Mum sparks debate with list of strict rules for house guests visiting baby

A mum has started an online debate after revealing a list of rules she plans to enforce on guests visiting her newborn baby.

Taking to a popular parenting forum, the mum asked if she is being unreasonable for expecting visitors to adhere to her strict list.

The ‘baby rules’ she listed on her post, published on Mumsnet, are: ‘Wash hands with soap and water before touching. No visiting if you have been ill recently. No kissing on the mouth (only kiss on the forehead).

‘No touching the mouth. If you hold the baby you will be asked to help around the flat (only for visits at ours). Do NOT wake the baby! If you have smoked you must change clothes and wash hand before holding the baby.

‘Only visit if pre-arranged or invited. No flash photography. Please respect the wishes of mummy and daddy as we are getting used to having a baby. No photos or posts about the baby on Facebook.

‘If the baby is asleep she needs to be put in the cot or basket. Feeding time is private time’.

Many users expressed their amusement over the rules, suggesting she will not have any visitors with such a ‘ridiculous’ list.

One said: ‘Is this for real? I doubt you'll get any visitors at all if you issue that list of rules! Or is that the idea...? Ah, very clever OP. Keep the in-laws away, eh?'

Another said: ‘I get no photos on Facebook but how controlling must you be to say nobody can discuss the baby online?’

A third said: 'This can't be real. No one is this ridiculous.'

While a fourth simply added: ‘Get over yourself’.

And while many agreed that getting visitors to help with housework in exchange for holding the baby is absurd, there were some who were a little more sympathetic to her rules.

One said: ‘I guess these rules are yours. Try to relax a bit though if you can.'

Another added: ‘I sort of get where you are coming from with some of the rules, but I think it's a bit excessive. If anyone does anything that bothers you, just ask/ tell them to stop doing it.'

A third agreed: ‘None of these (apart from maybe 5, just because of how it's phrased) are unreasonable but the fact that you feel like you have to set them out in a list like this makes me wonder if you're dealing with some difficult people in your life.’