After our son was born, we posted a sign on our front door with all the critical info (height, weight, name, etc) and said something along the lines of "(name) has arrived! He is busy resting and getting used to his new home this week, but he can't wait to meet all of you soon!" It worked for our neighbors, but might not work for college kids!

Maybe you could customize a "Will Return" sign, like this: http://www.quill.com/7-1-2-x-9-will-return/cbs/240103.html?cm_mmc=CSE_NXT_240103

College students might find it funny and take the hint. It must be nice to be so loved!

This might be a bit much - but what about "sshh baby is sleeping. To see our newest arrival visit www.newbaby.com" or something to that effect. Link to a photo site or blog with some images of the new baby and maybe a note about the gentle rules of visiting (you can put in some of the details you mentioned). College students are obviously into technology and this would still give them a chance to see the baby and if you added a guest book even leave a well wishing note.

maybe post visiting hours with a sign-up sheet where each slot is like 10 minutes long. So it's clear exactly when and for how long they can visit.

How about turning it around, into an invitation for a one-hour event for everyone. (Doesn't have to be a whole party at home - just bring the baby by the office.)

I'd post a sign such as, "Our dearest thanks to all for their well wishes! We're all in need of rest at the moment. Please join us at X next Friday from 3-4 if you'd like to meet the baby!"

How about something along the lines of:

"The baby would love to see you, but her parents really need a nap, a feeding, and a time out. Call for an appointment. Preference will be given to visitors bearing meals."

Post "office hours," which is a concept with which college students are very familiar. It sets an understanding that there will be visiting times, the visiting times will have a specific start and end, and to not disturb otherwise. It wouldn't be seen as rude, and in fact, they'd probably think it was funny.

Make the sign obvious. Large. Brightly colored. We did the same as the first poster, with a sign that announced the stats and basic info and asked to not be disturbed. Worked great for the neighbors - but several didn't notice out little, white sign until after they'd already rung the doorbell, which made them feel bad.

Yes. My child birth class instructor actually suggested getting one of the "We will return" clock signs and taping it over the doorbell, set to the time at which you will accept visitors again. She also said to put a sign on the door that said visitors were only welcome if they brought food! :)

"Please do not disturb, baby and very tired parents are sleeping. But please let us know that you stopped by.

And then hang a white board with pen or a pad of paper with pen and a box so people can write a message.

Someone gave me this. So cute and I think she'll customize the color for you!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58189902/baby-sleeping-doorbell-hanger

This could have described my parents when I was born (since we actually lived IN a dorm). One of their cartoonist friends made a sign that said "Shannon sleeping" with a picture of me snoozing and a caption that said something to the effect of "please come back another time." and "Shannon leaping" on the other side, saying it was OK to knock and come in (this is where you might be able to say: "Please limit play time to XX minutes"). My parents used this a LOT and said it worked really well.

I may be in the minority here but I felt like after I had my babies that everyone was so concerned about this etiquette that people put off visits. Several people dropped off dinner, but it was so clearly ingrained in all of them to "leave the new mom alone" that even offers to come meet the baby were met with polite demurrals. I actually would have loved it if people had come in, kicked off their shoes, and chatted with me for a while. I don't mind nursing in front of people, so I guess they would have had to be comfortable with that, but...yeah.

That said, the visitors I would have wanted were other moms in the trenches whose brains I could pick and who would tell me I looked gorgeous despite unwashed hair, a still-gigantic belly, and spit-up all over my shirt. Not college kids to raid my fridge ;-) So way to go helping your friend out!!

Oh, and also for the record - I really do have great friends, and we spent plenty of time together 2 weeks on!

I love the idea of "office hours" as well as a white board for students to leave messages. I think students would understand both.

This is probably the only good thing about living in an upstairs apartment with a broken buzzer - people HAVE to call ahead!

I wouldn't worry too much about coming off as rude. College-aged kids in general will take any direction with less offense than "grown ups," and frankly, if they don't have any experience with a new mom, they need to be told about accepted, appropriate practices. Unless someone tells them, how else are they going to know?

You wake him, You take him!

i would definatly have visiting hours posted both inside and outside. if you had a timer that could ding and announce VISITING HOURS ARE NOW OVER, THANKS FOR VISITING COME BACK SOON. and ten mins later repete the message that would be awsome! ;)

My mother gave me a sign that said "Please knock. Baby sleeping." when my first son was born. It's been really useful because I can accept packages and receive visitors without waking our baby. I've learned that life doesn't stop when the baby is sleeping especially when you have a preschooler as well.

I love adrienne's idea:

"The baby would love to see you, but her parents really need a nap, a feeding, and a time out. Call for an appointment. Preference will be given to visitors bearing meals."

That is perfect.

Also, we put a big piece of freezer tape over the doorbell with the word "NO" on it in permanent marker. Everyone but this one UPS man was always lovely and knocked. We keep it up till naptimes are not so crucial (like, when they're two or even three).

Thank you for this post! Most of our friends are single, without children so many of them are unaware of what a family truly needs after a birth in terms of company. Yes I want them to come, but no I don't want them to come if they're sick, stay too long or expect to be fed. These suggestions are great!

i also vote for Adrienne's suggestion!

Several of these are really great. I love adrienne's note, as well as bobbsytwin's. And the white board for people to leave messages is also a great idea.

what might be fun, too, is leaving a disposable camera and a poster, and College kids would have so much fun with that. "leave a pic or a note" kind of thing...what a fun collection that would be.