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New baby, different ideas.

(157 Posts)
annsixty Wed 27-Mar-24 09:50:08

A friend’s GD gave birth 2days ago, first GC for both sets of parents.
A txt was sent which read like the bulletin posted outside Buckingham Palace stating baldly time of birth, gender, weight.
No visitors at all for several days, not even a photograph has been sent or will be.
No one outside family to be told ( obviously that hasn’t happened) or I wouldn’t know!
The GPS are very upset , knowing this does not come from the new mum.
I couldn’t wait to show off my new baby and I think we bonded well enough.

MercuryQueen Mon 08-Apr-24 09:42:50

Smileless2012

You're assuming that no photo was sent because the GP's have shared the news that their GC's been born, but there's nothing to indicate that the parents do know MercuryQueen.

They look all squished and furious the first few days anyway that's true muffinthemoo but the GP's will still think this is the most beautiful baby in the world, wont they.

I’m assuming that the parents didn’t send a photo because they didn’t trust the grandparents not to announce the baby themselves.

Clearly, they were right.

Smileless2012 Sun 07-Apr-24 11:54:05

You're assuming that no photo was sent because the GP's have shared the news that their GC's been born, but there's nothing to indicate that the parents do know MercuryQueen.

They look all squished and furious the first few days anyway that's true muffinthemoo but the GP's will still think this is the most beautiful baby in the world, wont they.

muffinthemoo Sat 06-Apr-24 23:25:10

Smileless2012

^must wear a hazmat suit before entering^ that's so funny flappergirl. I wonder what they think anyone but the new mum's mother may do to the baby or germs they may bring in with them in hmm.

You say that Smileless but regrettably my late FIL decided that his "sort of cold" couldn't possible harm my day old daughter. So he appeared, took her off my H, and promptly coughed a lung into her little face.

It wasn't a cold. It was RSV, and my FIL was very much not the one at the hospital with my daughter two days later as she was put on oxygen.

I would like to say I never held him responsible, but she had a weak chest for years afterwards and every time I had to give her her reliever inhaler or another dose of antibiotics for a chest infection, I confess I allowed myself a short wicked thought in his direction.

Seriously, though, RSV is potentially serious in very new infants; I can understand people not wanting a dose of it.

I do have to agree that a wee photie could have gone along with the text in the OP, assuming baby is well. They all look squished and furious the first few days anyway!

MercuryQueen Sat 06-Apr-24 23:17:21

Why didn’t they send a photo? Seems pretty clear to me: the grandparents promptly ignored being asked not to share the news. If they’d had a picture, no doubt it would’ve been shared as well.

Seems like the parents made the right choice. My guess is they’ll send pics out when they’re ready to make a large announcement, since the grandparents can’t be trusted not to announce the birth themselves.

Summerlove Sat 06-Apr-24 17:11:07

For this couple, for whatever reason, sharing a photo is too much to ask. It seems to me they don't trust the new grandparents- possibly with good reason as they shared news they were told not to.

Maybe that’s something the grandparents should try to rectify.

In most cases I see no harm in sharing photos, but I’m not part of that couple so I don’t know what their reasons are.

Smileless2012 Sat 06-Apr-24 11:12:56

The child isn't HER's the child is theirs mamaperspective. I don't think that the GP's referred to in the OP were requesting a mini photo shoot just one picture of their GC, not too much to ask surely when all that's needed is a simple click on a mobile 'phone.

annodomini Sat 06-Apr-24 10:26:53

Much depends on the relationship you've had previously with the new parents. I was fortunate to be able to hold and cuddle all my GC just after they were born. Although I am the paternal granny, I had got to know the mums well when they were getting together with my sons and still count them as friends. I was the first to know when my DGD was expecting my DGGD and the first to be told 'Granny, it's a girl'. She and her partner have raised my DGGD (now nearly 2) to welcome the company of friends and relations. As a result, she is a happy and friendly toddler. I don't think any of my GC have suffered from being, from the start, part of a wider family.

