5. “Ooh, what a lovely boy/girl” (unless you’re sure you’re correct)

You have a 2:1 chance of getting this bob on. Great odds, right? Unfortunately it also means you have a 2:1 chance of mortally offending the sleep-deprived husk of a man in front of you. Think about what you’re saying; either his princess, the apple of his eye isn’t the picture of cute femininity he imagined or his strapping young son and heir is more Emma Willis than Bruce Willis.

We like to confuse you as well; if I’ve been tasked with dressing my daughter then the chances are that she’ll be wearing a dinosaur babygrow with a pirate tank top and yet I’ll be 100% uppity should you call her a “handsome little fella” or somesuch. That’s my prerogative.

4. “When’s number two on the way?”

Seriously? Have you ever tried pulling out your best ‘come hither’ moves with baby sick down your cardie? Plus if you’re a new Dad and you’re in bed and not sleeping then you’re a bigger risk taker than Evel Knievel. You never know when you’ll next get the chance.

Speaking of which…

3. “My cousin’s daughter slept through the night from birth”

I don’t believe you. You massive liar. And even if I did believe you I’d refuse to believe you. Liar. Stop lying.

More…

Vintage Posters Of Chubby Chinese Babies In Space

I Hate Photos Of Your Baby On Facebook

2. “You don’t want to do it like that”

It’s a fairly safe assumption that the new dad to whom you’ve uttered this dreaded phrase spends more time with their offspring than you do (if not then you are either a very conscientious midwife or he should be asking some serious questions of his other half). In this case then perhaps it’s worth considering he also knows more about his own child and what makes them tick than you.

In a crowded café, juggling two mocha lattes whilst a baby screams at the top of its voice despite Daddy having tried all his best holds, were you to dare tell him what he’s doing wrong you could find yourself wearing the aforementioned beverages. Fortunately for you he’d be easy enough to track down because the barista will have written his name on the cups.

1. “Ooh! Can I just wake your sleeping baby up?”

Do you want to see a grown man who has just spent two hours pushing a pram around to eventually send his squawking daughter off to the land of nod weep?
An awake baby is often a crying baby; a sleeping baby is never a crying baby. It’s simple baby maths so why would you stride right up and start prodding her face? Why do that?

I’m talking to you, woman from the Post Office.

I use DHL now.