Wedding overseas with a 5 week old?

[Anonymous]

I am just posting my response based on how YOU may be feeling as well.......keep in mind that five weeks post-partum you may be feeling great - but you may not. I had to travel when my DS (ist baby) was 3 weeks old and I was still bleeding heavily - engorged breasts leaking all over the place - feeling fat - still wearing my maternity clothes, etc, etc.......I did it and you could do. I went to my sister's wedding at 8 weeks post partum - (2nd baby) and everything was fine - baby was great - traveled great and I looked pretty good (and felt good) if I do say so myself........
so you just never know.........It's a tough predicament to be in since you do not know how you or the baby are going to feeling! I feel for you!

[Anonymous]

PP- did you travel with your son at three weeks or alone when he was three weeks?

[Anonymous]

Op, I didn't read the earlier replies so I hope I'm not repeating anything. One of my best friends got married in Mexico when I was 35 weeks pregnant and my doctor told me to go if I was comfortable receiving medical care there. It's somewhat the same scenario with your baby who could be 3 weeks old or older. The thing to consider is fever, as a fever in any baby under 2 months requires hospitalization and spinal tap (I speak from unfortunate experience). It's scary but a possibility that should be considered in your decision. The first few months with a newborn are ROUGH so the trip will be tough no matter what, but I hope it works out either way.

[Anonymous]

The same day I called one of my closest friends to tell her I was pg, she called me to ask me to be her bride's maid. The catch was... the wedding was about 4 weeks after the due date of our baby. I said of course, but my friend was wonderful and gracious and said why don't you think about it. Being a new mom is hard and it might be too much of a challenge for you to make this trip. I thought about it, agreed with her, and backed out. While I am sad that I missed the wedding, I think I made the right decision for my family. And... am amazingly thankful for how wonderfully my friend handled it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP- did you travel with your son at three weeks or alone when he was three weeks?

Hi - I traveled with the baby at three weeks! I cannot believe we did - but it's a long story...anyway, the baby was fine. I think it is easy to travel with them at that age. Just bring plenty of changes in clothes! Again, it was my body that was no fun.....I was still doing sitz baths,,,,would not have enjoyed dressing up for a wedding at that point - although, every body is different!

[Anonymous]

PS...13:45 again. I meant to add that I don't think you sound like you'll be a bad mom AT ALL, I think you sound like someone who will be a terrific and conscientious mom who happens to be challenged with a tough decision right off the bat. Good luck and congratulations.

[Anonymous]

I'd also ask the pediatrician about being on an airplane in particular - the pressurization of the cabin and brand new little eardrums may or may not mix. (But then I could just be sensitive because my 34 y.o. ears never adjust well!)

[Anonymous]

A Hilton in Mexico (esp in the resort areas) is not exactly like going to Darfur...I don't think the sanitary conditions are the problem. Neither is the travel. We went to Xmas in CA when DS was 5 weeks (6 hour flight) and it was a dream trip compared to dragging him on the plane now as a toddler. If you're BFing, it will be even better b/c all you have to do is discreetly BF during takeoff and landing so the ear thing won't be a issue at all. The baby will probably sleep the whole time anyway (when not feeding and pooping). It was a lot easier than I had built up in my head.

The problem is predicting when you'll be delivering (unless you're having a C section). Also, I echo the PP that if it's going to stress you out too much (and it's hard to tell what your mental state will be, then bag it.

I think you'll have varying opinions from the docs. My ped is Swedish so has been dragging his kids back and forth since they were wee. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

Just a couple of more issues to consider. We go to Mexico as a family all the time. Just returned as of last month. I think you have gotten a lot of great advice. We had the opportunity to travel to Mexico when my son was 2 months but we decided against it based on his age. At the resort we go, my parents saw a couple that had a 3 week old with them so yes people do it.

We took my son for the first time when he was 14 months and our ped. recommended that he get the Hepatitis B shot since we were traveling to Mexico. Fortuntately, he has not gotten sick either time he has been. My greater concern is for you. If you go, you need to be extra vigilant, especially if you are breast feeding, about drinking water. Very different bacteria down there and you don't want to get sick. Most of the resorts have their own water purification system but I would avoid ice, any fruit without skin, etc., etc.

My girlfriend went down for 4 days with her husband and left her 10 month old behind with her mom. She had been pumping while in Mexico. She resumed breast feeding when she returned and soon after her daughter started spitting up blood. Rushed her to the hosptial, long story short, my friend had picked up a bacteria in Mexico and had to stop breast feeding cold turkey.

If you do choose to leave your dc with your husband in Houston something to consider if you plan on breast feeding, is if the baby will have accepted the bottle. I know some kids don't have any issues but my ds never wanted to take one and even leaving him for a few hours was stressful. I can't tell you how much pumped milk I had to throw away.

I'm not familiar with San Jose? Is that a smaller resort town in Mexico. Many resorts have doctors on call, but I would definitely have one lined up. Check with your insurance policy to see how to handle any medical emergencies and that your child is established on the policy. Sorry former benefits person here!

How close are you with your sister? Are you getting pressure from your parents too? I know my dh would just tell his sister to go fly a kite but they are not close.

Good luck with your decision and the rest of your pregnancy. Keep us posted on what you decide.

[Anonymous]

I would wait and see how you feel after the baby is born. You may be very surprised at what does not matter anymore.

[Anonymous]

Yet another thing to consider is that you'll need either a passport for your infant or a certified ("official") copy of the birth certificate. Remember those new restrictions being placed on travel to the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico? You need an official copy of the birth certificate in order to even get a passport though. The mother's copy that you get in the hospital isn't good enough for either a passport or entry to Mexico. It took a good 6 weeks of us to get our official copy. Just food for thought...

[Anonymous]

You can get a passport in two business days, so that probably won't be a problem for you. But, what I can't imagine is leaving your baby overnight in Dallas while you travel on to Mexico. The pull to be together is quite strong.

[Anonymous]

If you feel up to doing this alone-I traveled for a weekend away to attend a good friend's dd's first communion. I was actually fine-I just pumped and dumped and got some great sleep --I knew dd was in great hands but did get a few "super mommy" comments like-"can't believe you could leave your child" from some of the attendees--well I did it to be supportive to a friend and all was fine. Soo..if you want to do this on your own--go for it!! Doubt though that I would bring an infant so small to Mexico-but that is me.

[Anonymous]

Just to confirm with a previous poster you have to have a passport for Mexico. They will not accept a birth certificate. If you are seriously considering this, I would investigate how to expedite the process. You can't just do the post office's expediting service. Not sure how quickly you can get the birth certificate but when I applied for my son's in VA, I had to wait a month after he was born before I could apply. You may want to also investigate how to expedite the birth certificate.

[Anonymous]

I guess I've had slightly different experiences in Mexico. My family used to go there at least once a year, and even in the best resorts, it's very common to get really sick. My DH and several colleagues got hepatitis at a major chain hotel in Mexico City (from drinking reconstituted orange juice) and he and I both got sick for three months after splitting an appetizer at Acapulco's best hotel's dining room. My mother was nearly hospitalized another year.

Anyhow, I'm sure I'm going to get slammed here, and I know for a fact that lots of people have been going to Mexico for years like us and have only gotten an occasional stomach ache. But I would feel irresponsible not telling you that the reality is that people do get sick in Mexico. It's unfortunate because we have relatives there and it's one of our favorite places - but it's just something to consider as you make your decision.

Good luck to you no matter what you choose!