Why do people think that it is OK to touch my baby???

[Blondy876]

We went to our local Christmas parade today (never actually saw it because it started an hour late). As we were waiting there was a group of girls next to us. They were probably late teens, early twenties. The baby was fussing because it was her nap time so I had been rocking the stroller back and forth getting her settled, after about 20 minutes she fell asleep. Thank goodness.

Well, a few minutes later one of the girls next to us comes over and pushes the sun visor back and gets real close to Teagans face and says "Boy or girl?" (Yeah, I dress my son in lavender hearts ) My dh who was standing beside the stroller says "Girl" then she asks how old. I had backed the stroller up a bit because she was so close but that didn't stop her from reaching out and pinching her cheeks. As she started to reach for her I had pulled the stroller back and my dh and I said (rather loudly) "Please don't touch her." This girl didn't listen, as I continued to pull the stroller away she just kept coming for her. At this point I yell "Don't touch my child, back up." No response. My dh finally steps in between Teagan and this girl and she backs up. The girl was so offended that I didn't want her to touch my sleeping infant. How dare I. She should have been thanking her lucky stars that my dh was there or I would have flattened her.

Thanks for letting me vent. I was so angry as we left I was shaking.

 

[Rex Rules]

Probably the same people that think it is ok to touch a pregnant woman's belly - EWWW

 

[Lil_Tink]

Jeez.....I have never touched anyones baby without permisson. Like today, at church someones little boy was about to hurt himself in the closet (He was playing with the two babies I babysit) so I felt it appropriate to move him. And I have asked how old a baby is but from a distance. But going up and touching it? What is wrong with them? It takes so long for kids to go to sleep so why are they going and touching them.

 

[Skylarr29]

I know just what you mean... we were at Disney with my boss's 5 month old and everyone tried to touch her and asked if they could hold her. The nerve. I would never EVER ask to hold someones elses child if I didnt know them well. It drives me insane...... If I would have been in the same situiation I wouldnt have been as nice

 

[ducklite]

My sister had that happen with her second child. This lady was obviously ill, and my nephew ended up with RSV. I love to look, but wouldn't touch someone's baby.

Anne

 

[garretts-carrot]

That's horrible..I respect other people and i don't touch their babies..i usually just ask their name and say "Hi, _ _ _!" in a cute little voice and they usually smile.

 

[EthansMom]

Yup, this happens a lot with my daughter. I've learned to keep an eye on people and, if I notice them getting close to DD, I say, "Oh, don't touch the her, she's got a cold." (Even when it isn't true, I figure it's one of those little white lies that can be forgiven.)

 

[Freyja]

I would never, ever, ask to hold a strangers baby. To touch it, is for me a different thing. Would I reach into a stroller and touch it? - Never! Would I touch a sleeping baby? - Never! Would I stroke the hand of a baby, held infront of me, and reaching out to me? -Maybe, can´t say for sure, depends on circumstances.

 

[clh2]

EWWWW!

I was also a germ-o-phobic when my DD was a baby. (Ok - I still am a germ-o-phobic, she just is 11 now).

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I would kill anyone if they touched my child. ONce I walked into a store and the clerk was holding my baby. My DH(and the d does not stand for darling) let her because she asked to!!! Can you believe it??

My husband used to say hi to children he saw in the mall or other places or ask them if they were going to see Santa etc. I told him he should not do that b/c he puts the kid in an uncomfortable position. His parent has told him not to talk to strangers and then here is this stranger being friendly. ONce I told him that he was really upset b/c he never thought of it! NO you know what Sherlock...I guess we can see why Mr. No Sense let a complete stranger hold my child!!

 

[nemo1987]

Wow! The nerve of her.. I would never dream of doing that to someone whether it was someone I know or not. I am impressed you held yourself back because I probably would not have been able to!!
-Sarah

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

wow...how rude....i dont touch other's kids unless they ask me to or im being paid to watch them. Now, if a baby drops its cup or toy, ill pick it up and give it back to the parents so they can wash it off unless i caught it, then id give it to the baby. The only time ive ever touch a baby that wasnt in my care is when this sooooooooooo cute little one grabbed hold of my hair (and the mom could have cared less about her) i just gently stroked her hand, and she let go. Its really too risky to touch a strangers baby because of how quick they can get sick

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

That was pushy of the girl. I've been known to stroke the stockinged foot of a baby in a stroller, but not the face. I usually ask first as well. And I always say a little blessing to the baby. The momma's always coo softly at that. *grin*

 

[#1MMFan]

Its really too risky to touch a strangers baby because of how quick they can get sick

They really are a little less fragile than all that!! I wouldn't touch someone's baby without asking, but I would think it odd if someone didn't allow others to handle the child at anytime (with permission).

 

[krissy2803]

I would never dream of touching someone's baby. When I am in a line at the supermarket I will wave and talk to babies, but never touch them. I think that's rude.

 

[mtemm]

we only ran into this once even though we have 3 (including a set of twins). I think what helped was using a baby bjorn. Granted, our babies weren't apt to sleep in a stroller unless it was in constant motion. I'm jealous of all you mom's out there who's kids happily sleep away like that.

 

[chrissyk]

I don't have kids yet, but it used to freak me out to no end when my old neighbor and I would take out her twin infants and people would try to touch them. It was mostly old ladies who did this...UGH! I would get so mad (as would my neighbor). These babies were born MASSIVELY prematurely, and although they were healthy by that point, they didn't need germy strangers touching them. I swear, if I ever take my own infant out in public it's going to be covered up by one of those sling things.

 

[WIcruizer]

Rude? Yes. End of the world? No. To the OP, this person was out of line, but her heart was in the right place. So often people are almost hostile towrads babies. On the plane, at WDW, grocery store, etc. Espceially older women...they seem to feel infants should never leave the house. (And aren't afraid to tell you so.)

So this young woman was trying to be nice, and went too far. As you (or DH) did when you shouted "get away from my baby!" That's a little dramatic and rude as well. It's one of those things that you wish people wouldn't do, but they do. Deal with it...and be thankful you have a cute baby!

 

[leighe]

I wouldn't touch other people's babies but I won't get bent out of shape if someone touches mine - I mean, if they stroke her hand or pinch her cheeks or something like that. I'm not a germophobe at all so really, it won't be a big deal to me. And to everyone who's going to jump on me and say "Oh you'll feel differently when she's here," really - no I won't. I just don't get upset about a lot of the things that new moms are supposed to freak out about. Sometimes I'm afraid I'll be too laid back and I'll lose her or something!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ummm, hello, but it is a baby. MY baby. It is not a toy for you.

No, I do not know why so many people think that they can touch, hold, and play with somebody elses baby.

Babies are not 'toys'!!!

I wouldn't walk up and ask to touch you and pinch your cheeks... Why would anyone think it okay to do this to somebody else. Even a baby. So please have a little respect and refrain from touching anyones baby unless they offer!!!

Sure, people love babies... Hey, I may love that gourmet Latte that you happen to have, doesn't mean I have the right to just walk up and take a sip. Loving babies and having your heart in the right place does not make any difference. It doesn't give you the right to possibly disturb my baby, or to spread germs.

My son had hypersensitivity issues... And, you better bet that I was careful that strangers did not accost him, lest everybody within five square miles would hear the squalling.

I think that we need to start a huge Public Service Campaign.

PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH