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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Am I being unreasonable with not wanting visitors for a bit?

175 replies

makeupgirlie · 18/07/2026 19:07

So I’m due in a week.
I am not too keen on having visitors after baby is born for a minimum of 3 weeks. I want the first few weeks to be able to recover and let baby settle in.
Everyone is understandably excited for the baby. But I have felt very overwhelmed by my partners family in particular throughout my whole pregnancy. They are always wanting to know every detail, why I have gone to the hospital and what my appointments are for. God forbid you don’t tell my partners dad and he gets annoyed by it. Anyway I am happy for grandparents to see baby first, maybe in hospital but I don’t really want everyone picking baby up or at least not for long. But when home u just want a few weeks just me, baby and partner. Is this unreasonable?

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OwlCalledSage · 18/07/2026 20:26

Your choice.

Is it weird? Yes. Does that matter? Maybe not. I can’t imagine those newborn days without friends and family popping in to see us. Some of my favourite memories.

HollyGolightly4 · 18/07/2026 20:27

I think you aren't being unreasonable not to want a steady stream of distant relatives. My aunts can wait!

I do think you are being unreasonable with immediate family. (Same rules for friends, depending upon you)

This obviously does depend on history/backstories/relationship etc.

I'm 10 weeks in- the four grandparents and 3 aunts/uncles (DH/my siblings) are besotted and would have been so hurt to wait over 3 weeks. Also, it's a joy to see them with my newborn. I'd have missed out on that. They've all been so supportive in their own way and it's already brought such a clear bond between them and their grandson./nephew.

I think a lot of this 'bubble' is driven by instagram/tik tok reels and it's over sentimental and doesn't reflect reality!

Gardenisablooming · 18/07/2026 20:31

If you have more dc you will look back and laugh at your thinking.

When I had dc3 at 6am I collected dc1 and 2 from school at 3...

hahabahbag · 18/07/2026 20:33

Seems currently fashionable but I was desperate for visitors, but didn’t know i would feel like that in advance

Theworldsgonemadagain · 18/07/2026 20:34

Yabu, it's thier grandchild 3 weeks would be mean. What do you think they are going to do kidnap it? You might be happy for them to hold the baby for an hour whilst you sleep. I agree with PP it's weird to make these plans when you have no idea how you will feel after giving birth. Some days I wanted help and sometimes I didn't and on those days I would just say sorry I'm not feeling upto it today. Just schedule the times in if it helps you feel more in control of the situation. I'm interested to see if you are planning on doing that with your own parents? If you were going to allow them to see your baby and not your husbands then I think that's bloody mean.

Theworldsgonemadagain · 18/07/2026 20:35

Gardenisablooming · 18/07/2026 20:31

If you have more dc you will look back and laugh at your thinking.

When I had dc3 at 6am I collected dc1 and 2 from school at 3...

Exactly my other half went back to work the next day and I had to do school run! There wasn't much resting going on! I'd be grateful for some help in the beginning.

Nearly50omg · 18/07/2026 20:36

tell them to mind their own business if they ask what the appointment is for!!! NONE of Their business!!!

workitoutt · 18/07/2026 20:42

I was happy to have visitors soon after the birth as I wanted to show off my baby! Also people brought round snacks. As long as they don’t stay too long and don’t expect to be waited on. But you should do what you like, obviously.

beeble347 · 18/07/2026 20:53

I also felt very nervous about feeling invaded postpartum when I was pregnant but I had to just make sure I was communicating properly with my DH and he told me he'd support whatever I wanted (and did). My MIL is very helpful but she was basically saying she'd come and stay for at least a week after the baby was born, do night shifts etc. Amazing help and so kind of her but it wasn't what I wanted - I planned to breastfeed and knew she didn't approve, fundamentally as lovely as she is she's not my mum or someone I grew up with. I felt really uncomfortable at the idea of needing to be awake and presentable and emotionally together if she was living with us. She was also coming in with a key while I was pregnant which didn't help. I'd lost my own DM to suicide just over a year before I gave birth so subject was touchy. And there were points that MIL has always been pushy on, well-meaning but I was used to always trying to act very respectful and that jarred with me now being the mum and wanting my choices respected.

