How can I politely refuse to hold a baby?

Question

People in my family are having babies left and right. Personally, they are cute and all, but not really my thing.
When we all get together, sometimes they suggest that I have a turn holding the baby.

Ughhh, no thanks. Not for me. But how do I refuse politely?? New parents are so sensitive.

Answer 1

Thank you so much, but I am afraid I might drop it!

yaw

Answer 2

I understand. I looove having babies in the family (as long as they are not mine), but I don't really ENJOY holding them, and often when someone wants to hand-off an infant at a family get-together, it's because that person is tired of holding it! I like the "butterfingers/afraid I'll drop them" response. No sane parent would want a person to hold their child, if the child might be dropped. When I'm asked, I just get a big, forced smile on my face, and shake my head, no, in a really nervous way, with my shoulders hunched up. I don't offer any reasons, and sometimes the person will ask again, like they can't believe what they are hearing, and I keep giving the same nonverbal response. Look like a deer in the headlights. No reason--so there's nothing they can talk me out of, or fix. I just don't want to. Sometimes I will say, oh, let so-and-so take their turn next! Sooner or later the kid will cry, or poop, or spit up, or need a nap, and then it goes back to the parent anyway, so you're finally off the hook.

Now, when the kid gets to be about four years old, I will be on call to amuse the little one. Once they are walking and talking, and actually thinking, I love being with them. But the baby stage is really waay too needy, too unpredictable, and makes me uncomfortable.

Answer 3

Explain to them that you are uncomfortable holding a newborn baby and that when they get a little older you will have the chance to hold them. Tell them that holding the baby right now makes you nervous and you being nervous you would hate to hurt the baby or drop it due to your nerves. Whatever excuse you use do not tell the parents that the reason you do not want to hold their baby is because you don't like babies or even worse don't make it about their baby. I have never been so upset as when people tell me that my baby looks like a little monkey or something terribly ugly. Maybe just explain to them that your not a baby person at this point in your life. Just try to be as nice and gentle about it as you can and good luck.

Answer 4

Well you can hold the baby for a few minutes and go to someone who you know would love a turn to hold the baby.

Then you hand the baby over saying "You look as if you're dying to hold 9the baby's name). Have a turn. "

Or just tell the parents that you have nothing against the baby, you love him / her very much, but you feel uncomfortable because you feel uncertain, and would prefer to hold the child when he / she is a bit older. Make it certain that you, not the baby, are the problem!

Good luck =)

Answer 5

Rather than making up some sort of lie about being sick or whatever, like others have suggested, just tell them how you feel. If holding babies makes you feel uncomfortable, then let it be known, otherwise you'll have to keep making up excuses and may eventually hurt the ones you love.

If you're honest about your feelings, it won't be such a big deal. I know that I wouldn't want anyone holding my baby if he/she wasn't entirely willing and wanting to do so.

Answer 6

Just smile and say that you aren't comfortable holding a baby. I just had a son in October, and people seemed to think that just because I was pregnant that I should want to hold other people's babies. I just told them that it made me nervous, which it did. But I have always thought it was obnoxious when people shove a new baby at you like you should WANT to hold it. Having my own baby is totally different, just FYI. But I know where you are coming from!

Answer 7

There was once a advertisement approximately this. The mom began off announcing that as quickly as her toddler grow to be kind new, she did no longer desire everybody preserving her toddler. there grow to be a photograph of her preserving toddler and dad attempting to take the toddler, yet mom does not provide her up. the financial shrink to the toddler a three hundred and sixty 5 days later, an energetic little component. The mom smiled as she surpassed her to somebody else and stated, "you're taking her!" That stated, i think of it quite is common to have rigidity (perhaps it quite is not the ideal be conscious) over others preserving your toddler. I additionally think of which you would be greater comfortable in time. in simple terms circulate with what you're comfortable with. once you circulate on your coworkers, placed toddler in a sling or wrap service. For some reason, different adults do no longer ask to hold toddlers who're interior the sling. Ask people who do carry her to bathe their hands first. I used to make relaxing of myself. I stated "you be attentive to that i'm a stressful new mom, so indulge me and wash your hands till now you carry my daughter." in case you in simple terms make relaxing of your self (even although all of us be attentive to you're staggering), people will do it. If somebody tries to blow you off, then you definately can placed your foot down. it quite is impolite to ask to hold a new child without washing your hands first.

Answer 8

Just politely tell them you don't feel comfortable holding a baby (I've known people to do this with no problems arising) or claim you're not feeling all that well & tell them that you don't want to risk giving anything to the baby whether it's contagious or not. Most new parents will never argue with the sick excuse ;o)

Answer 9

lol. Tell them you woke up with a sore throat or something and dont want the baby to catch anything. If that excuse is getting close to being overused - just politely say no thank you. But catching a cold is the parents like WORST fear...lol. So...it should work. Good luck.

Answer 10

Just say politely, "Sorry , it is not my cup of tea." If they get upset because you were being honest, don't sweat it.

I will admit though, I was the same way till had one of my own, now I'm a baby lover. The babies that you can hand back to Mom and Dad are the best, jk, lol.

Answer 11

Easy. Say, "Oh, no, I'm getting over a cold." Most parents will keep their kiddo far away after hearing that phrase.

I have an aunt who is just a baby-free zone, and that's fine. If you politely refuse enough, you might find that they stop offering.