Playing With Babies

[kitkat]

Ok, I'll admit right away that I know I'm over protective of things. DS is 9 weeks old. Granted he sleeps most of the day, but he's awake to play for about 20 minutes after he eats. I have a blanket that I lay him on and the kids have to stay off the blanket. They can come by him, but the blanket is the boundry. They want to play with him and help, but honestly, I'd much rather they just ignore him. It's not that they are rough (2 dcgs and DD), but I just don't want them over stimulating him, breathing on him, etc. I just feel like I tell them no a lot when it comes to the baby. Today dcg who is 5 asked if she could put the nuk in his mouth. I told her no, that's an adult thing. Then she tells me that she did it at the other place she was at while I was on maternity leave. I answered back with at my house she's not allowed to do that. When DD was a baby, I don't remember the kids really having any interest in her, but I had a mix of boys and girls then.

Am I just over protective? What type of interaction do you allow dcks with babies in your care?

[laundrymom]

I call the blankets " baby bubbles " and don't let other kids muck with the babies. I say " no touch my babies, go find one of the dolly's"

[SimpleMom]

I think your fine with that rule. Doesn't sound over-protective at all. I'm a lot like that. When ever I bend that rule it's in evitable that the little one gets ill or hurt.

They'll pick up all sorts of germs without extra "help" along the way. I just do what I can to keep them healthy and safe.

Do you have a pack and play for the play area that they can sit/sleep in when you can't be right there? That helps alot over here.

I should mention that I do let the kids interact with the babies--just with onene with me and hands washed first.

[MyAngels]

I'm like you, it's hands off my babies unless I give specific permission to interact (which I encourage, but only if I'm right there). I usually won't even lay them on the floor when the bigger kids are up unless, again, I'm right there next to them. All of the parents of my infants appreciate this, as I'm sure they worry about their little one being "trampled" by the bigger kids .

[laundrymom]

We also have a kiss the foot policy. They are allowed to kiss, pat, hold a babies foot with permission

[nannyde]

Am I just over protective? What type of interaction do you allow dcks with babies in your care?

I don't allow ANY contact with the infants until they are FULLY mobile. The only time they touch them is when we are taking group pics.

I use the same prompt when they go near or around the baby.... LEAVE IT. Don't touch my baby... be careful of my baby.... walk around my baby....

I CLAIM the baby as MY baby and then tell them to "leave it" if they go near. They are also not EVER allowed to touch any of the baby equipment. NONE.... don't touch the bouncy seats, high chair, boppy, blanket, play yard, toys A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G

Every kid here has had their time as the protected baby. They all got thru their infancy without ever being harmed or exposed to the other kids germs.

Uber protection of the infants is one of my specialties here that is highly sought after for the nervous new mommies.

[SimpleMom]

I thought I was the only one with the kiss the foot policy!! That's awesome

[youretooloud]

We used a two ring inflatable pool for a while to make the "bubble" easier to notice.

I also explained the reason we do not touch the baby's hands or face, or anything that goes on the baby's hands or face. (babies are too little to fight off big people germs)

A few times, I had to put the baby AND the swing, or whatever contraption I had inside a playpen to keep the baby safe from the kids. That hasn't happened too many times, but you gotta do whatchya gotta do.

[kitkat]

I should clarify...DS is on the blanket and I'm on the blanket right next to him. That way I take up more room, which leaves less room for the other kids. If I get up, he gets up too I think I'll have to stress the one at a time thing more. Maybe look for a bigger bubble, too :: I can't wait til he's a little older. I know I'll feel better than.

[laundrymom]

I should clarify...DS is on the blanket and I'm on the blanket right next to him. That way I take up more room, which leaves less room for the other kids. If I get up, he gets up too I think I'll have to stress the one at a time thing more. Maybe look for a bigger bubble, too :: I can't wait til he's a little older. I know I'll feel better than.

Dont wish that!!!!! Before you know it he will be tearing his neon apart in the driveway and leaving the parts he doesn't need in the marigolds!! Lol don't make me send pictures!!! Lol. Enjoy his " lay down and stay " phase. Lol.

[kitkat]

I love the pool idea! Unfortunately I don't have enough room.

I do the touch the foot thing also. I couldn't imagine letting them touch anything else!

Thanks everyone for letting me know I'm not an over protective nut!

[kitkat]

Dont wish that!!!!! Before you know it he will be tearing his neon apart in the driveway and leaving the parts he doesn't need in the marigolds!! Lol don't make me send pictures!!! Lol. Enjoy his " lay down and stay " phase. Lol.

Too funny!

[laundrymom]

Too funny!

Dont wish that!!!!! Before you know it he will be tearing his neon apart in the driveway and leaving the parts he doesn't need in the marigolds!! Lol don't make me send pictures!!! Lol. Enjoy his " lay down and stay " phase. Lol.

Not kidding,... Right now he out there redoing speaker wires, door panels out, back seat sitting on the porch. Lol. Last week it was brakes and rotors. Lol week before plug wires and fluids.

[Cat Herder]

I built physical barriers that the kiddos cant get over/under or through after many years of saying NoTouchy, Please....

It is just a wooden version of baby gate enclosures built with pre-fab deck railing. The babies can see everyone, they can see them....but noone can touch each other.

It has dropped my stress level and toy decon in half....

[MommyMuffin]

Ok, I'll admit right away that I know I'm over protective of things. DS is 9 weeks old. Granted he sleeps most of the day, but he's awake to play for about 20 minutes after he eats. I have a blanket that I lay him on and the kids have to stay off the blanket. They can come by him, but the blanket is the boundry. They want to play with him and help, but honestly, I'd much rather they just ignore him. It's not that they are rough (2 dcgs and DD), but I just don't want them over stimulating him, breathing on him, etc. I just feel like I tell them no a lot when it comes to the baby. Today dcg who is 5 asked if she could put the nuk in his mouth. I told her no, that's an adult thing. Then she tells me that she did it at the other place she was at while I was on maternity leave. I answered back with at my house she's not allowed to do that. When DD was a baby, I don't remember the kids really having any interest in her, but I had a mix of boys and girls then.

Am I just over protective? What type of interaction do you allow dcks with babies in your care?

You are not being over protective. My living room is broken up by a gate. One part is for infants only and the other is for the older children. I let my daughter help when closely supervised but nobody else. The older kids run into the room and in an instant can push one another and fall on the baby. I have seen too many almost accidents that I dont even take the chance anymore.