SJ -I was in for 5 days too so I actually enjoyed having visitors and the days that I didn't have any dragged for me! When we got home it was pretty quiet too, and most people rang and were respectful and stayed for short visits and left. My hospital was VERY strict on visiting hours too so that really helped. I think having the sign on the door is a great idea for people who pop in - we had most people call beforehand - I think it's a bit rude just to pop in without letting people know you are coming over, when they have just had a baby, but I guess it does happen.

I think it is such an exciting time and for me I was pleased to be able to share that time with close family and friends. Having said that, we both have small families and don't have hundreds of friends so it wasn't an issue. I found that we had to convince some friends to stay for dinner at times, we were happy to have them and they wanted to leave!

As far as holding goes, if you are holding bub when people arrive and they are asleep you can just say, oh he/she just fell asleep and I would prefer not to wake them up, or if in bed same excuse. You can always also say you are about to feed even if you aren't. Again, we didn't have that many people over, so the ones that did come I was happy to have them have a little cuddle while we chased Izzy! Good luck with it hun, and it is your time and your baby so just be firm and it will be fine.