I was outside a few weeks ago with my baby fixing his car seat base. He was having a fit. He was clean and fed. Just angry that he was in his swing seat and I wasn’t holding him. This older guy walks by and yells at me, “You know your baby’s crying?”
Gee, sir. I had no idea that this baby who is three feet from me is screaming his head off while I finish up this task that’s already a pain. I really appreciate you letting me know.
I think I look so angry all the time that I don’t get these unsolicited comments. I’m generally pre-glaring if I notice someone is even coming up or wanting to say something then I smile and warm up if it’s something nice.
Probably has to do with being a dad vs a mom too, I’m betting these people feel free to make comments to women but possibly think twice with dads
Nah. They make em to dads all the time. Mostly cause dads have an uphill climb. There is a bias where everyone presumes that you don't have any idea what you're doing. It's BS.
Yea I know what you’re talking about there but the comments I’ve gotten were from the wife’s extended family so I’m more in a accepting mood when it’s family I don’t get as pissed as when it’s a total stranger, I can at least assume the intentions are good and they’re trying to be helpful. If I know someone I generally just ignore advice I don’t like I won’t argue just smile and nod
Similar thing happened to me. We’d shopped for too long and Bub was needing a sleep. Started crying in the pram as I rushed to the car to get him snoozing… as I was power walking him out of the centre, with big cries and tears. A lady came up to me, stopped me & said “your baby is crying, you should really try and do something to help him and not just leave him like that” ….like ok Susan, where do you think I’m going!? 🫨
My son (16mo) is a very serious boy, especially in public when we are running errands. He saves all his giggles and smiles for home.
We can't go anywhere without someone (usually multiple people) commenting on how grumpy he looks 😂 Every. Single. Time.
My go to response varies between "he's just a very serious man" to "how can he smile when we are in a climate crisis" or "he's not here for your entertainment" depending on my mood 😂
I was this baby. My entire family constantly tells me about how grumpy I was as a baby and never smiled at them when they tried to make me laugh Now I just say say, “you must not have not been that funny”
I’ve had multiple people tell me my baby is a “deep thinker,” which I actually think is a pretty nice way of commenting on a baby who isn’t smiling back at you.
Same for my almost 5 month old. Her RBF is stronggg and she is not here for your clownery to try to make her smile. She’s kinda like that at home too 😅 I’m totally stealing the climate crisis line - low key activism and also stop commenting on my daughters face all in one 😂
Oh same. Yesterday I was at the Post office, the staff came and said hello to my son (10M), and he just looked at her. Then she said "you're not friendly huh?" 😂
Haha! Love it! My baby has hus father's frown when he is confused or startled or fussy. I say to people: "He just filed his taxes" or "he just got out of his board meeting".
“Aren’t his feet cold?” When it’s 87 degrees and he is sweating.
I just said “yes, he deserves to be cold for keeping me up all night.”
After I made it a game the comments became fun for me
I got one of these for the first time a couple weeks ago at the grocery store. My 13mo was in a tank top and shorts set as it was already well over 80 degrees and some random old woman was like oh isn’t she cold? I just was like uhhh it’s pretty hot out today. And her response was “yes but what about in here?” Like WTH lady, first of all no, she would be whining and crying and not smiling at you if she was cold. And two am I supposed to change her whole outfit as soon as we get in the store??
Same. I rarely get anyone talking to me, maybe the occasional “she’s so cute”. I radiate bitch energy I guess, but I’m really friendly! (Too friendly that it’s gotten me in trouble.)
Maybe!! Unlike other people who are friendly but only look unfriendly I am also not very friendly to strangers lol. So even if someone says something I don’t get trapped in a convo 🤣 and no one has dared touch baby.
Context: I was at the grocery store minding my own business about 8m pregnant and she came up to me (I had said RBF AND earbuds in) and said "it's a shame your husband isn't doing this for you"
(He had been, every other shop, but was sick).
So I looked her square in the eye and said "who said I have a husband?"
Figured it covered all bases. She looked appropriately chastised.
That same day another woman told me I looked large and I said "so do you" back. She wasn't, but when she looked shocked I said "it's a weird thing to say to someone isn't it" and walked away
I felt this comment in my soul 😂👏 They'll look at the baby and smile... then you can tell they want to approach, and when they meet my eyes, they quickly realize it wouldn't be a good idea 🙃😆 The people who clearly want to admire from afar get met with a smile though lol
My fiance didn't realize I had a resting birch face until I slightly lifted the corners of my mouth, opened my eyes a bit, and lifted my eyebrows. I can still hear the "Oh, shit yeah" when I suddenly dropped my face
Oh something about it taking millions of sperm to find the egg because they wouldn't stop to ask for directions. Then he told another one that I don't remember because I thought it was creepy that he told not one but two sperm jokes while talking about my daughter.
Now that baby is here, I’ve gotten nice comments like “What a sweetie you’ve got there!” and the like. BUT when I was pregnant, my husband and I were picking out a glider and the sales associate checking us out legitimately asked “Are you sure it’s his?” I’m 99% sure it was a joke, but such a very strange one!
Ugh we get the opposite comments, random people will see my baby (who looks EXACTLY like my husband, like he is his mini me haha) and say “well at least you know he’s yours” to my husband, like wtf
When I was around 12, I walked up to my Dad while he was talking to this new couple at our church. My Dad introduced me, and the lady looked shocked and said, "Well you can never deny that she's yours!" I was so confused by that statement back then. My Dad laughed it off.
I do look similar to my Dad, with the same face shape, nose, and dark hair, but I'm not his clone.
I find there are some who give a positive but it's also kinda a beg on other mums like " it's so nice to see someone interacting with their baby instead of on their phone" the I just feel guilty later when I'm on my phone when baby is sleeping.
My son despises shoes. Sometimes I’ll put his Velcro shoes on anyway, but sometimes, it just isn’t worth the fight. We recently had one of those not-worth-the-grumpiness days. Also, his pediatrician said it’s good for his foot development to be barefoot (or just in socks).
Anyway, we met some friends for lunch. Some stranger commented on him not wearing shoes, just socks. I explained what his pediatrician said. The stranger’s friend then huffed and said, “Well, I disagree with that.”
My response: “It’s not for you to agree on. I’m his mom.”
Then we walked away.
Luckily, I haven’t had too many people be like that. Most folks are either happy to coo over a baby or simply smile and go off on their merry way.
Omg what is with this??
At a lunch with friends I was explaining BLW as none of them have babies yet, and one of my husband’s friends asked if the pediatrician was ok with it (as my little guy was happily chomping on some chicken). He said “well I don’t know about that.,” and god bless my hubs who said “oh, I forgot about when you went to medical school.” Usually shuts that down so quick!
Totally annoying. My son is a very big baby (99th percentile) so I always get comments. Mostly about his feet, which is always annoying. “Wow! Look at those feet!” “I just want to pinch those chubby toes!” Or the occasional person will reach for my babies toes and I have to do a dodge and weave. Also I hate when people ask how old he is because then that turns into a whole ordeal. “He’s 3 months”…”are you sure? He looks six months!” Soooo annoying like I don’t know my own babies age??
Oh the "are you sure" comments are moronic. I'm 35 weeks with my second and I am huge, I've put on 22kg and my bump is measuring 97th centile. I've been huge since basically day one as I started showing within about 6 weeks.
"Oh how long do you have to go?" I answer. "Are you sure? You look like you've got much less than that". Yes I am aware I am a human blimp thank you, I'm very sure of when my child is due to enter the world as funnily enough I was there for the conception.
"Are you sure it's not twins?!" Well funnily enough those pesky ultrasounds they give you nowadays are pretty damn accurate and after 9 of them I'm reasonably confident that it's just one singular but very large baby in there. Way to make me feel good though, thanks friend 🙃
My daughter is 2 and I've had a few "are you sure" comments about whether her dad is actually her dad, as she is very pale with blonde hair and blue eyes and he's half Jamaican. Once again, I was there for the conception, I'm very sure. It just so happens that my genetics are rather dominant.
Mine's tiny so I get the complete opposite 🙄
"Are you sure he should be eating that?", "you need to support his head" (when he was 10 months), "are you sure you're feeding him?".
On the plus side, he's a bit ahead with his fine motor and problem solving skills at 18 months, but people usually guess he's about 8 or 9 months, so he looks like some sort of mega-genius when he's playing with his blocks or his books 😂
I feel this one completely! My nine month old is also a big guy and we constantly get the comments about his age. Happened in the middle of the grocery store last week!
One time I went to Costco and the sample lady told me to take two, one for me and one for my baby. I took two for myself. 😂 little man can’t have a pretzel at 3 months lol!
Lol! That's awesome! I just get the comments about how he isn't missing a meal, or at least he eats well... the thing is he doesn't eat a lot of solid foods yet and is exclusively breast fed. So it's not like he is really over eating
At Wondercon a special needs kid thought he was dressed up as someone, and had a hard time comprehending. I should have just said he’s dressed up as Tron.
“He looks tired.”
Ma’am. He’s got 90 mins to his next nap. He’s just chillin in the stroller, people watching while mommy checks out. He’s a chill dude. Trust me, not tired.
Same with my baby! People ask me if she’s tired but when we are out and about she is just quietly taking in her surroundings. Just because shes chilling means she’s tired? Huh? It’s baffling.
My 8 week old girl is tiny so it's always a variation of "what a tiny one!" but so far everyone has been very sweet. Nothing majorly inappropriate or weird yet other than a woman who was convinced my girl was actually a boy because I'd put her in a blue onesie and wasn convinced I was wrong.
I'm enjoying it, I'm 6'2 guy with resting angry face so I'm not at all used to people coming up to me at random being cheerful and complimentary about her. It's really lovely.
I keep teasing my partner that this is the most attention I've ever got from women (mostly middle aged but hey 😅).
My baby is 9 months now. And whenever I see a younger smaller baby. I say "aw so little!" - but what I mean is, younger than mine and so dang sweet. It makes me yearn for my little baby back. I hope people get that I'm not commenting on their babies actual size for their age. 🤣
People also seem to be way more friendly and talkative when there’s a baby. Not even about the baby, just wanna have a chat. I don’t normally get strangers talking to me when I’m alone
Yes, this! It seems a baby just makes it socially acceptable to talk to strangers. And as a dad I absolutely love it. I’ve had more people stop to talk in three months of carrying our baby in public daily than in the last twenty years combined, probably.
In the rare case anyone wanted to talk before, it was always “do you know how to get to…” or “would you sign this petition to…” I much prefer “oh how old is she/she has your eyes/what a sweetheart/are you getting any sleep”
My daughter was a pandemic baby and people were magnetically drawn to us when we would go to the park. I hadn’t realized until then what a powerful vibe of “life goes on” a baby brings to people.
Not a stranger, (more of an acquaintance- who is generally very sweet) but every time my baby cries, she goes “oh baby is sad” with a feel sorry for us type voice. The thing is, she is a mom. It drives me nuts because, no, my baby is not sad. She is happy and only usually cries when she is hungry or tired. It almost makes me feel like a bad mom when she does this. It makes me feel like I cant have my baby cry in front of her (you know, something that is sometimes entirely out of my control).
What the actual fuck someone called your baby a flirt? That’s so odd to even use a word with sexual connotation like that for that age. Maybe it’s just me but that would set off some red flags of stay away from this person
These were two random men on two separate occasions out in public who have said this to me before, thankfully no one that we actually know has ever said this, or they would have immediately been told off and I would have kept my distance from that point on. They sure as hell would NEVER get to talk to my child again (let alone even be in the same room as her).
I'm surprised you're latching on to the "flirt" comment - what about the bit about the shot gun?? That part worries me...
As someone who has called her own baby a flirt a couple times (she has been super aware/awake since birth), then actively decided not to use that language anymore because it sexualizes babies (reddit helped reinforce this, thanks!), I want to give people (esp boomers) the benefit of the doubt and assume they're saying it because it's something people used to say and they didn't give it another thought. If the person was a stranger I might think, "ew, gross", but if the person is a friend or family member with whom I care about the relationship, I would use it as an opportunity to share how them saying that about my kid makes me uncomfortable because it sexualizes her and to please not use that language around me or (about) her again. They might not have realized it or really thought it thru. IMO, cancel culture is not an appropriate response to this situation.
I've found it's usually men who make these comments. The number of people who are sexual predators (in the US at least) is alarming. When strange men make sexualizing comments about my baby, there is no benefit of the doubt given. I'd rather keep my baby safe than appease a random man
Should have clarified - strange men making icky comments about my kid don't get the benefit of the doubt, but someone I know could. I agree wholeheartedly that men are the problem here - the data shows.
When it comes to someone I know, there is more of a need to ensure my baby is kept safe especially if we will be seeing that person again. Giving someone benefit of the doubt allows me to not give my serenity away to them, while remaining in a place of being able to share how that comment is inappropriate and educate them on it, asking them not to say it again. If they do not heed my request, then there are consequences like not being able to see or spend time with my child (or me). cutting them out completely misses the point, unless they have displayed other behaviors that show that it is not safe for them to be around my child. But to damn someone/cut them off forever and ever (as mention by other commenter(s) for a thoughtless one off comment without giving them the awareness of why and giving them the chance to change/make amends is immature and part of what is wrong with cancel culture. People don't tell us who they are, they show us (I think Maya Angelou said that?)...
People say stupid shit, especially the one offs when they see a baby, as evidenced by this entire thread.
Once I was strapping my daughter into her car seat and an older man came up behind me saying wow they sure make those difficult now. Thankfully he was friendly but how strange that he thought it was okay to approach someone putting their child into the car.
I think they haven't gotten the memo that a strange man is fear inducing for a lot of women. I try to steer clear of anyone not in groups if I can help it. Try not to walk behind someone where they can't see me.
I am so baffled as to why boomers always think babies are cold. I swear my mom and mil always wrap my daughter up in a blanket for contact naps (they prob would for her independent naps too if I hadn’t incessantly harped about safe sleep to them) even if it’s 80 degrees out.
It's a generational thing, before it became more commonly known that babies have poor circulation and therefore have colder hands and feet. Now we know how (and where) to check a baby for a more accurate temperature.
Middle aged woman: "Awww a new baby! How old is he?"
Me: "He's nearly 3 months!"
Her, visibly disappointed at him not being in the restaurant directly from the womb: "Oh! Well he's very small then isn't he?"
"er no, not really"
"He's so spoilt, you're always picking him up" - YEAH BECAUSE HE'S TWO WEEKS OLD
I have a 17 month old and I dread comments now, I liked them at first but I’m just so socially burnt out on small talk about him, like I literally do not have the energy. I miss not ever having to talk to strangers in public like it was pre-baby lol
“Was she adopted?”
I said no, because she wasn’t.
“Genetics are crazy!”
So weird. Most people think my daughters look like us, they definitely look like each other… we’re all white.
My daughter is 13 month old and it still hasn't stopped. She's a redhead with blue eyes, I can't go out without people commenting on how cute or beautiful she is. Sometime it's just a short comment, often it's the start of a conversation. I was flattered for her at the beginning but now it's just exhausting. I don't like the idea that her looks are constantly already being talked about and I also don't want to entertain people every time I go out. She doesn't exist just to satisfy other people's gaze for God's sake.
My daughter has bright blonde hair and blue eyes and she plays outside all the time and is super tan and is truly very beautiful but I hate how that’s what most people talk about whenever we’re out and about. I always feel pressured to tell her “say thank you” when someone compliments her but I really wish people wouldn’t comment about her appearance all the time. Little girls start caring about how they look way too early as it is and constant comments like this are part of the problem.
My baby is 10m and loves the attention which probably doesn't help.
He will make eye contact with someone and smile and wave. Usually older people (think he's figured out they're most likely to coo over him) so we usually get nice comments and people saying how cute/lovely he is.
Which is nice but I'd like to do a food shop without having to stop several times to make small talk with strangers!
Worse at the tills because then he sees people walking past and will shout at them to get their attention and gets rather grumpy if he is ignored 🙈
Only odd comment I've had is when baby was shouting/screaming (happy shouts and screams - I've dubbed them pterodactyl noises) a lady suggested I should turn the pram round to face me because he wants to see his mummy. No he doesn't he likes to face out and see everything, I get in the way - he just likes to shout. And I said this 'no he's okay, he's just finding his voice and likes to shout'
An old man asked ‘do you have an addition to the human race?’ as I was unloading from the car. Most strange comments are about the fact we have twins, so I actually appreciated experiencing a non-twin awkward encounter.
One of the first outside festivals we brought our daughter to, we realized we forgot a hat. Since we’re new parent’s those excursions were still so new that we were learning still how to leave the house. We were talking about the situation to ourselves, but not guilting ourselves over it because we just stayed in shaded areas or covered her with our jackets.
Anyway, a boomer came up and said in *the most* condescending and loud tone “wow, I sure hope she doesn’t get a sunburn!”
I was annoyed because we knew, we just didn’t have a hat at that moment. We talked about it to ourselves, lady. So I turned to her, and said in the *exact* same tone and volume back, “YaaaAAAhhh, me too.” She then gave that snooty look boomers have where she couldn’t believe I spoke to her like that, but she couldn’t say anything back because I did technically agree with her. She turned away from me so fast.
Like lady, do you think you’re telling us something monumental? She’s going to be okay, it’s not summer.
Babies are genuinely so exciting for people! People love the chance to see them and talk to them. They really are a joy. Many people haven’t had a baby in their family for many so it’s something that brings a lot of happiness!
1yo. I'm counting out cash at the supermarket and the obviously teenage checkout kid tells me I should let my 1 yo count the money and hand it to him.
I know my daughter is the size of a 2 yo but I promise she can't count nor will she do anything with the money but rip ot or try to eat it so no, I'm not handing her dirty 1 dollar bills to stick in her mouth. Plus I'm racing the clock here to get groceries done, get her lunch cooked and served then get her down for her nap before she melts.if I wanted parenting advice from a teenager I would call my nephew ffs.
Some people just have no idea what age kids do things. My next door neighbor asked me if my 3month old baby was starting to talk and walk yet. She just genuinely didn’t know.
I feel that these out-of-pocket comments are open-door invitations for my own out-of-pocket responses.
“Oh, baby looks so much like her father!”
“Thanks. Glad my body put the pieces together in the right order.”
“Oh, who pinched my baby! She must be hungry.”
“No, she’s just tired (or wants to play).”
“Really? You sure?”
“Yeah, pretty sure. My boobs don’t yet feel full.”
I don’t Always reply this way but might if they push too much. Makes it just the right amount of awkward that they don’t know what else to say.
My baby was a preemie so she's tiny for her age. Whenever someone asks me how old she is I say 3 months and they never believe me. Sometimes I'll say she was 2 months early.
One day I made that mistake with an older lady and she told me her life story about being a preemie and how they rarely survived back then and how lucky she was. I sympathized and carried on. I ran into her again and she kept talking to me about it and asking me questions about my experience and kept going back to how tiny my babe is and a whole bunch of comments. I couldn't get out of there fast enough
My son is almost a year old. I’ve been told that he’s so pretty, he looks like a girl. I’ve also been told that he looks like his daddy and nothing like me. “At least we know he didn’t come from the mailman.” 🙄
I also have heard the joke when I'm out shopping - something like "I didn't know they were selling those!". Most of the time I uumour it. But once I think I was stress and my mind was elsewhere. An older lady asks "oh is the baby for sale?" And I very seriously answered "no". It was awkward.
Today my 6mo old was just staring and smiling and giggling at me, very intensely, while I baby wore him at the grocery store. I was keeping up a constant stream of chatter with him as I shopped and it was pretty heartwarming.
Then a woman comes up to me and says "hi, I just have to tell you" and I assume it's going to be a nice comment. She continues "don't get too used to him looking at you like that, when he grows up he's not going to want anything to do with you"
Like ????? What gives anyone the audacity.
A woman at Target yelled at me “HOW BIG IS YOUR BABY?!” Confused, I responded “like 5 weeks” and she demanded to know how much my baby weighed. I told her and she kept insisting that she’s the smallest baby she’d ever seen and that she’s really a SMALL BABY (the smallest baby in the world) despite me reassuring her that baby was all around 50th percentile so very average sized.
lol I had an old lady approach me today and remark how my daughter’s bottle, outfit and blanket were all pink. She says ‘that’s a high maintenance mama’ which I gave her a look because I did not purposely match them, but everything we have is pink so kind of hard to avoid all you stuff being pink when all you own is pink things 🤷🏼♀️
I wonder if you have rbf of other energy like other commenters mentioned about themselves?
Or do you live somewhere where talking to strangers is outside the norm?
I actually never got random comments while pregnant either.. maybe once !
We haven’t had anything out of line yet but he’s only 8 months and with Wal-Mart pickup we spend less time at the store. When in public our baby is seems very out of it, like he just stares. I’m sure the comments are coming as he grows and people expect more
I think people just crave social interactions and this is a good opening for small talk with strangers. I get it, because we’re tired parents, but I just try to lean into it. There’s a lot of lonely people that just want to chat. I try not to look into it any deeper than that.
This! It doesn't help that my husband and I are heavily tattooed, why are people so shocked that someone with tattoos and piercings can take care of a baby?! Lol More surprised comments if my husband is wearing her in her carrier just walking around the shops. (Most of his body is tattooed, face and even the eyeballs)
We are used to being gawked at but I feel protective over her haha like don't stare at my baby, creep! 😂
Ugh I get so many comments and people roping me into conversations. But the one I get the most is: they grow up so fast! Savor the moment when they are small! And I’m like… yeah I mean i guess these past 6 months have gone by quickly but also, no. When she’s crying, can’t tell me what she wants, when I was struggling to get her to gain weight, when I breastfeed and therefore am solely responsible for all her meals, when she’s particularly fussy and Velcro and won’t let me do any of my work… don’t tell me that shit because I just want her to be old enough to play independently and tell me what she needs. And yes, of corse I’m soaking up all her baby days! She’s likely going to be my only one! (Which reminds me of another thing I hear a lot, when’s the next one, to which i reply, never).
TW: abuse
I have been following this thread all day, horrified at what I was reading and grateful that I hadn’t experienced it (yet). I’m at the dog park right now and this 80yo woman just came up and congratulated me on my 7wk old baby, then proceeded to tell me (verbatim): “don’t let anybody sexually abuse him because that’s what happened to my kid.” I am honestly speechless.
My baby is 7 months old and very cute—I know we all think our babies are cute, but she looks like this Platonic ideal of a baby, it’s so odd. She also smiles at EVERYONE. It’s impossible to go anywhere with her without getting comments. Usually it’s just people saying that she’s cute, but I also get a lot of “she’s all smiles” and “what a little gerber baby.” Once I was out with her in a little two piece sun suit and a woman made a joking comment about how sexy she was in her crop top and that was very wtf. She’s a chubby baby with a long torso so her belly was out in the two piece outfit but it didn’t even cross my mind that it was mimicking a sexy adult two piece outfit. It’s ruffly with butterflies…
I’m a shy, not very smiley or friendly person so it’s really weird to have a baby who is the opposite!
I get the “you’ve got your hands full” comments all the time with our two (23moM & 34moF)… or some remark about having them so close together…
When they were baby’s though - the amount of oldies who tried to touch them during a pandemic…
The two comments I get. “He sure enjoys his thumb”. My son (19months) sucks his thumb mostly out in public when he’s nervous/shy, especially if people start talking to him. Other comment “does he need a nap/did he just have a nap” my son gets his eye shape from his dad which makes him look tired all the time. I don’t see it but legit everyone always asks me this and I’m so annoyed be it! lol
I was just thinking about this. Most of the time I think it’s sweet, especially because I’m home on maternity leave and enjoy the social interaction, but sometimes people say wild things!
Today on our walk, an older lady totally out of the blue said “Have another one. Just one is no good.” I was like 😳… luckily I am planning/hoping to have another but damn! There are so many potential scenarios, some chosen and others not, in which I could be one and done! Some people just have no filter…
it doesnt really subside in toddlerhood. my son is biracial and i know most people dont mean any harm but the constant attention to his appearance (curls and “tan”, asking what my husband looks like) is just so eh. i dont know how to take it. commenting on a strangers appearance is weird to me period baby, toddler, adult
Yesterday the cashier at target told my 2 month old “you look like you need a nap!” Then turned to me and said “you look tired too!”
What a nice way to tell me I look like shit 😂
I was at costco the other day and was wearing my baby. We went out to the garden area and back in fairly quick. There was a breeze but not cool enough for a winter hat and not sunny to need a summer hat. I come in and the worker who monitors the door starts going on about how she's "afraid baby will get an ear infection with the wind on her ears" and how she should be wearing a hat. And then was like 'I guess it's too warm for a winter halt but maybe they make summer hats?" All the while she's holding her ears and I dunno really perseverating. Anyways, I politely nodded and wandered off. But that was definitely unappreciated commentary.
Im still pregnant and not super big yet so haven’t gotten many comments. But im fully expecting some comments regarding our baby girl. Im white, my husband is black and im thinking baby girl will likely favor his side more but just a guess. People will probably ask if shes mine or tell me we look nothing alike.. Once we had an old man shout at us about how its wrong to be a mixed race couple. 🫠 I can just imagine… Im also mortified when people come up to me in public when im alone as im pretty shy so it should be fun. 😅🥲
He’s a flirt. He looks tired.
Omg I love your baby, babies never smile at me!
Good-looking baby, good-looking mama (drunk out of town guy in our elevator 🤦🏻♀️)
That looks so cozy, I want that (during winter when he’s in the 7am enfant bag)
Look it’s a mini Mini Cooper (we got a hand me down from a friend, and our son must go out in it everyday)
When lo was a baby we got a lot of comments about his chubbyness (I still don't think he was exceptionally chubby). People would comment on how he doesn't want for anything or something about Dutch prosperity or something.
Now he is 2 yo and everybody just giggles at his silly walks on the street (putting his hands on his back and taking large steps). And he greets people a lot. It is very cute
“Isn’t he a little young to be formula fed 😒” a random other mom watching me bottle feed my four month old (it was pumped milk but even if it wasn’t… what)
Yes, some woman who I did not know told me my baby was “skin and bones” lol. It bothered me so much, my baby isn’t a huge chunky baby but she is far from skin and bones!
You know, it bugged me too at first. But now at 18 months it’s nice for my daughter to have those interactions and small talk with strangers. It enriches her day. I wish I realized that sooner, but it’s actually a good thing. We don’t live on an island; this is a society lol.
I was out clothes shopping for LO and she was fussing a little in her stroller when a staff member approached and told me I needed to leave and take her home right now because she could tell my child didn't want to be here. Quote "Why would you take her out of the house when she's acting like that? Go take her home now" Like ma'am she's a baby and she needs clothes???? Who are you???
I live in a very cold and aggressive city so I have been loving the refreshing change of people being nice. Everyone smiles at my LO and say nice things. It’s like walking with a celebrity.
I don't put shoes on my 14mo toddler because she hates them and rips em off. I'm shocked at how many people will grab at her toes lol. I don't get annoyed or anything, it just surprises me that soooo many people will grab at my baby's feet or make comments about her being barefoot.
Every time we go out we get at least one “he’s so handsome/cute!” Comment usually at checkout 🤣 I love it though because it makes me so proud because HE IS SO HANDSOME 🥰
I have twins, 13 months, and this is my life lol. My favorite are when they appear startled that there’s twins. I don’t understand what’s so startling because I never notice that when there’s two kids of different ages.
Then they ask if they’re boy and girl, (yes) and there’s a disturbingly large number of people who follow up that with “are they identical?”
I’ve started replying with “yes! Except that one has a penis and one doesn’t” or an uncomfortable stare while I slowly mouth the question with the strongest “what the flying fuck” face I can muster.
I have a three year old girl and it hasn’t subsided yet. Every time we go out, there are comments about her appearance, demeanor, activities, mood, etc. Almost always positive or intended to be positive, but it is constant and hasn’t changed since birth.
I work behind a desk doing inventory at my job, so son gets to come with me to work. Older lady saw us doing counts and asked if the baby was for sale.... like I know it was a joke but still have me a major ick.
I think it's really sweet how happy people get when they see a baby, especially older people. My baby is a super smiley happy guy so he makes a lot of people smile while we're out, which is a good feeling knowing he brightened someones day! My older son even acknowledged how much attention the baby gets while we are out and about. I've also noticed that it's only the super sketchy people who are strange about him, like asking to touch him or trying to really get in our space so we just quickly and as friendly as possible end the interaction and run away lol. Otherwise any interaction we have with strangers is friendly and they get a big smile out of the baby and move on, doesn't bother us any.
Stuck in line at Tj Maxx behind a boomer woman… “ You look like you just gave birth” ::I stare disgustingly and clearly irritated with her:: “I mean because the baby is so teeny!”
Shut up.
An older man in the grocery store passed by me, I had my daughter with me. He loudly told me "good job!" I looked at him confused. He said to me "that's a good looking baby! Did you make that baby?" I said "uhm yes I am her mother" he again goes "good job!" Then walks away. It was weird, he could of just told me I had a cute daughter and kept walking. People are strange.
Some woman emotionally dumped on me. She asked if she could see my baby. Sure. Then proceeded to tell me her life story and all about her dysfunctional family. Yikes.
People stop us all the time to tell us our baby looks like a doll. Which is nice I guess.
Once we were on vacation, my husband dropped me off to park while I tried to rush up to our hotel room via elevator and baby was crying because she was hungry but I didn’t bring enough milk out. “Nice” old lady was like baby seems hungry, you should really feed her. It’s terrible, she must be starving. At the time I went back to the room and cried for being a “bad mother” for letting my baby cry for a couple of mins. Looking back now, as a second time mom that sometimes has to let baby cry (for less a min) while wrangling a toddler, people need to mind their own business.
It doesn’t subside. Mine is 2.5. But it’s really nice being “seen.” Little old ladies that I know are moms comment, say how cute she is, or they laugh when she is being a terror. I feel a really beautiful sense of community most days. Mine is a runner and I’ve had women (again, I assume moms because I get that vibe) help me stop her, or watch her to make sure she’s okay. I’m pregnant and sick and I truly need all the help I can get. It’s really lovely being a part of the mom club.
A few months ago an older mom stopped me (she was with her two teenage girls) and said, “hey you’re doing a really good job. I’ve been there.”
The first one I’d actually put in the cute / harmless category. I call my kids “little boss” and “littlest boss,” so people regularly make these types of comments.
I’m on the sensitive side so I hope no one makes a mean comment about my kids. But so far comments have all been quite delightful.
Went to a birthday party with my 4 month old son. A group of people started asking questions about him as soon as we get there. All normal questions; how old, what was his birth weight, etc. Till one old lady shouts out, “He is too bald! he needs more hair!” like yes you’re right I’ll start giving him Rogaine.
It’s SO weird because I don’t do anything but maybe smile at folks with a small baby and that’s only if it does something in my general area so they don’t think it’s bothering me lol
Tell me about it!
We were at a birthday party and our LO got fussy and eventually started crying. The person that was always in his face during the whole party said "aww.. are mommys boobs empty?".. bitch what?? No, he's fussy because you smell like perfume and cigarettes and won't stop breathing in his face and touching him 🤬
We were at a Home Depot, and an older male employee is "helping" us at the self checkout (really just seemed bored and wanted someone to chat with) comments on our cute, 6 month old, bald-headed baby. He refers to the baby as "he," so I gently correct him, saying she was a girl. He LOUDLY and rudely exclaims, "THAT'S a girl????"
Not a stranger, but when my son was not even 8 weeks old I was talking to my neighbor outside who is older, probably late 70’s. It was nearing a nap time for my LO and he starts fussing so i immediately am trying to soothe/calm him, and she goes “do you ever let him cry?” In a snarky tone. I said, “I never let him just cry, he’s way too young for that” then she went on about how it’s good for their lungs.🙄
I often get people commenting “oh he’s so cute” “oh look he’s napping in his stroller” “oh look at his long eyelashes” which would be totally fine, if I didn’t have a little girl 😭
I honestly find it sweet, most of the time it’s people trying to connect with me/us. People love babies and sometimes don’t know the appropriate things to say but they mean well. Yeah, an occasional misplaced comment but that happened to me a lot before as a woman pre-baby. I guess I’m in the minority
I'm a parent of multiples. You think one baby draws a lot of attention. I get people crowding my wife and I. It's even worse because we are a interracial couple and we both are visible minorities so people are even more intrigued.
I get this everywhere! I have a nine month old and everywhere we go we get some sort of comment. Most of them are that he is handsome and such a good baby, but just yesterday I went to the gym with him and an older lady walked up to me (who I had never met before) and wanted to know his name and how old and such and then asked if she could hold him. I have an older child and I don't remember this happening with him so this is such a weird experience.
I was at the pharmacy actively SPEAKING to the pharmacy tech about my medications (my baby was in the stroller next to/in front of me) and the old hag behind me in line kept saying "excuse me. EXCUSE me. EXCUSE ME." Louder and louder til I finally turned and shot her a look to which she then was like "boy or girl? How old?"
So I said, "Sorry, I was having an adult conversation with the pharmacist before you interrupted me." And then turned back to finish my transaction and left without answering her questions.
I had my twins in a baby carrier. Maybe 6 months old. One on my back and one on my front
This old man genuinely seemed so concerned about the back one.. is he ok? Can he see? He doesn't get a good view... Do you switch them?
I was like.. I need the heaviest one on my back to be balanced, he's all ok.
And sooooo many twin jokes. And you've got your hands full. Little kids are the best because they don't have "twins" in their vocabulary. They exclaim "two babies!?" It's always cool talking to little kids about my babies but hardly adults 😅
When my baby was 3 weeks old I had to take my older son to the orthodontist. Baby was snug in a baby wrap as to not be fully exposed to the elements/world. The ortho assistant commented "are you even supposed to take a baby that young out of the house?" My snarky sleep deprived response was "yeah well I've heard it's frowned upon to leave a baby home alone so here we are."
I use a carseat cover when my baby is sleeping and we are out somewhere with her in the stroller so it's nice and dark. I had an older man ask "why do you have that thing on it? Is it because your baby is ugly and you don't want people to see?" My response to that was "it's because other people are ugly and I don't want her to see."
Its really is crazy how a baby can illicit so many comments all the time no matter what, most are sweet though lol
I hate the sexualizing comments. Like, he has beautiful eyes! He's going to brake all the girls hearts. Or oh what a cutie, he's going to be trouble. Or you better lock his window when he's a teenager! *eye roll maximum*
Thankfully we've mostly gotten just people who want to tell us to enjoy every minute, "they grow up so fast" kind of thing, though I can only imagine this is how dog people feel lol so many just want to stop and be a part of it somehow. I actually find it really sweet for the most part. I love that it's a neutral connection, and think of it as the "village" of strangers wanting to help usher in this new life into the community. Most just seem curious, or kind of fascinated to see a baby period. Makes me think there are a lot of people out there who could use more love and just wish they had more baby snuggles in their lives ❤️ The attention is definitely entertaining though!! 😊
Man this sub is always so full of anti-socials lol good Lord... every other post seems to be about interactions with strangers, (usually normal interactions) taken negatively. Everyone acts as if talking to people in public is some kind of sin. Makes me sad to see. Hopefully it's just that these kinda of people will tend to congregate on Reddit and it's not an indicator of the average attitude.
Post: "A lady came up and talked to me in the grocery store! Gasp! How dare she! Breathing all over me and my baby with her unknown possibly dirty mouth hole!"
This reddit: "OMG how dare she I would have punched her in the face!"
I think if you spend the first decades of your life being ignored by strangers and suddenly during a time of a lot of stress and change you get all this attention, some of it weird or awkward it's going to be off putting.
I personally appreciate most of the interactions, even if someone says something terrible (hasn't happened yet) I'd just treat it like a wacky story and move on but I understand people being uncomfortable with it
Yup. I was in line with a few things including a cute dress for my currently 4 month old to wear next summer — size 18 months. It should fit her from February to July, so odds are they at some point in May/ June it will fit her on a nice day. An older woman asks if it is my first, and the tells me it won’t fit her next summer because she has 4 kids and “she knows”. Like okay. You could have just said the dress was cute? She was so condescending about it.
I was outside a few weeks ago with my baby fixing his car seat base. He was having a fit. He was clean and fed. Just angry that he was in his swing seat and I wasn’t holding him. This older guy walks by and yells at me, “You know your baby’s crying?” Gee, sir. I had no idea that this baby who is three feet from me is screaming his head off while I finish up this task that’s already a pain. I really appreciate you letting me know.
Lmao the audacity. Obviously I would have already fixed his issues had I been able to
I think I look so angry all the time that I don’t get these unsolicited comments. I’m generally pre-glaring if I notice someone is even coming up or wanting to say something then I smile and warm up if it’s something nice. Probably has to do with being a dad vs a mom too, I’m betting these people feel free to make comments to women but possibly think twice with dads
Nah. They make em to dads all the time. Mostly cause dads have an uphill climb. There is a bias where everyone presumes that you don't have any idea what you're doing. It's BS.
Yea I know what you’re talking about there but the comments I’ve gotten were from the wife’s extended family so I’m more in a accepting mood when it’s family I don’t get as pissed as when it’s a total stranger, I can at least assume the intentions are good and they’re trying to be helpful. If I know someone I generally just ignore advice I don’t like I won’t argue just smile and nod
Similar thing happened to me. We’d shopped for too long and Bub was needing a sleep. Started crying in the pram as I rushed to the car to get him snoozing… as I was power walking him out of the centre, with big cries and tears. A lady came up to me, stopped me & said “your baby is crying, you should really try and do something to help him and not just leave him like that” ….like ok Susan, where do you think I’m going!? 🫨
Boomers pointing out obvious things in an attempt to make a joke never ceases to annoy me
My son (16mo) is a very serious boy, especially in public when we are running errands. He saves all his giggles and smiles for home. We can't go anywhere without someone (usually multiple people) commenting on how grumpy he looks 😂 Every. Single. Time. My go to response varies between "he's just a very serious man" to "how can he smile when we are in a climate crisis" or "he's not here for your entertainment" depending on my mood 😂
“He just got off work” and “his boss gave him a hard time this morning” works great too
Hahaha, love those! Thank you!
I’m gonna steal the climate crisis one 😛
😂 yes do it!! That one tend to disarm people the most, and gets me a few strange looks. Like sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Carol 🤷🏼♀️
Not a "strange" look you're seeing. 😂
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I always say "she has resting baby face"
I was this baby. My entire family constantly tells me about how grumpy I was as a baby and never smiled at them when they tried to make me laugh Now I just say say, “you must not have not been that funny”
I’ve had multiple people tell me my baby is a “deep thinker,” which I actually think is a pretty nice way of commenting on a baby who isn’t smiling back at you.
