popping in when you've just had a baby

[musicmomma]

I work from home and my clients all come to me, so they know where I live. I've gone on maternity leave and gave birth a few weeks ago. They all asked to be told when baby arrived so I sent out an email to say 'he's here!' Plus picture etc. Since then a lot of them have asked to pop in, to which I have very politely said no, as I am exclusively breastfeeding round the clock every two hours, as I'm sure many of you are familiar with. Still, some have popped in anyway as they were 'just passing' so I have had to answer the door in various states of undress, baby crying etc. Aibu to think it's a tad rude? Family etc is one thing, but professional clients its really embarrassing!

I'm not having cbt but I'm going back to the psychiatrist (suffered with anxiety before). I'm worries about people bringing illness to the house as well, irrational I know but like I said it's the pna talking. So when anybody and everybody is popping in, it's just another stress and reason to panic

"mum and newborn napping - please do not knock"

This definitely.
The trouble with not answering the door is that some more insistent gits will come and peer through the window. I've had that happen and it's infuriating because then you have to let them in.
Unless it's my own close family I would never 'just drop in' on a new Mum. Actually I'd replace the work 'knock' with 'disturb'

Put a message on the front door:

MOTHER AND NEW BABY SLEEPING

Yeah people do look in the window. I do worry that if I put a sign saying I am sleeping the visitors I do need might leave!

Tell your expected visitors to knock and put blinds up.

I had a baby 3 weeks ago and we got a ring doorbell. It's great. You can see who's at the door on your phone and answer/not answer accordingly. Would allow you to let in MW but ignore unwanted visitors. Also useful to tell a delivery driver to leave a parcel by the bin rather than me having to deal with it right now.

Yanbu to want people popping in. No one wants to be in work mode when unwell/caring for a little baby.

'The trouble with not answering the door is that some more insistent gits will come and peer through the window. I've had that happen and it's infuriating because then you have to let them in.'

No, you don't. 'This is a bad time and I'm really not up for visitors just now. Please gimme a bell before dropping in.'

I'd ask your MW and HV to use a particular knock or to ring when they're about to come over because you're having issues with drop in visitors and then don't answer the door. And send that email. It's beyond rude to 'pop in' on someone with a newborn, or at all IMO.

It's very rude of them to just turn up. Is it not just common sense that you don't turn up at someone's house, when they've just given birth!?!
Why don't you put a sign on the door, like others have suggested, 'MOTHER & BABY SLEEPING, PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB'. Ensure curtains/blinds are closed, that they can look into. Let the welcome visitors know that the sign will be there, but they are still welcome to knock. You can then explain why it's up, if you want/need to.
If you need to then a polite email/text to all the clients is a good idea.
Something along the lines of 'For the time being visits aren't a great idea, as baby is being exclusively breastfeed and the sleep pattern is all over the place. As much as I love seeing you all, I am extremely tired, and need as much rest as possible. I promise to let you all know when baby has an established routine, so you can come back for cuddles, a cuppa and a chit chat'.

Congratulations on your new baby OP. Fingers crossed you can get some peace, and quiet from the unwelcome visitors soon