Visitor Rules for Postpartum
Imagine this….you’ve just had a baby, maybe your first baby, maybe the first grandbaby of the family, everyone is excited! You want to celebrate this special time, but you’re also nervous. Nervous about sickness, nervous about breastfeeding, nervous about exhaustion. Those are all normal and valid feelings. The good news is there are no real “rules” for visitors postpartum, which means you get to create your own! This is one way I support families-planning, prepping, setting boundaries. As a mom myself and a postpartum doula, here are my top tips and tricks for visitors in the postpartum days.
Discuss the rules before the baby comes. Set expectations and decide who will enforce those expectations.
Decide on whether you will allow any visitors at all, who they will be, when visits can start, and how long visits will be.
Make a list of tasks or chores and post them on your fridge and ask visitors to complete a task (people love to help!)
Have health guidelines set: hand washing, no kissing baby, no visits if your’e sniffling etc.
If you want visitors and enjoy the company, don’t let visits interfere with breastfeeding or rest. (most important!)
The postpartum period is such a special time of bonding with your baby, healing your body, and navigating feeding and learning who your newborn is, so set yourself up for success!
If you want more help or information please contact me. I’d love to help you feel confident and supported!
