Sorry Josie, I just saw your comment.
I have felt so 'alone' and 'wierd' in the last few months, and so it's very comforting to know that I'm not the only one with these feelings. I have to keep a distance at the moment for my sanity, and with friends I'm perfectly comfortable 'oohing' and 'aahing' at their babies because I can also say 'Please don't put them on my lap' etc, if I'm feeling a bit delicate at that point. There is no offence taken, and they all understand that whilst I think babies are amazing and cute and terrific, I don't necessarily want them thrust at me right now.
Earlier in the year I sent my sister in law a short email saying I found being around small babies very difficult and that she wasn't to be offended. I didn't get any reply, but I still feel whenever I'm with them there's this ridiculous expectation on me to pick him up, swing him around, play with him for hours. And I just can't, nor can I be particularly natural around him, which is very sad, but it's just the way it is right now.
The 'cold' comment made me laugh! I spent the run up to Christmas hoping I'd get a cold so I could keep my distance when we went to stay with the in-laws! Gosh, the things we do, eh?!!!!