My Brother is getting married toward the end of the year, and I am due 2 weeks before his wedding. I intend to breastfeed (did with my previous bubs) and obviously being so new and breastfed, bubs will come to the reception. Leaving he/she in care is not an option.
My biggest concern is my SIL's family friends. These women are beyond pushy with babies, newborns especially. Im talking snatched my newborn Niece from my arms when they wanted a hold, kind of pushy. Wont take "no" for an answer. They're just a relentless, demanding flock of women!
I dont care what people think, but I do not want my newborn baby coming into contact with anyone that hasn't been immunised against Whooping Cough, amongst other things. I will be advising my (enough to fill a small country sized) family that they must be immunised before cuddles, but how do I tell other people that they cant hold my baby at the wedding?
Dont get me wrong, im not backwards in coming forwards, but my concern is for example, if my fully immunised Aunty (lol) is having cuddles, and some random comes over and snatches bub - then what? Should I just explain to family that they're not to pass the baby around due to Whooping Cough worries?
I hope this is all making sense. I just do not want to risk it and many people can claim to have been immunised, but without a printed copy of their history.. Nuh uh. Sorry. I joked with my Husband that I should have offered to help my SIL with the invites, and slipped a little note in telling guests to bring a copy of their immunisation history haha!
11 Replies
If I was you i would get a baby wrap and have him/her in it the entire time. And shielded from germs. I feel like I'm a very laid mum but as far as random people holding my baby when they're tiny it's a big no no for me. Feeling like you might come across as crazy - who give a sh*t. It's your baby and you're protecting it. Let people think you're over protective. It's worth it. I wore my baby for 2 months until after his first vaccinations before I let anybody other than immediate family and close friends hold him. Then I was easier going and lo and behold he got sick and ended up in hospital because he would cough and choke. at 8 weeks old. I'm now stricter again.
Anyway I'm rambling but I'm totally with you. Wear the baby in a sling and don't let anybody hold it the entire night. Even your family.
Thats an excellent idea! I never even though of that, but at the same time it would be quite restricting when it comes to dancing, mingling etc. I suppose I could just swap with Daddy and he can wear bubs?
Yep! My husband baby wears a lot! It keeps baby soooo much happier too. They just nod off for hours in those things! Plus when you're wearing the baby you can breastfeed without anyone even knowing just make sure you can always see their little nose is free. My boobs are giant so I always have to keep a finger in there when he feeds to make sure he can breathe haha
When they're that little and you wrap and wear it's not that cumbersome. It's a lot like bubs is back in your belly, in fact. Get/borrow a stretchy wrap like a Moby or Hug A Bub and it will be super comfy. It's also poppable and you can slip bubby out for nappy changes or feeds and then back in when you're done.
I'd definitely wrap too. If you do want to put bubs down put in a stroller/capsule while asleep I'd put a sheet covering over the stroller and a do not disturb sign!
Baby wear. Tie baby onto you and noone can get their face near definitely cant snatch.
I agree with the baby wearing! And if someone must touch Bub, carry hand sanitiser and make them apply liberally!
My Bub was two weeks old at her uncles wedding. A lot of my partners immediate family got immunised as we also had a month old and six week old there (cousins not planned what a coincidence). I had her in a wrap most of the time. People were great about it.
I would wear the baby on me but also be aware that just because a person is immunised they are still able to carry the whooping cough bacteria without showing symptoms. I am pregnant at the monent and cases of whooping cough are worrying me the most. I have read that the acellular whooping cough vaccination is about 60% effective at the moment and people who have recently had the vaccination can pass the bacteria on without knowing.
I wouldnt let anyone else be holding my baby and if you want your family to all get vaccinated that they do it atleast 6 weeks before the baby arrives or not to visit until 6 weeks after they have had the vaccine. Good luck with it.
Wrap them in cotton wool
My daughter was just two weeks old when I was bridesmaid for my sister. I was breastfeeding also. In the lead up to the night, I expressed extra milk and stored it so I could leave baby with my MIL. Between the ceremony and reception we arranged for my MIL to bring bub to me so that she could have a quick feed.
With having such a new baby, I imagine you would feel much the same way I did and I was one of the first to leave because I was so exhausted.