No children, no kissing and leave before an hour's up: Facebook post laying down laws for visiting a newborn baby goes viral

There's a lot you need to know when meeting a bundle of joy for the first time

Bringing a child into the world is one of the most amazing things a human being can do.

It’s only natural that friends and family will want to join in the excitement and spend as much time with the baby as possible when meeting the little one for the first time.

However, there are some things that visitors need to become aware of when becoming acquainted with a newborn, such as holding back from kisses and knowing when to hand the baby back to its doting parents.

A Facebook post that details the dos and don’ts that visitors should follow when meeting a newborn, written from the perspective of a newly born child, has gone viral.

The post was written by Tina Madelina, a certified labour and birth doula.

“Hi. I am a newborn so naturally everyone in my family is a pro when it comes to handling me,” Madelina writes.

“However, when it comes to visitors, my parents are constantly having to have to play the ‘bad guys’.”

While the post was written in 2015, it is evidently still proving useful for people today having gone viral on Facebook.

It’s currently been shared more than 120,000 times and has garnered 82,000 reactions with thousands of people responding with a wide array of comments, some positive and others slightly more negative.

Madelina highlighted seven main rules that visitors should consider when showing a newborn love.

She also stressed that the tips should by no means be construed as being judgemental towards other people’s parenting styles, but have been shared to provide support and encourage discussion.

No kisses

As much as people may feel inclined to shower a sweet little baby with oodles of kisses, this is not advisable.

“Do not kiss me, anywhere, at any time, no matter how delicious I look,” Madelina writes.

“In fact, do not put your face anywhere near my face or my hands and make sure you wash your hands before touching me anywhere.

Newborns are especially susceptible to infection, so it’s important to keep that in mind.

Stay put

If the baby has been placed in its carrier, don’t take it out just because you feel like having a cuddle.

“Do not take me out of the carrier under any circumstance,” the post advises.

Young babies can be particularly sensitive to odours from clothes and perfumes, so Madelina explains that it’s best to let them stay where they are.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Keep kids away

Children are naturally very curious and so love meeting little babies.

However, bringing children to meet a newborn may expose the baby to germs that it simply can’t handle quite yet.

“I am born a germaphobe and it may take me a couple of months to adjust to this yucky world,” the post explains.

Here come the waterworks

If there’s one thing everyone knows about newborn babies, it’s that they can cry… a lot.

When this happens, don’t try to calm the baby yourself, as it’s parents will naturally be better equipped at handling the situation.

“If I start crying when I'm with you, please give me back to mommy,” the post says.

“I get you want to soothe me and be a superhero for doing it but I really just want my mommy and daddy.”

(Getty Images/iStockphoto (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Keep an eye on the time

It’s so easy to lose track of time, especially when you’re gazing adoringly at a little bundle of joy.

However, babies need to be cared for constantly, so make sure that you keep your visiting hours in check.

“I get hungry, sleepy, poopy, and fussy around the clock,” Madelina writes.

“If you want to visit me, plan to come for less than an hour so mommy and daddy can get back to giving me their undivided attention instead of hosting you!”

Deal with the spit

Babies are messy little things - it’s simply who they are.

Even if you don’t have much experience with newborns, try not to be too perturbed by the spit and vomit that may make its way onto your clothing.

“It's just spit up, relax yourself,” the post says.

“Listen, you wanted to hold me, burp me, swaddle me, soothe me (see above), so now deal with it. Like I said, this is what I do - AROUND THE CLOCK!”

(Getty Images/iStockphoto (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Less phone time

New parents are understandably extremely busy looking after the new life that they’ve brought into the world.

Therefore, if they don’t respond to your message straight away, give them some slack.

“Please don't expect my Mommy to call you, text or post a million photos on FB,” Madelina writes.

“She's taking good care of me and would rather stare at my sweet face than her phone."