Anyway we ended up having PIL to visit the day after our DS was born in the evening. Then I went to a birth centre for aftercare and breastfeeding support so didn't come home until about 4 days after the birth anyway, in the evening. DH's auntie came a couple days after that, then BIL and family came from London the next day (weekend). I'm also from London, in a city where DH grew up and most of my remaining family and friends are in London. My DB and best friend didn't come up until 3 and 4 weeks pp. We had other visitors in between. Saw ILs every week.

I'd read that lemon sized blood clot essay about how messy pp is and was worried but it wasn't like that. Yes I was tired when we had visitors (DS cluster feeding insanely);but I mostly had a good time. I struggled more with DH's older family as DS was basically taken off me as soon as they walked in and lots of jokes/comments about him not needing to feed when he got hungry and I needed to take him back. A lot of it was about me needing to gain confidence and better communication skills as a parent though, now I'd have no issue saying to hand him back - and I'd be less anxious handing him over knowing I could take him back when I wanted too. I've chilled out a lot in general just with time parenting.

I'd say: 1. Wait and see how you feel pp 2. Don't communicate any hard "rules" to visitors in advance, just schedule visits when you're all able to and don't make a big deal of delaying them 3. If you end up breastfeeding, try and make visits happen in the afternoon if possible. I could barely get functional for noon in those days having been up basically all night for weeks, morning was when I could catch up on sleep somewhat 4. Do have you or DH remind anyone holding the baby "no kisses please" assuming that's your rule. You'd be surprised the random people that think it's fine to kiss a baby on the face before its jabs. Our relatives were great but we still did remind them and I'd be firmer about this if we have another, it was not worth the stress.

Oh and feel free to give a rough guide of time for visits and keep them short and sweet, you can also say I'm just going to have a lie down if someone's visiting - or you can take baby with you after they've met and had a cuddle and say LO needs to feed or needs a change/sleep. I did struggle to sleep while anyone was over though.

And PP while yes you are bleeding and usually covered in fluids, it wasn't as extreme as I'd read in that respect.

whippersnapper55 · 18/07/2026 20:53

I think 3 weeks is a long time to cut yourself off from everyone. A new baby is a joyous event and family and friends will be happy for you and want to bring presents, food, and have a cuddle. We had lots of visits in those first few weeks, my mum made food, did washing and minded the babies while I had a bath or shower or nap. Grandparents are wonderful resources, they have knowledge and patience and are great at walking the floor with an unsettled windy baby! Of course, you can do what you want but bear in mind that new mothers who are isolated are more at risk of post partum depression. It does you good to see your friends and have a chat and a catch up.

bebefin · 18/07/2026 20:55

A newborn grows so dramatically in 3 weeks, I think that’s a real shame for close family - grandparents especially

Neurodiversitydoctor · 18/07/2026 21:02

TheSmallAssassin · 18/07/2026 20:23

I liked having visitors, I wanted people to meet my new baby and it can be a bit lonely when you are trying to learn how to look after such a tiny thing! My best friend came on holiday to our town around the time I was due especially so she could meet our baby and came to the hospital the day he was born, as did my in-laws. I don't understand wanting to shut people out.

This my parents held my new borns within 12 hours of them being born ( very close now as adults). DH's parents were there within a week ( so 3 or 4 days) frankly I am baffled at not wanting close family to meet the new baby. DM's advice was invaluable at getting bfeeding and a bedtime routine established.

MustUseAName · 18/07/2026 21:09

I thought that’s what I wanted. We lived at the other end of the country to our families. I agreed my Mum could visit for 3 days, on day 4, and in-laws could come for 3 days after that.

Everyone on my ward had huge families, showering them with flowers. I sat there feeling very sorry for myself. I didn’t want my Mum to go, and baby blues hit when my in-laws were there and I was clinging to my mother in law, sobbing for her to stay!!

By baby number 2, we’d moved home. Everyone came to the hospital, we had a lovely time at home the 4 of us, then short visits from the family as and when. Second time around was so much better.

You may want to keep them away, you may end up wanting them. Don’t upset them too much, so you can still choose as you adjust.

IronEverything · 18/07/2026 21:10

I can't wait to see all the outrage in a couple of years when all these new mums who sent lists of rules and regulations before meeting the baby after banning them for weeks start asking for childcare.

Straightomyhead · 18/07/2026 21:14

Not sure if you mentioned of this was your first. But once I had my first I couldn’t wait to show off my new baby to the world. I was in hospital for 3 days and then my parents came the next day. A few of our friends popped in during the evenings.

i would wait and see how you feel after birth about what feels right to you. My friends didn’t stay for too long each and my mum came over and made us so lunch so I t all felt relaxed.

