unwanted advice

[Mummabear219]

I'm getting annoyed with my friend giving me unwanted baby advice. She keeps telling me about the NHS guidelines she follows & I should follow NHS guidelines for everything. That's I should take my baby to the doctor for medicated cream for nappy rash (we use sudacrem & baby powder) which works well to control it. How do I politely decline her constant advice?

In all honesty, I wouldn't say anything unless it is really driving you potty. Just smile and nod. You're going to get a tonne of unwanted advice, a non-committal "thanks for the advice" or "I'll think about that" with a smile and then change the subject is usually easiest.

While you may not be getting advice to you that is helpful, I think it's good to keep your ears open, as maybe you will hear something useful to you at a later date, and you can just ignore the rest.

Smile and say thanks for the advice. She should get the message when she realises you havent done what she's telling you to do.

FWIW I found the same for people preaching guidleines at me. I used to try and justify myself and explain why I wasnt following them. Now I just say 'thanks for letting me know' and move the conversation on.

Nod and smile and move on. Easier said than done! But people love to give unwanted parenting advice on everything...

Thanks for the advice, I will do that 😊

The phrase “it works for us” is really powerful, assertive but not rude. I remember when I had my first I had to be quite clear with a few relatives and one day this kind of fell out of my mouth and bam! I had my default answer.