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12-30-2012 at 9:59 PM
j&mmadison
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Welcome Baby Open House? Share your ideas!

Thinking about having an "open house" for everyone to meet LO about a week after he's here to hopefully lessen up the hospital traffic. Anyone else? Ideas?

 Thanks!


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12-30-2012 at 10:05 PM
drpayne
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Nope. Not during cold and flu season. Not a chance!

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12-30-2012 at 10:08 PM
Kingston54
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It's a cute idea but like pp said - that's an awful lot of germs in one place during cold/flu season at one time.  Also you may find you are too exhausted to host an open house a week after your LO is born and you may not be feeling up to it.  Additionally, depends on your personality.  I would not want all those people coming in at once - a lot of preparation and a lot of clean up for a new mom!  Good luck!

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12-30-2012 at 10:09 PM
BrilliantB...
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That sounds like an awesome idea! Lots of hand sanitizer and hors d'oeuvers and plenty of time for mommy and daddy to bond with the new baby. Wish i had thought of that in fact I wonder if it is too late for us. 

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12-30-2012 at 10:10 PM
mhickey426
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I agree with the pp and have to add, you are sooooo not going to be up to it. A week after the baby is born you are still going to be sore, exhausted and not up for an open house. If you don't want a lot of ppl at the hospital then tell them not to come.  Ask for a little time before you have visitors.

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12-30-2012 at 10:10 PM
PandasMama...
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I thought about doing this as well but with cold and flu season in full swing, theres no way I would even consider it. Plus, a week after my LO is here, I have a feeling I will be quite sleep deprived and won't want to even consider putting on a function like that. We will probably do a "welcome home" party or get together sometime around 2 or 3 months after LO has started vaccinations and cold and flu season is winding down. Plus, by then, LO will be on some sort of a schedule (at least a predictable one), I will have gotten used to the sleepless nights for the most part, and LO will be a bit more interactive with everyone (smiling and cooing) for example.

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12-30-2012 at 10:14 PM
j&mmadison
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Ok, let me rephrase...the decision to have one has already been made. So advice on whether or not to do it is not needed.  For those of you having one, please share your ideas. Thanks!

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12-30-2012 at 10:23 PM
mle929
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j&mmadison:
Ok, let me rephrase...the decision to have one has already been made. So advice on whether or not to do it is not needed.  For those of you having one, please share your ideas. Thanks!

I would never want to do an open house for a number of reasons...That being said, if you do I would recommend having lots of help with food and clean up arranged in advance.


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12-30-2012 at 10:32 PM
Bride-hild...
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I'm right with you. We're gonna wait longer than a week, or at least we're going to try, but that's neither here nor there. In my church we bless babies, so we're gonna have a little get together afterwards, especially since a lot of family will be in from out of town, pretty much just to meet the baby. We wouldn't dream of not feeding them and getting together afterwards!

Now, if my church didn't do this, I'd totally be open to an open house. Plus you don't want all those people to come to the hospital, especially the ones with kids who CAN'T come to the hospital!

Those who are sick can just keep their distance, plus babies are pretty resilient. My five month old nephew went to my brother's house for Christmas Eve and just about everyone caught my 6 year-old nephew's flu, except for a few of us and this baby. 

OH! Sorry, okay, that was me supporting your idea; now for ideas: I think nothing says "awesome party" like a Sundae Bar. Just sayin'.

Oh! And maybe you could get someone else to throw it for ya! And to have it at their place. We're not doing ours at our house, so we don't have to worry about cleaning or anything. :) 

12-30-2012 at 11:32 PM
sthomas122...
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j&mmadison:
Ok, let me rephrase...the decision to have one has already been made. So advice on whether or not to do it is not needed.  For those of you having one, please share your ideas. Thanks!

 

Well, since you're already doing it at least get others to do the cleaning and make it a potluck or something. I also think a week is still too soon. Make it at least 2-3 weeks. 


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12-31-2012 at 2:17 AM
panacea05
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In our circle of friends, it's very common for people to randomly stop by a week or two after baby gets home. I was just recently telling my husband that I think it would be easier to have one Saturday where people can drop by 1-4 or 4-7 or something, rather than having people just willy-nilly come visit, day in and day out.

So, yeah, we do plan on doing this--maybe the second Saturday we're home or something. People will be instructed to wash their hands when they arrive, and none of my friends are dumb enough to come over if they're sick.

I still have a few months to think about it, but I'm thinking we'll do cheese & crackers and a dessert tray. Nothing extravagant, obviously; they'll be there to meet my baby, not stuff themselves and have a grand ol' time. 

Haters gonna hate. Enjoy planning your open house. :)



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BFP #2: 2/17/12; EDD 10/29/12; heart rate of 78bpm on 3/12/12 @7w (Baby measured 6w); no hb 3/19/12 @8w; D&C 3/20/12.
BFP #3: 7/23/12; EDD 4/2/13; miscarried one twin 8/11/12 @5w6d, remaining twin just may be my rainbow.
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12-31-2012 at 6:33 AM
CocoR04
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Since we're having the worst flu season here in ten years, I would never host one a week after the birth.  People are sometimes the most contagious before they start showing symptoms, so it's not like people would show up ill on purpose, but germs would be spread regardless.  Not worth it to me.

