“Babes in arms” - what age would you say this is?

[SteakSteak]

We’ve got a wedding invite for this summer addressed to just me and DH. Obviously is just us and not our DC - more than happy with that. However, DC2 is 8 months old (will be 9.5mo at the wedding) is absolutely refusing a bottle.

what age would you deem ‘babes in arms’?

so not to drip feed:
To add to the faff - DC2 has CMPA so we’re trying to introduce special formula.

DH and I are also on holiday at the time of the wedding. We’re flying back and meant to be leaving both kids with family members aboard. I’ve no issue - other than she’s refusing a bottle. If I had to bring her, just wondering if I could. Although I would feel terrible leaving our toddler.

Obviously, I know the answer is to ask but just wanted to gauge opinions before going through all of it, if it becomes a non-issue.

I would say babies who haven't started solids yet.

I'd say up to 6 months.

Lol the thought of my two year old trying to do that is hilarious. He would walk in the wrong direction and get distracted by a dandelion! He definitely isn't a baby, though: he will tell you that himself.

Does the invite specify babes in arms? Surely otherwise it's irrelevant what age this is or is not. If the couple didn't invite children then no children can go?

I'd say up to when they start eating something solid and need a high chair to sit in and be fed (or faffing around with sitting baby on one person's knee and trying to get food into them, BLW or puree). So usually 6 months but some wean earlier.

I’m also curious to why you’re asking, you clearly state rhe invite is just for you and your husband. So why does it matter what rhe definition is i]of babes in arms, as it doesn’t seem the invite says that?

This …
If it’s just you and your DH names on invite then it’s no children

To answer a few questions:

1. yes - invitation does state ‘babes in arms’ are welcome. Please speak to bride or groom if you would like.
2. its a very close family friend - we are flying back for the wedding and out again early next morning.
3. I was curious to see what other people’s interpretation was on the age limit.

This, ones who won't make a mess/need a seat/move.

We had a family wedding when DS was 3 weeks old and luckily it was made clear that he was very welcome. It wouldn't have occurred to me he wouldn't have been though!

Of course if he'd been fussy during the ceremony/speeches, we'd have taken him out but banning babies that young is ridiculous.

This.

I think we would have just declined in the first place!

I'm not sure I would have paid out for separate flights home nor left my young child in another country for anyone other than immediate family... (And then they would have been invited anyway).

4 months old or under.
It implies a really small baby that can be held unobtrusively.

Only on Mumsnet does one have 24 month old toddlers running 2 kilometres.

Don’t believe it for a second.😂

Babies too young for food

My dd would have run 2km at age 2, probably wouldn’t have been in the right direction though.

Around 4 months and under to me

I've always found with family weddings it's under one but flexible... basically if they don't need a meal or don't need a seat of their own!

Why does it matter, your children aren't invited.

Pre crawling so around 6/7 months.

Definitely up to 6 months, but if your child would be say 6 months and 2 weeks I'd include that too without any concern.
8 months may be pushing it (although arguably up to a year is still generally considered a baby rather than a toddler) but you can always ask and explain exactly what they will be like - if the couple is childfree so far they might just mean "no kids who might start running around between the tables" and "we are only catering food for adults" rather than being too hung up on exact dates of weaning/crawling etc.

'This.

I think we would have just declined in the first place!

I'm not sure I would have paid out for separate flights home nor left my young child in another country for anyone other than immediate family... (And then they would have been invited anyway).'
@Namechange6477

The OP has stated she is leaving her child with family and she has no issue with it.
It may not be for everyone but the subtle guilt tripping is not it.

0-4 months. Think wrapped in a shawl in your arms - traditional christening age. Not squirming or wriggling or sitting up, shouting out and demanding attention.

My 2 year old is considered baby in arms at some funfairs so I think you need to ask and get clarity.

I'd say up to 6 months.

I’m due to return to work shortly and have also been struggling to get my EBF baby to take a bottle. After some research I discovered the medela calma bottle. It works similarly to breast feeding. My daughter actually will have milk I’ve pumped from this bottle. Give it a try x