Stranger touching baby's face

[videovixen]

I was on a packed bus today and saw a man standing near the doors who kept looking at my baby in her pushchair. When people got off of the bus he came and stood near the pushchair. He took out his headphones and said 'how old is she?' and smiled. I said '6 months' he said 'aw she reminds me of my granddaughter.' I just smiled and nodded my head. He started waving to my daughter and kept on saying hi. He then stroked/touched her hand to get her attention whilst say hi. I said 'don't touch her please' and he replied 'oh yeah of course, Covid and that.'
I just got a wipe out and wiped her hand to clean it.

I'm all for people being polite to my daughter and trying to get her attention. On the same bus, a woman sitting next to me was waving to my daughter whilst saying hi to her. Of course I have no problem with this.

But a stranger touching my baby whether it's on her hand or her face, what's that all about? I would never touch a baby I didn't know on their hand (or anywhere else) especially a baby I've just come across on the bus.
If a stranger came up to me making conversation, they wouldn't touch me on my hand (unless they're a creep) so why do it to a baby? I was so confused for the rest of the bus journey and both my mum and DP were somewhat shocked when I told them too.

I've seen similar threads on this recently and people tend to say the OP is overreacting. If you think I'm being unreasonable, can you explain why you think it's okay for a complete stranger to put their hands on a baby they don't know at all?

My tone and facial expressions convey the affection I feel. I don't need to physically touch another person's child to show this and I never would want to

Thank you, another person who clearly gets it. People are really in the comments fighting for the right to touch a strangers baby on their hand as if they're unable to stop themselves😂

People are also saying they're doing nothing wrong except from being nice. Someone could start a conversation with me in the cafe asking about my day. They're being nice but that doesn't mean I'd want to have a conversation with them. It's all very simple.

Also for those saying they loved when someone would interact their baby, that's great for you. We're not the same person. I don't need a stranger putting their hand on my child🤷‍♀️

@welshladywhois40

I get it. No need.

Similar but back in March when covid numbers were still high, I used to go to the supermarket with my tiny baby (6 weeks ish) in a carrier close to my chest so should be well away from people and I vividly remember this woman getting close and almost trying to stroke his cheek before turning away.

There is no need and people can keep there distance and still interact

😂 I just don't get it. Why the need to come so close to a baby that's in a bloody swing just to try and touch their face?!

There was another comment from a pp who said she was in a supermarket and reached over to pick something up. Heard her son starting to cry and looked over to see some woman stroking his face who eventually apologised.

Some people have no boundaries🤦‍♀️ just because you see a cute baby really doesn't mean you have to touch them

I can’t really understand the people that love this sort of thing either unless they just love attention in general.

It’s really fun having strangers constantly upset your child when they don’t get the hint.

Of course they’re doing something wrong. You can’t just go around touching people, babies including. You need consent, either from a person or from a parent.

“Luv”

Are you pregnant again, OP?

@Briarshollow nice bit of personal mockery there 🙄

[quote Staryflight445]@Briarshollow nice bit of personal mockery there 🙄[/quote]
Not personal mockery, just highlighting an illustrative use of language.

(“Luv” has quite aggressive connotations when tacked onto the end of a message directed at someone).

Also, I’m a stickler for good spelling, grammar and punctuation, what can I say?

You're being PFB

@Sofiegiraffe

Nope, wouldn't like this either OP. Not my first baby either before anyone suggests "PFB". Just simply do not want a stranger's hands on my child, thanks.

Absolutely this.

You got a wipe out to wipe her hand? That is so funny 😂

I agree with you OP. Covid aside, I think it’s weird to touch someone without consent. DS is sometimes handed around like pass the parcel and that’s fine as I’ve agreed to it. But not a stranger on the bus. If someone held my hand or kissed my cheek there would be hell to pay.

You were on a packed bus but you were so worried about covid you cleaned her hand. Makes no sense to me.

@Sillawithans

You were on a packed bus but you were so worried about covid you cleaned her hand. Makes no sense to me.

Well quite, it’s airborne. No wonder OP was ‘confused for the rest of the bus journey’.

@PurBal

I agree with you OP. Covid aside, I think it’s weird to touch someone without consent. DS is sometimes handed around like pass the parcel and that’s fine as I’ve agreed to it. But not a stranger on the bus. If someone held my hand or kissed my cheek there would be hell to pay.

Again, you're not a baby. You understand that we interact with babies differently to adults don't you? Obviously you know this.

It's a sign of humanity.

@BlaBlaSmthSmth that doesn’t make it right.
Strangers touching my kids is along the same lines of if I forced my child to kiss or cuddle a relative when we say goodbye.
Children should learn they have a choice over their bodies as young as possible.
Humanity is not about touching random people’s babies for god sake.

It’s not always kind.
Imagine if someone did this to a preemie, or a child with a medical issue. Is it kind then?
Of course it isn’t.

@ISpyCobraKai

Seriously get a grip, he was just being nice.

Just being NICE. vom

@videovixen YANBU If some weird random man had decided to touch MY baby when I was out, I'd have knocked his hand away and given him a short shrift! WTF? You don't just go around pawing peoples babies.

@Staryflight445

It’s not always kind. Imagine if someone did this to a preemie, or a child with a medical issue. Is it kind then? Of course it isn’t.

Exactly. It's not 'kind' and it's not 'nice.' Fuck off away from my baby you weirdo.

And the PFB comments are so fucking shitty. Bore off eh?

@MadameGazellee

You're being PFB

🙄🙄 original.

I don't want a random stranger's on my SECOND baby's face or hands, either. So what am I being? "Precious Second Born"?! 🤔

Nope. Just don't touch any of my children, thanks.

[quote Staryflight445]@BlaBlaSmthSmth that doesn’t make it right.
Strangers touching my kids is along the same lines of if I forced my child to kiss or cuddle a relative when we say goodbye.
Children should learn they have a choice over their bodies as young as possible.
Humanity is not about touching random people’s babies for god sake.[/quote]
Eh? It's absolutely nothing like forcing your child to kiss and cuddle someone which what on earth?

I am saying that passing contact with people is an every day occurrence and a completely normal thing to happen. It's not an issue of consent and in no way comparable to forced kissing

Of course it is when strangers are holding babies hands, kissing them etc and people like you on forums stick up for this sort of behaviour @BlaBlaSmthSmth

Nobody has any right to be touching/kissing anyone’s child without their permission. It is not part of everyday interaction to either ffs. A smile is enough, there’s no need to touch.

Really unpleasant @LittleDandelionClock calling him a weirdo? Really pathetic.
Why are you using language like "pawing at" he was not "pawing" at babies...if he was maybe your slurs would be more appropriate.

Honestly some of you sound like children yourselves.