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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People picking up my baby!

32 replies

PossetFeatures · 02/07/2011 21:15

No idea if i'm being unreasonable or not but it does/did feck me off when this happens.

In park today, and bumped into friend of DP and wife who came and sat with us for a bit. DP and mate go and get ice creams for us, leaving me with wifey, who i've met once before (and who is very nice by the way, I like her). DS (5 months) starts crying as is a bit tired and has been under-the-weather anyway. I pick him up and start to comfort him, knowing that he'll eventually have a zizz on me. Wifey leans over after less than a minute and when i'm not even remotely looking stricken, and before I know it has taken DS with a "here, let me have a go" and proceeds to pace up and down the area of the park jigging DS and swinging him around on his front. Unsurprisingly this doesn't work, and after watching through gritted teeth for a while I sort of grow some balls and suggest that DS might want a lie down instead and she hands him back.

My cleaner also does this if DS cries when she's around and declares that he is hungry whilst jiggling the poor sod (I know he's not), as does DPs Aunty, AND a work colleague of DPs who everytime we bump into her asks for a cuddle (fine) but will not hand DS back unless asked, even if he's bawling.

For the record, I like all of these people, but don't know them that well. Is it just me being a possessive nutter of DS, or AIBU to think that I would never just pick up/take someone-who-I-don't-know-that-well's baby without them asking me to hold, or me asking to have a cuddle with (non-crying) baby?

I'm guessing people are just being nice and thinking they're trying to help, and that if i'm not happy I should grow nuts and just straight-up ask for him back or not give him to them, but that's sometimes easier said than done if you don't want to offend anyone.... am I weird or is this normal behaviour?

OP posts:
BoosMaw · 02/07/2011 23:25

YANBU. I'd never even touch another persons baby, nor grab them, without being asked to or offered a cuddle. I hate the idea of passing round a newborn. I think however that once a baby is mobile it's nice for them to potter about and interact a bit more with people, if they're doing it of their own choosing.

I have a friend whose baby died of a viral infection at 2 months old, she makes a point of never touching other peoples young babies either. She now has a bit of a hand-washing obsession.

PossetFeatures · 03/07/2011 07:45

Oh BoosMaw that's so sad Sad, you're poor friend.

For the record, I don't think men helping lost girls in shops are peados, or any man wanting a cuddle with a baby tbh, what a weird thing to say Hmm

I just don't like people taking my baby off me without asking!

OP posts:
quirrelquarrel · 03/07/2011 08:17

Reference to another thread, I think.

This could be a way that women's lib has backfired- finally telling the truth about how tiring motherhood is, everyone catches onto that idea and rushes to help the poor mothers (good in one way, not so much in another)....Hmm
No, that's a stupid idea!

LabMonkey · 03/07/2011 08:46

I find that people think they're helping and they want to "give you a break". Nobody yet has taken up my offer of giving me a break between 2 and 3am when she has a feed (DD is 9 weeks tomorrow so is still a novelty to everyone we know).

It is really frustrating when people are doing what worked for their babies but you know it won't work on yours but they're convinced they're right. I'm now a lot calmer and find it amusing watching people try to sway DD to sleep - it really annoys her and she won't sleep like that. I figure that it won't hurt her for a few minutes and it gives the nice ladies at church the feeling that they've "helped" then they give her back to me and I get her to sleep quickly. I'll admit I do still get annoyed when people inform me as if I'm an idiot that she "has wind" - no she's tired and wants to be swaddled and put down to sleep, slapping her on the back and jiggling her is not helping.

Sorry rant over :)

We have a family (inlaws) wedding in 3 weeks and I suspect a lot of drunk people will try to take her off me so she's going to be in a sling after the meal until we leave.

Pang · 03/07/2011 08:52

Is this your first baby? I think with first babies we can sometimes be over sensitive and protective.(Which normal Smile!) By the time you are on the second or third DC you will be looking for other arms to put the baby in.

I remember a friend coming over with DD3. I made her a coffee and held the crying baby while she had a break. Baby went to sleep - friend was more relaxed and we had a lovely chat. Friend thanked me and got up go, was about to walk out the door when I said 'Hey aren't you forgeting something.'
Yes, she had forgotten the baby.

Also had a friend who left her new born at pre-school when she came to pick up her 3yr old. But that's another story.

They probably just think your baby is gorgeous and want to help.

VelveteenRabbit · 03/07/2011 09:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Henwelly · 03/07/2011 20:30

I also always ask the Mum what the baby likes - walking, patting, upright, cradled etc which I hope lets the mum nowI dont think I know it all!!

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