MissAdventure Sat 06-Apr-24 09:36:44

Mamasperspective

@MissAdventure wow! If ever there was a ridiculous comment on the internet, yours is it. So a new mother is sore so why can't she use the camera on her phone? How about because she is prioritising bonding with HER child that SHE just gave birth to and who needs her. She's exhausted, dealing with physical issues, hormonal imbalances, watching every breath her baby takes, often trying to establish breastfeeding and settling into a new family dynamic. Anyone who does not live in their household is not a priority because the new parents (in particular the new mum) have a more important job to do than have a mini photoshoot to pacify the grandparents. Genuinely astounded by your response! Just sounds really entitled when we're taking about expectations on a woman who has often been in labour for a very long time then has often been discharged within 24 hours. Don't understand ANY issue with everyone else just waiting patiently (as they should)

I feel just the same way about your comment. smile

Just as well we aren't mum and daughter in law, isn't it?

Unless pressing one button on a phone somehow makes someone's fanny sore, I don't see the problem.

You do you, though.

Smileless2012 Sat 06-Apr-24 08:58:26

Not wanting any visitors is fare enough but not sending a photo so the GP's can see what their GC looks like and expecting GP's not to tell anyone their new GC has safely arrived is ridiculous.

I posted earlier on this thread and asked what GP's are supposed to do when asked if their GC's been born yet; lie!!!

Mamasperspective Sat 06-Apr-24 01:37:23

@MissAdventure wow! If ever there was a ridiculous comment on the internet, yours is it. So a new mother is sore so why can't she use the camera on her phone? How about because she is prioritising bonding with HER child that SHE just gave birth to and who needs her. She's exhausted, dealing with physical issues, hormonal imbalances, watching every breath her baby takes, often trying to establish breastfeeding and settling into a new family dynamic. Anyone who does not live in their household is not a priority because the new parents (in particular the new mum) have a more important job to do than have a mini photoshoot to pacify the grandparents. Genuinely astounded by your response! Just sounds really entitled when we're taking about expectations on a woman who has often been in labour for a very long time then has often been discharged within 24 hours. Don't understand ANY issue with everyone else just waiting patiently (as they should)

MissAdventure Fri 05-Apr-24 09:04:30

Depends who they whine to, Grams2five.

As long as they accommodate what the parents decide, then they can moan, whine, sigh, rant, be sad, or anything else they want to, to their friends, or on an anonymous site.

NotSpaghetti Fri 05-Apr-24 07:10:12

I also think not wanting others "around you" for a while as a new family has no bearing on how much you love them and they love you.

My parents loved me beyond measure and were loved deeply in return... but they just couldn't quite accept that we wanted to be alone as a new family - and that "alone" meant we didn't want "popping-in" on.

I was not able to turn them away on the day after the birth of our first baby (and they became much loved grandparents) but neither have I forgotten that they ignored our wishes nearly half a century ago.

This desire to "hunker-down" as a tiny new family is not caused by fashion or social media (though I realise it may be encouraged by it) - but there have probably always been a few of us who are "greedy" enough to want this very precious time to ourselves.

Grams2five Fri 05-Apr-24 01:48:19

NotSpaghetti

I think there are two schools of thought on this thread - those grandparents who liked and appreciated help when they were new parents and those who felt they wanted to begin as new parents without others and on their own terms.

I confess I was one of this latter group and had asked for no visitors in the first couple of weeks - but my (truly loving and kind) parents "popped in" from 100 miles away in spite of our request.

It means that I understand that some new families have their own ideas about how they would like the first days with a new baby to be and don't judge them for wanting to be alone any more than I'd judge them for wanting help.

I think we should respect their choice and do our very best to put our own grandparent-y feelings aside. We had our opportunity 20,30,40,50,60 years ago... this time is theirs.

Beautifully put not spaghetti.

“^this time is theirs ^”

Precisely. To read this n here at times you’d think some of these grandparents believe they are at least as equally important and deserving as the parents, if not more so. As if they’re becoming a grandparent holds a flame to the people becoming parents. It’s truly mind blowing

Grams2five Fri 05-Apr-24 01:46:01

MissAdventure

Grandparents are entitled to whine, after all, who pushed their sons and daughters out in the first place.

As yet, I think even grandparents have free speech.

Well we are entitled to do a lot of things that are rather unbecoming. And won’t win us any favors. But of course they have free speech and can choose to whine and complain. But when the result is that their adult children chose to not see them , invite them around. And in this case send photos they’ll have no one to blame but themselves for the lack of respect they showed

NotSpaghetti Fri 05-Apr-24 00:42:06

I think there are two schools of thought on this thread - those grandparents who liked and appreciated help when they were new parents and those who felt they wanted to begin as new parents without others and on their own terms.

