Those That Have A "Don't Touch The Baby" Rule

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

The only baby that will be here will be my own. I have read on here of some providers having a don't touch the baby rule and I would like for that to exist here. I have many preschool-aged children. When siblings of the other children come in (young infants and toddlers) the other children always attempt to touch them/do touch them and I correct it stating, "Keep your hands to yourself."

Some parents (parents of the TOUCHERS) have actually acted offended about this when they witnessed it. When a sibling gets upset at others not listening to the rule of hands to yourself they will act visibly upset and the parents of the toucher will usually laugh and look shocked saying something to the extent of, "Oh my, aren't we protective..." I have a feeling these same parents are going to want to hold/touch my baby as they feel their child's entitlement to touch other people's babies is completely justified.

Do you have any parents who are offended by your rule? How do you word it "NICELY" so people don't feel offended by something that isn't offensive at all?

[JenNJ]

I let them touch the babies feet only if I am right there. Otherwise, no touch the baby applies. I don't care if they are offended. Its not their a$$ on the line, its mine. I don't want boogie pickers and diaper diggers touching the baby who hasn't had all his vaccines yet. Kids are rough, germy, and not intelligent enough to know what can and can't hurt an infant. Its my job to keep all the kids safe - including the baby. I don't let the babies pull hair and chew on the older kids either, .

[Unregistered]

The only baby that will be here will be my own. I have read on here of some providers having a don't touch the baby rule and I would like for that to exist here. I have many preschool-aged children. When siblings of the other children come in (young infants and toddlers) the other children always attempt to touch them/do touch them and I correct it stating, "Keep your hands to yourself."

Some parents (parents of the TOUCHERS) have actually acted offended about this when they witnessed it. When a sibling gets upset at others not listening to the rule of hands to yourself they will act visibly upset and the parents of the toucher will usually laugh and look shocked saying something to the extent of, "Oh my, aren't we protective..." I have a feeling these same parents are going to want to hold/touch my baby as they feel their child's entitlement to touch other people's babies is completely justified.

Do you have any parents who are offended by your rule? How do you word it "NICELY" so people don't feel offended by something that isn't offensive at all?

My parents are handed a list of 12 "house rules" at their interview. One of those rules is NO ONE but me touches the baby. EVER. I've had some jaws drop, but I explain to them that kids have a hard time deciding when it's OK and not to do something, so NEVER makes that easy for them. I need to protect the baby, and I can not hold him/her the entire day. So, if baby is in the bouncy chair on the kitchen floor while I'm making lunch, NO ONE touches him. If baby is in the bassinet while I change toddlers' diaper, NO ONE touches him. I've had kids try to shove a bottle into a sleeping baby's mouth, try to pick up the baby, etc. Kids go STRAIGHT to time out for touching baby OR baby's belongings. They are taught from day one that if baby tries to steal your toy, you let baby have it and come get me. There is NO NO NO touching.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

My parents are handed a list of 12 "house rules" at their interview. One of those rules is NO ONE but me touches the baby. EVER. I've had some jaws drop, but I explain to them that kids have a hard time deciding when it's OK and not to do something, so NEVER makes that easy for them. I need to protect the baby, and I can not hold him/her the entire day. So, if baby is in the bouncy chair on the kitchen floor while I'm making lunch, NO ONE touches him. If baby is in the bassinet while I change toddlers' diaper, NO ONE touches him. I've had kids try to shove a bottle into a sleeping baby's mouth, try to pick up the baby, etc. Kids go STRAIGHT to time out for touching baby OR baby's belongings. They are taught from day one that if baby tries to steal your toy, you let baby have it and come get me. There is NO NO NO touching.

Yes, this is exactly why it has to be never here. 8 little boys with rules like "only the ___" would result in disaster.

[Play Care]

My parents are handed a list of 12 "house rules" at their interview. One of those rules is NO ONE but me touches the baby. EVER. I've had some jaws drop, but I explain to them that kids have a hard time deciding when it's OK and not to do something, so NEVER makes that easy for them. I need to protect the baby, and I can not hold him/her the entire day. So, if baby is in the bouncy chair on the kitchen floor while I'm making lunch, NO ONE touches him. If baby is in the bassinet while I change toddlers' diaper, NO ONE touches him. I've had kids try to shove a bottle into a sleeping baby's mouth, try to pick up the baby, etc. Kids go STRAIGHT to time out for touching baby OR baby's belongings. They are taught from day one that if baby tries to steal your toy, you let baby have it and come get me. There is NO NO NO touching.

This is pretty much what I tell parents. I make it clear this applies to siblings while in my care also.

