The Baby's Here:
New Arrival Etiquette

ne of the most exciting moments in life is receiving the phone call announcing, “The baby’s here!” Emotions run high and a slight panic can set in: What do I do now? Read on for suggestions on how to handle yourself now that the bundle of joy has arrived.

Don’t go to the hospital room or house uninvited.
Of course you want to show you care and you would especially love to meet the new little one, but just make sure you’re invited. Adjusting to life with a newborn can be overwhelming, so give new parents a chance to get the hang of it before you start hanging around.

Wash your hands.
Yes, you just washed them before you arrived, but humor the protective parents and do it again. If it means a newborn stays healthy, or just gives mom and dad peace of mind, it’s worth it. Remember, babies are very susceptible to germs in the early weeks of their lives.

Don't make any unfavorable remarks about the baby.
Whether true or not, new parents are going to be incredibly sensitive, as well as blinded by love. To you, their bundle of joy may have puffy eyes, a cone head and hairy arms, but to them it’s the most perfect creature on earth. Don’t burst their bubble.

Don't comment on the new mom’s body.
True, she still looks four or five months pregnant and that butt she gained has gone nowhere, but chances are she knows. Stick to the old adage: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Don't wear out your welcome.
You’ve received the coveted invite to see the baby and give your

support, but keep in mind that the new mom and dad are drained. Just remember that if they give up on rest now, it might be another five years or so until they get it back. Limit visits to 15-20 minutes. If you’ve traveled a great distance to get there, plan plenty of other activities to keep yourself occupied while in town. It is likely you are one of several visitors, so be sensitive to the new parents’ need for down time.

Call once and wait for a return call before calling again.
New parents receive literally hundreds of phone calls upon baby’s arrival. While they’d prefer to return each and every one in a timely manner, it may not be possible. Many will send mass emails (or a Cradle e-card announcement) with updates and photos until they are able to get back to you on a more personal level.