What is a polite way to get out of holding a baby?

Question

I recently had a baby thrust into my arms which I did not want to hold. He smelled like spit-up, and I barely know his mother. I was being polite and asking how old he was and so forth, and she said, "You can hold him if you want to." I didn't really want to, but I didn't know a polite way of getting out of it. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

wear a sling ...................drastic  but effective

Answer 2

tell her you are catching a cold

Answer 3

Just say "Naw I might accedently drop him"

Or "the little bugger smells"

or "But he might p**s on me"

or "I am allergic to babies"

or "When I want to hold it I will get one of my own"

Answer 4

Babies are adorable! How could you say no?? lol. anyway I would just say "I'm not very good with babies, you better hold him/her while I look"

Answer 5

"Do Not Want!"

Answer 6

Just say you aren't comfortable holding babies. You don't need to make any excuses, just be honest and to the point.

Answer 7

No thanks, baby's do not like me.

Answer 8

Tell her your hands are dirty.   Or just hold for few minutes out of politeness, baby is not going to hurt you.   I guess that you don't have a baby yet.

Answer 9

Definitely just say "No thanks, I get nervous around babies, but he's a cutie!"  

I don't mind when people hold my daughter, so I always let them know they can hold her if they want to.  I would hate for someone to hold her when they DIDN'T want to though, so saying something is better than saying nothing.  :)

Answer 10

"Nooo! I'm too scared I'll drop him/her."

Answer 11

Just say in a friendly tone, "Im sorry but holding a baby makes me nervous. I dont really know how to correctly carry them, because Im rarely around them. I feel the baby is safer in your arms." Then just hand him back.

The mother would be glad to take him back if you admit you dont know how to carry him. Remember to smile, so you dont seem like your being rude. Then say "He/she is really adorable. Congradulations."

I said that to this lady who asked if I would hold her baby. And she totally understood and gave him to someone else. I still said he was adorable and she smiled.

Answer 12

I'm the same way. I usually go with "No thanks...baby's don't like me." If they are insistant, I tell them the truth: "I'm not all that comfortable holding him at this age, lets wait until he's a little bit bigger and less fragile!"

Answer 13

"Oh thank you, but I'm not really comfortable holding babies. I'll just admire him/her in your arms."

Say that nicely and sincerely. If they still want you to hold the baby, then say, "No really... I'm uncomfortable holding babies."  At that point they'll stop asking.

Hope that  helps!

Answer 14

just say this one word...........

"YUCK!"