Holding baby

skylily

There was a previous post about a sip and see. The poster/responders suggested wearing the baby to limit holding - to avoid unwanted touching and germ sharing. I love this idea. However, I don't know how to win this argument - I don't know how wearing the baby will keep people from reaching over and taking my baby.  DD is due in a few short weeks and people that I work with and family have stated that they CANNOT WAIT!!! to hold the baby. When DS was born, I was TOLD to hand him over. I became the kid with a kid instead of the mother with a newborn son. How can I avoid being bombarded by everyone and their brother that wants to hold the new baby? Admittedly, I"m more concerned with colds and RSV than her vaccines but the previous poster made a very good point as well.

Helenahhandbasket

Get a wrap.  They hold the baby super close to you (and sort of nestled in between your boobs).

I can't imagine many people reaching in between your boobs to grab baby.

As far as demands to hold baby-- I realize people have different comfort levels on this.  When DD was itty bitty-- I was fine with pretty much anyone holding her so long as they washed hands first.  If you are really not OK with people holding your baby, can you just remind them that your LO has not had the first round of shots yet?

 

 

skylily

I'll try. There aren't too many people that will get in my personal bubble. It was the demands to hand him over that I found difficult to deal with.

VOR

Another suggestion is to have the sip and see when the baby is older and you won't mind others holding it as much. 

SingleMom31

skylily said:

There was a previous post about a sip and see. The poster/responders suggested wearing the baby to limit holding - to avoid unwanted touching and germ sharing. I love this idea. However, I don't know how to win this argument - I don't know how wearing the baby will keep people from reaching over and taking my baby.  DD is due in a few short weeks and people that I work with and family have stated that they CANNOT WAIT!!! to hold the baby. When DS was born, I was TOLD to hand him over. I became the kid with a kid instead of the mother with a newborn son. How can I avoid being bombarded by everyone and their brother that wants to hold the new baby? Admittedly, I"m more concerned with colds and RSV than her vaccines but the previous poster made a very good point as well.

It's amazing how much people made me feel like a kid when DD was born.  Like, somehow I suddenly needed to do what they told me to do and then were quite offended when I advocated for my child.  We ended up limiting certain guests for that reason.

Anyway, I agree with PPs that wrapping him/her would make it much harder for others to steal him/her away. 

bumpuser10331514

skylily said:

I became the kid with a kid instead of the mother with a newborn son. How can I avoid being bombarded by everyone and their brother that wants to hold the new baby?  

You avoid bombardment by acting like a mother instead of a kid. You tell them firmly, confidently, and without reservation that you want to limit others holding the baby until she's older. If you get any flack, you smile politely and move on. When people react, b/c they will (everyone has an opinion), you disregard their opinions because they are superfluous and irrelevant.

ark83

I agree with pushing the event back. If I went to a sip n see I would actually want to SEE the baby (not have it worn constantly).

skylily

SomebabiesMom said:

skylily said:

I became the kid with a kid instead of the mother with a newborn son. How can I avoid being bombarded by everyone and their brother that wants to hold the new baby?  

You avoid bombardment by acting like a mother instead of a kid. You tell them firmly, confidently, and without reservation that you want to limit others holding the baby until she's older. If you get any flack, you smile politely and move on. When people react, b/c they will (everyone has an opinion), you disregard their opinions because they are superfluous and irrelevant.

This. I know. With DS and my parents I have stated a few times after the blow up that I feel like the kid with a kid. They say they understand and try. We are always trying. With MIL though I have NO IDEA how to do this without becoming the b****. Ya'll should have been around when we told her we were skipping the 1st birthday party. Pretty sure some tectonic plates moved. :S

526SadieSadie

jnetx said:

Most baby wearing devices would make it difficult and awkward for someone to just take the baby. It usually involves untying or unbuckling and getting all up in your business. I can't see somebody doing that. Just say no. "Baby is resting right now...we had a long night!"

I think I suggested baby wearing at a sip and see.  I absolutely agree with this ^

They might be able to grab a newborn from your arms but they're not going to be able to pull him/her out of the sling or harness thingy.  If anyone is insisting, just say maybe later, or maybe privately because he/she is resting.  It's your kid, your rules.

ordinary1

I thinks it's silly to wear your baby the whole time to limit contact at a party that is solely intended to see/hold/meet the baby. I had a meet the baby party and wore when my daughter was tired and overwhelmed. People understood, but would have been extremely confused if I wore the whole time.

If you aren't comfortable having people hold the baby, either have it when you are or skip having one.

chicagojackie

Don't have a sip n'see if you don't want people to be by the baby.

marathonmommy82

I don't understand -- is it that big of a deal to allow healthy adults with clean hands to hold a baby? Especially if it's a party to meet said baby ?

mommy5point0

I'm of the same thought as you, OP, and decided against having a party because of it. Just something to consider.

PrimRoseMama

Dude grow a pair & say no to somebody demanding to hold your kid. Don't let anyone do anything with your kids that you don't feel comfortable.

cozybluebear

Ummm... you're throwing an event for people to come meet your new baby but you don't want them touching or holder him/her? Kinda dumb if you ask me.

MMason12

cozybluebear said:

Ummm... you're throwing an event for people to come meet your new baby but you don't want them touching or holder him/her? Kinda dumb if you ask me.

This! I would be uncomfortable if I went to a "meet the baby" type event and the Mother didn't want anyone else touching or holding the baby. I would 100% feel the event was held for gifts and gifts only. 

jennypolkadots

No one can argue with you if you just say "she is too little to be passed around, and she is pretty comfy in this sling!"

ElaineMOH

I think you should wait until the baby is a bit older and you are comfortable with people holding her.  Kind of like inviting people over for dinner then telling them the food is just for show, IMO.