re: Do not touch stroller signs

Quoting twinmami:“ Thank you mama for that,you say it better lol. When i had a cold/cough i was not allowed into nicu ... [snip!] ... people to not touch, a sign like this would save us the bother and maybe help us to stop worrying about these things so much!”

i completly agree with you my son was in the nicu for 1 1/2 months and when you go through washing your hands untill they are raw you have a new meaning to germ free they told me in the nicu to keep him from ppl for 8 weeks when they finally sent us home there comes a time you have to goto a food store or some where and a sign like that just might come handy ...yes n i dont think its meant to be like STAY THE HELL AWAY its a littl ebit of humor saying step back and look if youd like ... but ppl in the nicu def. put u in a diff. mindset when it comes to germs

Quoting Ms.Melody:“ you say now you never said anything about a stranger coming up to someones kid and just touching them ... [snip!] ... cheeks evil:”You got mad for her gently touching his cheek. God, you people. It's harmless and they are just admiring.My God.”

Then I'll apologize for that. You're absolutely right. If someone doesn't ask, it's not acceptable, no matter how harmless the touch. So, I am sorry for being so snotty. I can easily admit when I'm in the wrong.

Quoting *Wicked Mama*:“ Then I'll apologize for that. You're absolutely right. If someone doesn't ask, it's not acceptable, ... [snip!] ... matter how harmless the touch. So, I am sorry for being so snotty. I can easily admit when I'm in the wrong. ”

well thank you

Quoting twinmami:“ Yes its a public forum, but if you (generally, not u specifically) have no idea about an issue then ... [snip!] ... post, its just about senstivity and common sense. Again, i think it was nice of the op to think of us and post this is here!  ”

Im glad somebody understood and thought it was thoughtful that I posted this. As I know how the NICU world goes. I may not have children yet but my sister has had 4 preemies and wasn't allowed to see her youngest for a few days because she was running a fever and they didn't want to run the risk to her 2 and half pound little girl. I know the hassel of washing your hands til they are raw as my sister and all her children lived with us. She was constantly worried about the baby getting RSV and what us kids could bring home from school being a runny nose to us "healthy" folk could be deadly to the baby.

This was posted in parents with preemies for a reason. I never said I had a preemie or a child. I just think its a good idea and may get one. Every time I have seen one of these on a stoller or carrier I thought it was a great idea. Personally I think it reminds people that the child is not theirs and babies have personal space bubbles as us adults do.

Quoting Shelbynanners:“ Im glad somebody understood and thought it was thoughtful that I posted this. As I know how the NICU ... [snip!] ... idea. Personally I think it reminds people that the child is not theirs and babies have personal space bubbles as us adults do.”

I think the sign is completely unnecessary even if you have a preemie. Pay attention and tell people who approach. Don't put your baby in a position where you're not paying attention and some stranger can just come up and touch. Tell them, don't put a sign up.

Quoting *Wicked Mama*:“ I think the sign is completely unnecessary even if you have a preemie. Pay attention and tell people ... [snip!] ... in a position where you're not paying attention and some stranger can just come up and touch. Tell them, don't put a sign up.”

Ummm they could die. You obviously have NO IDEA what its like raising a micro preemie or you wouldnt dismiss our serious fears and concerns. Dont you think we get sick of constantly telling strangers every two minutes? We dont want to offend anyone and it is kind of akward having to tell people not to touch, and thats only the ones that ask. Why should we have to go into a big story and explain everything for every stranger who wants to touch? Being a preemie mom is tough enough, at least having a little sign like that would give us one less thing to worry about. Its kind of jokey but it still gets the message across. Well, this is the preemie forum, and im sure many of us appreciate the post. We dont need to keep saying it. Theres no point in continuing to discuss it with someone who has nothing to do with the situation nor understands and just wants to make an unfounded judgement. Maybe you should do some reading before you make these comments, the OP was just trying to be nice.

Quoting twinmami:“ Ummm they could die. You obviously have NO IDEA what its like raising a micro preemie or you wouldnt ... [snip!] ... an unfounded judgement. Maybe you should do some reading before you make these comments, the OP was just trying to be nice.”

thats so funny you took the words right out of my mouth i was just about to say there is no point in arguing with someone who just has no idea what we all went through i had posted its just a funny way of saying you can look but please dont touch .. its just why put your two cents in where you have no knowledge about .. you haveno idea how we felt going to the hospital everyday and having to be germ free everyday ..  and a damn sign would make us happy why rain on our parade

Quoting *Wicked Mama*:“ I think the sign is completely unnecessary even if you have a preemie. Pay attention and tell people ... [snip!] ... in a position where you're not paying attention and some stranger can just come up and touch. Tell them, don't put a sign up.”

