Wedding overseas with a 5 week old?

[Anonymous]

Calm down everyone. Plenty of people do this and it is fine. It's really if you feel comfortable. Personally, I plan to travel at 4 weeks with my infant across the country and I've checked with my doctor who said it was OK as well as my father (who happens to be a pediatrician.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you--but really it's a decision where the only person who needs to feel comfortable is you. Some of my inlaws still refuse to travel with their kids and likely never will.

[Anonymous]

We traveled to houston when DS was 6 weeks old. Personally, I could not imagine leaving him for a night at that point even with hubby. He was nursing still waking up frequently plus emotionally i wasn't ready.
While the plane part was really easy for us (no ear problems/ discreet nursing) I would not be comfortable taking my child overseas at that age. While the Hilton etc will be fabulous I am sure... I agree with lots of PP without 2 month immunizations and the fact that baby is a newborn I would want to be in the US during the first 3 months or so in case of healthcare needs.
As a first time mom I was very nervous and was constantly on the phone with the ped. Also, DS was born in winter and caught a terrible cold and in spite of nursing etc we ended up in ER and so I agree with everyone to err on the side of caution.
I do like the idea of refundable tickets to see how you feel at that time. And that way if Ped says go and you feel up to it the trip may work out. But i would not stay there for very long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Calm down everyone. Plenty of people do this and it is fine. It's really if you feel comfortable. Personally, I plan to travel at 4 weeks with my infant across the country and I've checked with my doctor who said it was OK as well as my father (who happens to be a pediatrician.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you--but really it's a decision where the only person who needs to feel comfortable is you. Some of my inlaws still refuse to travel with their kids and likely never will.

Perhaps you shouldn't start your post with "calm down everyone." Who do you think you are?

[Anonymous]

I traveled overseas (Europe) for a wedding last summer when dd was 6 weeks old (along with my 2yo). I would support the other suggestions to bring it up with your pediatrician since he/she is the one who would know your specific situation, health issues, etc. My ped did say that he wouldn't encourage me to travel with a baby less than six weeks when baby's immune system is still a bit more vulnerable. He didn't have any concerns with cabin pressure, etc. (as some PPs suggested), but he was concerned with exposure to germs while on the plane. But, I also know this wisdom varies between doctors.

FWIW, I am glad I went and it was actually easier than I thought it would be. It also gave me something to look forward to during those tough first few weeks with the newborn! Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Calm down everyone. Plenty of people do this and it is fine. It's really if you feel comfortable. Personally, I plan to travel at 4 weeks with my infant across the country and I've checked with my doctor who said it was OK as well as my father (who happens to be a pediatrician.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you--but really it's a decision where the only person who needs to feel comfortable is you. Some of my inlaws still refuse to travel with their kids and likely never will.

Actually, there are additional issues in play with traveling to Mexico as opposed to across the country in terms of vaccinations and potential hospitalization/blood transfusion in a foreign country. I'm sure your father would agree should you broach the topic.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, haven't read all of the responses so this might be duplicative, but I think a PP hit the nail on the head when s/he asked how comfortable you'd be receiving medical care in Mexico, if it were to come to that. To follow in that line of thinking, perhaps the US Embassy/consulate in the city you're going to visit might be able to provide some information to assist in your decision.

[Anonymous]

Honest question: Would you be able to get a passport for the baby in time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Calm down everyone. Plenty of people do this and it is fine. It's really if you feel comfortable. Personally, I plan to travel at 4 weeks with my infant across the country and I've checked with my doctor who said it was OK as well as my father (who happens to be a pediatrician.

Whatever you decide, best of luck to you--but really it's a decision where the only person who needs to feel comfortable is you. Some of my inlaws still refuse to travel with their kids and likely never will.

Calm down? For once, I haven't read a single response that was even close to being hysterical. Everyone is offering their advice, as was requested by the OP. So why do you think your advice is any more level-headed than the other responses? other posters brought up very good points that the OP will consider and ultimately make her decision.

[Anonymous]

There's an aspect of this that I think no one has mentioned, but that I (unfortunately) have personal experience with...

As a general rule, I am not nearly as "careful" with infants as some people are. I take them out, I take them to the mall, I let people hold them, etc. I'm not a germaphobe.

But one thing to consider... It is standard procedure in this country, that if your infant (less than 6 weeks old) has a fever over 101, and you take him to an ER, they will do a uninalysis, blood work up, and a LUMBAR PUNCTURE. The reason being that very young babies (under 6 weeks) don't do much, and their eyes frequently don't focus, and their heads are floppy... and all of these CAN be signs of meningitis. So since a "normal" infant frequently looks like this, they do a lumbar puncture to make sure there is no meningitis. We can save for another day the debate whether this if overkill, but the fact is that if you have a very sick and very young baby, even you, the MOTHER, would be hard pressed to know whether your child is acting meningitic.