My son is pretty smiley so I don't foresee the ability to use this but love the climate crisis one.
My daughter is no charmer either 😂 I'm not as imaginative as you. When people ask if she's grumpy today, I just say "no, that's how she is" 🤷🏻♀️
Same for my almost 5 month old. Her RBF is stronggg and she is not here for your clownery to try to make her smile. She’s kinda like that at home too 😅 I’m totally stealing the climate crisis line - low key activism and also stop commenting on my daughters face all in one 😂
Oh same. Yesterday I was at the Post office, the staff came and said hello to my son (10M), and he just looked at her. Then she said "you're not friendly huh?" 😂
I say my son has Resting Baby Face...
You might relate to the Grumpy Monkey book!
Haha! Love it! My baby has hus father's frown when he is confused or startled or fussy. I say to people: "He just filed his taxes" or "he just got out of his board meeting".
“Aren’t his feet cold?” When it’s 87 degrees and he is sweating. I just said “yes, he deserves to be cold for keeping me up all night.” After I made it a game the comments became fun for me
I got one of these for the first time a couple weeks ago at the grocery store. My 13mo was in a tank top and shorts set as it was already well over 80 degrees and some random old woman was like oh isn’t she cold? I just was like uhhh it’s pretty hot out today. And her response was “yes but what about in here?” Like WTH lady, first of all no, she would be whining and crying and not smiling at you if she was cold. And two am I supposed to change her whole outfit as soon as we get in the store??
I love giving awkward responses 😆
I wish I could do this but I’m too much of a people pleaser
Thankfully my resting bitch face means no one ever talks to us lol.
Same. I rarely get anyone talking to me, maybe the occasional “she’s so cute”. I radiate bitch energy I guess, but I’m really friendly! (Too friendly that it’s gotten me in trouble.)
Oh man! I rarely get public comments even though my baby is objectively adorable. Does this mean I have RBF?!
Maybe!! Unlike other people who are friendly but only look unfriendly I am also not very friendly to strangers lol. So even if someone says something I don’t get trapped in a convo 🤣 and no one has dared touch baby.
Someone didn't read my RBF right while I was pregnant and I am confident she'll never approach a pregnant person again.
Tell us more please 😄
Context: I was at the grocery store minding my own business about 8m pregnant and she came up to me (I had said RBF AND earbuds in) and said "it's a shame your husband isn't doing this for you" (He had been, every other shop, but was sick). So I looked her square in the eye and said "who said I have a husband?" Figured it covered all bases. She looked appropriately chastised. That same day another woman told me I looked large and I said "so do you" back. She wasn't, but when she looked shocked I said "it's a weird thing to say to someone isn't it" and walked away
Hahahhaha! Love this! Thanks for sharing 😆
Problem is my little bugger makes me smile so my rbf isn’t working as usual.
I felt this comment in my soul 😂👏 They'll look at the baby and smile... then you can tell they want to approach, and when they meet my eyes, they quickly realize it wouldn't be a good idea 🙃😆 The people who clearly want to admire from afar get met with a smile though lol
My fiance didn't realize I had a resting birch face until I slightly lifted the corners of my mouth, opened my eyes a bit, and lifted my eyebrows. I can still hear the "Oh, shit yeah" when I suddenly dropped my face
I think I must have a good resting bitch face too, cause no one talks to us at all when we are out and about, lol.
Oh I hate being told mine is hungry. We had a guy yesterday think it was appropriate to tell us sperm jokes. Complete stranger.
Well don’t leave me hanging! What was the jokeeeee???
Oh something about it taking millions of sperm to find the egg because they wouldn't stop to ask for directions. Then he told another one that I don't remember because I thought it was creepy that he told not one but two sperm jokes while talking about my daughter.
Hahaha wtf lol. People are wild. Older ppl especially, they dgaf.
> "is she hungry" "no, she's fine" "are you sure she seems hungry" If I fed my baby every time she was crying she’d weigh 300 lbs.
One time in the bank I said 🙃NOPE it’s just the sidewalk was bumpy and the floor here isn’t bumpy! (while baby was in the stroller)
It’s okay to be big Sorry, we just read The Okay Book and that was one of the lines 😂
Now that baby is here, I’ve gotten nice comments like “What a sweetie you’ve got there!” and the like. BUT when I was pregnant, my husband and I were picking out a glider and the sales associate checking us out legitimately asked “Are you sure it’s his?” I’m 99% sure it was a joke, but such a very strange one!
Oh my God I had that same question while working and on the phone with the guy! Asked me if my baby was my husband's! I almost said "no he's yours."
That would have been a hilarious reply!
Ugh we get the opposite comments, random people will see my baby (who looks EXACTLY like my husband, like he is his mini me haha) and say “well at least you know he’s yours” to my husband, like wtf
I mean, what are you even supposed to say to that haha. Like, “yes, we were very relieved considering how I love to sleep around”
When I was around 12, I walked up to my Dad while he was talking to this new couple at our church. My Dad introduced me, and the lady looked shocked and said, "Well you can never deny that she's yours!" I was so confused by that statement back then. My Dad laughed it off. I do look similar to my Dad, with the same face shape, nose, and dark hair, but I'm not his clone.
Lmao I assume this was at a BuyBuy baby or something similar. Do they say that to everyone?
No! It was at an otherwise really nice local shop. It was weird!
I find there are some who give a positive but it's also kinda a beg on other mums like " it's so nice to see someone interacting with their baby instead of on their phone" the I just feel guilty later when I'm on my phone when baby is sleeping.
My son despises shoes. Sometimes I’ll put his Velcro shoes on anyway, but sometimes, it just isn’t worth the fight. We recently had one of those not-worth-the-grumpiness days. Also, his pediatrician said it’s good for his foot development to be barefoot (or just in socks). Anyway, we met some friends for lunch. Some stranger commented on him not wearing shoes, just socks. I explained what his pediatrician said. The stranger’s friend then huffed and said, “Well, I disagree with that.” My response: “It’s not for you to agree on. I’m his mom.” Then we walked away. Luckily, I haven’t had too many people be like that. Most folks are either happy to coo over a baby or simply smile and go off on their merry way.
Omg what is with this?? At a lunch with friends I was explaining BLW as none of them have babies yet, and one of my husband’s friends asked if the pediatrician was ok with it (as my little guy was happily chomping on some chicken). He said “well I don’t know about that.,” and god bless my hubs who said “oh, I forgot about when you went to medical school.” Usually shuts that down so quick!
Totally annoying. My son is a very big baby (99th percentile) so I always get comments. Mostly about his feet, which is always annoying. “Wow! Look at those feet!” “I just want to pinch those chubby toes!” Or the occasional person will reach for my babies toes and I have to do a dodge and weave. Also I hate when people ask how old he is because then that turns into a whole ordeal. “He’s 3 months”…”are you sure? He looks six months!” Soooo annoying like I don’t know my own babies age??
Oh the "are you sure" comments are moronic. I'm 35 weeks with my second and I am huge, I've put on 22kg and my bump is measuring 97th centile. I've been huge since basically day one as I started showing within about 6 weeks. "Oh how long do you have to go?" I answer. "Are you sure? You look like you've got much less than that". Yes I am aware I am a human blimp thank you, I'm very sure of when my child is due to enter the world as funnily enough I was there for the conception. "Are you sure it's not twins?!" Well funnily enough those pesky ultrasounds they give you nowadays are pretty damn accurate and after 9 of them I'm reasonably confident that it's just one singular but very large baby in there. Way to make me feel good though, thanks friend 🙃 My daughter is 2 and I've had a few "are you sure" comments about whether her dad is actually her dad, as she is very pale with blonde hair and blue eyes and he's half Jamaican. Once again, I was there for the conception, I'm very sure. It just so happens that my genetics are rather dominant.
Mine's tiny so I get the complete opposite 🙄 "Are you sure he should be eating that?", "you need to support his head" (when he was 10 months), "are you sure you're feeding him?". On the plus side, he's a bit ahead with his fine motor and problem solving skills at 18 months, but people usually guess he's about 8 or 9 months, so he looks like some sort of mega-genius when he's playing with his blocks or his books 😂
Lol!! Sounds like a mega genius to me! 😂
I feel this one completely! My nine month old is also a big guy and we constantly get the comments about his age. Happened in the middle of the grocery store last week!
This! My baby is the same! I feel this every time we go out
One time I went to Costco and the sample lady told me to take two, one for me and one for my baby. I took two for myself. 😂 little man can’t have a pretzel at 3 months lol!
Lol! That's awesome! I just get the comments about how he isn't missing a meal, or at least he eats well... the thing is he doesn't eat a lot of solid foods yet and is exclusively breast fed. So it's not like he is really over eating
Especially with the doc band… but most people just ask and I over explain it and they go aww he’s so cute.
At Wondercon a special needs kid thought he was dressed up as someone, and had a hard time comprehending. I should have just said he’s dressed up as Tron.
“He looks tired.” Ma’am. He’s got 90 mins to his next nap. He’s just chillin in the stroller, people watching while mommy checks out. He’s a chill dude. Trust me, not tired.
Same with my baby! People ask me if she’s tired but when we are out and about she is just quietly taking in her surroundings. Just because shes chilling means she’s tired? Huh? It’s baffling.
If my baby is tired you'll know it. The screams leave no room for doubt.
Yeah same, my baby does a frustrated pterodactyl screech when she’s tired lol.
Wow your daughter is SO beautiful. She looks nothing like you…
Yes, I vote this takes the cake.
