Guide for Visitors

Are you wondering about the best way to deal with visitors? Or do you have someone close to you expecting a baby and want to know the best time to visit? Below is a basic guide.

• Don’t visit at the hospital unless you are a close friend or relative it may not be appreciated. It’s hard enough for a new mother to deal with a baby that’s often awake at night as well as keeping to a hospital schedule during the day. If you want to let them know you’re thinking about them, send a text or phone them.
• Don’t give flowers as a gift unless you think they’ll be really appreciated. Out of all the things a new mother needs, flowers is not high on the list. Often a new mum can get 5 or 6 bunches and in hospitals it’s hard to get a single vase sometimes. At home they can often end up in the way. If you want to bring something pretty make it functional.
• Phone ahead. In the first few weeks the schedule can be varied so it’s wise to phone ahead. The new mother might prefer visitors only at certain times of day or when her partner is home to help with the baby.
• Don’t stay too long. Half an hour per visit is enough in the first few weeks. The new mother will have a lot to do, ranging from feeding and changing baby to keeping her baby’s washing under control or even just trying to fit in a nap.
• Do offer to help. If you do plan to stay very long, offer to help. This can range from something simple like doing a few dishes even to looking after the baby for half an hour so mum can either nap or catch up on something she needs to do. As a new mother I can still remember thinking to myself all the things I could be doing instead of sitting and talking for an hour to another visitor.
• Don’t just gift newborn baby items. Babies grow very fast and especially if a baby is an average or large size, will grow out of a lot of newborn items in 4-8 weeks. If you plan to gift clothes go for items in a couple of different sizes (size 00 dress, size 000 jumpsuit). Clothes are nearly always appreciated but with toys and other items it might be wise to check that you aren’t doubling up on something the baby already has.