You’ve prepared your home well, shared with family and friends at the baby shower, and even threw a gender reveal party, complete with gender reveal shirt ideas that everyone loved. However, now you’re home from the hospital with your new bundle of joy and it’s time to get serious.
There are so many facts, and myths out there about everything from germs to visitors, and even when it’s safe to take a newborn outside, that it’s hard to keep up. While it’s hard to know which is true and which isn’t, when it comes to a baby it’s best to err on the side of caution. Keeping that in mind, read on below for a few rules to set for visitors who are eager to see your newborn at home for the very first time.
No one Comes in Who is Sick
It’s a fact that tiny newborns are incredibly vulnerable. The last thing any parents of a newborn need is for their baby to catch a cold or other illness from a well-meaning, yet sick relative or friend. This should be the first and most ironclad rule, if anyone is sick they need to delay their visit to protect not only your newborn but you as well.
Wash Your Hands
It’s important for your guests to know that a newborn’s immune system isn’t fully developed yet. If you make it a rule that visitors must wash their hands before touching or holding the baby, then it can help to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading. It’s a good idea to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the room where people will be seeing the baby so you can remember to remind people to use it.
Never Wake the Baby
Another hard and fast rule that visitors should follow and you should be quick to enforce is no one wakes up the baby. You can be polite, but it’s also good to insist that no one wake the baby up. If you’ve worked hard for two hours trying to get the baby down for a nap, then the last thing you need is someone wanting to cuddle and snuggle waking him before he wakes on his own. If your baby sleeps through their entire visit, they will just have to come back another time for snuggles.
This isn’t mean. It’s for your sanity and for the health of you and the baby. People who love you both will understand that.
Don’t be Afraid to Say No
While it may seem like you’re being rude, in reality, you’re just looking out for your family. If you’re too tired or the baby is cranky, don’t be afraid to turn down the offer of a visit from family or friends. It’s your baby’s and your health you have to be most concerned about. Friends and family will understand and come to see you and snuggle with the baby another time.
These are just a few hard and fast rules you should have in place when it comes to people coming over to see your newborn. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You’re looking out for your baby and that is your top priority.
Hello Life Newborn Photography specialise in photographing families, children, and weddings at Newborn Photography. They are hired to photograph families at various stages of their lives.