Hospital and home visits

What ever you feel comfortable with then it’s up to you. There are a lot of people who don’t want visitors and prefer to settle in. You need to be clear before the baby is born what your preferences are and if anyone is upset by it then that’s their problem

I only had immediate family and only the day after. So at least I had a full day to myself at the hospital. It was just my mom sister and brother in law . My sister was in my labour. Plus everyone who was visiting was vaccinated since my baby was born in November and the flu and colds was running rampant. Then at home I gave myself a week and again only saw immediate family. Everyone else came over after baby had her vaccines at 2 months old. Friends and family. It was a brutal winter in NYC so really wanted to keep it tight. After that every weekend we had guest see her. Friday through Sunday. It’s alot also to host people when you’re so vulnerable and worry about the house and people touching your baby and asking you questions. Mentally prepare for that when you’re ready. Once I was ready to open the flood gates they were super open and it got a bit exhausting. It’s all up to you.

It's up to how you feel. I do not want anyone at the hospital or visiting there, those first few hours are for me to establish breastfeeding. If we stay longer than a day then clearly there are health issues that need addressing so no visiting. Last time we asked people to come in small family groups and book a time/day that fits in with us so we could spread family visits across the weeks and avoid meal times or cluster feeding times etc. We let grandparents be there when we arrived home which was fine as they prepped food and things for us and I needed my mom to help look after me. She stayed for a week or 2. I will most likely do similar this time. The only ones who disrespected our request was my in laws (sis in law, bro in law etc), they came in a big bunch, at dinner time, brought no food for me, made a mess and passed my baby around until he was screaming. I'm mentally preparing for it this time and will be better at removing baby from them when needed.

My parents were the only ones that visited in hospital as my mil had terminal cancer. My mil and sil visited the day after, followed by my bil and my parents at some point and then basically left us alone to get on with it which suited us. I had a fairly easy labour anyway.

I was the same way but day of …. I was so happy my family did come. Not sure how I would have felt with inlaws. Maybe just prepare yourself. It was nice to have support and i didnt think i would need or want it.

I was in hospital until day 13 and my baby was in NICU until day 10. I allowed visits for parents only on day 11 and most family saw us within a week of us leaving hospital. I thought I would want longer but this seemed right for me at the time.
If I was just at home I might have allowed visits after one week.

It’s up to you really.

I plan on allowing certain family members know when we are at the hospital and also allowing my bonus kids mom to bring them up there to meet baby. Not really expecting visitors once we’re home.

Its completely up to you. I hadn't planned hospital visitors with first (other than stepson and gran who brought him to us) but we stayed in longer so my parents came too. Second time round my parents brought our child and in laws brought stepson again. However if you really dont want them say no! It does feel a bit lonely though when everyone else is having visitors if you stay in for a while.

My hospital didnt allow visitors only Dad or Birth Partner was allowed on the ward after birth.

It’s your call ultimately. The idea of “perfect” changed once I’d had my little one (albeit adopted so different circumstances) and I was just pleased to see people who cared about me, my husband and my baby. I absolutely wouldn’t have been okay with my in laws seeing me after labour/c section though as I’d want my dignity where I could have it and that would cross that line for me personally.

It's absolutely your call. Personally, I had our family visit. I loved seeing all the people who love me fall in love with my child.

It your choice. No right or wrong

I had no hospital visitors and only the 4 grandparents allowed in the first 7 days. I originally told people it would be two weeks, I was ready early and they were excited to meet LO earlier than expected.

Ensure you and your partner on the same page.

The only people allowed in the hospital for me was my dad and my sister and my husband (but he was mostly at home with our first) I didn't allow anyone to the house for 2 weeks once we got home as I wanted to get used to being a 4 instead of a 3 and allow my first to get used to having a baby around. Then when I did allow people the rule was you pay attention to my first before you come near the baby as I won't have him pushed aside and ignored because you want to see the new shiny one.