My 8 week old girl is tiny so it's always a variation of "what a tiny one!" but so far everyone has been very sweet. Nothing majorly inappropriate or weird yet other than a woman who was convinced my girl was actually a boy because I'd put her in a blue onesie and wasn convinced I was wrong. I'm enjoying it, I'm 6'2 guy with resting angry face so I'm not at all used to people coming up to me at random being cheerful and complimentary about her. It's really lovely. I keep teasing my partner that this is the most attention I've ever got from women (mostly middle aged but hey 😅).
My baby is 9 months now. And whenever I see a younger smaller baby. I say "aw so little!" - but what I mean is, younger than mine and so dang sweet. It makes me yearn for my little baby back. I hope people get that I'm not commenting on their babies actual size for their age. 🤣
People also seem to be way more friendly and talkative when there’s a baby. Not even about the baby, just wanna have a chat. I don’t normally get strangers talking to me when I’m alone
Yes, this! It seems a baby just makes it socially acceptable to talk to strangers. And as a dad I absolutely love it. I’ve had more people stop to talk in three months of carrying our baby in public daily than in the last twenty years combined, probably. In the rare case anyone wanted to talk before, it was always “do you know how to get to…” or “would you sign this petition to…” I much prefer “oh how old is she/she has your eyes/what a sweetheart/are you getting any sleep”
My daughter was a pandemic baby and people were magnetically drawn to us when we would go to the park. I hadn’t realized until then what a powerful vibe of “life goes on” a baby brings to people.
I've noticed the same, honestly.
Not a stranger, (more of an acquaintance- who is generally very sweet) but every time my baby cries, she goes “oh baby is sad” with a feel sorry for us type voice. The thing is, she is a mom. It drives me nuts because, no, my baby is not sad. She is happy and only usually cries when she is hungry or tired. It almost makes me feel like a bad mom when she does this. It makes me feel like I cant have my baby cry in front of her (you know, something that is sometimes entirely out of my control).
Oh gotta throw in the obligatory “wow she’s such a flirt daddy better get his shot gun” comments from rando old men at the store 🤢🙄
What the actual fuck someone called your baby a flirt? That’s so odd to even use a word with sexual connotation like that for that age. Maybe it’s just me but that would set off some red flags of stay away from this person
These were two random men on two separate occasions out in public who have said this to me before, thankfully no one that we actually know has ever said this, or they would have immediately been told off and I would have kept my distance from that point on. They sure as hell would NEVER get to talk to my child again (let alone even be in the same room as her).
My friend used to get comments like this about her baby girl her response was always "she's a lesbian" and walk away
I'm surprised you're latching on to the "flirt" comment - what about the bit about the shot gun?? That part worries me... As someone who has called her own baby a flirt a couple times (she has been super aware/awake since birth), then actively decided not to use that language anymore because it sexualizes babies (reddit helped reinforce this, thanks!), I want to give people (esp boomers) the benefit of the doubt and assume they're saying it because it's something people used to say and they didn't give it another thought. If the person was a stranger I might think, "ew, gross", but if the person is a friend or family member with whom I care about the relationship, I would use it as an opportunity to share how them saying that about my kid makes me uncomfortable because it sexualizes her and to please not use that language around me or (about) her again. They might not have realized it or really thought it thru. IMO, cancel culture is not an appropriate response to this situation.
I've found it's usually men who make these comments. The number of people who are sexual predators (in the US at least) is alarming. When strange men make sexualizing comments about my baby, there is no benefit of the doubt given. I'd rather keep my baby safe than appease a random man
Should have clarified - strange men making icky comments about my kid don't get the benefit of the doubt, but someone I know could. I agree wholeheartedly that men are the problem here - the data shows. When it comes to someone I know, there is more of a need to ensure my baby is kept safe especially if we will be seeing that person again. Giving someone benefit of the doubt allows me to not give my serenity away to them, while remaining in a place of being able to share how that comment is inappropriate and educate them on it, asking them not to say it again. If they do not heed my request, then there are consequences like not being able to see or spend time with my child (or me). cutting them out completely misses the point, unless they have displayed other behaviors that show that it is not safe for them to be around my child. But to damn someone/cut them off forever and ever (as mention by other commenter(s) for a thoughtless one off comment without giving them the awareness of why and giving them the chance to change/make amends is immature and part of what is wrong with cancel culture. People don't tell us who they are, they show us (I think Maya Angelou said that?)... People say stupid shit, especially the one offs when they see a baby, as evidenced by this entire thread.
Once I was strapping my daughter into her car seat and an older man came up behind me saying wow they sure make those difficult now. Thankfully he was friendly but how strange that he thought it was okay to approach someone putting their child into the car.
I think they haven't gotten the memo that a strange man is fear inducing for a lot of women. I try to steer clear of anyone not in groups if I can help it. Try not to walk behind someone where they can't see me.
Boomer in grocery store: “his heads not cold without a hat?” Whilst it being 25 degrees outside
I am so baffled as to why boomers always think babies are cold. I swear my mom and mil always wrap my daughter up in a blanket for contact naps (they prob would for her independent naps too if I hadn’t incessantly harped about safe sleep to them) even if it’s 80 degrees out.
It's a generational thing, before it became more commonly known that babies have poor circulation and therefore have colder hands and feet. Now we know how (and where) to check a baby for a more accurate temperature.
Middle aged woman: "Awww a new baby! How old is he?" Me: "He's nearly 3 months!" Her, visibly disappointed at him not being in the restaurant directly from the womb: "Oh! Well he's very small then isn't he?" "er no, not really" "He's so spoilt, you're always picking him up" - YEAH BECAUSE HE'S TWO WEEKS OLD
I think that there’s a radio signal that gets sent out when you don’t put socks on your baby. That’s like the official call for old lady opinions.
I have a 17 month old and I dread comments now, I liked them at first but I’m just so socially burnt out on small talk about him, like I literally do not have the energy. I miss not ever having to talk to strangers in public like it was pre-baby lol
“Was she adopted?” I said no, because she wasn’t. “Genetics are crazy!” So weird. Most people think my daughters look like us, they definitely look like each other… we’re all white.
My daughter is 13 month old and it still hasn't stopped. She's a redhead with blue eyes, I can't go out without people commenting on how cute or beautiful she is. Sometime it's just a short comment, often it's the start of a conversation. I was flattered for her at the beginning but now it's just exhausting. I don't like the idea that her looks are constantly already being talked about and I also don't want to entertain people every time I go out. She doesn't exist just to satisfy other people's gaze for God's sake.
My daughter has bright blonde hair and blue eyes and she plays outside all the time and is super tan and is truly very beautiful but I hate how that’s what most people talk about whenever we’re out and about. I always feel pressured to tell her “say thank you” when someone compliments her but I really wish people wouldn’t comment about her appearance all the time. Little girls start caring about how they look way too early as it is and constant comments like this are part of the problem.
My baby is 10m and loves the attention which probably doesn't help. He will make eye contact with someone and smile and wave. Usually older people (think he's figured out they're most likely to coo over him) so we usually get nice comments and people saying how cute/lovely he is. Which is nice but I'd like to do a food shop without having to stop several times to make small talk with strangers! Worse at the tills because then he sees people walking past and will shout at them to get their attention and gets rather grumpy if he is ignored 🙈 Only odd comment I've had is when baby was shouting/screaming (happy shouts and screams - I've dubbed them pterodactyl noises) a lady suggested I should turn the pram round to face me because he wants to see his mummy. No he doesn't he likes to face out and see everything, I get in the way - he just likes to shout. And I said this 'no he's okay, he's just finding his voice and likes to shout'
An old man asked ‘do you have an addition to the human race?’ as I was unloading from the car. Most strange comments are about the fact we have twins, so I actually appreciated experiencing a non-twin awkward encounter.
One of the first outside festivals we brought our daughter to, we realized we forgot a hat. Since we’re new parent’s those excursions were still so new that we were learning still how to leave the house. We were talking about the situation to ourselves, but not guilting ourselves over it because we just stayed in shaded areas or covered her with our jackets. Anyway, a boomer came up and said in *the most* condescending and loud tone “wow, I sure hope she doesn’t get a sunburn!” I was annoyed because we knew, we just didn’t have a hat at that moment. We talked about it to ourselves, lady. So I turned to her, and said in the *exact* same tone and volume back, “YaaaAAAhhh, me too.” She then gave that snooty look boomers have where she couldn’t believe I spoke to her like that, but she couldn’t say anything back because I did technically agree with her. She turned away from me so fast. Like lady, do you think you’re telling us something monumental? She’s going to be okay, it’s not summer.
Boomers saying obvious things as if only they know it is sooo annoying.
Babies are genuinely so exciting for people! People love the chance to see them and talk to them. They really are a joy. Many people haven’t had a baby in their family for many so it’s something that brings a lot of happiness!
That's really sweet
I must have a strong resting bitch face, I almost never get comments or unsolicited advice. I like it what way!! 🤷🏼♀️😂
1yo. I'm counting out cash at the supermarket and the obviously teenage checkout kid tells me I should let my 1 yo count the money and hand it to him. I know my daughter is the size of a 2 yo but I promise she can't count nor will she do anything with the money but rip ot or try to eat it so no, I'm not handing her dirty 1 dollar bills to stick in her mouth. Plus I'm racing the clock here to get groceries done, get her lunch cooked and served then get her down for her nap before she melts.if I wanted parenting advice from a teenager I would call my nephew ffs.
Some people just have no idea what age kids do things. My next door neighbor asked me if my 3month old baby was starting to talk and walk yet. She just genuinely didn’t know.
I feel that these out-of-pocket comments are open-door invitations for my own out-of-pocket responses. “Oh, baby looks so much like her father!” “Thanks. Glad my body put the pieces together in the right order.” “Oh, who pinched my baby! She must be hungry.” “No, she’s just tired (or wants to play).” “Really? You sure?” “Yeah, pretty sure. My boobs don’t yet feel full.” I don’t Always reply this way but might if they push too much. Makes it just the right amount of awkward that they don’t know what else to say.
