If I have a meet n greet after the baby, how old?

[GinaRae]

I like Laura's idea if I am going to give up the shower idea and do a meet n greet kind of thing.

Originally Posted by sorteep

...we did an open house style with people stopping by and mingling in and out with no set "schedule" it was buffet and very relaxed.. I opened gifts as people brought them since they came in at all diff times..

If you had something like this or are going to, when will you do it? 3 weeks?

I am still worried that I will be in the throes of a hard breastfeeding relationship, so 3 weeks sounds better than two, but not SO far out that people will get upset about not seeing baby yet. Anyone else who is really close to me will probably have seen the baby by then.

[Valerieg]

That is a tough one. I'd give it 3-4 weeks personally. That'll give you time to get things in order with yourself and the baby before having to entertain. Or, is there somewhere else you could do it, where you could be the guests of honor and just show up? If it's a situation like that, you could possibly do it at 2-3 weeks as long as there is a private place to nurse.

[GinaRae]

I'd say private schmivate, let them be uncomfortable. BUT I know how big I am and how many problems I have getting comfortable, squirting milk, etc.. so it will be a while before I am able (if ever) to just flip the breasts out in any given room without a huge process.

Nothing is ever easy, huh?

[Valerieg]

I was thinking private more for you and the baby...not to shield others as I have no problem with NIP. It's just in the early weeks I liked my quiet time nursing. It also makes it a touch easier for you to get comfortable, get a good latch, and not have to worry about all eyes on you.

[oskie]

I'm probably doing mine the weekend before Christmas, which would put the baby at 3 weeks if I go late (to 42 weeks). MIL is guilting me into it because it will be DH's 30th birthday and she feels bad that he is doing nothing to celebrate. (we'll ignore the fact that in the five years we've been together he never once wanted to do anything for his b-day) We're going to do a combo Meet the Baby/Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas open house.

I'm warming to the idea though, because it gets us out of traveling to everybody with a newborn. My mom and MIL will come by the day before and I'll have them do all the cleaning/food prep. If I feel up to it, I'll help, but this way I know it will get done no matter what.

It's close to Christmas, so I expect people will be busy and not be able to stay very long, if they come at all. Not that that thought ever entered my mind or anything. No, I picked that day so we could celebrate on DH's actual birthday. Sure I did... :

[yogachick79]

We did this as our "shower" with MILs family and friends when Landon was a month old. Honestly, it was perfect timing. I was ready for some socialization by that point, he was a bit older, and it was so special to get to see everyone at that point. Plus the focus was on him, which was great (I don't like being the center of attention in a crowd).

[maisiedotes]

We are going to do it at the end of january, after the holidays and when the baby is a little older (she ought to be 2 months old by then). It will give her and I a chance to get to know each other and things will be settling down at home...

[crunchywannabe]

well-I'd be a bit leary about having all those people over to see your new baby right during cold season.

maybe that is just me, but even breastfed babies get sick...and rsv and pneumonia....

but maybe I am a bit more worried about things like that since I have had to deal with it with younger babies before and it is NOT fun.:

[GinaRae]

I like the idea of a near Christmas thing because we can just let the family know they should come see us instead as we won't be doing all the Christmas celebrations with them (2-3 homes) due to having a newborn.

I am also uneasy about the cold/flu season, but not sure it is any worse than my three boys going to school and bringing home germies and viruses that they will breathe and rub all over the baby the second they get home (note to self: add IMMEDIATE handwashing to the routine when they get home from school instead of just when they have snackl!)

I had two boys with RSV, pneumonias, and bronchiolitis, and both ended up with asthma as babies/toddlers (they have both outgrown it at 9 and 12 years old). It's not pleasant!

[oskie]

Yeah, I worried about the cold/RSV thing too, but I'd still rather have them on my turf, so to speak. Realistically speaking, I can't get away with putting off visits until the spring. We're away from most family and having the baby in a birth center which we have to leave 12 hours after birth, so it's not like I can even have people pop in to the hospital for a quick peek.

If it's at my house, I'll feel more comfortable setting my rules. I'll keep the baby in a sling for the most part(fingers crossed he/she likes slings) and if "pass the baby" gets a little out of hand, I always have the excuse that it's time to nurse.