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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask you how long you waited before visitors

537 replies

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 11:57

After you had your baby?

My son and his partner had a baby yesterday morning and came home the same day. I have asked that they let us know when they are ready for visitors and they said that they will.

I am of the generation (is it generational?) that your immediate family were welcome straight away unless there were issues like the baby being poorly or the mother needing more recuperation than average and I couldn’t wait for my family to meet my babies. I already knew people were moving away from this though as I’ve seen it on here so I kind of knew not to expect to visit immediately.

So my question is what were you waiting for in terms if having people visit you? Do people just want a week to themselves in their little bubble? Or is it until you’ve had a good nights sleep? Or until yuh feel more comfortable? I just am wondering how people are doing it these days as I’m dying to meet my grandchild obviously.

There are no underlying issues here by the way, I get along fine with my DIL and son.

OP posts:
tinyspiny · 16/01/2026 20:13

With our first my mum and sister were at the hospital so saw him more or less immediately / in-laws came to the hospital the next day . With the second mum / sister visited in the evening with our eldest and I’d had a section in the morning , in-laws didn’t meet her until she was about 5 months as they’d decided they didn’t speak to me anymore . I was out and about to the stables with both of mine before they were a week old so they’d met loads of people .

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 16/01/2026 20:13

My mum was watching my boy(s) when I gave birth and was present at the first birth. She saw the kids pretty much as soon as they came out! Other visitors were within the week.

Rubes24 · 16/01/2026 20:06

My parents and my sister visited us in hospital when I had my first baby. My mum stayed with us for 2 weeks after the birth as I felt I very much needed her support (I had quite bad baby blues and just felt in a state of shock!) My husbands Mum and sister came to see us all after a week. I think to be honest I didnt really want to see anyone other than my own mum as I felt quite vulnerable- even my own Dad and sister felt quite full on! Try not to take it personally if they need a week to regroup before seeing people- postpartum is a very intense time! Xx

ThatMintMember · 16/01/2026 20:05

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 20:03

Those of you that brought food. Home made or nice snacks?

My mam left 2 lovely M&S ready meals in our fridge ready for us coming home, they were really appreciated! Lasagne & garlic bread, and cottage pie & veg. Really easy to prepare, minimal clean up and no containers to return to anyone, ideal!

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 20:03

Those of you that brought food. Home made or nice snacks?

OP posts:
Ohcrap082024 · 16/01/2026 19:58

My first baby (DS) was born in the afternoon. My parents and sister met DS at the hospital when he was 4 hours old. They live very near to the hospital.
DH and I took him home later that evening.

My PILs met DS the next morning. The lived a distance away and drove up. Left at the crack of dawn. Bless them.

When DD was born (at night, at home) my DM looked after DS so she met DD the following morning. In laws visited later the same day.

It never occurred to me to not involve both sets of GPs ASAP. But I was very lucky that they were all the type of people to be useful when visiting. Looking after me, making tea, washing up, bringing food. My Dsis cleaned my bathroom after my home birth!

But I respect that not everyone likes that level of contact. Some just need a bit more time and space. That’s ok.

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 19:49

Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 16/01/2026 19:46

Translation: I cannot address what you’ve said, but I will continue to tag you in passive aggressive comments, as I really want to have the last word.’

Exactly that.

OP posts:
Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 16/01/2026 19:46

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 19:42

Well a huge round of applause for you and your suspicions. Have a great evening.

Edited

Translation: I cannot address what you’ve said, but I will continue to tag you in passive aggressive comments, as I really want to have the last word.’

Labamba78 · 16/01/2026 19:44

I live far from family. My daughter was born on the Sunday and my mum came the following Saturday. Others came after that. I thought that’s what I wanted at the time. If we have another I’ll be moving her in from day 1 - and anyone else who wants to join!! I wish I’d had more support and people around me earlier on.

notquiteruralbliss · 16/01/2026 19:44

Generally MiL arrived within minutes of the birth (at home). We had champagne then got on with out day.

