I know I was exposed to snakes through my grandfather's exotic pet store when I was a little girl. The entire family would work there on the weekends (he had his store at Trader's Village, a huge permanent flea marketish thing, and I would help out when I wanted, and wander around whenever I got bored. He knew over half the other store owners there, so I was always safe), and he sold snakes there, in addition to my uncle's big, sweet, 15 foot burm that was kept on display.

I remember playing with baby burms and using them as 'jewelry' when I was six (letting them wrap around my wrists and neck and walking around with them). Since I grew up with them, I never developed a fear of them. Then again, I was a fearless, if quiet, child, so I'm not sure how this would work with other kids.

Perhaps get the baby a plushie snake? One that they can hug and hold and is 'their' snakie?