Taking care of a newborn baby is no easy task, and many new mothers will be thankful for any help they can get.
But one mum has sparked debate on Mumsnet after she claimed she doesn’t want her partner to take their baby out without her, as she doesn’t feel ready to part with her son for even a few hours.
The mum explained her son is four weeks old and said her partner wants to take the tot to see his uncles – but she would rather her partner’s brothers come to their house so she can still be near her baby.
She wrote: “My baby is four weeks old. A few times my partner has mentioned taking him out without me. For example, today he wants to take him to his brothers; I suggested he calls in here instead, but it's just caused a bit of a row.
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“I am not ready to be separated from him and I have explained this to my partner, but he seems to think I'm being over the top. It's not that I don't trust him - I do 100 percent and he's great with the baby - but I just don't see why he seems to want to take him places without me so much.
“He says he wants to be able to parent him without me 'hovering around' all the time. He keeps asking how long it’ll be before I will allow him to do this, but I really can't give an answer to that. Am I being over the top?”
The post split opinion, with some people agreeing that the mum was being too controlling by forcing her partner to stay at home.
One person wrote: “I'd say yes, a bit over the top assuming your partner is a capable sensible adult. I left my son with my partner from day one. I don't see the issue?”
And another agreed, adding: “I don't think it's your call to 'allow' him to do anything, to be honest.”
While a third said: “I think it's a brilliant and positive thing that your husband and child will establish their own relationship and routines. I mean look at the hundreds of threads on here about husbands who prefer their phones to their kids.
“You won't get a medal in a year’s time for exhausting yourself, take the time for yourself, have a nap, read a book, go for lunch or a coffee.”
But others insisted a mum’s bond with her baby at four weeks is different to a dad’s, and said the mum is “valid” in her desire to not be away from her son.
Someone posted: “I don't think you are over the top - I wanted my baby with me. The newborn stage is a whirlwind of sleep deprivation and hormones.
“You just had a baby that you carried everywhere for nine months ... if you aren't ready to be apart yet that's fine! There's plenty of time ahead.”
Another wrote: “I totally get it and was exactly the same, you've carried this little one for almost ten months so it's natural to feel anxious about being apart even if you're partner is amazing with the wee one!
“Don't beat yourself up about it but take your time and do it when you're ready.”
The mum then responded to some comments and stated she wants to encourage her partner to “bond” with their son but feels “anxious” at the thought of him taking their baby away from her for long periods of time.
She said: “I don't feel like I hover around at all. I know how important it is for them to have their own bond and I encourage that.
“I am happy to leave them to it at home and get on with housework, or have a bath so I'm not always there, I just feel a bit anxious about him going out somewhere and being away from the baby like that.”
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
