I have quite a few friends who are pregnant/have just delivered and it occurred to me:

When is an appropriate time to visit someone in the hospital after they give birth?

If they deliver in the morning, is the same night too soon? Is that meant to be time for the parents and their new baby? Should you wait until the next day? Is there a specific time that's best to visit?

Early afternoon visiting hours are best and be prepared to wait until after feeding. If Mom was up all night with delivery, the following afternoon would be too soon. Unfortunately, the next day may be during discharge the way insurance wants them out asap.

My feeling is that hospital stays for deliveries are so short, usually mothers prefer visitors not come to the hospital at all. Many of my friends didn't even want relatives to come to the hospital much less friends because they wanted rest, some privacy and a chance to make the most of the limited time they had there to get help learning to care for themselves and the baby once they get home.

Even when the mother is a sister or best friend to me, I ask before coming whether they want me to come to the hospital or to wait to visit later. I've had mixed responses except that they always appreciate being asked. And wherever I visit, I ask what they'd like to eat and bring lunch from some place the new parents enjoy - I can't tell you how well appreciated this simple, inexpensive gesture is.

>>>I have a similar situation coming up with my friend's Baby Chevy due any day now. :D

This might vary depending on the parents: My experience (not personal experience, I mean what I've seen happen in my social circle... haha) has been that Mom, Dad and Baby want privacy to begin with-- only siblings, grandparents, or godparents are allowed to visit at first-- sometimes for up to two weeks (depending on health, etc). After that time, the rest of the family and friends begin to trickle in and out, but before then all time is spent holed up in private. They need to rest. They need to get used to a new routine. They need to form a bond with Baby.

I would say that unless you were requested to come to the hospital, stay away. Ask Mom and Dad when you could see the Baby, or wait for their invitation. In the meantime, give a phone call or a letter, send an Edible Arrangement, and wish them well.