Those of you with babies, a question.

[Tweet]

Do you feel weird when strangers or people you don't know very well kitchy koo your baby? What about if they touch them?

I'm horrible about ogling babies. I've been having horrible baby fever for close to a year now. I always ask MOMS Club members and preschool moms that I know if I can hold them, too. Thankfully, they usually thrust them at me so they can tend to their other kiddos. I wouldn't ask a complete stranger, though.

I got to wondering how offensive this is. For me, it brings me a few minutes of pure baby bliss since a) we aren't having anymore and b) I can give them back. But I wonder if I annoy people. With strangers, I'll comment how cute they are, ask how old they are, and rub their little socked feet. Surely I'm not the only baby ogler?

[MrsKitty]

It really depends on the approach for me. Some people are really polite, and it makes me glow when they complement my kiddo. Others are really in your face, or choose times when I am (very obviously) busy and trying to do something. You don't strike me as the type to burst in when someone is struggling with an armful of groceries though ;) You are probably safe.

[ima062002]

I love to do that too. I don't mind (or rather didn't mind) a bit when other people did that to my kids.

[Sanoraiahsmom]

I don't mind either. I'm more flattered than anything else. Although I recently met my grandpa's girlfriend and before she left, she lifted the blanket and gave the baby a kiss which is ok, but I was breastfeeding him so it was very awkward.

[Camille]

It really depends. With dd2, when I was wearing her, that meant I wanted you to keep your hands offa her, yet some old guy at the local store (on several occasions) would literally drool all over himself to touch her head. That creeped me out, tbh.

When little old ladies at Walmart ask to touch dd2, it's entirely different. I'm like, "sure, go ahead" and then I hope she doesn't screech at them. Maybe it's the difference in approach...

DD2 is 13 months now, and I am less possessive of strangers oogling her. When she was young, I had the urge to bite the ones who dared pat her sweet widdle head without explicit permission... That's probably why I wore her constantly when in public.

But, I was bothered quite a bit more by strangers who tried to touch my belly when I was pregnant with her!!!

[Sanoraiahsmom]

It really depends. With dd2, when I was wearing her, that meant I wanted you to keep your hands offa her, yet some old guy at the local store (on several occasions) would literally drool all over himself to touch her head. That creeped me out, tbh.

When little old ladies at Walmart ask to touch dd2, it's entirely different. I'm like, "sure, go ahead" and then I hope she doesn't screech at them. Maybe it's the difference in approach...

DD2 is 13 months now, and I am less possessive of strangers oogling her. When she was young, I had the urge to bite the ones who dared pat her sweet widdle head without explicit permission... That's probably why I wore her constantly when in public.

But, I was bothered quite a bit more by strangers who tried to touch my belly when I was pregnant with her!!!

That is exactly what I was thinking!

[Earthmama]

I don't have much of a problem with people touching her feet or shoulder or whatever. Talking to her is fine.

I'm not comfortable with strangers touching her face or kissing her, though. Germ exchange.

I used to be cautious about people touching her hands, too. But now she grabs everything with her hands - and crawls on them - so there's little point in being neurotic about that right now.

She's getting to the bashful stage now. It's really cute.

[Earthmama]

I was also weirded out by belly gropers.

[JudyJudyJudy]

When my son was a baby, it didn't bother me at all. Perhaps it's cultural because it's common here and where I grew up (both areas in Georgia).

[Tweet]

I never minded when people did it with my babies, either. Well, except for dd1. She was premature and we had to be so , so careful with germs. We absolutelydid have to tell a few strangers to please not touch her hands or get in her face to smooch her.

MsKitty, lol, no I would not disturb anyone with their hands full or were busy!

[QuiltyConscience]

I didn't want complete strangers touching my babies when they were small. Especially their hands. Toes, I didn't mind as much. Standing there cooing, fine, no problem.

I really hated people coming up to touch my pregnant belly uninvited. My friends or family asking, okay. But strangers at the mall, just walking up with that hand out would get the crazy eyes and a hand smacked.

[Mocosita]

I never minded people looking at ds and even making faces and noises but the touching got on my nerves, especially if I didn't even know them.

There was one instance where we were eating at a restaurant and a lady came over and started playing with ds (he was about 3 months) without even asking if she could. I was livid.... because she also started touching his cheeks and that's our big no-no!

(childhood trauma- too many relatives pinching cheeks!)

[zediseot]

Every time dh comes in to work to have lunch with me, my secretary and my boss immediately grab up the baby and I never see her again. I don't mind at all.
I did mind when ds started telling everyone in his preschool class that they could touch the baby (although he did make them wash their hands first).

