The maternity ward letter that’s gone viral (and is reducing mums to tears)

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An open letter shared by the NHS Ayrshire Maternity Unit has gone viral, with some readers calling for it to be compulsory reading for all new parents.

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The letter, penned by an unknown author, was shared on the ward’s Facebook page and so far has received over 4,000 comments and 14,000 ‘reactions’.

Written from the perspective of a newborn baby, the letter gently reminds first-time parents to go easy on themselves in the first few testing stages of their new baby’s life.

Dear mummy and daddy Please keep this letter from me in a place where you can read it and re-read it when things are…

Posted by NHS Ayrshire Maternity Unit on Montag, 11. September 2017

‘Dear mummy and daddy,’ it begins. ‘Please keep this letter from me in a place where you can read it and re-read it when things are rough and you are feeling down.’

The letter goes on to document the little things that make up day-to-day life for new mums and dads, but that we have a tendency to beat ourselves up about, even when we’re trying our best.

‘Please don’t expect too much from me as a newborn baby, or too much from yourselves as parents. Give us both six weeks as a birthday present, six weeks for me to grow, develop, mature, and become more stable and predictable – six weeks for you to rest and relax and allow your body to get back to normal.’

One point explains: ‘Please forgive me if I cry a lot. I am not a tyrant who was sent to make your life miserable, the only way I can tell you I am not happy is with my cry, bear with me and in a short time, as I mature, I will spend less time crying and more time socializing.

‘Please take the time to find out who I am, how I differ from you and how much I can bring to you. Watch me carefully and I’ll tell you things which soothe, console and please me.’

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‘Please remember that I am resilient and can withstand the many natural mistakes you’ll make with me. As long as you make them with love, I cannot be harmed.’

The honest letter has reduced plenty of mums and mums-to-be to tears, and hundreds have taken to the comments section to tag friends who are expecting.

‘It reminded me of you and is very sweetly written x,’ said one friend.

Another added: ‘Please don’t feel ashamed if you feel depressed or overwhelmed, many mothers suffer with post natal depression. See your doctor early, accept help, and eventually things will be ok.’

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