Taking Baby to Wedding?

you don't want to take him because you are breastfeeding? That would be a reason for me to want to take him. If you aren't comfortable then don't go.

Do the bride and groom want him there? It's their wedding and that's the biggest consideration you should have about taking him or not. Many weddings and receptions are baby and child free zones. I would find that out, and if they don't mind I would take him but keep him in a sling or Bjorn so it's not so easy for people to grab at him and want to hold him. If they're not into the baby coming, then you have an easy out of having a breastfed newborn you have to stay with!

We took our newborn to a Bar Mitzvah. I was breastfeeding and could not leave him for so long. I actually wore him in the sling the ENTIRE time. A couple people did ask to hold him, I simply said that his doctor thought it was best that we did not pass him around at such a big event. Everyone seemed to accept this!!

Stay home with the baby - too many people & too many germs. Honestly, I didn't want any children at my wedding - including my nieces & nephews who were babies and toddlers at the time. No reason to go unless maybe it is your sibling getting married. I wouldn't be taking such a small baby on that long of a car ride for a wedding.
If you plan to stay over in a hotel, maybe your husband could go to the wedding and you could just show up at the end with the baby - DO NOT pass the baby around.

Totally depends on the family. Some want all adults, no kids fussing or running around - bride wants to be the unquestioned center. Others think kids and all that comes with them is just natural life and should be part of a wedding. One of my dimmest first memories is being held on a lot of different peoples laps at my Moms cousins wedding. I must have been about 2 yrs and my Mom was pregnant with my sister. I had kids and babies at my wedding, and we ALL had a blast doing the chicken dance (it's one of my favorite!). I was the center right in the middle with all the kids and everyone else (and I think kids at a wedding is almost a good fertility symbol/omen). Even if it's ok with the family, some Moms just don't want tiny babies exposed to all the germs that are there in a crowd. If you don't want to go, you don't have to.

HI Jesse

I would show up for the reception. The ceremony should not have a baby there, it is time for the bride & groom, but you can show your support by attending the reception.

R. Magby

Do not allow him to be passed around.
Keep him in your arms at all times.
If you need to breastfeed, go out to an anteroom for privacy.
About "pressure" . . . . .
On one hand, it looks like they want to include you in the family,
welcome you to be part of them. That's good.
On the other hand . . . . "pressure".
Especially when you don't feel ready to bring him into crowds.
Good luck.
S.

Absolutely NOT. Too many germs, too much stimulation (especially noise). Don't let anyone pressure you to do something that's not right for your child.

I would take him if it were me, but I would not permit him to be passed around. People may ask to hold him -- although I find it rude to do so! -- but you ABSOLUTELY can say no. Or say something like, "Oh, I really don't want to wake him," or "I'm sorry, but he cries every time a stranger holds him," or "Our pediatrician insisted that we shouldn't pass him around until he's a couple of months old, sorry!" (blame ANYTHING on the pediatrician, it works like a charm :).

I breastfeed exclusively, which actually makes me less worried about germs (since the baby has the mom's antibodies). I took my newborn to all sorts of places starting at 2 weeks and she never got sick -- I just didn't let people hold or touch her unless they had come to visit us and had washed their hands.

If it were me, I would take him and keep him in a sling (maybe in an infant seat during the reception); if you're wearing your baby next to your chest, NO ONE will reach in to touch him/her, and the sling keeps him/her shielded from prying eyes and stranger's breath. I also don't worry about over-stimulating a little baby like that, since our baby was always put right to sleep by loud music ... they say the womb is really noisy (as loud as if there were a vacuum cleaner in there), which is one reason babies often sleep better with a lot of commotion.

However, if you're not comfortable going, then don't. You're the mom and should absolutely do what you feel comfortable with.

My brother got married 15 days after my first baby girl was born. My husband and I had two choices, bring our 15 day old daughter to the wedding and reception or not go at all. We were NOT going to have a babysitter for our first born, 15 day old infant. We took her. Drove 4 hours to Pennsylvania with her and she attended the church ceremony which she slept through the whole thing and then got oogled at often at the reception. The commotion and music lulled her to sleep for most of it and I was breast feeding so I excused myself often and went into the sitting area of the restroom to feed her alone. She was fine. I looked like a giant beast and people were asking me all night long when I was due...LOL...as I still looked pregnant and had a post-pregnancy belly and a maternity dress on. That was the bad part. I got real sick of that. My brother and his new wife were glad that we came to see them and that we were a part of their wonderful day. My brother even did a "New Niece and New Husband" dance with my daughter out on the dance floor and he rocked her gently in his arms. A tender moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes. Our daughter even made it into the wedding photos a few times. She was a hit.....in a good way! If you have a welcoming family and you want to take your baby, do it. Just know that he will become a source of attention and people will be attracted to him. Babies do that. I am glad we brought our daughter and I would do it again if I had to.

I'd take him in a sling and nurse openly at the table. But that's me ;)

I wouldn't, he's too little and you are exactly right, he will get passed around and kissed on...Pump and enjoy your evening!!! You deserve it mamma!

I would have to pass on taking a baby to a wedding so young. Flu season just starting up. Now chicken pox and wooping cough. I am hearing all around the office that there is an epidemic with the chicken pox now. To many people wanting to touch and hold a baby. I would say it may not be a good idea. I breastfeed, and would pump when I really had to go out without my little guy. Can you pump, it did not change anything for us. He still wanted to me to feed him when I return. The baby is still little, so it should take a bottle fine. This is what I did. :)

if baby sleeps a lot, you could probably do it pretty easily... I took my newborn to a formal event. People are generally pretty considerate about the issue of who you allow to hold. I wore a nursing dress and nursed at the table. (Although those "nursing clothes" aren't all that great, so if you have a nice looking top you can wear with a skirt, probably easier for momma). I wouldn't leave him with anyone else at that age either.