[juliekathleen2]

I didn't/don't mind when people want to play with my son. He's 17 months & very social so more often than not, he goes up to them to try & steal someone's keys or something out of a purse! He loves it when strangers play with him.
I do agree it's all in the way you approach the babies though, sometimes I've gotten a creepy vibe or strangers just wanted to touch him when he was younger - no thanks!

And I never even wanted my SO touching my belly when I was pregnant, let alone strangers! (I'm VERY tickilish in my whole stomach area)

[PrincessEmilysMommy]

If someone comes close to Molly, I back up until they get the hint. It's only happened a couple times on walks since we still can't take her to indoor locations.

[Maret00]

It bothers me mostly when they dont ask and are pushy but I try not to let it. My son gets a lot of attention he is mixed raced and he flirts like crazy. My sister was visiting and she would get so mad at people who would just walk up to my son in the strolloer or at the grosery store. I had to tell her that, that was my life with my son. If I didnt want my son to be a parinoid freak I just had to watch him carefully and smile!

[Wildf1ower]

Touching socked feet wouldn't bother me, but I really hated when people would touch DD's face or hands in public. When she was a baby a few times I straight out asked people not to touch her - I felt rude about it, but it just flew out my mouth. Now that she's older, I normally don't tell people not to touch her, but I still don't like it when they do. But again, socked feet wouldn't bother me - or bare feet for that matter. I just don't want them grabbing her hand or touching her face. I wouldn't want aquaintances asking to hold her, because it would freak her out to be handed to a virtual stranger. A good friend would be fine, but again, she's in the stage where anyone holding her except me or DH leads to tears within a fairly short time.

[HammBugga]

I don't want people I don't know touching my babies, period. If a close friend asks to hold the baby I am all for it. If an acquaintance or someone I don't know at all asks, I say no. I am not a touchy person but, surprisingly, I never minded people touching my belly when I was pregnant. It didn't happen very often though because I don't give off a "touch me" vibe.

[jessiehannan]

It only bothers me if people just come up and start touching her/playing with her, if they don't address me first. But I get stopped all.the.time so people can talk to the kids, play with the baby. It's one of the main reasons I don't take them to the store with me, because I can never get in and out quickly. (ok, quickly being as quick as possible with kids, but stopping every 5 seconds drives me nuts!)

[Amberry]

AwwTweet, i remember baby fever.

You and Hamm should take a roadtrip and come hold my baby. She will take your head off, she smiles,coos and chatters, see....

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUXIdYVD1yY


dude,wth? I tried to post the imbedded image and it won't work, well here is the link anyhow.

[tata]

I am with Hamm. I don't like strangers touching my baby. He's 2 now and I still don't want strangers touching him. Cooing or talking to him doesn't bother me, though.

[HammBugga]

Awww Amber! I love your little side conversation about whether JJ has pee on his leg lol

[Amberry]

He did. He hasn't mastered the art of controlling the drip.

Now the whole world knows because it's on YouTube!

[MiMi_of_4]

OMG....talk about making me want DD to have another baby!!! She's just beautiful!
I loved it when JJ said, "I'm so proud of you!" How stinkin' sweet is that!?!?!?!?!

FTR, I don't touch babies or bellies (well, except for my grandkids and DD), but I will oooooh and aaaaah over babies from a safe distance. I figure if the mom (or dad) want me to get closer, they'll come to me; not the other way around.

[AuLait]

It doesn't bother me at all.

[Peanut1207]

I don't mind touching but kissing, NO WAY!!!!! I didn't mind holding either but I was rarely asked by strangers. He was a fatty and everyone wanted some lovin! I wore him in public quite a bit and that definitely takes away most of the weirdos.

[SingingMom]

I love to smile at other people's babies, but I wouldn't dream of touching them, at least not a stranger's baby.

Now, if someone I know wants to touch the baby, that's probably going to be perfectly all right with me.

However, my babies all developed stranger fear early, so they'd likely scream.

[Tweet]

Aww,she is precious, Amber! I love the cooing. Yes, we would love to take a road trip!!

Hmm..I don't think anyone touched my stomach. I never had the desire to touch anyone's belly, either.

[Earthmama]

So cute, amberry!

[alejorge]

I never minded if people would touch my belly while pregnant. Just as long as they were gentle about. I had a sensitive belly but I loved it to be rubbed.

When my kids were babies I didn't mind if people would come over and talk to them or touch their feet. I just don't really like them touching the head or face. When they were older and people would ask to hold them(people that I know good) I would let them without a problem. I needed that break sometimes:)