Wedding with Newborn

I have a newborn (will be 3 weeks tomorrow) and I can't imagine having to take care of her while while participating in a party in my honor especially if there is going to be loud music and alcohol. From what I've been told, I have a very calm baby and I tend to agree as she only really is fussy if she wants something and she's already sleeping through the night. However, not all babies are this easy. You could end up with a very calm baby like us or you could end up with one that requires a ton of time and attention. I also don't think I would be comfortable having my baby who doesn't have as strong as an immune system as adults at a reception in the middle of a pandemic. If it were me, I would probably not have the reception. I wouldn't want the stress of worrying about my baby. Also depending on when in June you have your baby and when the reception is you might not be completely recovered from birth. I had a c-section (not saying you are going to, but you can't 100% rule that out) and I'm feeling okay, but it takes 6 weeks to actually be fully heeled so you yourself might not be up to having a reception either.

If there's any possible way you can reschedule, I would be strongly encourage you to do so. Breastfed newborns nurse all the time and to echo the other comment, you may or may not feel physically up to the wedding yourself. Being a new mom is a lot of work and the sleep deprivation is no joke the first few weeks. ☹️

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately with all the deposits we can't reschedule. We aren't having the traditional dances at the reception, it's just going to be dinner with toasts. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

No. But I have twice been in other people's weddings, in the first 3 weeks. I feared that the overwhelming number of voluntary caretakers present would be terribly disruptive to the baby, while planning. And my baby daughter did turn out to be of sweet disposition until 2-3 strangers would want to hold her, when she became a crying, shaking, miserable thing , before the wedding on the first afternoon I had visitors. At my friend's wedding, I had a regular babysitter come with us, about a 100 mile drive. To a room near the restaurant/ banquet area. And I took one, scheduled break there, and at the 4 hour mark, after nursing, brought the baby in. Before and after I showed off the baby in our room, next to baby's. ... Every baby is different. Have someone who has no interest in the wedding, only in baby, with you. And do not let him/ her be treated like a toy and passed around , would be my advice. I treated my twins the same way, I think 2.5 weeks at my sister's. I left one to nurse, and returned in less than 30 minutes. And our babysitter watched them sleep or took care of them otherwise.

View Quoted Comment Luckily the venue has offered us to have a room solely for the baby when needed. I do not plan on passing her around or having other people hold her aside from my parents.

They know the importance of a quiet separate place. Good start!

Do you have someone you trust who you could hire to take care of the baby at the reception? You dont need to be worried about diapers and fussing. You might also be able to have that person give a bottle instead of breastfeeding if you would like.