Dan Bucatinsky: More Than I Can Chew
"Can't Touch This" sign for babies
Filed under: Newborns, Babies, Toddlers Preschoolers, Health & Safety: Babies, Development/Milestones: Babies, Day Care & Education, Feeding & Sleeping, Baby-sitting, Research Reveals: Babies, Nutrition: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Babies, Health & Safety: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Development: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Behavior: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Research Reveals: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers
When you're out with a baby, it's common for a well-meaning stranger to coo and smile at the little one while telling you what you already know, this is SUCH an adorable/happy/fun child! These are the wise, nice strangers that can make your day.
Then there's the other category of baby-loving stranger. This kind is oblivious to personal boundaries and germ-spreading and will lean into car seats or carriers and actually KISS the baby. And BREATHE ALL OVER IT. Or GRAB THEIR LITTLE HANDS to marvel over their itty bittiness, test their grip, and pass on the germs from their own hands that MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WASHED AFTER THEIR LAST VISIT TO THE BATHROOM.
I get a little hyperventilatey just thinking about it, because just like your babies, mine were exceptionally cute and we were accosted by wackjobs at the supermarket all the time.
My Tiny Hands has come up with a product that politely asks strangers to keep their grubby paws off of Baby, so the parent doesn't have to. Childless people might find the "Please wash your hands before touching mine" message a bit blunt, but it's a lot kinder than my solution, which was to yell, "HEY! DON'T DO THAT! HE'S SICK!" which was effective in its own way.
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 5)
6-18-2008 @ 4:46PM
Sandi said...OK folks... It is simply stupid that a sign like this is even being marketed. The fact of the matter is that the sign will sell because people will view the sign on the stroller as their last resort because a great deal of poeple forget their basic common sense that they should have mastered by at least kindergarten... If it is not yours, don't touch it!!!
I have the right to be in public with my child by my side - walking or in a stroller - without having to worry wheather a stranger, regardless of their cleanliness, is going to lay their hands on any part of my child.
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6-18-2008 @ 4:25PM
lulu877 said...I am on the fence on this one. I do find the sign offensive and I find that individuals that fondle or (God forbid) kiss my child without my consent is equally offensive. I ask the parent if it is ok to touch their child BEFORE touching. You never know the childs situation. Mabye they do have an immunodificiency issue and you are conmpromising the situation by touching or you may have a parent where they enjoy the attention shown to their child. I guess manners are a thing of the past, as I again would always ask before touching and I would make sure my hands are clean. I would also stay away from the hands and face but tickle their toes instead. Babies love affection and human interaction. Don't be afraid to ask someone not to touch. Its your job as a parent to determine what is safe or not for your child.
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6-19-2008 @ 1:34AM
A said...I let people look. No problem. If they are polite and ask, then i usually say ok (unless they are sick or anything liek that)
But if they come up and tuch i just say very loudly "Who the hell are you and why are you touching my baby?"
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6-18-2008 @ 5:15PM
Sharon said...I'm a grandmother, and when my children were small I did everything in my power to protect them including not letting them be exposed to germs of strangers. As much as I love babies I won't even think of touching a stranger's baby. Oh I've said my ahhhs as I have passed them in a store. And maybe told the parent how cute in passing. I do think that it is healthy for children to be exposed to some germs in order to build up thier ammunities, just not from strangers.
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6-20-2008 @ 3:20PM
nancy said...Even if nobody touches a baby, a baby will still touch everything else that he or she can. Babies are dirty and germy, stick their hands in their mouths after sticking them god knows where else. In terms of germs, babies are more a threat to themselves than anyone else is.
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