How to Avoid Baby Bump Meddlers

Baby Bump: Avoiding the Belly Rubbers

February 1, 2008

Many pregnant women get frustrated with unsolicited belly rubs. Without asking, random people pat the precious baby bump and make predictions on the gender or offer up advice on topics that are of no interest to the expectant mother.

If you're someone who wishes strangers would keep their hands to themselves, here are some pointers on how to send the patters packing:

Carry a handbag in front of you to hide the bump from plain view.
Tell them you're feeling nauseated or ill.
Wear sunglasses and a hat. Acting incognito keeps you from making eye contact and denies access to the meddler.

Do you have a tip to add to the list?
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15 Comments

sass317 4 years 12 weeks

Im not showing so much that Im having problems with the strangers yet, its my freakin friends that cant keep their hands to themselves. Really its just this one friend of mine, I havent seen her in a couple of weeks, but I will see her at a birthday party tomorrow- I know she is going to be all over me now that Im finally starting to get a belly- we are going to have to have a talk.

elaine 5 years 15 weeks

i bought a couple of "dont rub the belly shirts"....i got glares from some people, but i also got "whered you get that tee...my daughter would LOVE that!"

AKirstin 5 years 15 weeks

Ugh, I *hated* that when I was pregnant.

POPSUGAR Moms 5 years 15 weeks

Avoid public transportation. While taking MUNI while pregnant with my daughter, it seemed everyone had their feelers out. Crowded cars were the worst! Luckily it was winter so a coat helped camouflage it. And eventually I worked up the nerve to tell people to keep their hands to themselves.

Novaraen 5 years 15 weeks

I didnt mind it so much...atleast from people i knew. I was so huge that no handbag would hide it...lol...so i had to put up with strangers doing it too. Oh well...its just a part of being pregnant. Yeah...and dont get me started on people trying to touch my babies!! I wouldnt allow that! MACE!! :ROTFL:

Novaraen 5 years 15 weeks

Nak Nak 5 years 15 weeks

When I was pregnant I had a firm NO belly pat policy. I mean seriously, what makes people think that it is okay to do that. If someone patted my belly, I patted theirs back and said "Weird, isn't it?" and walked away.

Nak Nak 5 years 15 weeks

GirlC 5 years 15 weeks

:ROTFL: Mace! I almost peed my pants.

GirlC 5 years 15 weeks

:ROTFL: Mace! I almost peed my pants.

macgirl 5 years 15 weeks

I had my first stranger touch my belly in the last weeks of my pregnancy. She was the sales girl at the Benefit Cosmetics counter. I thought it was so weird. I just went back there this week with my new 3 week old son and she went in to touch him! I said in a really calm voice "watch out, he bites" and she backed off!! I don't know if you could use that for a baby bump though ;-)