I confess I was one of this latter group and had asked for no visitors in the first couple of weeks - but my (truly loving and kind) parents "popped in" from 100 miles away in spite of our request.

It means that I understand that some new families have their own ideas about how they would like the first days with a new baby to be and don't judge them for wanting to be alone any more than I'd judge them for wanting help.

I think we should respect their choice and do our very best to put our own grandparent-y feelings aside. We had our opportunity 20,30,40,50,60 years ago... this time is theirs.

Summerlove Fri 05-Apr-24 00:17:38

annsixty

Thankyou MissAdventure for properly reading and understanding my OP.
It was nothing to do with overbearing visitors or passing on germs, it was about not sending photographs to new GP’s or allowing them to put their head round the door to say hello, and take flowers and gifts for several days.

The new parents didn’t want visitors though. They didn’t want to send photos, have heads popped around doors to say hello.

Why because they’ve had a baby are their wants and needs seen as less than those of the grandparents?

Deedaa Thu 04-Apr-24 21:39:38

When DS was born MiL travelled down to Cornwall to look after DH and DD (I was induced so she didn't have to come until I was going into hospital) I sent home after 48 hours and MiL immediately had one of her funny turns so I was left with the new baby and a toddler while MiL drifted round the house apologising. DH had escaped to work.

MissAdventure Thu 04-Apr-24 21:35:42

Grandparents are entitled to whine, after all, who pushed their sons and daughters out in the first place.

As yet, I think even grandparents have free speech.

Grams2five Thu 04-Apr-24 21:29:32

annsixty

The new Father had pushed nothing out of his undercarriage, he was perfectly capable of using a phone camera

He was capable. These new parents have chosen not too and that’s their right. Unlike the whining complaining entitled grandparents who couldn’t even be bothered to respect the one thing they’ve thus far been asked - not to spread the news of baby’s arrival beyond family. Is it any wonder they’re not being forthcoming with photos and invites.

annsixty Thu 04-Apr-24 21:15:36

The new Father had pushed nothing out of his undercarriage, he was perfectly capable of using a phone camera

AmberSpyglass Thu 04-Apr-24 21:13:44

If I’d pushed an entire human being out of my vagina, you’d better believe I’m not answering the phone until I damn well feel like it.

annsixty Thu 04-Apr-24 21:13:34

Thankyou MissAdventure for properly reading and understanding my OP.
It was nothing to do with overbearing visitors or passing on germs, it was about not sending photographs to new GP’s or allowing them to put their head round the door to say hello, and take flowers and gifts for several days.

MissAdventure Thu 04-Apr-24 19:19:18

If someone has a sore "underneath" how does that mean that they can't use the camera on their phone?

GrannySomerset Thu 04-Apr-24 17:29:41

Sixty years ago we had ten days in hospital, support to establish breast feeding and only had the baby to worry about, with visiting strictly limited so that new mums weren’t exhausted and went home in a fairly fit state having had a fair amount of sleep and meals put in front of us. Much tougher now and I can see that settling in with a new baby needs few if any visitors, however well intentioned. Over twenty years ago I waited for the summons from DD and DSiL to go and stay and cook, answer the door, make tea for visitors and feed the washing machine. The summons came three days after they got home when it was clear that help would be appreciated. My reward was to give DGD her first bath!

oodles Thu 04-Apr-24 17:18:42

A new mum has maybe been a couple of days in labour, hardly slept for days, maybe can't sit comfortably, and has sore nipples, bleeding and sometimes leaking onto their nightgown,the baby is just getting used to the outside world, at least in many grans' postnatal days it they gave birth in a nursing home or hospital, visiting was limited, rest periods were protected, meals and drinks were brought . If you'd had a section you were kept in for 10-14 days while you healed .
I only got a few days in hospital, my in-laws came immediately I got home still tired and sore and didn't understand the concept of helping a new mum. At least my parents brought food and a friend dropped off some lovely stew
Nowadays when we know better we do better, new mums are encouraged to be the one to feed their baby even if they have decided to bottlefeed, as it's better for the baby. But visitors can make mum a drink and a snack! But that's not as popular is it