New Baby, New Dynamic: 5 Essential Rules for Family and Friends

It's a time to share joy and offer a helping hand—but stay mindful of new Mom and Dad and their needs and desires. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

The little bundle of joy is finally here! Everyone’s so excited! But be prepared—there’s something about a new baby that makes even the sanest person throw the rules of etiquette right out the window.

The Hospital Rush

TV and movies show us new mothers with perfect makeup enthusiastically hosting 30 loud relatives and friends in their hospital room immediately after giving birth. In reality, the new mom has just gone through many long, difficult, painful hours of labor. Close relatives—we’re talking immediate family here—and close friends may visit. Everyone else needs to wait for an invitation; Mom needs to rest and bond with her baby.

Call before you stop by to make sure that it’s not feeding time, there’s no one else visiting, and Mom’s not taking a well-deserved nap (hopefully, the phone doesn’t wake her). Never visit if you have a fever, cough, or cold.

Home Turf

Please don’t show up unannounced. Yes, this applies even if you just show up to drop off the “most adorable baby outfit that you just had to buy.” (We’ll get back to your habit of shopping too much for the newborn a little later.)