Strangers Stop Fucking Touching My Baby

[FreddyFireflyCanFeckOff]

Why do people think this is okay?!

Am I the ass hole here, or is this just not on? It drives me mad.

[Pagwatch]

at breaking bad.

Little baby Jesse.

[ElspethFlashman]

I'm the opposite - the more touching the baby the better!

I think it gets the baby used to people. You really don't want a baby who flinches and cries when a randomer just touches their hand, surely?

Not that bothered about germs either. I think "oh goody, that'll help the old immunity!"

[Missikat]

Personally I love it when people show an active interest in my kids but had difficulties recently bring my extremely premature baby home from hospital. They are so susceptible to germs and we were advised by the drs not to let anyone outside immediate family to touch them....very hard when you have a baby the size of a doll (3lb 10oz on going home) as people want to touch them even more! There were many times I just had to say 'please don't touch them, they are very susceptible to germs'. I felt awful as I often had to snap as people are so quick to reach in to touch. OP, just do that if you don't like it. Personally I hated it, especially as it's often old ladies doing it, but feeling uncomfortable was preferable to him catching something and ending up back in hospital.

[Lottapianos]

Random weirdos? Or just kind friendly people who love babies? Who can say??? Won't somebody think of the children????!!!!!

And a touch on the arm or a pat on the head is hardly 'fondling'

[WutheringFrights]

When DS was two weeks old I was eating lunch in a cafe and a lovely lady on the next table was chatting to me about her new great grandson who she had yet to visit - she asked if she could cuddle DS...I threw him straight over and ate my lunch two handed. Not all strangers are germ ridden weirdos.

[BarbarianMum]

[Vintagegirl1]

I am one of those really annoying people who absolutely dotes on babies/toddlers. I love to touch a little finger or gently rub an apple cheek. I may even ask if I may have a hold if the baby is awake or I see mum trying to do 3 things at once and it gIves them a breal for a couple of minutes.. I also loved it when people did the same to my kids.

[FreddyFireflyCanFeckOff]

OneForTheRoadThen - I do ask them not to, but then along comes the next person.

HandmaidsTail - honestly, probably an anxiety trigger on my part. Thanks for helping me see that! Seriously.

acasualobserver - I fear the sign would make me look like the irrational arsehole I'm being.

Amelie10 - trust issues, yes, anger issues, no, but I see your point...

[RachelRagged]

havingkittens what a horrible post. Agist too

[ThisIslandGirl]

'The way I see it, I wouldn't want strangers touching me. People would find it very odd if strangers touched older children. Why is it ok just because it's a baby?
My baby relies on me to keep her safe and that includes protecting her from random weirdos fondling her.'

This.

But here come the 'it doesn't matter if it makes you uncomfortable or unhappy, people can do what they want to your baby because he/she is public property and y'know, people love babies' brigade to tell you how ridiculous and PFB you're being.

Most adults would be uncomfortable with strangers poking their face (or touching any other part of their body) without invitation. I don't see why it's acceptable for people to do it to babies.

[Princecharlesfirstwife]

there will come a time (such much sooner than you think) when people won't give two f**ks about your precious child and then you'll think back fondly to those days when nice old ladies wanted to interact with your dc.

[VioletBam]

You'd hate my home village OP. People put COINS in the baby's hand to wish them well when they're new. It's a lovely old custom which dates back centuries but you have to have your wits about you!

DD garnered about a tenner on one trip to the shops! Sometimes they tuck it in the hood of the pram which is a bit better but wherever they put it, you just say thank you very much. And wipe the baby's hands later.

[Lorelei76]

OP is the stranger bit key here?
My neighbour brought his new baby home yesterday, I held her hand. I honestly don't think he minded. Should I ask everyone "do you mind if I touch your baby's hand?" I wouldn't have done it if I'd just got off public transport as I'm conscious she is brand new with no immune system, but I'd actually just showered and was leaving the flat when they came in.

[HanYOLO]

Having kittens, what a horrible post.

I don't think it's a problem to have people take hold of little hands or fingers, it's just like shaking hands after all. After age 6 months or so if the kid doesn't like it, they make it clear.





I

[FreddyFireflyCanFeckOff]

Lorelei76 - yes, I have no issue when it's someone I know.

So, I have totally been on stranger danger mode.

[a7mints]

Most adults would be uncomfortable with strangers poking their face (or touching any other part of their body) without invitation. I don't see why it's acceptable for people to do it to babies.

Then you don't know much at all about child development do you?

[marvik]

Sometimes it's just practically helpful to take hold of someone else's baby. A young mother who'd come into my workplace was struggling with a bag and a buggy and some heavy books and a toddler and her very small new baby. Because she was holding the baby she didn't have enough hands to pack the books away in the base of the buggy and her toddler was grizzling. I said, 'If you'll trust me, I can hold the baby for you.' That let her sort out her toddler, the buggy and the books. The baby was fine with me for a couple of minutes.

[ThisIslandGirl]

It is imperative to a baby's development that STRANGERS poke their face??

Give over.

[BaronessEllaSaturday]

there will come a time (such much sooner than you think) when people won't give two fks about your precious child and then you'll think back fondly to those days when nice old ladies wanted to interact with your dc.

Please tell me when this happens because I'm fed up of having to reassure my dd because random strangers keep touching her. Instead of becoming a confident happy child she's now hiding under her coat every time someone looks at her because she doesn't want to be touched.

[ToastyFingers]

I've always hated this, people used to do it to dd1 even when it made her cry, they still do to be fair, a few weeks ago a stranger grabbed her hand when we were crossing the road. Even though dd panicked and tried to get away the woman didn't let go and dd was quite upset afterwards.

[pictish]

Yabu OP, your baby will not dissolve. Babies are a delight and lots of people
want to fuss over them.

Kittens - you do realise that you'll old one day too? What an insulting post.

[LHReturns]

God OP you would hate me. I am in unfriendly central London, and if it is clearly newborn pushchair I might actually break into a run to catch up and get a look and make some inane, gooey, OTT comments.

I wouldn't REACH IN to a very young baby for a grope, but of there is any chunky thigh on show, I always ask if I might have a leg-stroke. No one has ever said no (mummies seem quite chuffed generally), but maybe they privately hate me.

I don't tend to touch a baby's face. I wouldn't be thrilled about that with my baby.

[ToastyFingers]

Funnily enough, no-one is bothered with dd2 and she'd probably quite enjoy the fuss.

[DerekSprechenZeDick]

Just pray you have ugly, terrifying looking children if you don't want them touched

Maybe put a mask on them to scare the face pokers