I'm scared of holding little babies!

89% Normal
13 Comments

I am a 21 year old woman, almost done with my BA and in a long term relationship with my wonderful 27 year old boyfriend. My boyfriends sister just had a baby and she brought her down to visit us. This is his first niece and he was so excited to meet her and hold her. When it came time for his sister to pass the baby to me I froze and would not take her. I have six nieces and nephews and I never held one of them as babies, however I'm a great babysitter to little kids. I was a Nanny for 4 little girls ages 4-7 for over 2 years. I felt bad that I couldnt pick the baby up...but I just really didnt want to. I have never held a baby before. My boyfriends mom kind of looked at me weird and made some comment to his sister i didnt really hear. I remember a co-worker brought her new baby to meet us at work one day and the same thing happend. She asked if I wanted to hold him. When I said no she seemed a little offended. Even when very small babies are near me I think I sort of get freaked out. I dont know why. I think that I might want a baby once I'm married and done with school--I know my boyfriend does,but when actual babies are around me I get all freaked. My boyfriend jokes about it. I think he thinks Im kidding but I'm really not. Im scared of babies! WTF?

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89% Normal
Based on 328 votes (293 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • CptCalicoJack
    13 years ago

    Every time someone tries to hand me a little baby, I feel as if its going to break if I hold it, or that I'm going to drop it. I got so scared when my sister made me hold my nephew.

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  • baby.girl
    13 years ago

    I could only hold my lil sister...I was always scared I'd drop the baby...

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  • PeterThePolishKiryluk
    14 years ago

    I dont want to hold them they look fragile and i dont want to hurt it im 25 year old male.

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  • kim1988
    14 years ago

    Yeah it's pretty normal. I'm 21 as well and until recently I also was a bit weary of holding babies. I guess I was scared they'd be too heavy for me or I'd drop them or something.

    I do baby-sitting for a 5 month year old baby now so that's how I got used to it. Now I just need to learn how to change a nappy lol!

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  • youcantrecognizeme
    14 years ago

    I was just like that to. I was so scared when I got pregnant cause I didnt know how I was going to take care of my baby without holding him but after I had him I just didnt even think about it. I was afraid to put his socks on in the hospital the first day because I didnt want to hurt his little feet but now I just carry him around like a little rag doll. My friend just had a new baby tho and I cant hold him I get to freaked out again. Im not really sure why.

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  • shitlipsmama
    14 years ago

    I was JUST the same way even after I had 3 babies!!! With the birth of each one it got a little bit easier, but these little badasses come out lookin like plucked chickens and I felt like they were going to break into pieces if i made one wrong move.....my boyfriend did all the changing and dressing til they got a little meatier/sturdier and then it was no prob for me. But yeah, they are so fragile and helpless that I think it's natural to be afraid.
    Hell I couldn't even put them to tit by myself at first for fear of twisting them the wrong way. TOTALLY normal!

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  • HitlerSausageSlave
    14 years ago

    You're scared you're gonna drop the baby. That's all. It's a maternal thing. Normal.

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  • tommy81
    14 years ago

    Yes It's absolutely normal to be scared of holding babies at first. I used to be scared that I might drop the baby or something else bad could happen. Next time you could try sitting down either on the floor or on a sofa and it may help alleviate some of the anxiety of holding an infant. Like some of the other posters are saying, tell the parents the truth about being scared instead of simply refusing.

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  • got_the_tee_shirt_and_scars
    14 years ago

    Agree with imjustthere. Be honest, people will respect you for it, and know that you are concerned for their child's safety. When I held my granddaughter for the first time, I was scared to death. Afterwards, I'd hold her for hours.

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  • [Old Memory]
    15 years ago

    It's normal. Just be honest with them. They may even offer to help you.

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    • [Old Memory]
      14 years ago

      Yeah - I agree - you obviously care about children a great deal and are anxious & inexperienced handling the wee ones. Tell the mom you have no experience & ask them to help. Any would appreciate that and love to do so.

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  • JuGgAlOmAmA
    15 years ago

    Yeah it's pretty normal, I think you freak so bad cause you just don't try it more. I was always like you. I couldn't hold a baby I felt like I couldn't breathe around a little baby. I thought they were just too fragile an susceptible to everything harmful. I have 4 nieces and 2 nephews, I even had great friends with kids an I locked up around them when they were really little, BUT....I just became a mom to a beautiful baby girl, shes 6 months old an I was terrified when I got pregnant because of my baby phobia but my mothers instincts kicked in full gear an now I feel like supermom.It'll happen to you too. (when the day comes) It's just a womans instinct to be motherly when the times right. But for now,practice, the best way to do it is hold a baby when u have the chance.Sit down, get comfy, take a deep breath an make the babys mom stay in arms reach.You'll be fine.You are normal.oh an let your boyfriends sis kno your problem she'll probably understand an tell you the samething I just did,

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    • JeffWTF30characters
      15 years ago

      Wow! Being a I can relay to you that I too am terrified of holding an infant. I feel as if one small mishap could be a catastrophe. Besides, I'm very clumsy!

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