Babies are more fragile, and easily can disappear. I personally would start out with one about 6 months to a year old. By that time, they have had a few successful sheds, they are eating, should be disease free, should be used to Human Handling. Some breeders will tell you almost anything to make a sale. (So will a car salesman.) I've heard numerous stories about folks that bought "Hatchlings" and we told all kinds of great stuff by the breeder only to have the snake die a few weeks later. Was it the breeder's fault or the new owner's fault? Who knows, but you can eliminate a few concerns by staying away from the "Newborns."