I would NEVER put my baby or any baby in a position like that. I also do not like confrontation having to tell people "no you cannot touch my child" The sign does that for you and saves breath for other things. You have your opinion and I have mine. Raise your children your way. If they didn't get sick from people touching them than fantastic but thats not always the case as there are preemie moms who have lived through the horrible situations. 

Quoting Shelbynanners:“ I would NEVER put my baby or any baby in a position like that. I also do not like confrontation having ... [snip!] ... them than fantastic but thats not always the case as there are preemie moms who have lived through the horrible situations.”

I will take into consideration, completely, a mother of a preemie. I damn near was there myself and can't imagine if I'd had to have my youngest far too early. I do know, to some extent, and was fortunate enough to not have to go through with it. So, for a mother of a child who was born far too early and has a seriously under developed immune system and who doesn't like confrontation, then maybe it's the better option. However, I wil say you are more willing to become confrontational where your children are involved once they are born.

I do not appreciate being treated like an idiot for not being a preemie mother. I understand your children are more sensitive and fragile than an average newborn. What I can't understand is why you can't just tell those who approach to not touch. I also don't understand because after having three children of my own and only a very very minor few here and there wanting to actually touch, you're probably not going to run into that problem often enough to have to continuously tell someone no.

But if you REALLY feel like your child is just too fragile and you don't want them to even approach, then why buy a sign? Make one yourself, get laminated if you so please. But why pay for something you can do from home if you feel it is an absolute necessity?

Quoting *Wicked Mama*:“ I will take into consideration, completely, a mother of a preemie. I damn near was there myself and ... [snip!] ... get laminated if you so please. But why pay for something you can do from home if you feel it is an absolute necessity?”

I have to agree here. If they are SO fragile then why would you take them to a mall anyways? When my son was sick I did not take him places where there were a lot of people because there are even more germs in the air in places like that. You cant know if the person walking beside you has a fever or broncitus (sp?) or something even more contagious that can be passed WITHOUT touching. yes they need fresh air but they dont need to be in crowded places. When you have a sick child whether you like it or not you need to become confrontational on their behalf because they cant. When I see a sign that says "Do NOT touch" it IMO looks bitchy even if a little poem goes with it. Why not make one that says something along the lines of "I'm very sick so please keep your distance" or one that says "Preemie on board please dont touch" You dont need to write it in red or capitalize just bold the "dont" part.

Quoting Cowgirl47429:“ I have to agree here. If they are SO fragile then why would you take them to a mall anyways? When my ... [snip!] ... distance" or one that says "Preemie on board please dont touch" You dont need to write it in red just bold the "dont" part.”

THANK YOU for understanding what I'm saying. I'm not bashing it full on, thuogh I do think it's a little ridiculous. I KNOW about preemies, my cousins were preemies and when they were tiny us kids were not allowed to touch them.

But buying a sign and plastering it to your child is silly. Don't take them out until they are physically prepared to be outside beyond the house. If you HAVE to, make your signs friendly or EXPLAIN why. Why buy one when you can personalize it?

JW are there pics of these signs anywhere? because I honestly have never seen one

Quoting Ms.Melody:“ JW are there pics of these signs anywhere? because I honestly have never seen one”

I posted the link in the first post. Theres pics on the site, granted these aren't the ones I've seen personally but all i could find when I searched for them.

Quoting alison / mommy of two:“ i've been looking for the one that says "wash your hands before touching mine" i'll let you know if i find anything”

it's at http://www.mytinyhands.com.. I just ordered one from there and also another from the healthy children website.

Quoting *Wicked Mama*:“ Exactly. I think it's a waste of money. And if you're THAT concerned make one yourself. adelaidemum, ... [snip!] ... but people still saw my kids. They would admire them, gush about them, but nobody ever lifted a hand to them before asking.”

It seems that different parts of the country are worse than others from what I have seen and most premies are considered to have a "medical condition" in which the doctor would order no on touch them without handwashing or sanitizer first as their immune systems are poorly established the first few months making them a much higher percentage to "get" colds/flus/etc. from others.

I don't think it matters if people think you are rude or a bitch at all (I say "AMEN! Bitch for my Baby! LOL!!)to have a sign if you want one.

It's your child and they are strangers... who cares what they think?