](https://www.pcmag.com/news/369653/a-smart-diaper-product-from-pampers-will-launch-this-fall) ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/19 "2019-10-16T21:28:17Z")
I figure stretching the waist out a bit, looking down there, and voicing an evaluation is the gold standard. That’s what strangers near me in restaurants are always doing. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2019, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-tell-if-a-baby-has-a-dirty-nappy-other-than-by-sniffing-around-them/841815/20 "2019-10-17T10:28:58Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Given the OP’s references to “dirty” nappies, and having to sniff around the baby’s bottom, it seems clear they are inquiring about the presence of feces rather than urine. I suppose if the baby has severe diarrhea then there might be enough moisture to show up on the wetness indicator, but this seems like an exceptional case. The diapers are sensitive enough to pick up moisture from regular poop too. It doesn’t require diarrhea of any kind.