Why do strangers feel like they have to touch my baby?

Question

I know I arguably have the cutest child in the universe, but why do perfect strangers feel the need to touch him?

I don't mind the ooh-ing and ahh-ing whatsoever but when they cross that line and touch him I don't like it! I am by no means a germaphobe but it's my duty to keep him healthy and that is done by hand washing and such. So why would I let someone who, for all I know, was a few seconds before digging for gold in their nose (or other places...uhg!!) Especially when I'm changing his diaper! We are both now in the restroom, germ central and you choose here and now to touch my half-nekkid 5 week old?? Ew.

My favorite is when I'm actually wearing him in his fauxby (a moby-style wrap carrier that I made,) and people still insist on touching him. Would you touch a pregnant woman's belly that you don't know???

Basically my question is how the heck do I handle people like that without blowing them out of the water?

Answer 1

when they come up and start talking just tell please don't touch him.tell them it isn't good to handle him much.if that don't work tell them don't touch him.who cares if they get mad.he is yours!

Answer 2

omg i know!!! I remember with my first I went to walmart and this lady just comes up to the cart and starts to like unbuckle him from his carseat and WHILE shes doing it shes like ooh can I hold him. I freaked out. I was like No. Now Im pregnant with my 2nd and random people are always effing touch me.

I think you just gotta be firm because I dont think they mean to be rude...its just like ooooh baby!!!  

Answer 3

U can simply say, please don't touch my baby.

Only one person constantly rubbed my belly...a friend of mine.  She got a kick out of it and it didn't kill me, so I let her.

I didn't have my baby out all the time so I didn't have to worry about people constantly touching him.  

Answer 4

New life is something that many people, especially older folks, admire. I think they see the beauty of procreation and they aren't shy when it comes to touching your adorable baby or a pregnant belly even. I had the same problem with people touching my kids when they were first born. I had twin girls who were premature and they only weighed 5 pounds when I took them home. I was very strict on who touched them and I wouldn't even think about it until their hands were washed. As time went on and I had other kids, I began to see what I blessing it was to put my feelings aside to give those people who wanted to touch my baby a chance to do so. It really is about personal comfort and I think you should just tell people gently and plainly that you don't feel comfortable with letting them touch your child. I've had to do so on occasion and although I felt bad about it, people respected my wishes.

Answer 5

I'm a germophobe for the first week and a half or so. My sister in law and her family - one of them always has something like pneumonia, or a horrendous flu - so I had her use hand sanitizer and she was offended - but it was day one after the hospital and I wasn't taking my chances. There's nothing more awful than a little little baby getting seriously ill and having to take them to the ER. I just physically block people away and ask them not to touch baby. You could even put a sign on the stroller or car seat that says please do not touch baby. I don't care if people are offended or not - and you shouldn't care either - this is YOUR baby.

Answer 6

Ah I know what you are feeling like. My baby's not born yet but everybody seems to think my belly is a public property --complete strangers seem to think they have the right to feel my belly. (So yeah, some people think it's ok to touch a pregnant woman's belly they don't know)

Plus whenever I'm out with my nieces and nephew, I notice old ladies going crazy, almost running after the three kids, touching them, while my nephew and nieces seem to beg with their eyes "somebody save me". They're 3, 4, and 5. They seem to be terrorized when strangers act that way. Poor things.

I just don't know how to react either, cause I get that it's their way of showing their affection, somehow, and showing they think they are cute... but still...!

Answer 7

its your baby.

you have the right to blow

them out the water.

Answer 8

I had that problem when my kids were smaller also, I ended up carrying hand sanitizer rubbing on my hands then rubbing a little in there hands then I would wipe it off with a napkin. I didn't want them to get sick, but I didn't want to be rude either. You could offer them a squirt of germ x before they touch the baby as well. Tell them you make everyone do this.

Answer 9

I don't think there is a polite way of asking people not to touch your baby. I feel the same way when people decide to just reach out and grab my belly... random strangers I've never seen before.

Believe it or not, there are people out there that are very superstitious and believe if they think your baby is adorable they must touch him or he will fuss and cry all night. I think it's called the evil eye... or something like that. Lol, that's the only reason I would touch a stranger's baby. But even at that, I believe you should always ask if it's ok.