what is a good way to handle little kids touching my 7 month old?

Question

i have a 7 month old and sometimes when we are in public, like for instance, at the DMV, i will have her in her carseat on the ground, next to my feet. little kids will walk up and try to touch her. what is a good way to deal with this? tell them no, obviously, but i dont want to seem mean or rude, to them or their parents. but i dont know where their hands have been!

Answer 1

jeeze, dont parents watch they're kids anymore?
i would say please be careful, she's a baby.
be as sweet as possible without seeming rude, kids wont remember it forever like adults, so its okay to be more straight forward.

Answer 2

Number one. Kids touch other kids. All the time. This builds up immunity. If your child is kept away from other kids because one of the parents stays home that child will be more likely to catch everything down the pike once integrated into school/childcare.

You can try the " I just got her settled" or " she's just getting over being sick" or you can kneel down by this other child and look at your child through their eyes. It is quite an experience. This allows you to guide any touching perhaps to just the blanket or clothing. Sometimes just you being down there with them is enough to ward off the touching.

All other times when you can't you may want to have a small bottle of hand sanitizer on hand and with their parents permission apply some to the unknown hands. This may ease your mind.

Answer 3

I had this problem lots...and didn't want my baby near other snot nosed kids - especially since she was a preemie! When I'd see other kids coming near us, I'd pick up her car seat and hold it own my lap and play with her/talk to her, so it would discourage them coming up to her, and didn't look so bad to others, but more like a natural thing a mom would do. Also, most times I'd put a thin or crocheted blanket over her carseat and keep peeking in to check on her - it was her germ barrier, per say. Not sure if you could still do that with a 7 month old? Another thing I'd do was take her out of the carseat and hold her in my lap. When the kids looked like they were coming over, I'd get up and say something like, "it's time to take a walk", or "come with Mommy, and lets go look at this ___". That way, she was out of their grasp.

Best of luck!!

Answer 4

I would just tell them that she's asleep or that she doesn't like to be bothered. Don't put her on the floor. I also used to carry a blanket with me all the time and if I had to put the carrier down I would also put up the visor and cover the rest with the blanket. What you can also do if you don't want to be rude with family members or friends children is always have a hand sanitizer with you. I used to always tell kids that if they wanted to touch my baby they had to wash their hands and use the sanitizer. I didn't care about being rude. It's your child and children tend to carry around a lot of germs.

Answer 5

EEEWW, the DMV!!
Kids are very basic. I would just expain to the kids that your baby is too young to play and that she isnt ready just yet. Just be honest!! Your right though, I wouldnt want a strangers hands all over my baby either. Thats how kids get sick. Then if that doesnt work I would look to see why the parents are letting their children run wild and maybe expain the situation to them if the kids dont listen to you.

Answer 6

As long as you're not harsh about it, you won't come across as rude. Most parents understand how susceptible babies are to germs, and won't be insulted. Come up with a line for the kids, like, "I know she's cute but please don't touch. Babies get sick really easily. If you make funny faces at her, she might smile for you..." Distract them from their need to touch. If anyone's persistent, just move the baby away from them until they give up.

Answer 7

I understand that you don't want to seem rude. However, you are a mommy!! and you don't want harmful germs to get a hold of your new baby. If a please don't touch does not get through to them, give a firm no.

Where are the parents? If they are around don't be afraid to tell them as well.

Answer 8

At 7 months your baby is old enough that you don't have a lot to worry about. There was a study that showed that rural children, who are around animal feces etc. have stronger immune systems and less illness than children of parents who are constantly disinfecting things. On top of that, things like disinfectants and household cleaners such as Lysol, Mr. Clean, etc. contain a myriad of chemicals directly linked to childhood cancer, particularly leukemia. If you go to the cancer centre in our city with a young child with cancer, the first thing the doctors tell you is to get rid of all household cleaners, detergents, etc.

Let the children touch, adore and love your child. She is more than ready to develop her immune system....and develop her social skills and revel in lots of positive attention. This is a compliment and it should be fun for you. You have nothing to worry about. It is normal for children (and adults) to want to touch and play with babies. Enjoy it yourself. You gave birth to a beautiful child. Let her shine and you shine along with her!

Good luck.

Sarah

Answer 9

Just tell them no. Obviously, their parents don't care about them touching your baby. You should car about your child. They have to learn because nobody is teaching them. Just say no. They see it as a doll. It wont hurt them. They will be alright. With kids, you have to be your kids saviour. Take care of your kid.

Answer 10

You can not, nor should you, try to protect your baby from every germ. She needs to build up an immunity to natural germs in society. It's natural for children...and even adults, to want to touch a baby or talk to her...many germs are airborne. Just be careful not to take her out when she's ill as her immune system is weaker during illness

Answer 11

Just sweetly take their little hands and ask them to please not touch... she is cranky today. You won't seem rude at all. Or allow them but guide their hands to the top of her head or to her feet... ya know, places she is less likely to stick in her mouth later.

I understand your concern, but honestly... one day this sweet little angel is going to eat things and play in things that are going to really gross you out. It's normal. You might want to not be so uptight about it. Germs are everywhere and some exposure to them is what builds our immunity.