Baby Meet-n-Greet?

Hello!

I'm wondering since you're assuming that a newborn will mostly sleep through it if this is your first? Some are sleepers, but some aren't--until you meet the little one, it's hard to know. We planned to fly to my dad's b'day party when my daughter was a month and a half (direct flight from Houston to Ft Lauderdale) but ended up canceling because I just couldn't deal with getting ready and the thought of flying with her. I did fly with her to see my folks a little over a month later though. I think it's just hard to know how it will be/when would be a good time until you meet your baby. They are all so different, and in my experience it was a ton more exhausting and stressful than I ever could have imagined (though I definitely had the baby blues, a daughter who wasn't a great sleeper, and who didn't latch on--I pumped). I'm not trying to be a downer, but just give one mom's honest experience. I'm not planning anything with this next one until I meet her!

Good luck and congrats in any case! :D

We did this for both of our kids. We called them baby welcomings. They were wonderful! Everyone wants to meet the baby anyway. I would be happy to offer more specific advice if you have questions, but really, don't feel it's a loss - I loved our welcomings!

I went to one recently. The baby was born 3 weeks early, so he was actually at his own shower. It was quite small, but very nice to be able to see him and think about the cute little outfits on him since you could actually see him as she was opening presents. The only thing I would be concerned about is all of the people wanting to touch and hold your new little one. I am not an overprotective mama, but the germs that people could accidentally pass on to your new baby could be really harmful to his or her health. The shower I went to only had about 15 women there, and I think it was fine, but if your mom wants to throw a huge shower with 30 plus ladies, I would think about maybe just bringing baby at the end to make a quick appearance versus being there the entire shower. Good luck!

My shower was a meet and greet so be prepared to have baby passed around and held by one and all. He was 7 weeks old and did really well and was awake for most of it but loved being held by all the different women and girls.

My son was 5 weeks early, so he was at my baby sprinkle. Everyone loved getting a chance to see him. However, I think the previous poster is correct that you may want to limit your baby's time at the meet and greet, just because s/he will be so little and new. My hubby kept the baby upstairs while all us moms (about 15 of us) were downstairs socializing. He would bring him down for short bursts of time but then "take him upstairs to rest" when need be.

As for the flying part of your question, I would check with the pediatrician on that one. Granted, I know your hoping to make flight arrangements asap, so you might want to call your chosen pedicatrician now to check. Or you could just ask your OB/GYN, since they have a pretty good knowledge of most things newborn related.

we had a "pass the baby" shower with my first baby back home because i thought people would want to see the baby not a big sweating pregnant lady! it worked out great - they all loved on that sweet baby girl and it was just perfect.

newborns sleep A LOT, so the baby should be just fine, but i suggest feeding while taking off and landing or sucking on a pacifier to help alleviate any ear popping.

It really just depends on your baby's personality and what your ped. recommends as far as germs are concerned. I have always tried to keep my babies (I have had three) at home and away from too many germs until they are at least 6 weeks old. When I have had to take them out I always try to ask people to not touch the baby's face or hands (they go in the mouth). Feet are usually safe to touch. But the main criteria is your baby's personality. Our first born was three months old when we took our first trip. It was a nightmare. She hated her car seat and screamed the entire 5 hour road trip (it should have only taken 3 hours but we had to keep stopping to give her a break). She wouldn't sleep in a strange place. It was just a nightmare. Our second born also made her first trip at 3 months, but she was just an angel and the trip went just fine. Our third born is only 7 weeks old and hasn't traveled yet, but I am already dreading a trip planned this summer. Baby number three also hates her car seat.
I have also known many people who travel when their babies are less than a month old and done great. It really depends on you and the baby. Traveling really is a lot of work and if you are tired and dreading the trip the baby will pick up on that too.
I would really recommend waiting until after the baby is born and just seeing how it goes. I know you probably want to go ahead and get your tickets arranged, but I think it would be worth it to wait.