My 5 week old ran a high fever one night, we ended up in the ER, and had a truly hair raising experience with the lumbar puncture. I'm no wimp, but they literally had to peel me off the ceiling when it was over, and after the second failed attempt, I said "NO MORE". No matter how many doctors try to tell you its "routine" the fact is you are dealing with a very tiny baby, and a very small space in his spine.

Airplanes are truly one of the most taxing places you could be with an underdeveloped immune system. There are lots of germs, and it would be very easy for your baby to pick something up.

So, for me, this analysis would not depend so much on the fact that its "international" travel (actually, I think Mexico would be pretty safe in this regard), but would depend more on what I felt about the above story. I think its unlikely your baby will have any real health problems due to travel, but its fairly likely he will pick up some generic, non-threatening bug... if he does... do you want to go through a lumbar puncture to find out its all OK? Would Mexico even do a lumbar puncture? Would this make you more or less nervous? If they did, would you feel comfortable having the procedure in a foreign hospital?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's an aspect of this that I think no one has mentioned, but that I (unfortunately) have personal experience with...

As a general rule, I am not nearly as "careful" with infants as some people are. I take them out, I take them to the mall, I let people hold them, etc. I'm not a germaphobe.

But one thing to consider... It is standard procedure in this country, that if your infant (less than 6 weeks old) has a fever over 101, and you take him to an ER, they will do a uninalysis, blood work up, and a LUMBAR PUNCTURE. The reason being that very young babies (under 6 weeks) don't do much, and their eyes frequently don't focus, and their heads are floppy... and all of these CAN be signs of meningitis. So since a "normal" infant frequently looks like this, they do a lumbar puncture to make sure there is no meningitis. We can save for another day the debate whether this if overkill, but the fact is that if you have a very sick and very young baby, even you, the MOTHER, would be hard pressed to know whether your child is acting meningitic.

My 5 week old ran a high fever one night, we ended up in the ER, and had a truly hair raising experience with the lumbar puncture. I'm no wimp, but they literally had to peel me off the ceiling when it was over, and after the second failed attempt, I said "NO MORE". No matter how many doctors try to tell you its "routine" the fact is you are dealing with a very tiny baby, and a very small space in his spine.

Airplanes are truly one of the most taxing places you could be with an underdeveloped immune system. There are lots of germs, and it would be very easy for your baby to pick something up.

So, for me, this analysis would not depend so much on the fact that its "international" travel (actually, I think Mexico would be pretty safe in this regard), but would depend more on what I felt about the above story. I think its unlikely your baby will have any real health problems due to travel, but its fairly likely he will pick up some generic, non-threatening bug... if he does... do you want to go through a lumbar puncture to find out its all OK? Would Mexico even do a lumbar puncture? Would this make you more or less nervous? If they did, would you feel comfortable having the procedure in a foreign hospital?

PP, I actually did mention it in a previous post only because I went through the same thing when our DD was almost 7 weeks and it was honestly the worst night of my life. I'm really sorry it happened to you, too!

[Anonymous]

My friend is from France and flew with baby #1 when he was 3 weeks. I'm from Europe too, planning on going home too when my baby is 4 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Honest question: Would you be able to get a passport for the baby in time?

You can get same-day passport processing at the office on 19th Street (I think it is 19th St) if you have a ticket to travel within two weeks.

[Anonymous]

I'm not in the exact same situation but will be traveling to Switzerland with DS when he is 11 weeks for a good friend's wedding. My family traveled with me and my sister extensively, from the time we were about 3 months. I think that definitely ups my level of comfort with my trip. Of course things can go wrong, but I think that things can go wrong anywhere, anytime. I am as comfortable with the idea of taking DS to a hospital here and I am a hospital abroad. I wouldn't really be happy about either. And I don't see the risks of germs on the flight as enough to keep me & DS from traveling. It really comes down to your level of comfort. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I personally have never gotten sick on any of my travels, including numerous trips to Mexico. Should my good health or good luck influence your decision, OP? Probably not, but I felt the need to throw it in there since others have shared tales of their unhappy stomachs in Mexico.

As far as the passport issue, you can request at the hospital that the birth certificate be rushed. This may require some follow up with the issuing agency. Once you have the birth certificate and a ticket for travel, you can make an appointment to go to a passport office (check the department of state website for locations, timing, cost, etc.) and get a passport issued for the baby in time for your travel.

[Anonymous]

To the OP:

The important thing is to share your sister's joy, and to welcome this man she has chosen into your heart and into your life.

Make the trip if you want/if you can. Don't let anyone make you feel that you should.

I got married abroad, and some folks I care about did not/could not attend. I was totally fine with it.