What To Avoid When Visiting A Newborn Baby
We all want to meet the new little baby, but there is a lot to think about so that we do not cause problems. In this article, we will address some of the things you should avoid when visiting a newborn baby. It helps you handle the situation more smoothly.
When a baby is born into the family or in your circle of friends, it is always good news. We all want to welcome the new life. It is a normal thing to visit a newborn baby, but some precautions are good to avoid that the long-awaited visit becomes a problem. For example, you should always notify the new parents in advance before you visit them to see if it is appropriate or if it is better to wait a bit.
What to Avoid When Visiting a Newborn Baby
Do not show up without asking if it fits first
When you visit a newborn baby, you need to talk to the parents and agree on a time that works for all of you. Once you have set a time, you must make sure to arrive at the exact time and not before or after. Be punctual. It is not ok to just show up at their door without checking with them in advance, as it risks disrupting their routines.
Do not come empty-handed
Never greet a newborn without bringing something. It is always a good idea to bring food, for example. It is always appreciated by tired parents. If you are not good at cooking, you can instead bring other things that can probably also be useful for the new parents. This can be diapers, wet wipes or even a gift card.
Do not visit a newborn baby if you are sick
One of the most important things you should avoid is visiting a newborn if you are sick. If you do not feel well, do not even cross their threshold. Wait until you have no symptoms and the prescribed time to be contagious has passed with flying colors. How long this is depends on what disease you have.
Do not stay too long when visiting a newborn baby
When visiting a newborn baby, do not stay too long. Congratulations parents, talk a little and offer your help, but do not stay too long. New parents are certainly tired and need time to rest.
Do not create extra work for the parents
If you are visiting a newborn, do not expect your parents to be good hosts right then, because they will have something else to focus on. Their only job at this time is to take care of their newborn baby, so do not even expect to be offered a glass of water.
If you need something, ask if you can do it yourself. Even better, if you go to the kitchen and see dirty dishes in the sink, offer to take care of it and maybe even make a cup of coffee for the parents. They will surely appreciate the nice gesture.
Do not be too many when you visit a newborn baby
When you go to visit a newborn, make sure there are not too many people there. Go alone or with no more than one other person. For example, if the mother is breastfeeding, she may not feel comfortable doing so around people she does not know well before. If you want to come with several people, it is better to notify the parents in advance. In cases where it does not suit them well, there is nothing to be upset about – just accept their wishes.
Respect your parents’ wishes when you visit a newborn baby
Never ignore the parents’ wishes. If they decide they want two weeks without a visit, you have to respect that. Keep the necessary distance. Always ask for permission before doing anything and respect the answer.
Do not post photos of the newborn on social media
If you are taking pictures of the newborn baby, do not post them on social media. Be especially careful not to do this without parental consent. Otherwise, this risks causing problems and it is best to just avoid it.
Not all parents want to show off their children on social media and this is something you must respect. Even if you think it can be flattering because you want to show how proud you are of the newborn baby, it is better not to do so.
What else should you avoid when visiting a newborn baby?
Avoid changing plans at the last minute
If you promised to bring dinner on your visit, be sure to bring it. Similarly, if you promised to be there at four in the afternoon, do not come at another time – let alone change your plans at the last minute.
When you visit new parents, they will also make sacrifices to be able to participate during your visit. Therefore, it is important that you take responsibility and do not do anything that could disturb the new and, in all probability, the tired parents.
Do not forget to wash your hands before touching the newborn
Hygiene is important when visiting a newborn, so wash your hands thoroughly before entering the house or on arrival. Do not touch the baby until your hands are well cleaned and disinfected.
Avoid giving unwanted advice
Parents can take offense if you give them advice they have not asked for. They can feel stressed if you do and even get hurt and sad. If you want to say something, first ask if you can give any advice. And when giving advice, be tactful and have a lot of empathy.
Avoid sensitive questions
You may want to ask questions such as why the mother is not breastfeeding or if she will soon start working again. There are some issues that can be sensitive for parents. It is important that you avoid picking them up if you think it may cause irritation or upset them.
Do not ignore older siblings when visiting a newborn baby
If the parents have other children besides the newborn, you do best not to ignore them. They also need attention, so play with them and give them lots of attention. It is also a good idea to give them a small gift so that they see that they are still important.
Conclusion on what to avoid when visiting a newborn baby
We hope these recommendations come in handy for you! Think of them the next time you visit a newborn baby. It can help you avoid misunderstandings with your parents so that everyone can enjoy the little wonder without interruption.
