Am I overreacting about a stranger approaching my baby?

Am I overreacting about a stranger approaching my baby? “I was at a shopping centre the other day and a older man with a cap came up to my daughter in a pram saying she was looking at him smiling… what one year old doesn’t smile at anyone. Then he asked her name and touched her check saying when they look at you like that they expect you to play with them back. I asked for him to please not touch her, and then I ignored him. After I started walking off thinking that was odd I remembered the very same guy approached, us doing & saying the same things, last time I was there. After the first-time this happened I saw he went on to another lady with a pram too. I felt uneasy all day thinking about it and called security about it this morning. Am I overreacting? Has anyone experienced same thing?”

Post your reply

Want more real mum questions sent to you?

First name

Last name

Email Address You’ll need to check this email to complete your signup.

Password

Confirm Password

Why not join all our other communities for more chances to trial products, win prizes, be rewarded and have fun!

93 replies
Post a reply

- - Ellen said
  - 30 May 2021
    7:51 am
I didn’t like such thing either. My eldest was prem and very little and cute, attracting people to come over and touch. I ordered a wee sign for on the pram saying “look but don’t touch” something like this
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/203424692343?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=203424692343&targetid=1281061180765&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9069315&poi=&campaignid=10101784979&mkgroupid=124139265993&rlsatarget=pla-1281061180765&abcId=9300367&merchantid=7364522&gclid=CjwKCAjwzMeFBhBwEiwAzwS8zOF56kw1ZcWGSDvRic6DkTOahj_6Dn_9u-q2txIWBjEyAJQYdfLdVBoCpH4QAvD_BwE
- - Nas01 said
  - 01 Apr 2016
    1:46 pm
Sometimes it’s better to over react than ignore so I think if something doesn’t feel right with you then you have all rights to protect your child.
- - mom81879 said
  - 14 Sep 2015
    6:45 pm
That would creep me out too. Best thing to do is call security
- - Mummybaking said
  - 08 Jun 2015
    1:55 pm
I completely agree, I got told someone touched my niece on the head in a line and I wasn’t even there and wanted to track him down.. I think playing such as talking and waving is okay, but hell no to touching. When I see a little kid talking to me, I worry about talking to much back as I don’t want parents to think I’m too creepy.
- - Mis Jo said
  - 28 Jul 2014
    11:53 am
Its ok to be like that i reckon!
- - koloababe4 said
  - 18 Mar 2014
    1:04 am
It quite scary when people do that! No over reaction
- - ljsalomon said
  - 25 Jan 2014
    12:15 pm
Not at all – I don’t think were over reacting at all.
- - coppin85 said
  - 29 Dec 2013
    3:26 pm
i don’t think your overreacting
- - meltingmoment said
  - 28 Dec 2013
    8:35 pm
Sounds like most people have agreed that you are not over – reacting.
- - kathryn said
  - 28 Dec 2013
    6:32 pm
Hi, paranoid mother here and I would rather over-react than under-react
- - mggarner said
  - 30 Nov 2013
    11:22 am
Has it happened again to you?
- - mggarner said
  - 29 Nov 2013
    11:53 am
He might just be liking seeing babies at the shopping mall, but its good to be aware just in case.
- - barch said
  - 01 Nov 2013
    1:43 pm
I think children’s safety is paramount.
- - snoopy said
  - 26 Oct 2013
    1:35 pm
It is difficult to know whether he was sincere or not, but you just can’t take the risk.
- - chont said
  - 26 Oct 2013
    9:56 am
They shouldn’t touch your child without asking you first, but I think it’s very natural for an older person to derive joy from little ones.
- - mouse said
  - 16 Oct 2013
    5:58 pm
no one should be approaching children and touching them, I would of reported him also
- - yyon4699 said
  - 13 Oct 2013
    2:50 pm
you did the right thing. you can never be too careful with this kind of behaviour.
- - have a happy day said
  - 10 Oct 2013
    10:11 pm
No this behaviour dosen’tseem normal He may be dangerous or just lonely but I wouldn’t like this to happen to me.
- - rogue82 said
  - 09 Oct 2013
    3:15 pm
That guy sounds a bit creepy but he could be just lonely..! In saying that I’m not a huge fan of strangers touching my baby, I don’t mind if they smile and make a comment but still feel awkward even then! Do what you feel is right it’s your baby!
- - golanth99@hotmail.com said
  - 08 Oct 2013
    9:04 pm
You need to do what you feel comfortable with, I don;t mind if people speak to my kids but I’m not a fan of touching either