Newborn Baby Visitors Top 5 Rules

Newborn Baby Visitors Top 5 Rules

Many new parents are surprised at how many friends and family will come to visit after the birth of their first baby. Consider the items below in deciding how to tackle the first few hours and days after the birth of your baby.

1. Delay the big announcement to friends and family

Delay the announcement for at least a few hours to get to know each other and to initiate feeding. You will never get this quiet time again.

After the birth of your baby there is a special time,  the ‘4^th stage of labour’, it’s the few hours immediately after the birth. While there are important physiological changes for both mother and baby, it’s a chance for your new family to spend some time getting to know each other. Midwives try not to disturb this very special time whilst checking that the mother is recovering well and baby is transitioning to life outside the womb.

This is the time when breastfeeding is usually commenced and often this first breastfeed is a longer one which may take an hour or more. It is best not to disturb this feed as it helps to set up future breastfeeding.

Often it is the partners job to contact everyone. You may have an initial list to contact first of your closest family and friends and then a later list as well. This is your opportunity to let people know when visiting hours are and when Mo and baby will be ready to start seeing them. Depending on the type of birth and length of labour it is okay to postpone this for a day or more if needed.

2. Discourage sick friends or family from visiting

This is important if they have coughs, colds or cold sores (which can be particularly dangerous for a newborn). Reassure your friends and family that you would love to see them at home when they are recovered.

3. Ask visitors to wash their hands

Before cuddling your baby, ask your visitors to wash their hands or use some antibacterial gel which is available at all hospitals these days. It is a good idea to do this as it will reduce the germs entering your precious new baby’s space.

4. What about smokers

Visitors that are smokers should put a clean jacket over their clothes to stop the chemicals getting into your newborn’s airways. Alternatively they may use a ‘smokers’ jacket when smoking and this can be removed to cuddle your baby.

5. No vax, no visit?

Social media has been full of ‘parents to be’ messages ‘No vax, No visit’, warning family and friends that they must be up to date with whooping cough vaccine before visiting their new baby. All pregnant women are encouraged to have this vaccine during every pregnancy between 20-32 weeks. This alone gives the newborn some protection from birth. Partners require immunisation every 10 years and grandparents and others who will be around the baby frequently should check with their GP to see if they require immunisation.

When visitors stay too long:

Get to know your midwife and if you get too many visitors or if they are staying too long ask them to mention that you both need some rest. This is often pre-arranged and midwives are very happy to do this for you, this way you don’t look like the ‘bad guy’. This is more necessary if you are needing some assistance with breastfeeding and need the room to yourself. Perhaps your partner could walk them out to the foyer or even a sitting area nearby, if they can’t be with you and the baby they are often happy to leave.

Building your village:

In the few days after birth the most important thing is that mother, baby and partners all get some time together to get to know each other and bond. However it is also an important time for your close friends and family who are also yours and your baby’s support network to become involved in this new phase of your life too.

When they ask you how they offer help please accept this, it may be that they would be happy to cook you a meal or visit you at home and hold the baby while you have an uninterrupted shower. Maybe they have clothes or equipment that could help. Perhaps they have some helpful knowledge about parenting or breastfeeding that could really help. And maybe they could just give you a big hug when you really need it.

I truly believe all family’s need a village surrounding them and this is your chance to start building yours.

Belinda’s book ‘Survive and Enjoy Your Baby, How to Find Your Path to Parenthood’ is available at all good book stores and from BelindaJoyce.com