question about handling newborn kittens

Question:
 Our cat just gave birth last night, and I'm inexperienced with newborn kittens. I'm very confused about how to go about petting them and possibly picking them up. My fiance tells me that you first have to wash your hands and then rub them into the mother cat's fur to get the scent on you before you can touch them or she'll pick up your scent on them and will stop nursing, and you shouldn't touch or move them at all unless you absolutely have to for the first three weeks. But I've been reading many online articles about handling newborn kittens and none of them have mentioned anything about this. In fact, most of them suggested that it's good to spend a bit of time holding them every day to get them used to being around humans. I'm not sure what to do or who to believe, I don't want to take any chances in doing anything harmful to our girl's first litter. Could anyone please help me out with this?
Answer:
 You should try not to touch them much for the first week or so. Its important for Mom to bond with them. Especially since its her first litter, she could get scared or confused if they smell different then her. She doesn't really know what she's doing and is just going on instinct, so just give her some time with them. Also they will cry when you pick them up and Mom will get super stressed out by that. Once she starts to relax a bit and figures out how the whole "Mom" thing works you can start to touch, pet, and pick them up. When you do start to touch them and stuff, just take your cues from Mom. If they seem stressed or scared when you pick them up or Mom is getting freaked out by their crying then put them back and leave her alone with them for awhile. She just needs some time with them to make sure they are safe again. When you pick them up don't leave the room or go out of Mom's eyesight with them. Also don't let a whole bunch of random people touch them at the start. You and your fiance should be the only ones to touch them at first. Too many scents (from people she doesn't know) on them will freak Mom out. Good luck with the new babies. I hope this helps, although remember this is just my opinion on the matter. This is how I think it should be done, and how I do it, that doesn't mean its the right way to do it. If you are really worried about the right way to care for them then call a vet and ask for some tips and info.
Answer:
 Growing up, I always had cats. This having been before a more enlightened time, one of my cats was EXTREMELY prolific (all pets should be fixed). Anyway, I've handled enough kittens to feel confident in my advice. Feel free to handle them for BRIEF periods as often as you like. From day one. No need to rub the momma... she smells you on everything anyway. The older they get, the more handling! This is what makes them grow up to be cuddly with humans.. and as with humans, most of the learning happens early on. If your kitty really loves you, you may notice her purring while your there handling the babies- you're a part of the family, you know. This is not a wild animal and most of the guidlines involving wild animals don't fit your situation. Go for it and enjoy them.