Another way to look at this and possibly address this issue is to provide the parents with some books on parenting. It really can help to alleviate concerns about a newborn and assist with parenting. We were gifted such books and they were so good at alleviating concerns and provided a wealth of knowledge.

Along with my comments below; maybe it is a good idea for potential visitors to wait a little while before visiting the new baby and new parents. This can allow plenty of time for the parents to feel comfortable about people meeting their baby and for the baby to settle into a routine.

Most people use common sense and wash hands and take good care of their hygiene when around newborns. It is understandable for some new parents to be a little anxious within reasonable limits. I did smile and laugh as the list went on and particularly the rule about flagging aggressive food.

This list is absolutely hilarious. Some points I can understand; soft fabrics and I’d never say no to double washed hands with a new born. But pausing at the entrance, smiling without teeth like you would a co worker? Really odd and a bit much. Also baby talk is good for bubs. It’s a bit much for me

Oops, that is a lot and I think that receiving a list with expectations do and don’t like this can put people off to visit. That being said I do understand that first time parents can be a bit anxious and in their best intentions want to protect their baby. Hopefully these parents can relax a bit, but it might take a little time.

That’s a lot to ask as I am sure family and friends are respectful of a newborn these days. Family that may be loud and over the top could use some advice but this list is too much. However I do agree with handwashing and being mindful of wearing colognes that may confuse the baby and could make him unsettled. Parents have the right to ask a few favours and most people would not mind until baby is bigger and settled into his family life.

Being a first time parents can cause all sorts of emotions for new parents. They are just trying to be cautious and do what they think is best for their child. They don’t mean any harm by it, they are just anxious and that is totally normal. For people who have experienced this, I would think they would understand, however for people who haven’t had kids, it is very hard to understand what could be going through a new parents mind.

Understandable from an over anxious first time parent – re the hygiene and “if you feel sick” but the language and eye contact and fabric and going around the block if you’ve had a hectic day and a soft exit???? Too much!

I hope the dad who drew up this list consulted his partner too! To say it’s a couple of things infers it’s just that, when in fact it’s a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong list…. saying feel free to skim and then dont skim please is taking the p@#$!
Always a good reminder re the ‘if you’re sick/feel unwell please dont come’ rule.
If I was handed this list pre visit, I probably would nt visit, and would wait til we met out in the real world, say over a coffee.

Wow. This is a lot! I honestly do not know if I could still remain friends with someone like this. Like I mean this is next level! For goodness sake, it is a baby, not the damn King! Some of the things are reasonable, but above hand washing and soft fabrics, I really don’t get all the other gunk. You should be able to be yourself when you meet anyone for the first time (let alone a baby) and not someone else’s version of perfect.

This gave me a giggle. I love a newborn cuddle, but if visiting requires a soft smile, calm aura, fabric check and a reset lap around the block… I’m staying home. By the time I finished reading the rules, the baby would be in school.

It has become something normal now for new parents to want the best for their little one. Some of these rules make sense, others are a bit much. I understand the world has changed a lot and we supposedly know more what is going on. As an older mum I have seen standards change Yes keeping everything clean at first helps the baby until it can cope with the outside world. The other rules are really up to the parents, but can be annoying to others.

Yes, have just received a list like this from my grandson’s wife! Just young people who haven’t realised that life with a baby is rarely regimented! When I was working in midwifery, one expectant mother sent us a 3 page list of what we were and weren’t to do! Down to piped music and personal bits that I won’t mention! When she arrived in very early labour that we would fulfill her requests to whatever boundaries we could encompass! Unfortunately, within an hour, her obstetrician anaesthetised her and performed a Caesarean! Whew! Yes, babies are very unpredictable!

Initially, I didn’t find the rules that bad (general and hygiene). They sounded more like first-time parents wanting to ensure the safest environment for their newborn. However, from ‘interaction’ onwards, it became ridiculous. For a start, the child is a newborn. The concept of the baby ‘noticing’ someone, understanding someone’s language and the words they are speaking, and being able to discern someone’s level of eye contact, and so on, is bizarre. Not asking ‘what’s wrong’ because ‘we try not to project’. I wonder at what age they will consider it ok to ask their child what is wrong. Or will they continue to ignore how the child feels lest they project something onto him. The ‘helpful commentary’ is based on what the parents want to hear about their child, hence not wanting him to be compared to other babies. It has nothing to do with the baby at all. I can respect parents setting boundaries, especially concerning the physical and mental health of their children. It allows parents to feel in control and set a limit to what they can and want to manage. However, what these parents seem to be wanting is a quiet, zen moment where the visiting admirer needs to use ‘adult’ language to tell the parents, via the newborn, what an advanced, superior specimen of humanity their newborn is. Of course, their baby is special because ALL babies are special. Part of me would like to see what manifests in the future from the parents’ current behaviour and attitudes. The other part is very worried and would prefer not to know.

Most unusual. Give them a break, sounds like they are first time parents If this is too much for friends or relatives, then don’t go visit.
He’s trying to do the right thing by his baby boy!