Kisses for the Baby?

We got that a lot with my son (now almost 4), also. If it wasn't a close friend or family member, I would snatch him up and politely say "Oh, probably better not to kiss him, he's had a cold/sniffles/whatever lately. I wouldn't want you to catch that from him."

It always worked for us.

Good luck!

I, personally, would never let a stranger kiss my child, period. Not on the lips or on the cheeks. I don't even let strangers touch my baby. You never know what they might be carrying, being cold and flu season. Why borrow trouble, ya know? I'd politely make it clear that you don't want anyone kissing him.

I think you are somewhat overreacting as a first time mom. All babies are all very cute in their own way and if I had a penny for every time someone said my sons were going to be heart breakers, I'd be rich. If someone is sick and they're wanting to kiss your baby or if your baby is sick, you may want to say something politely but babies are just very loveable and like to kiss when they learn how. Believe me, when your child gets a little older, he will not be so loveable to strangers. But if you try to deter him from kissing now, he may not be as loveable as you would want him to be when he gets older. Remember he is just a baby, and kissing now does not mean he is going to be going up to strangers when he's 4 or 5 and kissing them too. He'll most likely grow out of it. My oldest son just turned 5 and he is the most loveable kid to me and his Father and sometimes grandparents, kisses, hugs, and that sort of thing but if a stranger or distant family relative would ask him to give them a hug he will impliedly not and hide behind me. This was not the case when he was 16 months old though. He too, like your child, was very kissable and loveable. So relax, don't be too uptight or you may offend a lot of people unless you have good reason.

After I had my son people thought I was standoffish. The reason is that I allowed close family and my best friend (his godmother) to hold him and not many other people. really close friends. I have found that many people do not wash their hands. If you want and this is up to you. I did it. I made a request to wash their hands before they held my son. People respected that. My son is also very cute. Long eyelashes, puffy cheeks, and a smile to die for. When he was younger, people (strangers) wanted to touch him all the time. I put a stop to it by telling them he is sick, or that flat out please no kisses. People are mostly harmless but germs oh my. All in all it is what you are comfortable with. If you are not comfortable say something. If they don't like it then not much you can do. Remember he is your son and what you say goes. PS. My son has sensitve skin that to me. He grew out of the red spots by the time he was 23 months. He always had them. If they become to much of a concern ask the doc. i ask a bunch of questions of his doctor and he respects that I am curious as to whats going on. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

i don't ahve much to offer but this got me thinking, and i guess i'm jsut not clear on who you are reffering to when you say "people" i can't imagine anyone just walking up and trying to kiss any of my kids, i would flip out, lol. but I provide daycare from my home and have 4 kids and also help out at all 3 of thier schools and cub scouts ect and so on, so i deal with a ton of kids every day, my kids are very affectionate and they do hug the kids i sit for and thier friends as well as the family and i will hug and kiss the little one i watch, on the cheek mind you but i've had here since she was a couple months old 8 hours a day 5 days a week, so she's like a surgate baby for me, even her mom says that. but the older kids i only accept affection if it's offered i don't seek it out, even at 3 and 4 it's unfair to them to ask for it and it's an invasion of thier space, which you said, so i guess my responce is while i think it might be odd if you are reffering to caregivers in this scenario, and the biggest thing i would ask is how does your son react i mean if he's happ to do it then obviously it isn't hurting his space, but if it's random ppl, then i would certainly put a stop to it. even if he is an incredaibly affectionate child tough he will out grow some of it and learn the boundries even if you let this continue. good luck.

It depends on who is doing the kissing. I'm okay with family members and daycare staff, and that's about it. If you're not comfortable with it, don't allow it. Start with teaching your child what appropriate socialization is with friends and strangers, and that kissing is for close family members and friends only.

I also wanted to mention something about your "he is such a cutie that sexual predators might target him". This is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. Sexual predators do not look for 'cute' children; they look for children that are vulnerable and available. A child could be the ugliest child on the planet but if he or she is all alone on a playground or some place there isn't other adult supervision, then they are 'vulnerable' because they might not know what's going on is inappropriate and they are 'available' because there isn't another person to intervene.

ok...I am going to put my 2 cents in.....I completely think it is rude and wrong that people (strangers) kiss or ask to get kisses from your son. If they are friends and family that is fine but not strangers. I heard a story about a lady that let her son get kissed by a stranger and the stranger had like a cold sore on their lip. The next day the baby woke up with blisters all over its face and had to be rushed to the hospital. I don't think you should let anyone kiss him. Our children are very loving and affectionate.....but we tell them to give strangers blown kisses not real ones. We save the real kisses for family and friends! So if anyone asked I would simply say "I am sorry but we don't share special kisses but he would be happy to blow you a kiss". I guess that is the easiest and nicest way to do it. I hope I didn't sound too rude....Have a great day.

Personally, I would not let any starngers kiss my children, lips or cheeks, no matter how cute they are. Family and close friends yes but these people don't know you or your children so they should not be asking for anything other than a hello or a high five at best. I don't think you are paranoid or overprotective at all. If people ask, just say he is not well and they will soon back off!

L.,

I do not think it's appropriate to kiss your children on the lips. Some people do it, I know, but I have strong feelings against it.

Also, you're spreading germs and possibly any number of diseases that last a lifetime: herpes cold sore virus, mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr, etc.