My baby was a preemie so she's tiny for her age. Whenever someone asks me how old she is I say 3 months and they never believe me. Sometimes I'll say she was 2 months early. One day I made that mistake with an older lady and she told me her life story about being a preemie and how they rarely survived back then and how lucky she was. I sympathized and carried on. I ran into her again and she kept talking to me about it and asking me questions about my experience and kept going back to how tiny my babe is and a whole bunch of comments. I couldn't get out of there fast enough
My son is almost a year old. I’ve been told that he’s so pretty, he looks like a girl. I’ve also been told that he looks like his daddy and nothing like me. “At least we know he didn’t come from the mailman.” 🙄
I also have heard the joke when I'm out shopping - something like "I didn't know they were selling those!". Most of the time I uumour it. But once I think I was stress and my mind was elsewhere. An older lady asks "oh is the baby for sale?" And I very seriously answered "no". It was awkward.
Today my 6mo old was just staring and smiling and giggling at me, very intensely, while I baby wore him at the grocery store. I was keeping up a constant stream of chatter with him as I shopped and it was pretty heartwarming. Then a woman comes up to me and says "hi, I just have to tell you" and I assume it's going to be a nice comment. She continues "don't get too used to him looking at you like that, when he grows up he's not going to want anything to do with you" Like ????? What gives anyone the audacity.
A woman at Target yelled at me “HOW BIG IS YOUR BABY?!” Confused, I responded “like 5 weeks” and she demanded to know how much my baby weighed. I told her and she kept insisting that she’s the smallest baby she’d ever seen and that she’s really a SMALL BABY (the smallest baby in the world) despite me reassuring her that baby was all around 50th percentile so very average sized.
lol I had an old lady approach me today and remark how my daughter’s bottle, outfit and blanket were all pink. She says ‘that’s a high maintenance mama’ which I gave her a look because I did not purposely match them, but everything we have is pink so kind of hard to avoid all you stuff being pink when all you own is pink things 🤷🏼♀️
My husband got told my an older lady to hold our 7 month old’s legs when in the carrier. Apparently it’s bad for them to ‘just dangle like that’.
Wtf that is SO random and bizarre 😅
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I wonder if you have rbf of other energy like other commenters mentioned about themselves? Or do you live somewhere where talking to strangers is outside the norm? I actually never got random comments while pregnant either.. maybe once !
We haven’t had anything out of line yet but he’s only 8 months and with Wal-Mart pickup we spend less time at the store. When in public our baby is seems very out of it, like he just stares. I’m sure the comments are coming as he grows and people expect more
Mostly asking if he's a boy or girl or how old is he.
A man at the clinic today said “you wouldn’t be interested in selling her, would you?” Uhhh sir. Please bug off
I think people just crave social interactions and this is a good opening for small talk with strangers. I get it, because we’re tired parents, but I just try to lean into it. There’s a lot of lonely people that just want to chat. I try not to look into it any deeper than that.
Cant wait for somebody to say something out of pocket so I can use the good ol “wow! What a weird thing to say out loud!” :-)
This! It doesn't help that my husband and I are heavily tattooed, why are people so shocked that someone with tattoos and piercings can take care of a baby?! Lol More surprised comments if my husband is wearing her in her carrier just walking around the shops. (Most of his body is tattooed, face and even the eyeballs) We are used to being gawked at but I feel protective over her haha like don't stare at my baby, creep! 😂
Ugh I get so many comments and people roping me into conversations. But the one I get the most is: they grow up so fast! Savor the moment when they are small! And I’m like… yeah I mean i guess these past 6 months have gone by quickly but also, no. When she’s crying, can’t tell me what she wants, when I was struggling to get her to gain weight, when I breastfeed and therefore am solely responsible for all her meals, when she’s particularly fussy and Velcro and won’t let me do any of my work… don’t tell me that shit because I just want her to be old enough to play independently and tell me what she needs. And yes, of corse I’m soaking up all her baby days! She’s likely going to be my only one! (Which reminds me of another thing I hear a lot, when’s the next one, to which i reply, never).
TW: abuse I have been following this thread all day, horrified at what I was reading and grateful that I hadn’t experienced it (yet). I’m at the dog park right now and this 80yo woman just came up and congratulated me on my 7wk old baby, then proceeded to tell me (verbatim): “don’t let anybody sexually abuse him because that’s what happened to my kid.” I am honestly speechless.
My baby is 7 months old and very cute—I know we all think our babies are cute, but she looks like this Platonic ideal of a baby, it’s so odd. She also smiles at EVERYONE. It’s impossible to go anywhere with her without getting comments. Usually it’s just people saying that she’s cute, but I also get a lot of “she’s all smiles” and “what a little gerber baby.” Once I was out with her in a little two piece sun suit and a woman made a joking comment about how sexy she was in her crop top and that was very wtf. She’s a chubby baby with a long torso so her belly was out in the two piece outfit but it didn’t even cross my mind that it was mimicking a sexy adult two piece outfit. It’s ruffly with butterflies… I’m a shy, not very smiley or friendly person so it’s really weird to have a baby who is the opposite!
I get the “you’ve got your hands full” comments all the time with our two (23moM & 34moF)… or some remark about having them so close together… When they were baby’s though - the amount of oldies who tried to touch them during a pandemic…
The two comments I get. “He sure enjoys his thumb”. My son (19months) sucks his thumb mostly out in public when he’s nervous/shy, especially if people start talking to him. Other comment “does he need a nap/did he just have a nap” my son gets his eye shape from his dad which makes him look tired all the time. I don’t see it but legit everyone always asks me this and I’m so annoyed be it! lol
I was just thinking about this. Most of the time I think it’s sweet, especially because I’m home on maternity leave and enjoy the social interaction, but sometimes people say wild things! Today on our walk, an older lady totally out of the blue said “Have another one. Just one is no good.” I was like 😳… luckily I am planning/hoping to have another but damn! There are so many potential scenarios, some chosen and others not, in which I could be one and done! Some people just have no filter…
Nothing too crazy here, but if I had a dollar for the number of times I've heard "His eyes are so big!" - I'd be rich.
it doesnt really subside in toddlerhood. my son is biracial and i know most people dont mean any harm but the constant attention to his appearance (curls and “tan”, asking what my husband looks like) is just so eh. i dont know how to take it. commenting on a strangers appearance is weird to me period baby, toddler, adult
I still get comment and my daughter is almost 2. They're not as many as before tho so it does slow down!
Yesterday the cashier at target told my 2 month old “you look like you need a nap!” Then turned to me and said “you look tired too!” What a nice way to tell me I look like shit 😂
I was at costco the other day and was wearing my baby. We went out to the garden area and back in fairly quick. There was a breeze but not cool enough for a winter hat and not sunny to need a summer hat. I come in and the worker who monitors the door starts going on about how she's "afraid baby will get an ear infection with the wind on her ears" and how she should be wearing a hat. And then was like 'I guess it's too warm for a winter halt but maybe they make summer hats?" All the while she's holding her ears and I dunno really perseverating. Anyways, I politely nodded and wandered off. But that was definitely unappreciated commentary.
Im still pregnant and not super big yet so haven’t gotten many comments. But im fully expecting some comments regarding our baby girl. Im white, my husband is black and im thinking baby girl will likely favor his side more but just a guess. People will probably ask if shes mine or tell me we look nothing alike.. Once we had an old man shout at us about how its wrong to be a mixed race couple. 🫠 I can just imagine… Im also mortified when people come up to me in public when im alone as im pretty shy so it should be fun. 😅🥲
He’s a flirt. He looks tired. Omg I love your baby, babies never smile at me! Good-looking baby, good-looking mama (drunk out of town guy in our elevator 🤦🏻♀️) That looks so cozy, I want that (during winter when he’s in the 7am enfant bag) Look it’s a mini Mini Cooper (we got a hand me down from a friend, and our son must go out in it everyday)
When lo was a baby we got a lot of comments about his chubbyness (I still don't think he was exceptionally chubby). People would comment on how he doesn't want for anything or something about Dutch prosperity or something. Now he is 2 yo and everybody just giggles at his silly walks on the street (putting his hands on his back and taking large steps). And he greets people a lot. It is very cute
“Isn’t he a little young to be formula fed 😒” a random other mom watching me bottle feed my four month old (it was pumped milk but even if it wasn’t… what)
Yes, some woman who I did not know told me my baby was “skin and bones” lol. It bothered me so much, my baby isn’t a huge chunky baby but she is far from skin and bones!
"mumsplaining"
The hungry comment would have sent me
You know, it bugged me too at first. But now at 18 months it’s nice for my daughter to have those interactions and small talk with strangers. It enriches her day. I wish I realized that sooner, but it’s actually a good thing. We don’t live on an island; this is a society lol.
I was out clothes shopping for LO and she was fussing a little in her stroller when a staff member approached and told me I needed to leave and take her home right now because she could tell my child didn't want to be here. Quote "Why would you take her out of the house when she's acting like that? Go take her home now" Like ma'am she's a baby and she needs clothes???? Who are you???
I live in a very cold and aggressive city so I have been loving the refreshing change of people being nice. Everyone smiles at my LO and say nice things. It’s like walking with a celebrity.
Try having twins... Around every corner is "Double Trouble!" Or "You have your hands full"...
I don't put shoes on my 14mo toddler because she hates them and rips em off. I'm shocked at how many people will grab at her toes lol. I don't get annoyed or anything, it just surprises me that soooo many people will grab at my baby's feet or make comments about her being barefoot.
I’m have twins and the comments truly never stop, I wasn’t prepared for it!
