How do you feel about kids that *aren’t yours* holding your newborn?

Question

I’m a first time mom & I have 2 nieces (aged 9 & 5) & 2 nephews (aged 4 & 2). I know they’re super excited to meet their cousin but... I honestly don’t know if I’m 100% comfortable with letting them hold her & it makes me feel like a bitch. :-/ I know my sister is going to ask them if they wanna hold her but I just hate the thought of it. It’s not that I don’t want them touching my daughter, I want them to have a good relationship & be able to play together, I’m just so scared that they’ll drop her or something... If I do feel comfortable enough to try I’m obviously not letting the 2 year old do it (just gonna have him in my lap while I hold her or something) but the older ones I’m going to make them sit down & be right there next to them making sure they’re supporting her head & whatnot but I just have so much anxiety about it... would it make me a terrible person if I made them wait until she was at least a couple weeks old? How do you feel about kids that aren’t yours holding your newborn?

Answer

I LOVED holding babies as a kid and I always had rules. I had to sit down on the couch with my back pressed up against the back rest. There was a pillow in my lap and I had to put my arms in a circle. Then once the baby was given to me, I wasn’t allowed to move. That’s how continued teaching kids I used to babysit how to hold their newborn siblings

Answer

no honey that would make you a good mom I was the same way it's better to be cautious. I would tell them to wait and it's your baby your sister should respect your wishes. you're not being mean at all.

Answer

We only let my niece and nephew hold the baby if they were sitting down. We’d put my niece (8) sitting the whole way back on the couch with a pillow for each elbow, and then either I or my sister would sit right beside her and help support my sons head. I do think it can cause jealousy and issues with bonding if you’re too cautious. If they’re seated (especially on the hospital bed or a couch/bed at home), they can sit with the baby on their lap or in their arms. We even let our 3 year old hold his baby brother this way, he got bored quickly but it showed him that he was important too and he didn’t develop any of the problems with the baby that I hear about from a lot of my friends.

Answer

My nephews and niece (9,5, and 2) all held my baby at 3 weeks old, sitting down, propped with pillows and me sitting right there.

Answer

I don't think they'll drop your baby as long as the adults are supervising properly. Just like others have said, have them sit right back on the couch and be beside them.

Answer

First baby I ever held. Her mom was my babysitter and I became her after school nanny when I was in High School. One of my favorite pictures and memories

Answer

I will not let anyone that young hold my newborn.  Maybe no one under 13? Idk yet. Also everyone must be up to date on their whooping cough vaccine.

Answer

I️ think they’d be fine to hold the baby. Have them sit on the ground or a chair with the back against a wall or backrest, place a pillow under their arm that will support the head and have them put their arms in a circle and instruct them not to move. You or another parent can sit right next to them or in front of them and help support the head. 
Holding babies, especially your niece or nephews is such an honor and a beautiful experience they’ll remember forever. You don’t have to let the littlest ones hold the baby if you’re really antsy but the 9 year old should definitely be fine.

Answer

I have issues with this too. My brother in law is 8 and when he held a baby recently he got too close to the face and talked too loud and no one stopped him. He just wasn't ready to hold a baby so I don't feel comfortable with him holding my baby. It's not like he'll die if he doesn't get to hold her 😒

Answer

i didnt let my 3 year old cousin hold my 5 month old nephew so i agree

How do you feel about kids that aren’t yours holding your newborn?

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