As tactfully as you can, go ahead and say you prefer if they not kiss him-lips or cheeks. It's worth risking someone's feelings in order to protect your son.

(I think it's rude and insensitive for someone to kiss other people's babies.I would never think of doing that. A hug is just fine!)

You know, if you don't want people kissing your baby, that's fine! If they ask, you can either just say no, or if you're not comfortable with that, you can tell them that his face has been breaking out in a wierd rash lately, and the last thing they will want to do is kiss him! (You're not obligated to mention that it is just sensitive skin!)

If there are people that just kiss him and don't ask, make sure you are holding him when those people are around, and they will probably not be as bold.

It's your baby's personal space. If you want him to respect other people's boundaries as he grows up, you need to be sure that people recognize and respect his (and yours!) now.

L.,
Point blank do not allow strabgers to kiss your child. Innocent as it may seem there are so many things that could be wrong with it! Would you allow those same strangers to photograph your son? They do not need to touch or kiss him to let you know how cute they think he is.
When someone else asks, I would simply state due to health concerns and personal choices you would prefer they not touch or kiss him.
I know it seems rude, but you are his protector and need to stand up for him. Yes, they would be invading his personal space. Yes, if it is allowed he could become confused about strangers later. Start now to prevent that!
I don't see you as being paranoid, I see you as concerned for your son's well-being. Good for you!

my son is 20 months. your son won't get the wrong idea.he will come to the point where he will say get off me. and he won't let certain people near him. and when he gets out of the baby stage people stop kissing him. my son is four and when he was about 2 and half people stopped going up to him in public.. it is that whole baby thing that everyone cannot resist. but i don't like when certain people do that either and my son has the sensitive skin to.

I completely agree about wanting to avoid kisses on the baby's lips!!! My in- laws will kiss ANYONE on the lips! UGH!! So, my rule (backed up by our pediatrician) is that hugs and kisses on the cheeks and top of her head are fine. NO MOUTH KISSES- EVER! And because I am a germ freak, no kissing hands/ fingers, especially during cold and flu season!! People have to ask if she wants a hug or kiss though- I want her to learn that she is in control of her own body and personal space.

I hope this helps! I will admit that my strong stance on this has upset a few people... but my daughter's safety and emotional well being comes first- the others can just get over it! My kid, my rules! :o)

My son is 6 yrs old and is still very cute and people still want to kiss him all the time. However, my son is severely disabled and isn't able to move his face or tell people he doesn't want to be kissed. The reason I don't wnat epople kissing all over him is because I am a GERMAPHOBE. If people inssit on kissing your little guy then I would say something like, I am sure he wouldn't mind a little kiss on the head. If you feel the need to explain why his head then I would tell people he has sesitive skin and his face is especially sensitive and you don't want it "flairing up."
Good Luck!

personally I would be fine with family kissing him, like aunts uncles, grandmas and grandpas, cousins, obviously as long as they aren't sick, or any really close friends or god, parents. But past that like just casual friends or random people I would be offended, and very straight forward in saying please don't kiss my child on the mouth!

Sounds like you have your mind made up already (which is good). i don't mind if my family or close friends kiss my kiddos but strangers thats just odd.... as for a lady killer well people say that all the time i wouldn't worry too much about that... gl!

Hi, L. --

I agree that kisses on the lips should be reserved for a very limited number of people in your child's life -- grandparents, parents, siblings... that's about it, I'd say. In general, I haven't had to deal with that too much, so I don't have great advice, other than to perhaps "head things off at the pass" and say, as someone moves in to kiss him "OK, baby, ready for a kiss on the cheek?" or "Yes, he has wonderfully kissable cheeks" or "He likes cheek kisses" or something to that effect.

Since little kids are also subject to every cold, flu, and virus known to man, you could always fudge and say "He's coming down with something. How about kissing on the cheek?"

I think children should know that it is fine for them to have their own boundaries of space. My daughter likes to be a space invader with her smaller friends, and I am always reminding her that she needs to give space. The same is true with adults and children, so I think it's very conscientious of you and very wise to be thinking along the lines you are thinking. These days of sexual predation are nothing to ignore, and so, in as gentle a way as we are able, I DO think it's important to start educating our children about who can be in what kind of proximity to them and that it's ALWAYS OK for them to have their own personal space and boundaries, especially from people who are not in their direct, immediate circle -- even extended family.

Also, sorry to say it, but cold sores are communicable and people can also transmit their own cold or other crud to your child, so they really should not kiss him on the lips anyway. I was always concerned when waiters or waitresses would fawn over our daughter because I knew they'd been carrying people's dirty plates, etc., and I didn't want any unnecessary exposure to people's funk to be foisted on my daughter.

Caution is a good thing, and respect for the little people is a good thing, too!

Good luck with little Mr. Kissable! :)

If these are strangers trying to kiss your baby, that's just weird!! I don't think you should feel rude telling them no. (chances are, you wont ever see them again anyway!) Would you want or expect strangers coming up and kissing you?It's not really that different!

I agree with you.

It's like strangers or people you know but don'e think of them as friends touching your tummy.

I would LIE and tell them the child gets sick really easy and just throw kisses.

Kisses should be for close friends and family only.

Do be aware there are loads of bad people to put it nicely out there that would take your child. All it takes is to turn your back.

My oldset son was very cute and very friendly and I was told to never let him play outside by his self or he could be gone in less than a minute.