Might be worth judging in on when people come but I loved the company. Also we have a dog so it was great for him to get the attention as well as he was getting used to hours not baby brother.

This is just my experience but not in pregnant with my second, I can’t wait for the world to meet them.

DeterminedRat · 18/07/2026 21:27

Is this your first? I would wait and see how you feel before making big declarations. I felt great after the birth of my children, really had no need to recover for 3 weeks. I was also really proud of these babies I'd pushed out and loved to see the happiness that they brought to our family and friends. It's a really gorgeous time and there is something special about sharing that with the people that you love. It's also great to have a village to call upon if you need help with anything, I'd imagine keeping people from baby might make it harder for you to reach out for that help if you need it.

ThisChirpyFox · 18/07/2026 21:33

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oh youre one of those! Grow up, this woman is birthing a baby after carrying it for 9months and who knows how the actual birth goes. She has every right to say when people can visit.

I bet you're a great mil - not!

Anyahyacinth · 18/07/2026 21:38

IronEverything · 18/07/2026 21:10

I can't wait to see all the outrage in a couple of years when all these new mums who sent lists of rules and regulations before meeting the baby after banning them for weeks start asking for childcare.

How is that connected? The first is about wellbeing, health and energy, ability to cope.....you want the new mother to be a total user instead? Huh?

Such a nasty way to think.

Reallywhatsthat · 18/07/2026 21:41

It’s a fashionable new internet driven trend. Doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do, or that it isn’t hurtful for relatives. The relationship your baby will have with their wider family will be of huge and immense benefit for them, allowing them to root themselves firmly. IMO is is potentially very damaging to your child to restrict this.
But you do you 🤷‍♀️

cramptramp · 18/07/2026 21:42

Don’t expect people to visit immediately when the 3 weeks is up if you’re keen to have that rule.

Iocanepowder · 18/07/2026 21:44

I was the opposite. I needed 2 c sections and appreciated all the help I could get. But this was actual help rather than people just visiting.

Lilypad789 · 18/07/2026 21:49

I don’t think you’re unreasonable. However, I was held at arms length this year after the birth of a baby. And now I’m being hounded to spend time with them, help out etc. it stings a bit tbh and has affected how much I’m willing to help. I think sometimes we all do stuff we don’t want to for other people and that’s okay. If you want boundaries that’s great, just don’t be surprised when it reminds other people they can also set boundaries.

Pistachiocake · 18/07/2026 21:54

It's normal to have everyone round-everyone has always done this, and it's great the family want to be involved! Let them help you-give them lists of stuff to do, and let them take the baby for a walk so you can get a shower in peace. When you take baby out/your partner is at work etc there's always a risk of bugs, but you can explain to visitors about washing hands etc. People will still sneeze on your baby-sometimes literally! at GP appointments/nursery pick ups etc so there's no getting round that, if it's bugs that worry you. But be welcoming to family, as it's so important for your child. Grandparents can be literal lifesavers, especially when kids are older if their own parents are having issues.

Livelovelaughfuckoff · 18/07/2026 21:56

I think three weeks and time limits on how long to hold baby sounds a bit ridiculous to be honest. Sure have boundaries around how often and how long people visit for and don't feel that you have to be up and about hosting people. If you need to go off to sleep or feed then do what you need to do.

But yeah I think it's a bit much to ban close family from seeing newborn for three weeks seems a good way to create bad feelings IMO.

Lilypad789 · 18/07/2026 22:02

IronEverything · 18/07/2026 21:10

I can't wait to see all the outrage in a couple of years when all these new mums who sent lists of rules and regulations before meeting the baby after banning them for weeks start asking for childcare.

Totally agree and I don’t think it’s a nasty way to think at all! I’ve experienced exactly what you’re saying this year. It’s too easy to say ‘it’s for my health and wellbeing’ when actually it’s just (for some people) an excuse to exert control and a complete unwillingness to do anything that makes them even remotely uncomfortable because we’ve got a weird thing about setting boundaries whilst having a huge sense of entitlement in some generations. 12 months later……’Could you please do this thing that makes your life much harder, will cost you time and money so that my life could be easier?’ Erm no thanks.