Who doesn’t love an adorable newborn baby? Every time you see a newborn, it’s as if you’ve never seen one before in your life.
It’s completely understandable for a person to want to hold a newborn and never put them down. No matter how precious and cuddly your newborn is, it’s necessary to set ground rules and boundaries for visitors.
You should never feel bad or guilty for setting newborn rules for visitors. Your baby has a precious, fragile new life, and it’s your duty as their mother to protect them.
Your friends, parents, and other family members should understand and abide by any rules you set forth to protect your home and health. Conversely, parents will want to be patient and understanding. It can take time to get used to taking care of a newborn baby. Just take it one day at a time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends or family members.
We’ve created a list of general rules that cover safety and visitor courtesy standards.
No Kissing!
Early on in a newborn’s life, there are lots of illnesses that parents will need to try to protect them from, due to a baby’s lack of a fully mature immune system. You’ve done all you can around the home, such as keeping the baby’s environment clean and safe. and making sure that the room is well-ventilated, plus avoiding the use of harsh chemicals or cleaning products around the baby. You can’t control everything, but you are in charge, so it’s important to have a few ground rules in place for visitors, especially in the baby’s first few weeks of life.
It’s a good idea for a visitor to keep their distance as much as possible, actually. Of course they’ll want to hold your baby; just look at him! Make sure they wash their hands before handling your baby.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Visitors should wear comfortable clothing suitable for holding a newborn. Zippers, sequins, and buttons might be uncomfortable and irritating for a newborn. Likewise, if a person is going to spend some time holding a newborn while a mom gets some things done, they will want to settle in with comfortable clothing.
Bring Food!
Mom is probably famished! Between the lack of hospital food and likely not being able to eat before labor, it’s practically customary to bring food to a new mother. Visitors should ask moms if there are any snacks or food items they’re particularly interested in.
It’s also a polite gesture to ask if a mom needs anything else other than food. Newborn moms might have forgotten some baby items that they need right away. Plus, babies go through some items fast; it’s easy to run out of things.
If they don’t have anything they need, food or otherwise, it’s nice to bring a gift! Visitors should consider the baby. They can never have too many blankets, onesies, diapers, or wipes.
Be a Thoughtful Guest
We don’t have to tell you that giving birth is incredibly taxing. Newborns can take so much out of their parents. Being thoughtful covers many bases. Guests need to think about what they say before they say it, ask before taking pictures, call before coming, and do other niceties that can make the new parents more comfortable.
When a guest is around a newborn, they should think about all the things their parents might need help with and leave the decision on that to the mom or dad.
Bonding is incredibly important for a newborn and their parents. Mom is trying to understand the ins and outs of motherhood day by day. Some moms might not be ready to leave their babies in the hands of a guest. Some moms haven’t had the time or the care to do mundane cleaning or chores.
In this case, it’s polite for a guest to ask if they need anything done around the house. Visitors can offer to do some light grocery shopping, pick up some necessities, or wash or fold clothes. If moms are okay with parting with their babies for a moment, guests can offer to watch or feed the newborn while they shower, get some fresh air, or take a much-needed nap.
So Much to Learn for Parents & Visitors
It’s no secret that mom is exhausted, hungry, and still adjusting to motherhood. It’s easy for a visitor to overstay their welcome. Knowing when to leave is one of those unspoken newborn rules for visitors: less is more!
Your relationship with your visitors and whether they intend to help you in other ways may make their visit longer than you like. Never be ashamed to ask your guests to leave if you or the baby are too tired.
Parents: Now that you know the basics of newborn baby care, it's time to put them into practice. Remember to always consult your child's pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns. With a little bit of patience and a lot of love, you'll be a pro at this in no time.
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