People ’giving advice’ ... etc

I'd love to hear any stories you all have because since we've told people we're pregnant I seem to be getting all sorts of advice and suggestions ...

Yesterday one of the blokes at work (who's wife is pregnant) was giving me advice on the sorts of medicine I couldn't take while pregnant. Fine in itself but then he saw me taking my iron tablet a little later and came rushing over to my desk almost demanding to know what I'd just swallowed ... "because I really do need to be careful" ... WTF??

I know people mean well but I'm only 15 weeks ... what will I be like in a couple of months with all the advice??

Also, how do you respond?

My grandma told me I can't do ANY lifting, can't even stretch my arms above my head because... the umbilical cord will get wrapped around the babys neck and die - I didn't bother responding.

People have told me I can't take any medication or have any pain relief as my baby will pretty much come out a junkie. - I respond by saying if that was the case they wouldn't offer it/tell you to take it.

Food, get lots of advice on food, I just respond by saying if it looks dodgy I don't eat it, or if I'm concerned about eating it I don't bother.

Oh yeah, A woman advised me against running, she said it's like shaking a baby and can cause brain damage, etc.

hehe.. yes you most probably have alot more 'well-meaning' advice to come

You know your body and your bodies limit so will slow down on physical activity accordingly. I mowed the lawns for the last time at around 38weeks - have only done it once since having baby mind you! hehe... As for food, I ate whatever I liked regardless of what people told me I shouldn't be eating. If its dodgy I wouldn't eat it whether I am pregnant or not. My body, my baby, my choice

Unfortunetly though, 'advice' given when pregnant has nothing on 'advice' given once you have baby!

nkap9 wrote: My grandma told me I can't do ANY lifting, can't even stretch my arms above my head because... the umbilical cord will get wrapped around the babys neck and die - I didn't bother responding.

my nana told me that too I just chuckled to myself be bit difficult not to especially when it comes to washing or getting things out of the pantry or a plate or cup out.

I just tune them out and don't even respond. Once they've finished talking I'll just smile vaguely and walk away or say aomething completely unrelated to babies. If they push it I have a lovely little eyebrow lift and sneer that seems to work well coz they shut up pretty quick

Paws wrote: Listen politely to what they say, smile and just respond with something like, "thanks, that's something to think about" or similar. Some advice may actually be kind of good but some....yeah well. I just found the best thing was to nod politely and let it slide.

Pretty much what Paws said Generally people are just trying to help, although I have to admit coming over to your desk to check what you had taken seems a bit much IMO. I just try to remember that people are, for the most, just trying to be kind/helpful and think that their advice is the bees knees

It doesn't stop either. There is always someone on hand to offer 'advice' !

shadowfeet wrote: She was also telling me we didn't need a pram/buggy. They were really old fashioned and noone has one, apparently . I don't listen to much of what my mum tells me.

You'd be surprised how many people said the same thing to me. I've used it quite a bit actually - what else am I supposed to do if I want to go out? Ohh, that's right, you don't get out of the house with twins because by the time you've got them ready one has spewed and the other has had a poo-splosion so you just give up (another well meaning piece of advice....funnily enough I even went to town by myself with the girls the other day for a few hours and no poo-splosions, and no spews!!!)...

Everyone will give you advice. Listen to it, take it in and either write it down if you think it will come in handy later, or just ignore it if you think it's stupid. And everyone will have a comment about breastfeeding vs formula too. It never stops, even after the baby/ies are born!!

Yep, breast vs formula, work vs stay at home, what you dress them in, how you burp them, whether they have a mobile or it's a waste of money (I have this one at the moment), prams being useless vs not being useless, who they look like, best way to burp them, what they have now vs what they had in the olden days (and of course what they have now is a waste of money, rather than advanced technology that helps our children or us do things easier)....it never ever stops!!!

another one my mil was saying that I should wean Megan off the breast otherwise she may get jealous when I am feeding her brother..lol and yet there will many mothers who tandem feed their new born and toddler no problems.

I had no intention of weaning Megan (she did self wean) so if I was still BFing her when her brother came along then so be it.

Pants, I just put my filtering cap on.

Everyone wants to give you every piece of advice out there. I think it's kind of because they wished they'd known that stuff themselves, or found it a great help to them, so they feel it's only fair to pass on that info to others.

 

Just wait till you get a belly and people feel the need to walk upto you and touch your belly without asking. Thats a serious WTF moment!