A new mum has shared a list of rules that she has sent to family and friends who want to visit her newborn son in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lola Jimenez, 33, from London, warned her would-be guests that they would need to adhere to her wishes, or they would be immediately asked to leave.
The mum, who welcomed her first son Daniel in August, entered a period of isolation to protect both herself and her unborn baby in the run up to his birth due to Covid.
Lola, a single parent who conceived her son via a sperm donor, and who admits she has been desperate to have a baby for years, said she wasn’t prepared to take any risks with Daniel’s health.
She shared her nine restrictions on her Instagram page, where she has 9,082 followers, and sent them via text to friends and family – and she admitted she didn’t get many replies.
Lola Jimenez, 33, from London, with baby Daniel. The new mum warned her would-be guests that they would need to adhere to her wishes, or they would be immediately asked to leave
Lola with her baby. She says she recieved jokes and some support but they haven’t yet had any visitors
Lola said: ‘I chose not to have the Covid vaccine during pregnancy, and so Daniel wouldn’t have had any immunity.
‘Due to all the talk of another wave and the kids going back to school around the time that Daniel was due, I thought it was the best way to keep him safe to have restrictions.
‘My main aim was to protect my baby and not have to have any awkward conversations in person.
‘Even pre-covid I have seen friends and family in uncomfortable situations where they feel like they can’t ask people to hand their baby back or not to kiss their baby on the face/mouth.
The nine restrictions Lola shared Instagram page, and sent them via text to friends and family – she admitted she didn’t get many replies
‘I didn’t want to have any confrontation, and so made my ‘rules’ very clear from the get go.’
New mum Lola shared the rule letter that she emailed to her family and friends with her Instagram make_me_a_mummy.
However, she admitted that she didn’t receive many replies from her family and friends after sending out the letter.
But she wanted to encourage other mums to know their own boundaries and feel comfortable.
Lola’s son Daniel was conceived via sperm donor, and she said that she’s not prepared to take any risks with her baby’s health after years of wanting to become a mother
Lola while pregnant. She said she wants to encourage other mums to know their own boundaries and feel comfortable in sharing them with other people
She said: ‘I didn’t get too many replies. A few made jokes about my list, and others said they were completely willing to comply.
‘I’m sure there were a few laughs behind closed doors though! But we haven’t actually had visitors yet!
‘We are still only seeing our ‘core support bubble’ who are all being very cautious for Daniel’s sake. With just one exception where all rules were followed, we haven’t seen anyone outside of our support network.’
Her letter read: ‘It is almost time for my precious baby boy to make his grand entrance into the world – just a few weeks left to go now.
Lola leaving with baby Daniel in the hospital. To those who think her rules are too strict, she says that it’s up to her how she chooses to keep her baby safe
Lola before giving birth. None of Lola’s rules up for debate, and if visitors aren’t sure if they can follow them, she asks them not to visit
Lola thinks all new mums should know their own boundaries and not be made to feel uncomfortable when they try to enforce them. Pictured while pregnant
‘As I have chosen not to receive the Covid vaccine during my pregnancy I am entering a period of isolation to protect both me and my baby in the run up to his birth.
‘This just means I won’t be accepting visitors outside of my immediate support network for now, however once he has arrived I also have very specific ideas about how I plan to keep him safe from covid and any other risks.
‘I have detailed these below to avoid any awkward conversations later and I trust that you will all respect my wishes.’
Lola explained that a lot of her online followers are new mums and pregnant mums-to-be and therefore, she received lots of messages in support of her post.
She said many had questioned what was and what wasn’t ok to ask of visitors – and expressed their anxiety about how to ask for space.
The new mum said: ‘I also had lots of women who already had their children saying how they wish they had had the courage to send a similar message out when they had their own children.
‘To those that think my rules are too strict, I’d say that it’s up to me how I choose to keep my baby safe and I am the only person responsible for him.
‘Whilst there are many people upset that they haven’t been able to meet him yet, his safety comes before other people’s feelings as far as I’m concerned.’
Lola revealed she doesn’t know if all new mums should have a set of rules – but said it’s important that all mums feel comfortable.
She said all new mums should certainly know their own boundaries and not be made to feel uncomfortable when they try to enforce them.
The new mum added: ‘If it helps to write a list or send a message setting expectations, then why not!’