- 11-22-2014, 02:58 PM #1Registered User
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Posts
- 89
How to handle strangers touching your baby?
My baby is very active and friendly. When we take her outside, she smiles and coos at people and I am assuming people find this as an invitation to touch her. I can stop people half of the time, but others, they grab a foot or a hand so fast that I don't realize until its too late.
I started putting socks on my baby so at least her feet are covered, but I have no idea what to do about her hands. I have also experienced a waitress touching my baby's cheek! Is this behavior standard and appropriate in HK? Where I am from, it's never appropriate to touch someone's baby without the parents permission.
I am sort of a germaphobe (especially now with a baby), any suggestions on what I can do to prevent this from happening?
- 11-23-2014, 08:44 AM #2Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Posts
- 68
I usually pull my baby back, or tell them baby has cream on their hands/face to avoid face touching! A friend had his baby's cheeks pinched by a stranger, so he pinched that persons face back. Safe to say they didnt like it!!
- 11-23-2014, 09:22 AM #3Registered User
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Posts
- 89
Pandy - do you pull your baby back when strangers approach (even before they reach out to touch)? I kinda want to do that, but I don't want to be rude either. I hate it when strangers are that close to my baby.
That's hilarious! It will teach them not to touch (or pinch!).
My husband thinks I am overreacting. :)
- 11-23-2014, 09:39 AM #4Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Posts
- 68
Usually baby is in his carrier so its easier to pull back. Strangers touching his face or hands is a no no. Feet or squeezing his arms I dont mind so much.
- 11-23-2014, 10:14 AM #5Registered User
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Posts
- 89
My baby sucks her toes so its a no-go for me. We are regulars at this restaurant and the wait staff sees my baby regularly and they take it upon themselves to squeeze her hand or feet when we walk by. Drives me nuts!
We use a carrier as well, the stroller we have has been sitting in our living room unused. Strollers are not really convenient in HK - wish we thought about that before buying it.
- 11-24-2014, 07:40 AM #6Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Posts
- 68
Yes! My husband just sold our new stroller the other day for that reason. It's a big pain in built up areas but I imagine useful if living in NT or if drive.
- 11-24-2014, 12:39 PM #7Registered User
- Join Date
- Dec 2010
- Location
- Hong Kong
- Posts
- 218
You'll have a lot less stress if you get used to it. It's a different culture over here and everyone loves an adorable baby.
Unless your child is distressed or uncomfortable, there is no issue anyway - apart from parental hangups. Germs - well that's how our immune system gets trained up and our children pick up hundreds of times more germs from the environment than they ever will from someone touching them.
It used to bother me, now unless my children are upset by it I generally let it slide.
- 11-24-2014, 02:37 PM #8Registered User
- Join Date
- Jul 2013
- Posts
- 89
Newdad- for me, it's more about personal space and crossing boundaries. I wouldnt approach a stranger and grab their hand or feet, or pinch a cheek, and I wouldnt want someone doing it to me. Why should a baby be any different?
Germs is also a factor, I rather not add to the germs my baby has to encounter. She already puts everything in her mouth.
And yes, I agree - i find that this culture loves an adorable baby. But what culture doesn't?
Similar Threads
-
Touching
By Mellie in forum Parenting - Toddlers and PreschoolersReplies: 1Last Post: 11-10-2006, 08:11 PM -
Cry with strangers
By bellamei in forum Baby TalkReplies: 1Last Post: 09-18-2006, 06:03 PM -
Toddler touching his genital
By mslksy in forum Parenting - Toddlers and PreschoolersReplies: 11Last Post: 09-05-2006, 09:58 AM -
can baby handle a series of flights?
By mambo in forum Family HealthReplies: 1Last Post: 07-27-2005, 01:14 PM -
How Could I Handle My 15m Baby and My Job?
By christinachen in forum Parenting - Toddlers and PreschoolersReplies: 1Last Post: 09-19-2003, 09:13 AM