My friend sent me a bizarre list of rules before visiting her newborn

"I'd be steering well clear until they are able to chill out! It's a baby, not a museum exhibit," one person said. 

Of course, it's completely reasonable for parents to be cautious of visitors for the health and safety of their newborn. 

But one mum has taken to Mumsnet to ask if her friend has taken it too far after she sent her a 'strange' list of rules before visiting. 

She explains that she was "super excited" about seeing her friend and her newborn, but now she's worried she'll say or do the wrong thing.

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The strange list of rules for visiting her newborn

The list of rules was as follows:

• No visitors for at least 10 days.
• No advice to be given by visitors or sharing their experiences.
• Only stay an hour.
• Visits are to be arranged in advance to fit around breastfeeding.
• There’s an Amazon gift list if you wish to see it.
• Wash your hands.
• Get changed if vaping or smoking.
• You probably won’t get to hold the baby.
• Don’t kiss baby.
• Give baby back immediately to mum if crying.

Image: IStock / Mumsnet

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"I am worried about doing or saying the wrong thing"

The woman was perplexed by the list and started thinking about potential scenarios. "Like, what if the baby is eating its hands or nuzzling, do I give it back to my friend and say it’s hungry but she will be offended because she will take that as unwanted advice?" she said.

She also added her own two cents as a mum, saying: "I have three kids and breastfed them all, but I didn’t produce enough milk when I had the first.

"If someone else hadn’t told me about cluster feeding to get the milk supply going, I might have given up. Also, I could never arrange times for people to visit around breastfeeding because it just doesn’t work like that with many breastfed babies."

"When I had my kids I wanted people to share my happiness and to meet my baby and have cuddles. I find it strange when people produce lists like this or don’t want people holding their babies.

"I am worried about doing or saying the wrong thing and I shall feel like I am not really wanted there. Am I being unreasonable?"

I have just had a baby and I think this is the most ridiculous thing ever.

"I just wouldn't go. F**k that b**shit. I wouldn't send a gift either," one person said, not mincing their words.

Another joked: "Next thing she will be charging for tickets..."

Then this person offered this advice: "I wouldn't go, and if they ask why, be honest and say you were worried about breaking a rule. I have just had a baby and I think this is the most ridiculous thing ever. They need to calm down."

"That is a bizarre list. I'd be steering well clear until they are able to chill out a bit! Its a baby, not a museum exhibit," concluded someone else. 

Originally published as My friend sent me a bizarre list of rules before visiting her newborn