to ask family not to meet baby until 3 months old.

[MsChatterbox]

I'm due in June, if lockdown is lifted then it will be my decision when family can meet baby.

I've read that babies' immune systems are a lot stronger at 3 months than they are when first born.

Would I be unreasonable to ask family to wait until this point? We would also continue to isolate until that point too.

@stingeray I think you've got it right here that I just need to follow whatever the advice is of health professionals at the time! I know when I asked my midwife before she mentioned one month. So I will just have to go by what they say!

what do you mean lose interest? That is really sad if you have had that experience with your baby. I'm lucky that our friends and family still absolutely adore DD even though she is no longer a newborn baby!
No, it is not sad, I am not interested in other people’s babies. Why would I be? I have some of my own.

You aren’t allowed any way so you don’t need to worry about it. ONE person can meet ONE person outside in a public place. How would that even allow for a baby meeting anyone?

@waitingforboristoletusfree sorry to hear this. Must have been a very frightening time!

I don't get the logic of people losing interest because its no longer a newborn. Newborns are like miserable, hungry, screaming vegetables. At least the older ones will give you a smile.

I do have to say I am also a bit confused at how you intend to isolate for 3 months. Won't midwifes be visiting and surely your partner will have to go back to work? Plus wont you want to get out of the house for a bit and take both baby and your toddler for walks?

I'd have gone insane stuck inside for 3 months post birth. It's hard enough feeling like groundhog day now with a 5 month old, if I don't get out for a change of scenery we start to climb the walls. I couldn't imagine also having a toddler.

@MsChatterbox Not until August... But I think that's unlikely to change anything, we will be staying in lockdown because of my husband's health issues and parents are all retired so it's easy for them to be cautious. I'm not super worried about the baby catching anything (although may feel differently when she's here!) but I also think posters are being a bit flippant about the risks. And I know my family will be just as excited to meet the baby whether she's newborn or a couple of months! Find it very strange that people think it'll make that much difference. If I were you I'd play it by ear and see what the situation is like when your baby actually arrives - I wouldn't be surprised if the second wave happens sooner rather than later and everything gets locked down again. Maybe warn your family that early visits may not be possible depending on the advice you're given by the midwives, and just take it from there.

@tinysleepthief I corrected myself in a comment saying I meant socially distance not isolate.

I corrected myself in a comment saying I meant socially distance not isolate.

Appologies I didn't see the correction. I was just concerned making a bubble for yourself would actually be counter productive as it wouldn't be giving you any off time during the day once your partner is no long at home.

@nowisthemonthofmaying good luck! It's not a fun time to be pregnant atm. But also I'm grateful to have something so big to look forward to and hold onto. I think this is the best plan... Just to play it by ear. I haven't mentioned anything to family atm as I may feel differently when she's here! Just feel really protective atm.

I think if you do this the main thing is to be utterly consistent. No social visits from anyone.

Not: ‘oh but my mother can pop by for just an hour as I know she’s isolated for two weeks’ and ‘well as my sister/brother/best friend is dropping something off they could just quickly hold the baby’s, that’s fine’ etc.

Before you know it you’ve actually managed to allow some people (those you personally are closest to) and excluded others. That would be the thing that would cause the real issue and massive resentment and hurt.

Good luck with the it all OP and enjoy your baby’s first few months however makes you comfortable.

My baby is due to July and I have already warned family members that we are not sure if we will have to isolate and for how long for. We are going to see nearer the time.
The problem I have is that a family member gave me flu during this pregnancy which put me in hospital, as a result the trust isn’t really there that they won’t come for a visit without symptoms.
It’s your baby, your choice.
I must admit it is stressing me out as DM said she would not be meeting baby on video call like it was her choice. We are the parents so I don’t care what anyone thinks we will be making the choice and no one else.

@NotStayingIn yes I think that's a very valid point, as some family members could isolate a lot easier than others. I am gutted not to have my mums help for watching our son and then the first week... She was amazing that first week the first time round.

@OliveJuiceU2 oh no not helpful when the trust isn't there. I had something similar where a family member came to meet my son at 4 days old with a cold and was kissing etc!

It's unlikely it will even be an option in June, possibly even beyond your 3 months.

I don't get your reasoning, if you're concerned about the immune system being developed that takes years not 3 months. Your best option is to breastfeed as the baby gets additional antibodies from you, so if you are exposed to something the baby starts getting protection from your milk. It's not total protection but is better than nothing.

My Dd is pregnant and due in the autumn. I’d be absolutely devastated if she wouldn’t let me see the baby for 3 months. I’d be happy to meet in a park or even see the baby through the window! But to be told I couldn’t see the baby and my daughter, would be just dreadful! (We haven’t even talked about this yet as we will wait and see how things are, at the time.)

I can understand why you don’t want anyone other than close family to see the baby but you surely aren’t going to include grandparents and your brothers/sisters in that?

opticaldelusion made me laugh and so true, there are some strange attitudes on here about introducing newborns to people.

@LizzieSiddal I said above I would be comfortable with a park meet just not the whole kissing and cuddles. I've also said I'm just going to follow whatever guidelines are when baby is here!

@3isthemagicnumber3 all grandparents met my son the day after he was born and were free to visit daily if they wanted from there on out. So I am not usually this paranoid.

Sorry I missed that, I’m glad you’re going to meet in a park/similar and can understand why you wouldn’t want anyone kissing/cuddling your baby.

@LizzieSiddal no problem. Hopefully when your grandbaby is here there is a smidge of normality present!

My mum is yet to meet my baby and she won’t for a few months. She hasn’t even hinted she would because she just wants everyone healthy and there isn’t some sort of baby window you miss.
Babies want their mums.

Do whatever you think best for baby and you. I personally hate that people must cuddle newborns and then ignore older children so I don’t introduce my babies to people for weeks.

MsChatter Your thread has made me think carefully about it all and I’ve realised, it’s my daughter I will be desperate to see, I’ll want to check with my own eyes that’s she’s doing ok. (Of course I’d want to have a cuddle of the baby but that can wait.)

@LizzieSiddal that's understandable. It's a lot easier to pretend things are fine when they're not if you're not seeing anyone!

It's your child so do what you want.

But I personally think you're crackers