btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

My family is in the process of planning my grandmothers 80th birthday celebration. the original thought was a cruise - thankfully that idea was rejected since children under 6 months old are not allowed.
so the next thought is a party...of around 40 people.
the date they want to plan it for is 5 weeks past my due date. is that too soon to take a baby to a party? i thought you are supposed to wait 6-8 weeks (esp since we are taking about cold season of feb/march)....but i have no idea since i am pregnant with my first.

we have not told the family yet so i am trying to come up with excuses to push the party back a few weeks since for some reason they are set on planning it now....8 months early!

Message edited 6/27/2012 8:52:40 AM.

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

Any chance someone can babysit the baby. Because if you bring a 5 week old, 30 of the 40 are going to want to hold and pass her around and people don't care or know better.

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

We went to my grandmother's 90th birthday party when my DD was 4 weeks old. It was summer, so not cold and flu season, but we kept her in the stroller or our arms the entire time. Nobody else held her. Some people thought I was a kook for not letting them hold her, but I felt more comfortable not starting passing her around when she was so small and there were so many people.

I say don't sweat it. Keep the baby in the stroller/car seat/sling and have fun!

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

We took DD to a cousin's 4th birthday. Everyone was surprisingly respectful. I didn't want DD passed around like an appetizer, but since she slept through most of it, I had an "out." No one wanted to be the one to wake her. As a BFing mama, I had a great excuse to snatch her periodically and run away for some peace and quiet lol.

In your situation, I'd bring the baby, but I'd probably wear them. Random relatives are less likely to put their faces into your chest than a baby car seat or stroller.

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

I would avoid it if you can. The reason they say you shouldn't take a baby out until 2 months is because that is when they get their shots. You should be able to get a flu shot while you are pregnant so that will help with the baby's immunity to the flu, but if a baby that small gets a fever (I think over 101 if I remember correctly) it is an automatic hospital stay and spinal tap.

If it was summer and you were going to be outside, I would say go for it!

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

There is no rule about where you can and can;t take the baby. It is all about what you are comfortable with.

I personally would not have an issue and I had a winter baby and took him everywhere.

Colds and flus happen all year round so no time is "safe". And shots do not protect from the common illnesses.

Do what you are comfy with.

btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

My daughter was born in early January. We were told not to take her around groups of people (not to stores or restaurants) until she was 12 weeks old. This was because of flu season.

Like an above poster said -- shots don't protect against common colds or fevers or other bacterial infections. A high fever means a spinal tap and it's heart-wrenching to watch a nb go through that (DH's best friend has that happen to his baby girl). As they get older, they get stronger and you start to have the ability to medicate to help more.

We were told to take the baby out from the start, but just for walks, and not indoors. Family will likely be respectful, and since the baby will probably sleep, you may be able to just put a breathable blanket over her and let her be while you're there. But it would be better if maybe you could get someone from your husband's family that you trust to stay with the baby during the party -- maybe your MIL or something, assuming your families aren't close and she won't be there.

It kinda stinks this is ending up pressuring you to tell them so early if you're not ready to yet! I'm sure you'll work it all out! And 80th bday is such a fun celebration!

I'm due one week after my grandfather turns 90. I had to tell him back in March that I was sorry I was going to miss his birthday and party but hoped he'd understand. He's super excited about another great grandchild and he is thrilled I'm missing for such a great reason!

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

We took our DD at 6 weeks old to my Grandmas 80th party. It was fine. She mostly slept in her infant seat, I just refrained from passing her around a lot.

Re: btft moms...when to take the baby to an outting

DS was born in December. We were around immediate family early on, but didn't really take him to public places until around 7 weeks.

This baby is due in a few weeks. I'm sure we'll be out and about early on. We will also be attending an OOS wedding when the baby is almost 5 weeks old. I'm not thrilled with the idea, but it's a family wedding and DS is the ring bearer. We'll keep the baby in the car seat or a carrier. I'm going to do my best to keep people away from the baby.

Re: btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

I wouldn't go, my nephews communion was when my dd was 4 weeks. Dh went alone, the only kids there were my 2 nephews the next day 1 of them was sick so good thing I didn't go.

Re: btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

this is totally up to you. Like pp said their babies were very early on. I personally wouldnt feel comfortable with going. But that is just me. Do what you feel most comfortable with.

Re: btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

I was told to keep DS out of airports, malls, etc, but otherwise it was fine to take him out in general. I live in NYC, so we are always around people. I brought him to his first family event at 6wks. I would think it is fine.

btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

I'm due Nov 19th. If all goes well I plan on taking the baby out (around family) on Xmas and xmas eve, so I guess the baby will be around one month then? I'm a little hesitant but I figure it should be okay with just family (as long as no one is sick and everyone washes their hands before they hold the baby)

Re: btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

thanks for all the feedback ladies

unfortunately getting my inlaws to babysit is not possible since we dont speak with them.

I ended up telling my mom last night about the pregnancy...she was so excited! i also got into the dates with her for the party and she said she will tell my aunts that she has to work weekends in March and that april will be better for her...so it should all work out

Re: btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

Re: btdt moms...when to take the baby to an outting

you can always ask them to see you in a table in the corner, so you can have the baby in the corner in between you two... Plus you can put the baby insect netting over the carset carrier, that usually will stop alot of people.