when I am outside with my baby why do strangers come up and put their hand on my babies cheeks?

Question

I cant stand it when strangers come up on the street or shop and put their hand on my babies face to stroke- why do strangers do such a thing... arent they not educated about bacteria and germs etc etc

Ok I have thought of a number of things I will say.
1) My friends baby caught a wart from someone touching her so I dont let anyone touch her any more just to protect her as she has no immunity

2) Or my baby has tiny immunity so I dont let any one touch her.

Answer 1

Strange people touching my baby, let alone her face, drives me insane. People obviously can't help themselves when they see small babies. It's sort of second nature to coo or gush when seeing a young baby. But still it gives them no right to touch a baby on their face. We should know better especially if we've had kids. If you see someone admiring your baby, watch them closely to see if they move in to touch your baby. If they do move in, stop them in their tracks and say "Ohhh, please be careful not to touch his/her face." Or if you want to spare them the embarrassment, make an excuse and say "Ohh, please be careful not to touch his/her face, she/he's not feeling too well or is sick." Or says she/he breaks out easily. It's really hard not to be/seem rude in situations like these, but mom's have to draw the line somewhere.

Answer 2

I know how you feel...my daughter was born 5 wks premature, so we had to really be diligent about protecting her from illness because her immune system wasn't fully mature...and that's hard when all people want to do is touch and cuddle your baby. There's nothing wrong with it; people just love babies and they're not trying to be rude...but it seems that there's universal permission for everyone in the world to come up and touch your baby just b/c he/she is a baby. And I personally think it IS rude... I'd never just come up and put my germy hands all over someone's baby without asking. (You wouldn't go up to a couple who just got married and say oh, what a handsome husband! And touch his hand or face or whatever...why do ppl think a baby is public property?? lol) My husband and I were in a restaurant a couple weeks ago, standing waiting to be seated, when this older lady just came right up to the carseat my husband was holding and reached in and stroked my baby's legs, arms, cheeks, etc. We were too dumbfounded to say anything, but GEEZ! lol Anyway my suggestion is to just kindly say, well she/he's pretty little yet, so we'd rather not expose her to lots of new germs and things, but you're welcome to come and see her and talk to her.
:-) You can be firm but kind. And you have every right to limit your baby's exposure to people; she/he's YOUR baby. If people are offended, they can just get over it. Dr. Seuss said, "People who matter don't mind, and people who mind don't matter." (In other words, if they truly care about you and your baby's well-being, they'll understand. But if not, then they probably aren't on your top ten favorites list anyway. lol) Best wishes!

Answer 3

One of the best things you can do when you see them moving in for the cuddle is gently get in the way or turn your baby toward you. You can explain that you are just trying to be cautious with your new baby and to please not touch your child. You can also laugh it off a little and tell them you're just an "over-protective" mom.

Please understand, that I don't think you are being over-protective. I mean, it's your baby, if you don't want strangers and their germs touching your child, that is completly within your right. But sometimes if you can make a little fun of yourself, it keeps people from being too offended by your request.

You probably just have an uncommonly attractive child and these poor folks can't help themselves!

Answer 4

OMG!! I hate this as well...my baby was a preemie and he is now 10 months old and EVERY single place I go...people fawn all over my son. I hate when they touch his hands because I know that he is constantly sucking on his fingers and hands. I always keep wipes and anti-bacterial handy...If someone touches his hands...I subtly make sure he does not put his hands in his mouth until I have a chance to clean his hands or wipe his cheeks if they touch his face. I NEVER, NEVER touch anyone's baby without asking first and when I do touch them I always just touch there feet.

You never know where some strangers hands have been and I shutter to think of that germy mess anywhere near my baby! IT IS SO GROSS!!!

Answer 5

If you nurse your baby then he\she dose have a good immune system and you don't really have to worrier about them catching some thing but I do understand that you don't want people you don't know touching your baby. I would just come across as b**** and tell them to get their hands off of your baby that's how i was. But I think the reason people always want to touch a new baby's is because they are so dame cute that they just cant help themselves pulse it is proven that all baby's (even animals) give off pheromones that make people attracted to them.

Answer 6

I hate it too!
I know exactly how you feel too, i have a new baby & i will admit he is very cute but it really gets on my nerves when everyone thinks they can just touch or expext to hold him all the time, some of them dont even know me!
My baby had complications when he was born so he spent alot of time in hospital & then at a place where we shared a house with other sick kids & their families, all the mums wanted to touch and hold him all the time... it was so nice to finally have him home and all to myself

Answer 7

It is very difficult for people NOT to touch cute little babies.

I know, the couple next door had triplets. I so want to touch & hold them BUT I know the MOM doesn't like this for the same exact reasoning you are giving.

Some people DO NOT THINK before they react. Maybe you have to step in first BEFORE someone touches your baby!

Answer 8

I agree, it's totally annoying. This happens a lot less when I am carrying him in a sling, he is all cuddled up and doesn't have hands and legs out to be easily touched. Plus carrying him close to my body means that anyone wanting to touch him usually has to get in my space, and people are less likely to do that than if the baby is in a stroller or carseat.

Answer 9

YESSS!! Girl I have a one year old with the biggest cheecks and when she was about 6 months old this lady just came up to me and her father and KISSED her I thought I would die!!!!! I cant stand that to this very day when people say AWWWW Look at the BABY and touch her! I dont ever know what to say or do!

Answer 10

my peeve is the people (strangers) that come up and grab the baby's hands. those are in his mouth all day, what if the stranger didn't wash after potty or sneezed in their hand previously and the funk is now headed for my baby's mouth. people should never touch someone Else's baby without permission. it is rude and presumptuous. i realize everyone likes a cute baby, but mommies hate that ****.