Downstairs neighbours newborn waking me up at least 5 times a night!

[charlieandthechocolatecake]

And the relief when I realise it's not my 1 year old waking up is a Godsend!

New mum is exhausted. Baby boy is beautiful with the brightest blue eyes I have ever seen.

Other than begging her to let me take him upstairs for a few hours for my own gratification, is there anything I can get her to say 'THIS PHASE WILL END!'

I don't think chocolates are a good idea. She's breastfeeding too so neither is a bottle of the strong stuff.

I just want to say 'it'll be okay.'

They're Polish by the way and new to the country.

His eyes!!!!!

Any ideas?

I know this isn't an AIBU. Sorry!

[Palomb]

Earplugs

Hth

[NeedACleverNN]

What about a little blanket for congratulations and then invite her up for a cup of tea?

If she speaks good English you could be a valuable friend to her and you get to coo over the big blue eyes.
Win win

[InternalMonologue]

I don't see why chocolates wouldn't be a good idea - I loved a midnight chocolate while tending to my own screaming newborn

[Almostfifty]

Take him away from her for a couple of hours to let her sleep. She might then love you forever.

[Scarletforya]

Chocolate would be great. Anything you can eat with one hand really is what I remember!

[bakeoffcake]

Yes, chocolates and an invite to yours for a cuppa would be a great idea.

You sound lovely

[SofiaAmes]

Breastfeeding doesn't preclude chocolate and alcohol...in fact, I think it necessitates them.

[scarednoob]

Bless you for being so nice about it! When DD was a week old, a neighbour we had never seen before (key word: London, I haven't seen most of the neighbours!) came round and asked if we had had a baby. When we said yes, she said, "congratulations. Can you keep it quiet please?"

Er...... Can you??? If so, you'll be a millionaire, you utter twat.

So I think it's lovely that you want to help. If you don't want to get chocolates, maybe a little neck pillow or a boppy for the feeding?

[charlieandthechocolatecake]

Many cups of tea have been had! She's a wonderful new mum and he is a wonderful new dad. They're the best neighbours I could ask for. We live in Kent and the cultural difference means we often have to use a translation app. I'm not white by the way. I'm mixed race. I've experienced a lot of prejudice since living here, I've been here for a year. The relief to know my neighbours are so lovely means so much to me. I would just love to get them something. Not just to say baby boy will get into a routine. But also to say, thank you for being such lovely people.

She's on a very strict (yet healthy) diet. Hence the no chocolate rule!

Thanks for your replies :-)

[AuditAngel]

Cup of tea, chocolates, offer of an hours nap whenever she needs it.

I say this as an English person married to a very cosmopolitan family. In a London restaurant, when I had finished my meal I went to a family and offered to hold their baby so they could eat. As a mum to a colicky/reflux baby, I had their screamer asleep in 5 minutes.

[AuditAngel]

If no chocolate, how about some fruit, or some camomile t-bags

[NeedACleverNN]

Just spoke to dh and he works with a lot of polish women and apparently they really enjoy dr Witt juices and love soup.

[charlieandthechocolatecake]

It's so refreshing to hear your story Audit. I feel like we live in a country where children should be seen and not heard!? My neighbours are forever apologising for the racket he makes but the sound of a newborn is so refreshing to me (even when I'm tired myself!)

[charlieandthechocolatecake]

I make an amazing chicken soup Need!? Will that help? Or does it have to be a Polish soup?

[Seriouslyffs]

Lovely thread.

[Wolfiefan]

Haha at keeping a newborn quiet.
I'm hoping you and she develop a truly lovely and lasting friendship. You sound so empathetic and caring. Xx

[NeedACleverNN]

Hmmm maybe ask if she likes chicken soup?

The women dh works with tend to prefer beetroot and stuff which are easily picked up in supermarkets

[BertieBotts]

I think a chicken soup is pretty nice whatever culture you are from!

[BitchSlapBingBunny]

If you're well acquainted I would offer to take baby blue for a walk, an hour or so in a cafe or picking up bits from the shop. Mam might be able to catch a snooze, eat or drink something hot or pass out on the sofa.

[1frenchfoodie]

Maybe some nice muslins? You can never have too many and they are neither fattening nor bulky. And some nice handcream for mum given the extra handwashing involved in caring for new baby?

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Take the baby out for an hour so she can have a nap. Bring her back a bar of Dairy Milk. She will worship you as a goddess...

[TheCaptainsCat]

Polish soup is made thus:

Add to a large pan:

-Chicken/beef/duck/pork

-Half celeriac/ few halved sticks celery

-About five carrots, peeled and halved

-One whole onion, burned in flame on hob

-One leek chopped roughly

-peppercorns

-salt

-couple stock cubes

Fill pan with water

Bring to boil and then reduce heat and allow to simmer until meat cooked. Do not stir as the soup should be clear, stirring makes it murky! Towards the end, add flat leaf parsley, and to make extra tasty, add some maggi seasoning or light soya sauce.

Eat with separately cooked pasta mixed in

To make tomato or beetroot add either chopped tomatoes or the ready cooked beetroot (not the salty kind), cook a little longer and serve with sour cream.

[charlieandthechocolatecake]

So my chicken soup consists of...chicken, celery, onions, butternut squash, potatoes, dumplings, chorizo and various seasonings. I'd that something you'd heave at or welcome!?

[ollieplimsoles]

Love this thread, me and my ndn had our babies four weeks apart and it has been great. They are from Czech republic and don't have any family here, so my family were knitting her baby clothes while I waited to have mine!

What about a really lovely hat for the baby? My neighbour always has her baby in a hat, mine wont wear them!