To have to tell someone

[FairyDust92]

Not to reach in and touch my child! Happened yesterday and my son is 10 weeks we were out for lunch and the waiter bent down and stroked his face! I said 'please do not touch my child' she then continued to touch his legs so I said again 'don't touch my child'. She actually took offence to this but I don't think I should have to tell people not to touch him. I don't know who she is or where she has been and to touch his bloody face! Wtf. Maybe I am over reacting but I cannot stand people touching him that I don't know. What comes over them to think they can stroke someone else's baby... it's bloody weird! 🤬

[Trafalger]

First baby?

People love seeing a new baby, it is just human nature. I think you need to calm down somewhat.

[ariamontgomery]

I think you were rude and really overreacted personally

[DriftingLeaves]

It isn't them that's weird. It's you.

[NoSauce]

Yep you’re overreacting.

[CarolineKate]

The only place I had an issue with was hands. As hands go straight in their mouth. Honestly no harm will come to him from that. But it is a mother's instinct to feel like that.

[StayInYourLaneBoy]

Definitely PFB

YABU

[Butttons]

YANBU your baby is still very young and has an immature immune system. For all you know the waiter had just been wiping the table with a dirty wash cloth before touching your baby.

I am not a tactile person myself and dont particularly like being touched by strangers (eg. On the tube or bus when someone brushes past) and I think this dislike has spread to how I felt about my DC when they were tiny. I don't feel quite so freaked out.now they're older but hated them being poked and prodded at by strangers when they were little.

[IfYouWannaComeBack]

Is this for real? Wtf do you think was going to happen by the waiter touching your baby’s leg?

Massive overreaction and weird

[Juliephine]

I had a premature baby so she was little coming home and I had to tell people not to touch unless they used sanitizer first as she had a high risk esp of lung infection.

So you are not being unreasonable or over reacting .... You wouldn't do it to another adult would you ? Look but please don't touch

[Igetknockeddownbutgetupagain]

Wait, what??
People think it’s ok for a stranger to touch another stranger without asking?
Eh?
YANBU. I wouldn’t dream of touching someone else without asking, unless I was doing first aid or pulling them out of the way of a car... Especially not their baby. I bet you’re all the ones who try and touch peoples pregnant bellies too. Stop it, you’re weird.

[chesterfuckingdraws]

See I don't get the responses you've had.

I agree with you op and think it's odd for strangers to touch and stroke random babies. I don't see why anyone would feel the need.

People don't touch and stroke random adults so why are babies fair game?

[Hederex]

Wouldn't bother me at all, but she should have stopped when you asked the first time...you could have asked more politely though, it's not exactly a social no no.

[TidyDancer]

I think you're going to be a bit embarrassed about this when your LO is older. You were really rude.

[MonkeyLife]

I felt exactly the same... Tbh I still do and he's 18months! Babies just send people all gooey. I never 'got' it until now
I think YANBU. Your child, your rules.
I would never go to touch someone else's child, but that's because I wouldn't want that done to me

[ParadiseLaundry]

YANBU op. And it's not a PFB thing, DS2 is 7 weeks and I am even more 'precious' about people touching him than I was with the first.

Regardless of whether anyone thinks YABU or not the fact that you asked her not to touch him and then she did it again is pretty inexcusable.

Yes, newborns are gorgeous and it's lovely when people come over to chat and have a look but there is no need for anyone to touch.

[Igetknockeddownbutgetupagain]

I’m actually open mouthed that people think this is ok. I agree with chesterfuckingdraws - would you all walk up to a grown woman and stroke her cheek if you felt like it? Why is it different if it’s a baby?!

[Butteredtoast55]

Personally I think YABU although naturally protective of your child. I just wonder when we started to get so worried that someone touching a baby was weird? Also FWIW, a good friend of mine who is a paediatrician recommends that children get exposed to as many germs as possible as early as possible to help strengthen their immunity. Whilst that may not apply to babies who are poorly I think it's sensible.

[Lxx16]

No I don't think YABU at all!!
I'm shocked to read that some people think it's normal for a stranger to touch your baby!! I'm currently 21 weeks and I have no intention of letting a stranger put their hand in the pram and stroking their face etc.

[Justgorgeous]

You are being unreasonable and rude. Poor lady, I bet you really upset her.

[stepmumandmumtobe]

Okay I think it was a bit rude. I understand your baby is only 10 weeks old so it is fair that baby shouldn't be touched (in your opinion) and I can understand it to certain extent why but I do agree that it was rude.

Also, I feel people who react like this, I personally feel I can't even look at their baby and say simply aww because the parent might get offended and over protective. And that really scares me as they might tell me off

[ParadiseLaundry]

I just wonder when we started to get so worried that someone touching a baby was weird?

Not someone. A stranger who has already been asked not to touch.

[Baguetteaboutit]

YABU. Honestly, have a word with yourself.

[RichPetunia]

I touch babies all the time because they are so cute. They have all survived.

[Zebraaa]

I work in a maternity unit and I really can’t help reaching out and stroking a little newborn soft cheek. Is it different when it’s staff?! (Genuine question because now I feel bad for doing it!)

[ooooohbetty]

Yabu. I'm flabbergasted at people equating touching a baby with touching an adult. People touch babies because they have lovely soft skin and people love little babies. There is no malice or ill intent in it. Christ almighty the bollocks I read on mumsnet is depressing sometimes. It's like some people love to suck the joy out of absolutely everything.