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 19:42

Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 16/01/2026 19:41

I rather suspected that would be the case.

Well a huge round of applause for you and your suspicions. Have a great evening.

OP posts:
Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 16/01/2026 19:41

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 19:39

No, I’m not interested in debating anything with you.

I rather suspected that would be the case.

AllMyPunySorrows · 16/01/2026 19:39

Netcurtainnelly · 16/01/2026 19:25

Agree. People stop being so precious.

Why do you find other people choosing differently to you so threatening?

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 19:39

Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 16/01/2026 19:38

Quote where she was rude. You not liking what she’s said does not make it impolite.

If anything, you’ve been rude. You asked people what they did, and what their preferences were. People have responded in good faith. Yet you think it’s appropriate to be extremely disparaging when said preferences/practices aren’t to your liking or don’t align with your views on how people ought to behave.

No, I’m not interested in debating anything with you.

OP posts:
Helpforsummer · 16/01/2026 19:39

About an hour and I bloody loved the house full of visitors for the first couple of weeks with each baby - it's one of life's true joys. My youngest is one next month and I hope every one comes to celebrate that too.

Duckiewasthefirstniceguy · 16/01/2026 19:38

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 18:58

Yes she was rude IMO.

Quote where she was rude. You not liking what she’s said does not make it impolite.

If anything, you’ve been rude. You asked people what they did, and what their preferences were. People have responded in good faith. Yet you think it’s appropriate to be extremely disparaging when said preferences/practices aren’t to your liking or don’t align with your views on how people ought to behave.

Netcurtainnelly · 16/01/2026 19:25

Notdanishsusan · 16/01/2026 12:17

I had parents, sister and niece visit in hospital and all again shortly after I was home.

That was in the last few years.

I just don’t get the whole waiting thing that’s popular now. I’m sure people have convinced one another it’s the right thing.

And the whole ‘baby bubble’ with just the parents is a load of crap imo. It sets unrealistic expectations because realistically being on your with a newborn is boring l, difficult and lonely. Having visitors to share the joy with made it special and the best bits for me.

Agree. People stop being so precious.

theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 16/01/2026 19:20

Baby born at 4am, grandparents and siblings came as soon as the ward opened for visitors.

Got home mid-afternoon, friends arrived a couple of hours later.

hahagogomomo · 16/01/2026 19:19

My mum was actually there for dd1 for dd2 I was on a different continent so it was 3 weeks. Friends came over 2 days later with dd1 same for dd2

Mouthfulofquiz · 16/01/2026 19:18

Same day for me all three times, in laws and parents (and some friends too) loved it. Everyone made a fuss and had newborn cuddles.

Specialagentblond · 16/01/2026 19:18

My MIL came into the delivery room.

July2026mumma · 16/01/2026 19:17

couldthisbe2501 · 16/01/2026 19:14

Grandparents are certainly immediate family in mine!

Yes And I imagine for 99.9% of others too. Think my sons grandparents would be a bit upset if I said they wasn’t our immediate family

Peridoteage · 16/01/2026 19:16

I never understand the thing of putting off visitors. I had slightly ropy deliveries (episiotomy, forceps & massive blood loss/anaemia with no. 1, csection 6 weeks prem with number 2) i welcomed our parents and siblings same day/as soon as hospital would let them, in both cases

Starlightsprite · 16/01/2026 19:16

sprigatito · 16/01/2026 19:07

You’re not immediate family. You’re extended family. It’s really normal for a new mother not to want extended family visiting until she’s had a chance to rest, recover and meet her own baby properly. This is a great opportunity to start as you mean to go on, by respecting boundaries and being patient.

Am I not? Who is immediate family then? It’s my son’s child. I’m happy to wait I was just asking for different opinions on timescales which I’m pleased to have received. There are some very passive aggressive responses which I find weird.

OP posts:
sprigatito · 16/01/2026 19:14

cramptramp · 16/01/2026 19:14

Wrong.

Eloquent.