When you become a new mum, people say a lot of stupid things to you – however unintentionally. Some of their comments can be really damaging to a new mum’s well-being and her ability to cope. Let’s take a look at some of them! Here are 48 things you should never say to a new parent!
I recently witnessed a conversation on this subject in this Facebook group for ‘real mums’ and was shocked by what some people are able to say to a women who has just given birth!
I saw it as a challenge and decided to put together a list of the most popular (or rather unpopular) stupid things people say to new mums.
I went on social media and asked mums: What is the most annoying thing people said to you when you became a mum?
Some of their answers were amusing, some of them rather offensive, and some of them left me astonished thinking: WTF? 😲
Either way, here is the completed list of the most ridiculous things people say to new mums.
It could also be called: What should you not say to a new mum!
Have a read and add your own in the comments if you can think of any that I’ve missed!
- You are so tiny, you don’t look pregnant at all.
- You had a c-section? I’m sorry!
- To a crying baby: She’s not happy, is she?
- You should try to enjoy the birth as it goes so quickly.
- It’s crazy you aren’t going to breastfeed. When calves are born they would die without getting any of the initial colostrum that the mums produce.
- You’re going to need an itemised bill for Child support because babies don’t cost that much
- You can’t feel the baby move already, I didn’t at that many months.
- Don’t listen to your midwife’s advice, I never did it like that.
- You know schedule feeding is the only way to feed your child!
- Don’t worry, you will lost the baby weight.
- You are massive. Are you sure it’s not twins?
- Breast is best.
- She doesn’t look anything like you.
- What Does It Look Like Down There?
- We didn’t do that in my day and our children turned out fine.
- Are you sleeping when the baby sleeps?
- I thought you’d said you weren’t going to use a dummy.
- Make sure you enjoy every minute.
- To a mum of a couple of hours old baby: Put mittens on your son, he he needs to “explore” himself.
- Your son had a feeding tube? How I wish my baby had a tube…
- If you cycle baby’s legs they will grow tall.
- If you don’t do tummy time your baby will be short.
- You look tired.
- This is your third? Are you CRAZY?
- Did it hurt?
- Enjoy it, this is the easy bit.
- Baby is soo skinny now, are you feeding him?
- It gets worse.
- When are you having another one?
- If you think this is bad, just wait.
- I could never go back to work. I’d miss my baby too much.
- I’m so tired.
- You’re so lucky you get to stay at home.
- If you put him in onesies all the time he would grow up and not know how to get dressed.
- You look good… For someone who’s had a baby.
- I think he’s hungry/ tired/ wet.
- Holding your baby would spoil them.
- I was nowhere near this big when I was XY weeks along.
- This is your third son? Never mind, you can always try again.
- You should be resting now!
- You look great for someone who just had a baby.
- Your baby is small because she is formula-fed.
- He’s 8 weeks? He should be sleeping through the night by now.
- Your baby should be sleeping in her own room in her cot at 4 months or she never will sleep alone.
- You shouldn’t breastfeed your baby because he’s a boy and you won’t have enough milk for him.
- Partner of a mum with a 7-month-old baby: “You don’t get to celebrate Mother’s day because you haven’t been a mum for a year.”
- ‘You look tired.’
Now, I would love to know what ridiculous things you’ve heard after becoming a mum!
Let me know in the comments!