Strangers trying to touch newborns

[Slicedpineapple]

I was in a shop today and the cashier asked me how old DD is. She then walked round from the till, kissed her own hand, and went to touch DDs face. I stopped her and said 'sorry but I'm one of those people'. She replied 'Oh, I just wanted to say welcome to the world'. I then just smiled and made other small talk about something else, whilst inwardly thinking 'you can say that without touching her!'

Why do people do this? I have never met this person before, I do not know if she is the cleanest person in the world or if she is ill, and frankly, I don't touch strangers so don't know why they would try to touch my baby. Can you imagine of I kissed my hand and tried to 'put' it on the cheek of an adult or child that I did not know? DD is still little so has not had her vaccinations yet either.

A mum stopped me outside the shop and said how proud she was of me for having the courage to stop her, which I really appreciated. I have not had to actual stop somebody's hand yet and body blocked instead.

AIBU that this is an absolutely huge pet hate of mine and I am slightly on the alert whenever an older person is asking me about DD as it always seems to be them that does it

In my opinion my job as a parent is to safeguard my child until he’s able to look after himself. Don’t let him touch hot things or sharp things or small objects that present a choking hazard. Keep him away from the stairs in case he falls. And equally prevent people from kissing and touching him and passing on germs, stop him chewing playgroup toys that other kids have had in their mouths, wash his hands regularly, and generally keep him clean. I can’t understand why people just let their kids do disgusting things that they wouldn’t do themselves.

Thanks for your replies all, I'm glad the majority don't think I'm being OTT.

To the PP who said about being 70 - no I don't think 70 is old at all, what I meant was much older ladies that seem to stop and talk to my baby in my pram without acknowledging me and I then have to body block the incoming hands. It's not about being a slobbery mess, I do just think the older generation are/were more tactile with children. The same as a sense of community does not exist as much among some of the younger (my own) generation if you know what I mean. Apologies if I sounded derogatory.

As a cashier, handling hundreds of items, some may have been handled multiple times or been on the floor, plus I bet the till would throw up faecal matter if tested, much like the McDonalds screens, no, I wouldn’t let her anywhere near my baby.

A very good point which I didn't even think of at the time!

My baby was 2 months premature and when we were discharged from NICU I was given a serious talking to about how vulnerable he was to infection, and how quickly it could overwhelm his respiratory system.

People don't even think about this! Just oooh small thing, must stroke it's face/hand. I imagine that must have been so frustrating for you to have to deal with (assuming you did).