Bridesmaid having baby 1.5 months before wedding

Is there noone in your family that's comfortable holding the baby during the service? Like maybe a family member of yours or someone like that?

I wouldn't. The baby is their responsibility, wedding or no wedding. I would leave them to make arrangements for their child. Does she have any family or friends who could mind the baby during the ceremony? There is always the chance that she yet may step down, especially if this is her first baby. People often underestimate how tired they will be, how fast or slow they will recover after childbirth, and how much or little energy they will have.

Are the grandparents or anyone else related invited? If not, can you invite them? Or do they live locally, so it would be fairly easy for them to help out with the baby/babysit off site?

I wouldn't put a baby that small in my wedding even if it was mine. Let them know it's up to them to accommodate. You're fine with them bringing the baby but it's up to them to find someone to care for the baby. The most accommodating I would do is giving them an extra seat for the person they find to watch the child for ceremony and pictures and maybe part of the reception.

Her parents have also been invited so they can definitely hold the baby during the ceremony. There are just so many other logistical issues like taking pictures at another location and the seating at the head table, which would separate mother and baby for hours at a time. I was hoping to incorporate the baby so they could take pics and sit as a family unit.

Do not incorporate a six week old baby into the wedding.

There are no logistical issues that will separate parents and baby for hours at a time. Picture taking between the ceremony and the reception won't take anywhere near that amount of time. Neither will their time at the head table. Grandparents can come with you for picture taking. . There is no reason they can't place the baby carrier next to them, even at the head table.

A 6 week old basically poops, eats and sleeps all day. Wouldn't incorporate but obviously allow to bring

You can't separate a new mom from a 6 week old baby for several hours, especially if she's nursing. I am sure she will want her child with her!

Have mom carry her if she so desires. Maybe offer mom a chair during the ceremony.

In no way does a six week old baby belong in a wagon anyway. I would say that the baby will be nursing and sleeping at that time. Along with the occasional smile, that's about it for special skills for baby. I love that you seem to welcome baby, and that's all you really need to do.

Thanks, all.

To clarify- the ceremony is approximately an hour and the bridesmaids remain standing the entire time, there are pictures after the ceremony at the church, and while guests are at cocktail hour we’ll be taking pictures outside. All in all, for about 2.5 hours she’ll have limited ability to feed/attend to her baby. Although she says she’s ok with that, as a new mom, I wouldn’t be ok with that so I was looking for different ideas.

I would let your friend ask you if she has concerns about the baby. At six weeks old I personally think it would be insane to bring the baby to a wedding. Give her time to think about what she wants to do, and don’t make any plans.

View Quoted Comment If she is a first time mom, she has no idea what she will be like with a 6 wk old. Have you asked her if she is still ok being a bridesmaid? Standing there and photos and wearing a dress 6 wks postpartum with boobs that are about to explode sounds awful. If she is breastfeeding she will see either have go feed or pump at some time during this. My sister has a 6wk old so I speak from direct personal and professional experience.

View Quoted Comment It will be her 2nd. Her first will be a flower girl. I’ve brought it when I discussed the timeline and she said it’ll be fine. I trust her judgment but if possible, i’d like to me it more convenient for her. She also already ordered the dress earlier this month.

I'm sure they can find a babysitter or something. My brides maid is due 2 months before the wedding and we will be continuing as usual . She will have family babysit for the day. If she hasn't stepped down then she probably has a plan for what is to come.

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That's not exactly easy for a 6 week old though. They really need to be basically attached to their mom if she's breastfeeding.

View Quoted Comment Babysitting a 2 month old? My niece will be 6 months old and my sister is my MOH, at this point she’ll be back at work so she’ll be able to go longer without feeding. But she’s still going to have to pump during the wedding, the baby will be at her other grandparents house during my wedding so she won’t have to physically feed. But my niece was 2 months old when my grandmother passed and my sister had to excuse herself from the service to feed her.

So that doesn’t really seem feasible.


And OP, a 6 week old is the moms responsibility. I wouldnt try to incorporate them in any way. Its a nice thought, but they pretty much just sleep.

Its not really your job to provide accomadations for the child, but that is very thoughtful of you.


Is the childs father around? He could probably watch the baby during the ceremony.

Just talk with her and tell her that you will be willing to accommodate her in any way that you can. See what she suggests and go from there.