Opinions

Just say it! Easiest thing to do! Don't invite anyone round and if people ask if they can visit give them times/dates when is suitable. You could mention beforehand that you don't want anyone to drop in unannounced, that would be the hardest thing to manage if people are likely to do that to you!

I’ve been exactly the same, my little girl is 2 weeks old tomorrow and the only visitors we’ve allowed is grandparents and we’ve asked them to sanitise and wear a mask when holding her. May seem OTT but there’s too many illnesses around and I’m not taking risks with her! So far everyone has been understanding. Dont feel guilty for wanting to enjoy your bubble!

Awh thank you girls, it’s made me feel better youse have said to just say it how it is .. I’m not the only one then, I think that’s what I will do, If people message asking to come and visit I’ll just tell them times and dates of when’s best suited to me and just hope and pray no one turns up unannounced !! There is so many germs and viruses going round at the minute, I’m poorly my self with a sinus infection and really hope it’s cleared by the time I go in to labour because I’d hate for baby to be here and I’m really poorly 😭xxx

Oh please don’t feel bad about this - it is so normal and within your rights to ask people to wash their hands before touching a new baby. All my friends did & I will be too. When baby is born, after your announcement messages etc I would send a general message to your friends and family - something like this. Makes it clear, sets boundaries while being respectful. Hi everyone Thank you so much for the well wishes, we are doing fine & adjusting to our new life as a family of (3/4/5 etc). I’m sure you all can’t wait to meet baby ‘x’ and they can’t wait to meet you! Before we accept any visitors we are going to take some time to just enjoy our baby bubble for the next week, get into the swing of things & to allow me to heal. We will let you know when we are ready to start planning in visits. Until then we are happy to spam you with cute photos 🙂 Looking forward to see you all soon. Xx

Then when you do plan the visits send another general text to whoever is scheduled to come round. Hello We can’t wait to see you shortly. I know everyone will be excited to cuddle little (baby’s name) so please can I ask that everyone washes their hands when they arrive at our house, and please don’t smoke for an hour or so before arriving. Obviously little (baby’s name) is super small and doesn’t have much of an immune system yet, so we want to protect them as much as we can. See you soon! Then obviously when they arrive just gently direct them to the sink to wash their hands. Don’t worry! This is your baby and their health is more important than other peoples feelings. Everyone should want to protect the baby.

This is one of the reasons I breastfed and did baby wearing with my first. No one could hold my boy because he was always feeding on me or sleeping on me 😏 I personally don’t like the idea of passing baby around like a toy… they’re a vulnerable little person who belongs in mamas arms ❤️❤️❤️ Regarding sickness I saw a recent post about a lady whose tiny NB had caught RSV and ended up in hospital. It sounded awful! Not worth the risk.

Definitely just say it, don't let people visit until you're ready and when people do just say do you want a cuddle? Ol great here's the hand sanitiser. That's what I've done and just always have it out in the room you're in. People have still come a second time and forgotten and gone straight in to touch her and it annoys me but you have to just protect your baby. Don't feel bad 😘