Things I Did to Avoid People Asking Me to Hold My Baby

Baby wear!!! This means slings, pouches, backpacks… Honestly it’s amazing!!! And the more kids you have, the more acceptable it is.
The sit with us. Put a blanket down and sit with the baby on the floor so they can play. When someone approaches with that “I-want-to-hold-your-baby look,” just say “oh hey, sit with us.” It’s very effective. It’s about riding the wave, not fighting it.
The poop change. Thanks to the poop machines, I can use the “oh let me change him/her,” then circle to another group afterward. I also don’t let anyone change my kids either other than my husband and me. Sensing a pattern? Like I said, you do you. Listen to your good judgment.
The “we tried.” If my kid cries when someone is holding them I 100% take my kid back, especially if they say “no, it’s ok - babies need to cry.” The next time they ask to hold them I just say “no, it’s okay.”
The practice makes perfect (don’t hold my kid). Once they start walking, my go-to is “they need to practice, you can walk with them and make sure they don’t fall.” This is especially effective with those older kids that want to start picking them up.