[JenNJ]

And It doesn't matter if it is your child or someone else's. The rule is DON'T TOUCH BABY. I would stress to the parents that you have always treated their kids as your own and you are just following the same rules with your child. It nicely reminds them that their kids were once infants and everyone respected that rule then, same as they need to now.

[Blackcat31]

My parents are handed a list of 12 "house rules" at their interview. One of those rules is NO ONE but me touches the baby. EVER. I've had some jaws drop, but I explain to them that kids have a hard time deciding when it's OK and not to do something, so NEVER makes that easy for them. I need to protect the baby, and I can not hold him/her the entire day. So, if baby is in the bouncy chair on the kitchen floor while I'm making lunch, NO ONE touches him. If baby is in the bassinet while I change toddlers' diaper, NO ONE touches him. I've had kids try to shove a bottle into a sleeping baby's mouth, try to pick up the baby, etc. Kids go STRAIGHT to time out for touching baby OR baby's belongings. They are taught from day one that if baby tries to steal your toy, you let baby have it and come get me. There is NO NO NO touching.

I have very similar rules. Parents AND children all know up front. There are NO exceptions...even for siblings.

ECS~ Start training your DCK's now, by using a blanket and a doll. The blanket is a the buffer zone. Baby on small blanket on bigger blanket on floor.

If I lay a blanket flat on the floor, all my DCK's will go waaaaay out of their way to go around the blanket as none of them want to mistakenly be accused of touching the baby.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

And It doesn't matter if it is your child or someone else's. The rule is DON'T TOUCH BABY. I would stress to the parents that you have always treated their kids as your own and you are just following the same rules with your child. It nicely reminds them that their kids were once infants and everyone respected that rule then, same as they need to now.

I don't take infants, but I DO have a no touching rule in place for the children. When I didn't they would be too rough with each other purposely and on accident. It's must nicer for all to have a no touching rule.

I will say, "Remember how we don't touch our friends? We don't touch our baby friends, either." They'll know. ::

[Unregistered]

This is pretty much what I tell parents. I make it clear this applies to siblings while in my care also.

Especially with siblings...the big kids usually adore the littles and want to act "big"...they try to parent the child (stepping in for their own parents, I believe is what they think they are doing) that they are so proud of and consider to be their own property.

[nannyde]

I take it way further than don't touch. I don't let them near the babies. I train them off of them and their areas.

[Lyss]

I have very similar rules. Parents AND children all know up front. There are NO exceptions...even for siblings.

ECS~ Start training your DCK's now, by using a blanket and a doll. The blanket is a the buffer zone. Baby on small blanket on bigger blanket on floor.

If I lay a blanket flat on the floor, all my DCK's will go waaaaay out of their way to go around the blanket as none of them want to mistakenly be accused of touching the baby.

I have an infant now among toddlers and 3year olds and the rule is no touching baby or baby things (blankets, toys, binkies, diapers...nothing baby related) and now if the baby rolls into their space the know to stop and move. I talked to parents prior about the baby starting and told them the rules, only one got snarky but I just ignored it ::

This month I have the infant's older sibling (4) and the same rule applies to her

[Familycare71]

I have very similar rules. Parents AND children all know up front. There are NO exceptions...even for siblings.

ECS~ Start training your DCK's now, by using a blanket and a doll. The blanket is a the buffer zone. Baby on small blanket on bigger blanket on floor.

If I lay a blanket flat on the floor, all my DCK's will go waaaaay out of their way to go around the blanket as none of them want to mistakenly be accused of touching the baby.

I use a blanket area for babies too. My kids do a really good job respecting they cannot go on or near the blanket...
I do allow the kids to touch the infants feet. They know to be gentle and brief. Picture a toddler "petting" a dog- that's what it's like...
The baby is also always within my view so if I'm in the kitchen so is the infant, etc... The only exception to this would be if all the older kids are with me and the baby is playing nearby.
I agree too- start now with a doll

[Cradle2crayons]

I take it way further than don't touch. I don't let them near the babies. I train them off of them and their areas.

I don't allow mine near the babies either. If the littles are in a walker, the rest must stay far far away. I don't use visual cues or play gates or anything. They learn from day one. Stay far far away from the babies.

If a group of children are sitting on e floor playing and a baby is in a walker and approaches, they are taught to move.

[MyAngels]

I also have the rule of no touching the baby or their things, which also includes the child's siblings. After reading the other replies I think you should tell the parents that it's "standard practice nationwide"

[coolconfidentme]

I have a don't touch the baby or baby's things rule.