That being said, I would hold it at someone else's house so DH and I could just come and go without cleaning up before and after... and supplying food... and being a gracious hostess.  It's exhausting hosting people in your own home!


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12-31-2012 at 6:36 AM
PeanutR1
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j&mmadison:
Ok, let me rephrase...the decision to have one has already been made. So advice on whether or not to do it is not needed.  For those of you having one, please share your ideas. Thanks!

 

Ha!  Good F**king luck.  

 
12-31-2012 at 7:44 AM
mrsmcdonal...
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CocoR04:
Since we're having the worst flu season here in ten years, I would never host one a week after the birth. nbsp;People are sometimes the most contagious before they start showing symptoms, so it's not like people would show up ill on purpose, but germs would be spread regardless. nbsp;Not worth it to me.That being said, I would hold it at someone else's house so DH and I could just come and go without cleaning up before and after... and supplying food... and being a gracious hostess. nbsp;It's exhausting hosting people in your own home!
This is harsh, but I think you're crazy for doing it, among flu season (people are most contagious before symptoms are evident), recovery, and lack of sleep. Some births can be pretty traumatic, especially if you end up with an emergency c-section, or if there are complications for baby. You just never know how you will feel. And if you're breastfeeding, that can be really hard only a week out. I would seriously, seriously reconsider it. If you're hell bent on doing it, I completely agree with the above. Do it at someone else's house and let someone else do all of the work.

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12-31-2012 at 9:02 AM
JenniD2
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I agree with the other PPs. One week is way too soon especially during the cold and flu season. Would it hurt to have the open house until the baby is at least 3-4 weeks old?

It would make sense that during the first week home, you will not only be recovering but also trying to set up a routine with the baby. I'm sure you will be pretty exhausted. I think it would be way too much for you and DH to then worry about setting up an open house during that time frame. 


 
12-31-2012 at 2:46 PM
Jgiesbrech...
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It sounds fun! I would have it catered. And use disposable plates/cups. Not very green, but maybe easiest. Or do what we did, and everyone who attended brought a dish to share. We had a full house about 10d after DD was born. Truthfully, I did not enjoy it at all. It was far too overwhelming for me considering I'd not had a stretch of sleep LO ger than 2h since her birth. I was fresh off an unplanned c-section and couldn't stand straight or sit. I had to lay on my side on the floor....we did it because family from out of town planned to attend. Had they not been coming, I would have cancelled. But if all goes well for you, it could be a breeze. Best of luck!


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12-31-2012 at 3:49 PM
adamsabiga...
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My first thought is this is a great idea, why didn't I think of it!? I know I will have many friends and family who will want to come see the new baby and rather than have them come unannounced or at a bad time it would be nice to give them something planned that can hold them off a few more days! 

Now that the idea is in my head I want to plan something too but probably at least two weeks after baby is here just so I have time to adjust. I would probably ask a couple close friends to help with maybe some veggie trays and drinks (although I know once my mom gets involved she will want to provide a good meal which is fine by me since she loves to cook). Also I don't think it will be too exhausting with enough people they can entertain each other, really. My family is really good about helping clean up after any event, we don't dine and dash when we are a guest EVER. So I know I can count on their help to make things run smoothly. 

But the big dilemma will be that it is in fact cold/flu season. I would just keep my stock of Purell out and arrows pointing to the bathroom and antibacterial hand soap. ;) I hink my friends and family (for the most part) are courteous enough not to come if they don't feel well. And sick or not SO will ensure no one kisses and touches baby's face -to me that is just disgusting. 

Good luck!  

01-01-2013 at 6:03 PM
brinaroze1
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My parents were planning on throwing a little "meet and greet" sometime after the birth (not sure how soon they were thinking though), mostly for the people at our church. My husband is not a religious man and doesn't really know anyone from my church, so he wouldn't want strangers in and out of our house. (He's also a very private/quiet man.)

Both of my parents are concerned about germs (my father has an auto-immune disease), so I'm sure they're going to be mindful of cold and flu season. I also plan on keeping a big bottle of hand sanitizer around for anyone who wants to hold baby. I'm a bit of a germ freak myself. 

My mom told me the plan is basically to have coffee, tea, and snacks available for anyone who wants them. It's not going to be a big deal with decorations or anything. Just something low-key so my husband feels comfortable with new people. 

 

 
01-01-2013 at 9:35 PM
Goldsgirl9
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My mom wants to do this for me when I feel ready for it. I have people who feel both ways about it. Some say do it and others say not to risk it. If I do allow her to do it then it will be when the baby is like 3 weeks old or so and all VERY dependent on how I am feeling. I like the idea but I agree that 1 week later you may not feel up for it. 

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