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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to ask upstairs neighbours to stop their kids jumping up and down?

33 replies

OtterAndDog · 23/10/2021 20:23

I live in a small ground floor flat and have a family living above me. They have two young children who are always running around going crazy and jumping up and down. It is extremely loud, I think they must jump directly off their beds and sofas onto the floor because the whole ceiling shakes at times! It doesn't really bother me as I know kids are just like that, and it's just the effects of kids having so much energy and being cooped up in a small flat. Sometimes I hear their giggles and it actually even cheers me up!

However, I am 37 weeks pregnant and baby will be here soon. I am first time mum so I don't know how babies react around sudden loud bangs, but I'm worried the noise will keep scaring him and upsetting him. If that happens, would it be unreasonable for me to knock and ask them to stop their kids from jumping up and down? Or is it just the nature of living in a flat, and I'll have to put up with it?

They run around til about 9 o'clock at night x

OP posts:
SapereAude · 23/10/2021 20:25

I think in a few weeks time you may we find your baby's crying will be just as much of a nuisance to them tbh.
I sympathize totally, and I'd be the first up there, but if you do- the second they hear your baby, (and they will) they'll retaliate.
Brew

LubaLuca · 23/10/2021 20:26

Bearing in mind that in a few weeks you'll have a crying baby that may well disturb them, I wouldn't ask them to keep it down. I suppose it is just part of living in a flat, and those kids won't always be jumping around so much.

ScamTheSchool · 23/10/2021 20:28

As long as you don't mind them coming round every time your baby cries during the night and wakes up their DC's...

Original poster
OtterAndDog · 23/10/2021 20:28

@SapereAude

I think in a few weeks time you may we find your baby's crying will be just as much of a nuisance to them tbh. I sympathize totally, and I'd be the first up there, but if you do- the second they hear your baby, (and they will) they'll retaliate. Brew
Very true that's what my Mum is saying. Although, I can't control a babies crying but they have a better chance of controlling their kids from jumping up and down
OP posts:
Pythonista · 23/10/2021 20:34

I sympathise but Just be ready for them to kick off when they hear your baby.

That's what happens with noise complaints - once you have made one, you have to ensure that you never make a sound!

Original poster
OtterAndDog · 23/10/2021 20:36

I have a feeling they wouldn't complain about the baby purely because they very much like to keep themselves to themselves. I think they are a shy family. They have never given me any eye contact or said hello when I've seen them outside, I think it's probably partially because they know their kids are very loud and they don't want to give me any chance to mention it!

OP posts:
SpiceRat · 23/10/2021 20:37

It’s all part of flat life. You may not be able to control a babies crying but you’re essentially asking their children to stop playing and having fun in the way your child when they are growing up will certainly do.

Don’t forget your baby will be hearing all that goes on in the outside world right now, we have a dog with a loud bark and a 9 week old, she doesn’t even flinch when he barks because she got used to the noise in utero. You’ll also find expecting silence around your baby will hinder you in the long run, get them used to sleeping through normal noises.

lughnasadh · 23/10/2021 20:37

Your baby will be used to it.

You really don't want to start insisting on quiet while the baby sleeps. We vacuumed, sang, talked, just got on with stuff, and the children were always able to sleep through anything.

Original poster
OtterAndDog · 23/10/2021 20:38

@SpiceRat @lughnasadh yes hopefully he will just sleep through it and it won't even be an issue! X

OP posts:
Pythonista · 23/10/2021 20:38

@OtterAndDog

I have a feeling they wouldn't complain about the baby purely because they very much like to keep themselves to themselves. I think they are a shy family. They have never given me any eye contact or said hello when I've seen them outside, I think it's probably partially because they know their kids are very loud and they don't want to give me any chance to mention it!
Don't bet that they won't moan About your baby though, however 'shy' they are
marykitty · 23/10/2021 20:41

How old are the kids?

swapcicles · 23/10/2021 20:43

my downstairs neighbours kids do this, dread to think how it sounds to the neighbours downstairs as it shakes the floor, often makes the cat jump too!
Presumably this is during normal hours but your baby may well scream at any time of night or day, best to pick your battles I'd say

Bonsaibreaker · 23/10/2021 20:46

YANBU you can ask them.

Can they stop it probably but I dobt they will as kids are noisey. You thinks it's because they are jumping up and down truth is they are probably just moving about. So while the parents may say no jumping its doubtful the noise will stop.

You live in a flat normal everyday living boice is to be expected.

AliceMcK · 23/10/2021 20:50

I would wait and see if the noise disturbs baby first.

You can try white noise if your worried. We had a white noise app on our iPad we left in the room. All mine could sleep through a stampede once it was on.

OnTheBoardwalk · 23/10/2021 20:57

It’s all part of flat life.

This

If they are being quiet from 9 then I don’t think it’s too bad

Can’t understand why your child waking them up at all times of day and night is ok cos they are shy is ok but their kids making noise is unacceptable to you

Original poster
OtterAndDog · 23/10/2021 21:00

@OnTheBoardwalk

It’s all part of flat life.

This

If they are being quiet from 9 then I don’t think it’s too bad

Can’t understand why your child waking them up at all times of day and night is ok cos they are shy is ok but their kids making noise is unacceptable to you

what?
OP posts:
craftyMccraftison · 23/10/2021 21:10

I had a neighbour who lived underneath me. 3 times she knocked on complaining because my daughter was playing, because she was playing Christmas songs (it wasn't loud I couldn't hear them from my room), heard her laughing this was at 12 in the afternoon. I have never been so annoyed. She then had a baby and I kept saying if I heard one sound from her baby I'll complain to her and see how she feels.

It's what you have to deal with living in a apartment complex unfortunately. The worse is adults banging all hours of the night.

Sapphire387 · 23/10/2021 21:22

OP, your baby will grow up. Good luck keeping them quiet when they want to play. YABU, sorry.

DGFB · 23/10/2021 21:29

Yabu, you can’t complain. You’ll see when you have your own child that keeping them quiet and still is impossible.
You will have to move if you don’t like living in a flat. Sorry

ittakes2 · 23/10/2021 21:31

I would film it and show them.

SleepingStandingUp · 23/10/2021 21:32

Sorry op but it is part of living in a flat. You can't say hey I've not mentioned this for 3 years but for the next 18 months can you not let your children jump up or down, run around or generally move loudly.

I get why you want to.

Mammyloveswine · 23/10/2021 21:38

Yeah good luck with keeping your baby quiet when they are a crazy toddler..,

Getyourownback · 23/10/2021 21:38

Noise doesn’t travel up the way the noise of banged floors travels down. Speaking as a former middle floor flat dweller who lived below two elephant children and above baby twins...

Original poster
OtterAndDog · 23/10/2021 21:38

@Getyourownback

Noise doesn’t travel up the way the noise of banged floors travels down. Speaking as a former middle floor flat dweller who lived below two elephant children and above baby twins...
Oh god what a combo that must've been!
OP posts:
halesie · 23/10/2021 21:44

Hi OP, personally I think it's better for your baby to have noise from the start as they'll be used to it. our neighbours were in the middle of doing an extension when my DS was born - it was really noisy but didn't bother him at all.

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