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Your baby has finally arrived and of course, everyone is wanting to pay your new little one a visit. While this is an exciting time for everyone, including extended family and friends, it can be overwhelming for a new mother that is trying to recover, learn how to breastfeed and care for a newborn. Here are my tips for handling visitors and those first days out in a way that makes them enjoyable for everyone.
Visitors immediately after birth
Studies show that having at least 1 hr of uninterrupted bonding time immediately after birth is extremely beneficial for both mother and baby. Ultimately I would suggest implementing a no visitors for 24 hrs policy, while this may be torture for the grandparents, this will give you much needed bonding time and rest. In most cases, you will find that the medical staff will be your backup enforcing this and you can simply state that it is facility policy. If you give birth at home this may be a bit trickier to enforce and you will need to enlist your partner to possibly run interference.
Visitors at home
Once you are at home and settled you will want to allow visitors more openly, but with some firm ground rules in place.
1. Limit the number of visitors per day, I suggest no more than 2, one in the morning and one in the afternoon so that you have ample time to rest and take care of yourself and baby.
2. Take them up on their offers to help or bring something, have a list on your fridge of items they can do to help you out. Also, try and plan visits around a time when your baby will be fed and able to spend some time away from you and then use this time to shower or nap, they are there to see the baby not you anyhow!
3. Don’t be too gracious of a hostess, while you want your guests to be comfortable, at this point in time their role is to help you in your recovery period, not to be entertained.
4. Give firm cues when it is time for them to leave, telling them it is time to feed the baby and then proceeding to do so if you are breastfeeding works well, but if you are not comfortable with this approach then simply saying you feel dizzy and need to lie down should work.
Looking for more information about getting ready for your New Baby? Download a copy of my E book here!
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