You may be excited to show off your newborn baby. Your family and friends may also want to share in your joy.
It's important to keep in touch. But you will also need time to rest and get to know your baby.
It's OK to limit visitors to your home.
Making visits stress-free
Having visitors can be nice. It can also be overwhelming.
Try to think about visitors before your baby is born. What would you and your partner like to happen? Communicate this clearly to others before your baby arrives.
Spread out your visitors over the days or weeks after your baby is born.
Set boundaries so visits are stress-free and work for you. Ask people to check in advance if it's OK to visit. You might need to say this gently to family and friends.
Small groups
Large groups can be overwhelming. Ask people to come in smaller groups, if you would prefer that.
It's OK to say "I have a lot of visitors this Monday, would you like to call on Wednesday instead? It would be great to see you and we can have a good chat then."
Ask for help
Ask for and accept help with routine shopping or housework. It's OK to ask for help. People are generally delighted to be able to help or do something useful.
Many visitors want to cuddle the baby. If you are comfortable with this, take the opportunity to have a shower or to drink a cup of tea. If you are not comfortable with this, it's OK to say no.
You can ask people to bring something helpful, like a meal. Be specific in asking for help. For example, "could you collect nappies on the way over" or "would you empty the dishwasher while I feed the baby?"
Do not aim for perfection
Do not try to have a perfect home. It's normal to have a messy home when you have a baby or young children.
Have comfy clean clothes ready when you are getting dressed. These will help you feel better even if you do not have time to shower.
When you might not want to have a visitor
If there is someone who you feel may stay too long, consider meeting them in a café. Or visit them when you feel up to it.
Ask people who have a cold or feel unwell not to visit until they feel better.
Visitors and infections
Visitors should not visit your baby if they are unwell with symptoms of:
- a cough
- cold
- tummy bug
- another viral infection
Newborn and premature babies are at risk from viruses. This is because their immune system is not yet developed.
Ask ahead if anyone is unwell with cold or flu symptoms. Reschedule if they are.
Newborns are adorable and everyone wants cuddles. But it’s OK to ask people to wash their hands before coming in to contact with the baby.
If someone living or staying in your home is unwell, try and keep them separate from your baby. Family and friends are there to support you. They will understand that protecting young babies is the priority.
Cold sore virus
Coming into contact with the cold sore virus (herpes simplex) can be very serious and even fatal for newborn babies.
If you (or someone else) develop a cold sore or think you have a herpes infection:
- do not kiss a baby
- wash your hands before contact with a baby
- cover up any cold sores before breastfeeding to avoid touching your mouth and then your breast
Visitors who smoke
Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke close to your baby.
Children are more at risk from secondhand smoke because:
- they breathe faster
- their lungs, airways and immune system are still developing
Secondhand smoke can increase the risk of cot death (sudden infant death syndrome).