In a study recently published in New Scientist, researched Betty Repacholi detailed her study that proved her hypothesis that mommies would not only be less revolted by their own baby's caca, but that they could in fact identify their baby based on the smell of said caca [1].
We've all heard the theory that babies use the cute factor as a defense to keep us from killing them. Perhaps poop has been a similarly useful tool for them. "Disgust is an emotion that probably evolved to keep us from getting close to rotten or potentially unhygienic items, such as faeces," Repacholi said. "But this reaction is not going to be very adaptive if we are disgusted by our own babies."
To test her theory, mommies were asked to sniff duos of dooky diapers: one from their own offspring, and a second "control" (*snicker*) diaper filled by another, unrelated baby. Sort of like a blind taste test. Not only did the mothers succeed in identifying their own baby's turds, but they also consistently ranked their own kid's stink as less revolting than the other kid's.
I have changed many a diaper myself, and I just don't know. My son can extrude some real nasty gaggers. I work with pre-schoolers part time as well, so I've changed any number of other people's children. Either way, my reaction is usually equally "Eww!" for both.
Are mommies simply more used to the stench of their baby's butt brownies? Or are there olfactory clues within the aroma itself that tell mommy, "Hey, this shit don't stink!"?
