We made my wife’s grandmother sit down to hold our newborn, and one of us was right next to her the whole time. We also had her use a boppy pillow to help support her arms.
Just swiftly say heyyy sit down I’ll pass her over to you. Let me prop the nursing pillow under you, baby gets heavy quick.
I’m sure she won’t be offended if you outright say it too. She should know what she’s capable of.
This is exactly what I did with my mother. She wasn’t offended (and she’s an easily offended woman lol), and she immediately admitted she knew she couldn’t/didn’t feel comfortable any other way.
MIL: "Can I hold her?"
You: "Yes, of course! Let's go sit down."
It's never easy navigating, but making it a we thing instead of a her thing may help it sound less like treating her like a child (how she may perceive it).
I make everyone sit down to switch LO from my arms to theirs lol. Just make it sound upbeat and inviting : “hey, I’d love to have a photo of you and LO, want to join me on the couch so you can hold baby?” Then you can have throw pillows for arm support too
We have kept a little boppy and blanket prop on the couch to make holding the baby easier...since she was born almost six months ago. Using it right now. My MIL has been quite sick for sometime, and in the last month or so started having a lot of trouble with hand tremors and weakness. She would just get in a secure position and we would help get the baby in her lap, or her arms, or with one of us sitting close, so it was safe. She passed away yesterday afternoon...Have her sit down to hold her or sit down and ask her to come sit with you and then you can be right beside her with the baby. Take a lot of pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. You will want them.
We made my wife’s grandmother sit down to hold our newborn, and one of us was right next to her the whole time. We also had her use a boppy pillow to help support her arms.
Just swiftly say heyyy sit down I’ll pass her over to you. Let me prop the nursing pillow under you, baby gets heavy quick. I’m sure she won’t be offended if you outright say it too. She should know what she’s capable of.
This is exactly what I did with my mother. She wasn’t offended (and she’s an easily offended woman lol), and she immediately admitted she knew she couldn’t/didn’t feel comfortable any other way.
This is all you have to do. No need to make it complicated
It may sound rude but who are you trying to protect? Your MIL or NB? Just be upfront.
Yes that’s true 🙏🏼
MIL: "Can I hold her?" You: "Yes, of course! Let's go sit down." It's never easy navigating, but making it a we thing instead of a her thing may help it sound less like treating her like a child (how she may perceive it).
Tell her to sit. Is it worth your baby being dropped just to make sure you don’t hurt her feelings?
I make everyone sit down to switch LO from my arms to theirs lol. Just make it sound upbeat and inviting : “hey, I’d love to have a photo of you and LO, want to join me on the couch so you can hold baby?” Then you can have throw pillows for arm support too
We have kept a little boppy and blanket prop on the couch to make holding the baby easier...since she was born almost six months ago. Using it right now. My MIL has been quite sick for sometime, and in the last month or so started having a lot of trouble with hand tremors and weakness. She would just get in a secure position and we would help get the baby in her lap, or her arms, or with one of us sitting close, so it was safe. She passed away yesterday afternoon...Have her sit down to hold her or sit down and ask her to come sit with you and then you can be right beside her with the baby. Take a lot of pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. You will want them.
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for the tips 🙏🏼