Do mom's with cute babies like it when strangers stop to coo over them??

Question

I have heard in some cultures they fear it can bring evil eye on the baby... and so the mother may shy her baby away from attention.
Do mothers in malls, markets etc enjoy it when a stranger (like me for instance) would stop and smile or coo to their baby? Or would they just rather be left alone to continue their own business.
Sometimes I see cute babies, with their heads wavering over their mom's necks and I feel like saying hello.

Answer 1

I love it! Sort of a validation of what I already think....he's soooo cute! LOL:) As far as other cultures, I cannot say, but that makes sense. I, for one, always smile and say hello to cutie babies that catch my eye...I just can't help it! I think that you can usually tell pretty quick if the mom doesn't want you cooing but I would say that the majority of mom's don't mind one bit.

Answer 2

My son was a sweetie when he was born ( he's a monster now ) and used to get a lot of attention. I didn't mind at all and I always smile and pull faces at children if they initiate it. Children and babies are naturally communicative so communicate back

The only thing I didn't like was when people would coo over my son but not even make eye contact with me. Always smile at the Mum too, or say a few complimentary words. It is nice to have a stranger be friendly, more people should do it.

Answer 3

never really thought about it ...... all babies are cute especially when they are playing peek a boo over the shoulder, or smiling and flirting like nothing else matters.... :)

if my babies/toddlers are making eye contact and trying to get someone's attention... I do like it when the person says hello to them... because my son/daughter is trying out the social skills... with flirting... smiling.. and even saying hi..... it actually breaks my heart al little if the adult they are trying to get the attention of does not say hello and do the small banter..... because I see the look of disappointment on my child's face... they tried so hard to "make a friend" I realize at six months... a year even four they won't really be scarred and this wouldn't be a friend.. but in their little world they are doing what adults do... and so when they get no response? they frown.. look after that stranger...you can see briefly the baby/toddler trying to figure out why they did not get a response... what they did wrong..... not that people "have" to respond.. babies do need to learn (the hard way) that not everyone is part of their little world.... it can be nice though... I always want to tell the person thanks... because they really do not have to... you know....

when I have a sleeping baby? and someone stops me to ask how old.. "oh how beautiful"... there are times my pride likes that... it's nice to hear at times I guess.... that is total maternal pride though ;>

Answer 4

Yes, I'm cool with you saying hello to the baby. I do! That is, speak, wave, make faces at and play peek a boo with babies. It would be nice if adults didn't totally loose that friendliness towards our neighbors and strangers as we get older. There are not enough really nice loving moments in this life so I pause and take the time to let others share in the sweetness of my little girl. Its nice. I get to enjoy her all the time, there is enough cuteness, smiles and personality to share a little with the world. I have a strong sense of discernment and awareness that would kick in if I thought anything weird or germy was going on. But generally, yes, its all fun and sweetness! Keep it up!

Answer 5

As a Mom of 3 I have never minded. Like one lady said, just NO touching. That is the only time I get upset is when a stranger starts poking at one of our kids. It usually upsets the child too! Our kids are 4, 2 1/2, and 6 months and they are all big hams so if you don't give them attention, they will GET your attention! LOL! Our son is a big flirt. He loves anyone that looks like a Grandma!

Answer 6

I am the mother of twins, (very cute ones i might add haha) and we have people stopping a lot to ask about the twins, comment on them ect. Truthfully it is nice, people take the time to comment on the kids, talk to them, the kids seem to like it....now. Now they are older though, 2 1/2 years old. It was hard when they were infants, they both had colic and trips to malls and stores ect were suppose to be quick and painless. I did not mind people coming up to me and my twins, except for when they were crying and i was trying to hurry home with them to calm them. One thing people should keep in mind....my twins were premature, and one had health problems. When we were in stores, some people would touch the children, grab at them ect....that is something i did not like. I did not know if that person had a cold, washed their hands ect.

Answer 7

I do not have children but I can relate to what you are saying. My adoptive mom was Sicilian. When she was a baby she was very cute and people would stop to look at her. When she got sick as a child her mom blamed it on the Italian curse (don't know how to spell the name) placed on her by someone who envied her cuteness.. If it were me, I would be proud but I would also worry about too many people in the childs face with cold or flu germs.

Answer 8

I always feel flattered when someone coos over my baby boy!! I just hate it when a stranger reaches out and touches his hand or something!! I do not know then or where there hands have been!! Other than that i love it!! It makes me feel good!!

Answer 9

I love it when people say hello and talk to our daughter! More than anything, she seems to like talking (well, as much as she talks at 13 months) to people. She lights up when we go out and she sees people.

The thing I don't like and will not tolerate is when people get too close to our daughter. I don't mind you standing a couple of feet away and talking to her. I'll even stop, sometimes, so that you can coo over the baby. But I've had people who just don't use the common sense that God gave them when deciding that they are going to touch my child. To put it bluntly, you don't touch my kid. You don't put your hands on her things, you don't put your hands in our cart, you don't get any closer than a couple of feet away. Period.

Talking to her is fine. Trying to make her laugh (not a difficult feat by any means) is fine. Putting your hands anywhere near her? Touching her? Most definitely NOT FINE.

I don't care if people think I'm rude by setting severely strict limits on how close strangers can be to my children. My job as a parent is not to entertain the masses by letting them do as they like to my children. My job is to protect my children and teach them right from wrong. And, hey, if someone else wants to teach their children that it's ok to let strangers touch them without mama and daddy's permission, then so be it. My children are most definitely not going to learn that that is ok.

Please, talk to my daughter! She loves talking to people! But remember that there is a line that her father and I will not allow anyone to cross.

Answer 10

I have always loved the attention strangers have given my daughter. I know she's always loved it too BUT do not touch especially a newborn. It would get me so mad when someone would come over and touch my daughter when she was a newborn. Thankfully she never got sick. My daughteris now 16 months and really doesn't like it when strangers touch her but she will do almost anything in the grocery store to get your attention, just don't touch.