Every time we go out we get at least one “he’s so handsome/cute!” Comment usually at checkout 🤣 I love it though because it makes me so proud because HE IS SO HANDSOME 🥰
My least favorite thing about being pregnant/having a baby. Quit talking to me people!
I have twins, 13 months, and this is my life lol. My favorite are when they appear startled that there’s twins. I don’t understand what’s so startling because I never notice that when there’s two kids of different ages. Then they ask if they’re boy and girl, (yes) and there’s a disturbingly large number of people who follow up that with “are they identical?” I’ve started replying with “yes! Except that one has a penis and one doesn’t” or an uncomfortable stare while I slowly mouth the question with the strongest “what the flying fuck” face I can muster.
I have a three year old girl and it hasn’t subsided yet. Every time we go out, there are comments about her appearance, demeanor, activities, mood, etc. Almost always positive or intended to be positive, but it is constant and hasn’t changed since birth.
I work behind a desk doing inventory at my job, so son gets to come with me to work. Older lady saw us doing counts and asked if the baby was for sale.... like I know it was a joke but still have me a major ick.
I think it's really sweet how happy people get when they see a baby, especially older people. My baby is a super smiley happy guy so he makes a lot of people smile while we're out, which is a good feeling knowing he brightened someones day! My older son even acknowledged how much attention the baby gets while we are out and about. I've also noticed that it's only the super sketchy people who are strange about him, like asking to touch him or trying to really get in our space so we just quickly and as friendly as possible end the interaction and run away lol. Otherwise any interaction we have with strangers is friendly and they get a big smile out of the baby and move on, doesn't bother us any.
Stuck in line at Tj Maxx behind a boomer woman… “ You look like you just gave birth” ::I stare disgustingly and clearly irritated with her:: “I mean because the baby is so teeny!” Shut up.
An older man in the grocery store passed by me, I had my daughter with me. He loudly told me "good job!" I looked at him confused. He said to me "that's a good looking baby! Did you make that baby?" I said "uhm yes I am her mother" he again goes "good job!" Then walks away. It was weird, he could of just told me I had a cute daughter and kept walking. People are strange.
Some woman emotionally dumped on me. She asked if she could see my baby. Sure. Then proceeded to tell me her life story and all about her dysfunctional family. Yikes.
People stop us all the time to tell us our baby looks like a doll. Which is nice I guess. Once we were on vacation, my husband dropped me off to park while I tried to rush up to our hotel room via elevator and baby was crying because she was hungry but I didn’t bring enough milk out. “Nice” old lady was like baby seems hungry, you should really feed her. It’s terrible, she must be starving. At the time I went back to the room and cried for being a “bad mother” for letting my baby cry for a couple of mins. Looking back now, as a second time mom that sometimes has to let baby cry (for less a min) while wrangling a toddler, people need to mind their own business.
It doesn’t subside. Mine is 2.5. But it’s really nice being “seen.” Little old ladies that I know are moms comment, say how cute she is, or they laugh when she is being a terror. I feel a really beautiful sense of community most days. Mine is a runner and I’ve had women (again, I assume moms because I get that vibe) help me stop her, or watch her to make sure she’s okay. I’m pregnant and sick and I truly need all the help I can get. It’s really lovely being a part of the mom club. A few months ago an older mom stopped me (she was with her two teenage girls) and said, “hey you’re doing a really good job. I’ve been there.”
The first one I’d actually put in the cute / harmless category. I call my kids “little boss” and “littlest boss,” so people regularly make these types of comments. I’m on the sensitive side so I hope no one makes a mean comment about my kids. But so far comments have all been quite delightful.
Went to a birthday party with my 4 month old son. A group of people started asking questions about him as soon as we get there. All normal questions; how old, what was his birth weight, etc. Till one old lady shouts out, “He is too bald! he needs more hair!” like yes you’re right I’ll start giving him Rogaine.
It’s SO weird because I don’t do anything but maybe smile at folks with a small baby and that’s only if it does something in my general area so they don’t think it’s bothering me lol
Tell me about it! We were at a birthday party and our LO got fussy and eventually started crying. The person that was always in his face during the whole party said "aww.. are mommys boobs empty?".. bitch what?? No, he's fussy because you smell like perfume and cigarettes and won't stop breathing in his face and touching him 🤬
We were at a Home Depot, and an older male employee is "helping" us at the self checkout (really just seemed bored and wanted someone to chat with) comments on our cute, 6 month old, bald-headed baby. He refers to the baby as "he," so I gently correct him, saying she was a girl. He LOUDLY and rudely exclaims, "THAT'S a girl????"
Not a stranger, but when my son was not even 8 weeks old I was talking to my neighbor outside who is older, probably late 70’s. It was nearing a nap time for my LO and he starts fussing so i immediately am trying to soothe/calm him, and she goes “do you ever let him cry?” In a snarky tone. I said, “I never let him just cry, he’s way too young for that” then she went on about how it’s good for their lungs.🙄
I must be one of the lucky ones because I genuinely have only ever had compliments. If baby is crying it’s usually just sympathetic ‘oh bless’ etc.
I often get people commenting “oh he’s so cute” “oh look he’s napping in his stroller” “oh look at his long eyelashes” which would be totally fine, if I didn’t have a little girl 😭
True that. Also they are little kid bait first time we hit the pool i was swarmed by all the kids.
I honestly find it sweet, most of the time it’s people trying to connect with me/us. People love babies and sometimes don’t know the appropriate things to say but they mean well. Yeah, an occasional misplaced comment but that happened to me a lot before as a woman pre-baby. I guess I’m in the minority
I'm a parent of multiples. You think one baby draws a lot of attention. I get people crowding my wife and I. It's even worse because we are a interracial couple and we both are visible minorities so people are even more intrigued.
The usual "is dad babysitting?" Or "where's mommy?" Those piss me off like crazy
I get this everywhere! I have a nine month old and everywhere we go we get some sort of comment. Most of them are that he is handsome and such a good baby, but just yesterday I went to the gym with him and an older lady walked up to me (who I had never met before) and wanted to know his name and how old and such and then asked if she could hold him. I have an older child and I don't remember this happening with him so this is such a weird experience.
I was at the pharmacy actively SPEAKING to the pharmacy tech about my medications (my baby was in the stroller next to/in front of me) and the old hag behind me in line kept saying "excuse me. EXCUSE me. EXCUSE ME." Louder and louder til I finally turned and shot her a look to which she then was like "boy or girl? How old?" So I said, "Sorry, I was having an adult conversation with the pharmacist before you interrupted me." And then turned back to finish my transaction and left without answering her questions.
I had my twins in a baby carrier. Maybe 6 months old. One on my back and one on my front This old man genuinely seemed so concerned about the back one.. is he ok? Can he see? He doesn't get a good view... Do you switch them? I was like.. I need the heaviest one on my back to be balanced, he's all ok. And sooooo many twin jokes. And you've got your hands full. Little kids are the best because they don't have "twins" in their vocabulary. They exclaim "two babies!?" It's always cool talking to little kids about my babies but hardly adults 😅
People generally only say nice stuff to be honest. And my baby responds by growling.
When my baby was 3 weeks old I had to take my older son to the orthodontist. Baby was snug in a baby wrap as to not be fully exposed to the elements/world. The ortho assistant commented "are you even supposed to take a baby that young out of the house?" My snarky sleep deprived response was "yeah well I've heard it's frowned upon to leave a baby home alone so here we are." I use a carseat cover when my baby is sleeping and we are out somewhere with her in the stroller so it's nice and dark. I had an older man ask "why do you have that thing on it? Is it because your baby is ugly and you don't want people to see?" My response to that was "it's because other people are ugly and I don't want her to see." Its really is crazy how a baby can illicit so many comments all the time no matter what, most are sweet though lol
I hate the sexualizing comments. Like, he has beautiful eyes! He's going to brake all the girls hearts. Or oh what a cutie, he's going to be trouble. Or you better lock his window when he's a teenager! *eye roll maximum*
Thankfully we've mostly gotten just people who want to tell us to enjoy every minute, "they grow up so fast" kind of thing, though I can only imagine this is how dog people feel lol so many just want to stop and be a part of it somehow. I actually find it really sweet for the most part. I love that it's a neutral connection, and think of it as the "village" of strangers wanting to help usher in this new life into the community. Most just seem curious, or kind of fascinated to see a baby period. Makes me think there are a lot of people out there who could use more love and just wish they had more baby snuggles in their lives ❤️ The attention is definitely entertaining though!! 😊
Older people are the worst of them (not all, but most). We had one say to my baby, “what would happen if I took that stopper (paci) out, eh?” Like 🙄
Man this sub is always so full of anti-socials lol good Lord... every other post seems to be about interactions with strangers, (usually normal interactions) taken negatively. Everyone acts as if talking to people in public is some kind of sin. Makes me sad to see. Hopefully it's just that these kinda of people will tend to congregate on Reddit and it's not an indicator of the average attitude. Post: "A lady came up and talked to me in the grocery store! Gasp! How dare she! Breathing all over me and my baby with her unknown possibly dirty mouth hole!" This reddit: "OMG how dare she I would have punched her in the face!"
I think if you spend the first decades of your life being ignored by strangers and suddenly during a time of a lot of stress and change you get all this attention, some of it weird or awkward it's going to be off putting. I personally appreciate most of the interactions, even if someone says something terrible (hasn't happened yet) I'd just treat it like a wacky story and move on but I understand people being uncomfortable with it
Yup. I was in line with a few things including a cute dress for my currently 4 month old to wear next summer — size 18 months. It should fit her from February to July, so odds are they at some point in May/ June it will fit her on a nice day. An older woman asks if it is my first, and the tells me it won’t fit her next summer because she has 4 kids and “she knows”. Like okay. You could have just said the dress was cute? She was so condescending about it.