Boundaries for Baby
A few years before I became a mother, my friend had a baby of her own. I was so excited for her, and I couldn’t wait to meet the newest member of their family! She sent me a photo from the hospital, and I immediately responded and asked when I could come up to see her. Thinking I was being a good supportive friend, I offered to come to the hospital later that day. I brought a gift for mom and baby, stayed and talked for a little while, and came home. It wasn’t until I was in the hospital bed myself holding my newborn that I realized how intrusive my visit to my friend was. I felt an overwhelming need to apologize to her for even asking to come so quickly. Knowing what I know now, I would have waited for at least a couple weeks before even considering a visit to their house. Why? Let me tell you. You are sleep deprived, wearing nothing but a gown, hair a mess, recovering from birth or surgery, waiting for the baby to cry because they are hungry, overstimulated from the doctors and nurses coming in and out and all the other texts and calls you are getting from everyone under the sun. Speaking for myself, I didn’t even want anyone visiting me besides my husband because I was just so exhausted. My friend was an absolute saint about it.
Covid-19 changed the world we live in. It changed the way hospitals function and the way we see literally anyone as a possible means for serious infection. If you aren’t in the medical field, you experienced the pandemic through the eyes of the news and whispers from the community about the detrimental effects it has on the vulnerable population, heck you most likely had it yourself. But being a nurse who ran a Covid-19 unit during the height of the pandemic I am very aware of the damages this virus can have. Being a pregnant or new mother during this time is terrifying, and my advice to you is to set those boundaries and protect your baby without regard! Don’t make risk your little one’s health because smeones’s feelings might get hurt by not seeing them for a little while longer.
A few things that did help me feel more confident that I was keeping my house clean and sanitized was a good air purifier, lots of hand sanitizer, baby safe cleaners for toys and highchairs, and BOUNDARIES. If you want your family and friends to wear a mask, ask them. If you want them to wash/sanitize their hands before holding your baby, make them. YOU are the one responsible for this precious new life, don’t feel bad for one moment for doing what you feel is right.
