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Daughter &Husband won’t let anyone see newborn

(444 Posts)
David49 Thu 08-Aug-24 07:25:32

I don’t think it would be unreasonable to ask for a photo of baby it’s so easy these days.
I do understand that a new mother does not want intrusive attention so soon, we didn’t all those years ago.

BlueBelle Thu 08-Aug-24 07:09:39

Personally I certainly wouldn’t do doorstep drop offs at all that will just encourage them to keep ‘people’ at arms length and prove their reclusive behaviour to be right
Keep anything for the baby until you are ‘allowed’ a visit even if it means buying second size items (they probably won’t find them to their taste anyway)
It’s selfish behaviour and hopefully it’s a new thing that will die out soon just like all the other silly fads
I couldn’t wait to show my little ones off and was out with pride a short time after they were born
Babies need people not just a bubble of mum and dad I don’t know where this daftness has arrived from but I hope it goes back soon

GrannyIvy Thu 08-Aug-24 06:53:39

My DD2 and siL were ok with close family but would not allow friends to visit for a few weeks just wanted family time with their first baby. Friends found this quite hurtful. When second baby arrived anyone could visit who wanted too.
It is hurtful for you but go with the flow your daughter will soon be in touch. I would do doorstep drop offs of things you think they would appreciate.

Calendargirl Thu 08-Aug-24 06:33:17

Oreo

I’m afraid this is all to common with new parents nowadays, instead of joyfully sharing news and phone calls with the newest family member, they either stay quiet about it and are mysterious or ask family not to contact them for weeks while they ‘bond’.Pretentious piffle.

I agree. Load of nonsense.

Why do so many new parents nowadays think no one else has ever had a baby to ‘bond’ with?

The whole world doesn’t revolve around them and their child, and they might remember that when they do need some help and support.

Marmight Thu 08-Aug-24 05:54:52

This happened to a friend. Their daughter made it clear before the birth that she, husband and baby would be going into ‘purdha’ for the first month in order to bond. No noise. No outside influence 🙄 . Friend was distraught. Fast forward 5 years when baby no 2 was due and the whole scenario changed. Daughter couldn’t wait for her Mum to move in and help! It’s just a C21 trend. A daft one IMO. I couldn’t wait to show off my babies and was more than grateful for visitors and help. DH was back at work the next day and my Mum was with me straight away.
Cookie. I feel for you and hope you see your grandchild very soon.

BlueBelle Thu 08-Aug-24 04:10:34

I didn’t have any trouble bonding with my babies and accepting outside help when I gave birth
I m afraid this is one modern way that I think is quite horrible
Shutting your own family out to ‘ bond’ is blooming rude

It never happened up until recently and I agree it is pretentious and divisive my Mum was there to help me she didn’t try to take over I d have told her if she had I was glad of the help When mine all gave birth I went straight afterwards to help As they were a flight away I had to stay, it didn’t effect any of them bonding and I did what was needed in no way taking over just helping
I feel for you Cookie

biglouis Thu 08-Aug-24 01:45:05

Having read a lots of threads on Mumsnet it would seem that this is the modern way. There are equally threads where a young mum bemoans the fact that their relatives want to swoop in and take over.

You cant have it both ways.

Obviously its up to the parents to decide what they want.

AugustDay Thu 08-Aug-24 01:25:18

In understand you’re upset and you want news about your grandchild, but your daughter has just been through childbirth. How is she doing? She’s the one I would focus on. You could try sending a message offering help - to bring some food over, or a fresh coffee but make it clear you don’t expect anything in return and you can just drop it at the door if that’s what they want. It’s hard, but you’ll see baby soon.

MayBee70 Wed 07-Aug-24 23:42:07

My son and his wife were with the NCL. They made lots of friends through it but were given a list of all sorts of things that they should and shouldn’t do and they did it by the letter. It included not having visitors etc. They were far more relaxed with their second child but I found it rather hurtful at the time especially as I’m very conscious of the need to give people space.

Callistemon213 Wed 07-Aug-24 23:21:00

Oreo

I’m afraid this is all to common with new parents nowadays, instead of joyfully sharing news and phone calls with the newest family member, they either stay quiet about it and are mysterious or ask family not to contact them for weeks while they ‘bond’.Pretentious piffle.

Pretentious piffle.

😁 I agree

No paternity leave, of course, so I was grateful that my parents travelled 150 miles by train to come and stay because DH was so busy at work. Then he went away for four months. MIL could pop over when she liked buf she didn't come for a for a couple or three days because she was busy working too.

We all managed to bond just fine.

henetha Wed 07-Aug-24 23:10:13

It seems so hurtful and in some ways silly. Is this some fashionable new trend? I was invited to see my first grandchild when she was two hours old. I hope they soon relent and invite you to see your granddaughter.

pinkprincess Wed 07-Aug-24 23:03:07

Sorry but I cannot understand this modern way. "We must have time to bond" etc.
If this was 50 years ago, when I and many others on here did not have the luxury of paternity leave then all help and visitors would be gratefully received.
I don't think bonding existed when my two were born.

mabon1 Wed 07-Aug-24 21:48:25

My grandson and his wife invited me to see my second great grand daughter when she was 5 days old, I drove 40 miles to see her, 80 mile round trip, I'm 83.

Curlywhirly Wed 07-Aug-24 21:41:08

I know from reading posts on Mumsnet that this is now very common. Each to their own, but both of my sons and their partners just couldn't wait to show off their babies (not just to grandparents, but to all their friends too) , lots of pictures, asked us when we'd like to visit etc. I too would have been upset if they hadn't wanted us to be involved, but, you just have to go with their wishes and try not to take it personally, hard though that must be.

Oreo Wed 07-Aug-24 21:41:00

I’m afraid this is all to common with new parents nowadays, instead of joyfully sharing news and phone calls with the newest family member, they either stay quiet about it and are mysterious or ask family not to contact them for weeks while they ‘bond’.Pretentious piffle.

ExDancer Wed 07-Aug-24 21:37:17

My granddaughter and her OH were like this with their 1st baby (he was our first great-grandchild and we were sooo excited).
I never found out if it was a massive overreaction to the possibility of germs or just a desire to be private.
All I know was that it was dreadfully hurtful and I shed quite a lot of tears at the time. But we respected their decision, and when his little brother was born a couple of years later, they reacted in the same way as everyone else and were proud to show him off.
Try not to take it to heart, difficult I know, respect their wishes and they will relax in a few weeks.
It seems its quite usual these days.

OnwardandUpward Wed 07-Aug-24 21:32:21

I'm so sorry. When my son and his wife had a baby they were overseas and if it were not for my DIL messaging me, I would not have known that the day before, she gave birth.

I recieved a photo from my DIL. My son was very young and not really coping and I think my DIL wanted me to send money or I might not have heard anything. I don't have any advice, just know it's not just you. flowers I hope she contacts you soon.

Debbi58 Wed 07-Aug-24 21:29:09

Sounds like they need some time to bound and get into a routine. I wouldn't worry too much , it's early days. They will get in touch when they're ready

Cookieof4 Wed 07-Aug-24 21:25:11

My daughter and her husband welcomed their first baby 4 days ago. We were told in advance that they didn’t want anyone to come to the hospital. What we didn’t expect was short texts stating “she has been born” and “doing well” with no other information. They have been home for 2 days and we haven’t received a phone and they won’t answer any either. We haven’t received a picture and they haven’t told us her name. All we know is she is healthy. Our daughter hasn’t contacted us at all. Are we in the wrong for feeling hurt? How do we even deal with this? Our whole family just feels terrible.