To worry about neighbour’s baby

It’ll be cultural differences.
Also if you did knock, it’s unlikely she would answer the door, Muslim women never answer the door! But very nice and thoughtful of you OP 💐

That’s not necessary. It’s only that she doesn’t want to cover her head all the time inside her own house. Most women who cover aren’t going to have an issue with throwing on a scarf to answer the door, though admittedly, it doesn’t sound as if this woman has many visitors…?

Knock and just say hello you noticed she has a baby and would she want to go for a walk some time/ or the park etc.

you could take some baklava if you do want to take food? But I would just knock and say hello

We know a fair bit. They're Muslim presumably (as per op) and don't speak English, so not likely from a western culture.

I do work with a large amount of Muslims (mostly not UK born) and they are honest about not wishing to mix with non Muslims outside of work because it clashes with their culture and religious viewpoints.

It's very common for some women (particularly lesser educated) to be based more in the home. Men can take on more of a classic "protector" role and there is a more "traditional" view of how women should behave. It can include not interacting with males, especially non Muslims. I should imagine being inside the home with the curtains shut lessens the chance of this happening.

I was going to suggest similar, my neighbour doesn't come out without her hijab, if you knock it takes a long time for her to answer unless one of the children are there.

You’re weirdly invested in othering a woman about whom we know nothing other than that she almost never leaves the house. It’s possible she doesn’t want to socialise with non-Muslims, sure, but it’s equally possible she has PND, or is struggling.

I have a neighbour sort of similar to yours. Except their daughter is a bit older, think around 1.5 years now. Never been to a baby group, park, soft play. Basically just stays at home.
I used to think it was strange and felt sorry for them both (mum and baby) because it’s the total opposite of how I live my life. Couldn’t imagine being stuck indoors I’d go crazy! But my neighbours just moved to the UK, well the wife has, husband was here for a while before. So you have to take that into consideration. I think she probably feels overwhelmed as everything is so unfamiliar for her. I wouldn’t jump to thinking “somethings wrong” I mean it could be yeah, but it could also not be and this is just the way they want to live their lives and what they feel most comfortable with.

But you didn't mention that ?

Maybe reconsider the automatic outrage? I’m not suggesting the OP drop over a gelatine mould or pork casserole. Lots of standard biscuit assortments like McVities are halal. It’s not that complicated.

It's laughable how everyone is tipping toeing around the elephant in the room of the cultural difference. You can't make people act like westerners just because they've moved to the UK and it's so naive to pretend otherwise!

Once again, this shows staggering naiveté "oh yeh I'm so anti racist, I'd treat em like Cassie down the road and offer em a brew and a gossip and pack of biccies"

They're Muslim ! They're not going to accept food that they don't know is Halal !

We have to stop being simplistic about our multi cultural society and realise that some groups do not want cohesion, they wish to live their lives adhering to their culture. I'm not passing judgement on it by the way. I do think any attempt to start knocking at a Muslim families door who are clearly advertising they want privacy from the neighbours is not going to be welcome and seen as pushy and possibly even a violation. Different cultures do operate differently! The liberal left think they can fix it all by treating different cultured people like "oh just the same" . I think some of it is curtain twitchy too, and probably an attempt to be like "look at me and my new brown Muslim BFF". It won't work like that.

Pop a card through the letterbox. Offer a hand of friendship /communication and wait for her cue.

Also, unless you suspect any mistreatment , it just comes across like you're applying western values to their lifestyle and judging it accordingly.

This is unrealistic.

Back in the real world, most devout Muslims do not wish to mix or be intruded on (as it'll likely be seen ) by non Muslim people. I work with many Muslims and they'll openly admit that if they're devout, they'll mix at work but not outside of. Out western ways are not generally aligned to their beliefs and practices. I appreciate the candidness really. Better than bullshit.

It does make me roll my eyes when the first few posts just act like the cultural difference just doesn't exist. It shows naivete.

The most I'd do, is pop a card through the door congratulating her on her new baby and writing your name on it. Express she'd be a welcome visitor if she knocked on your door and leave it there. Don't be surprised if you don't hear back.

I would just knock and say hi. Invite her round for a cuppa. If you get no reply, pop a note through the door.

Do you hear normal family life type noises from next door? Does the baby cry a lot? Have you tried saying hello and engaging the husband in a bit of neighbourly chat when he's arriving home?

Yes, that’s actually a fair point.

My neighbours are Muslim and their blinds are always shut, it's so she doesn't have to wear her hijab as nobody can see in.

Our neighbours on both sides are like this but at least both the two partners work nights at a hospital and so often they are sleeping in the day. I rarely see them and seems really hard to me they have young families and have to work nights so regularly with little family or friends around. I think being in maternity leave does make you more hyper aware...yeah pop a note in but try not to let it worry you too much

To possibly put your mind at ease, I had my DD 4 mths ago and she is EBF. My blinds are always only slightly open, to the point they look closed from the outside but they still let light in and I can see out from the inside.
I was only thinking today "the neighbours are going to think I'm just laying in bed all day and that's why the blinds always drawn". Really I am just trying to not give the neighbours, postman, amazon delivery driver etc more of an eye full than I have probably accidentally given them on occasion. Maybe its the same for her? Also before having DD I rarely left the house unless it was for work or if someone else was with me, I suffered terribly with anxiety and found leaving the house alone extremely hard, but the baby has turned that around for me, but perhaps she is suffering from PPD/PPA and is struggling with these things at the moment

Are you sure the baby is hers? Could she be looking after a friend/family members baby every now and then?

I know you haven’t seen her outside, but it doesn’t mean she hasn’t been out. Perhaps she just prefers being indoors and comes out on occasion.

You may be completely right and there’s a problem, or you might have it completely wrong.

unfortunately I’m not sure how you would find out.

I don't think you should knock, it might be intrusive. I understand that you are concerned she is lonely.
If the babies are close in age, they'll bond in time.
When you do see her, give a friendly smile, wait for an occasion, Eids or similar to offer a friendly hand.

You sound very nice, but also I wouldn't assume too much. I'd knock on the door with a cake or something and have it ready to leave on the doorstep with a note if no answer. We all live differently and I am sure your gesture will be appreciated.

Yeah I'm sure that'll be it, must be so hard for her

Especially if her man works all hours, she could be thousands of miles from family etc

I understand not wanting to take on others problems though, I used to be the same and not one person reciprocated - I've learned not to do it!

But who knows, this lady could be a future friend - you sound kind, and she may appreciate it xx

So if they haven't registered with a GP I doubt the health visitors would know about them which are a good link especially to local children's centres, referrals, development etc

Do you know surname by any chance, having their address is one thing but without a name trying to find the child or mother on systems would be hard. Though if you really are concerned you could email your local HV service with the predicament (obviously they could not disclose anything to you but they might be able to contact other bodies to see if any concerns/knowledge of child?)

An odd way but if your concerned about language barrier you could always write a note and pop in the door

And try a few different languages on the note ?