My daughter was around the same age when I was invited to a wedding a few months ago. There was a lot of pressure for me to go because my husband was in the wedding party and everyone wanted to see the baby. I was also exclusively breastfeeding. I chose not to go at all in the end. My husband brought back pictures and I am glad I chose to relax at home instead.

I took my baby to a wedding because a lot of my family flew in from all over the country. I didn't mind letting them hold him. I took him in to the ceremony and at the first hint of fussing, I took him out so I could nurse him and watch through the glass in the doors. It worked out fine.

If you don't want to go, don't go and just let your fiance attend. Maybe he can just stay the night and come home in the morning.
Just a side note, when I took my baby, everybody was so preoccupied with the wedding that very few people asked to hold him. It was family on my side that I hadn't seen in years who were happy to have him while I went to the rest room, etc. They ALL wanted a glimpse of him and to take pictures of us, but as far as holding him, he wasn't exactly the star of the show. That was preserved for the bride.

Best wishes.

I took my baby to a wedding at the end of June when she was not even six weeks old. I took her because I'm also breastfeeding and couldn't leave her. It was perfectly fine. As long as it's ok with the bride and groom, go for it. No one asked me if they could hold her or put any pressure on me, but since she's my second and I'm generally a little more lax, and I needed to chase after my toddler sometimes, I was glad to have other people there to hold her when I needed a break.

Just bring um. I had a wedding like that around 11 weeks and it was fine.
I got to enjoy and the baby slept for most the wedding.
I would bring a carrier and wear them. If people want to touch, just say - maybe next time? He/She is sleeping, sick, I don't like it. Just be upfront. Most people understand!

Good luck!

I wish for you to feel comfortable when it comes to your decisions about your child's well-being. No need to succomb to pressure on this. Stand your ground and trust your instincts - you are the mom and ultimately own the decisions (and consequences) regarding your child.

I was just reading your other question and it just sounds like you aren't totally comfortable with this family/situation. I personally wouldn't take one that young because I would feel like I had to be on guard all night making sure that people washed their hands before touching him etc. And to be passed around with the loud music, loud people, etc at that age can be over-stimulating to a little one.

If you want to go and meet the family(which isn't a bad idea if you are going to marry into the family) I would follow talkstotress suggestion of wearing baby so that limits the contact that others can have with him at his young age.

And nothing says you have to stay long at the reception. You can make an appearance and retreat to the hotel or where ever you are staying.

If I did decide to go, I'd wear the baby and leave after a short time.

So are you planning on staying home???

I bring our breastfed babies everywhere with us! That is a BIGGER reason to have him come with you. We don't leave our kids till they are around 6 months or older actually......... If you don't want to go, then don't. It's up to you. And one way to keep him from being passed around as much is to wear him in a carrier. I find that people don't ask to hold babies as much when they are snuggled in next to mom like that.

If you are breastfeeding, your baby needs to be with you. If he isn't there, then you aren't there. You could put him in a sling so that he is right there against your body. Just tell people that you aren't comfortable with passing him around. He's so little. I don't blame you. Unfortunately, our society shuns children at most events. In my circle of friends, everyone includes all children in wedding invitations. I don't know that I know anyone who wouldn't include the children. LOL They are starting a new family, and children are a part of a family. But, I also know that we are just so blessed, and this isn't normal by society's standards.

I have The same problem I just had a baby in may and I have four weddings I was invited to thus tear. The baby has already been to two weddings one out of town family wedding and three bridal showers. I wanted to leave her with my mother the third wedding but it's a far drive and I would have to pump a few times plus I nurse her to sleep and bit sure if she would cry for seven hours straight. When I took her to the wedding she was passed around a lit but I didn't mind as ling people I knew weren't sick and washed there hands plus I knew she was breast fed so she had the immunity she needed it worked out fine she slept most of the time at the first wedding and the second she seemed happy dancing with me to the music. Also people don't notice the baby there's so much else going on.
Good luck!

I would not take one that young to a wedding ceremony. Maybe the reception, but it depends on circumstances. Do you know the bride? How would she feel? If family wants to see your little one, you could always arrange a get-together afterwards. I'm sure they are just excited and want to show him off and see him too. Who wouldn't be!!

I went to a wedding when my baby was 8 weeks. The wedding was an hour away and I left my baby with my 25 year old cousin. She is a nurse and I knew all my aunts and her mom were close by if she needed anything. I wasn't breastfeeding but my baby was super fussy. My cousin walked and bounced the entire time I was gone. I was just happy to have a break. Then we went to another wedding when she was 4 months old. My in-laws stayed overnight with her at our house. It went great and again I was thankful to sleep the night through. Good luck but if you don't feel like going to the wedding you have a great excuse.

I went to two weddings when my youngest was 5 weeks old and then 7 weeks old. Because I breastfed all of my babies, I told my friends that I would leave the 4 and 2 year old with a sitter (my sister), but that I would not come if I could not bring the baby. I had people comment on him being so small and how cute he was, but no one asked to hold him. He was in a strange setting with a lot of people, so he nursed almost the whole time, unless he was asleep. And I don't ever pass of my sleeper to strangers :). I say if you are comfortable, then go...if not, don't feel bad!