Taking newborn along to 5 year olds birthday party

[YoureLucky]

We have a five year old and are expecting a baby in the next couple of weeks. My five year old has a lot of parties to attend on weekends and DH works weekends. Other parents have offered to take her but she would rather I did and I think I would like to try. Are there any mums of two out there who have walked this path already who can tell me if this is realistic or not? I was thinking maybe I could take newborn in the baby carrier and feed on demand throughout the parties? Or in reality is this going to be too hard to manage?

Of course you can take a baby to a 5 year olds party. I wouldn't even question it but bless you for asking.
I can't see anyone minding. The baby will be fussed over I'm sure!

100% I would do this. It will be no problem especially if baby is in a carrier.

Completely fine and normal to bring baby, absolutely nobody can object to a newborn as they're clearly not included in participant numbers.

Easy peasy and very normal!

Very normal if you are up for it. Make sure you take time to recover if you need to before rushing around.

I've got the same gap and often took my baby to my 6 year olds friend parties, the mums actually get a bit disappointed if I don't bring him!

I'd expect you to be swamped with other parents asking to hold the baby for you for a bit :)

Yes I had a 5 year gap with mine so did exactly that. Sometimes on the rsvp I would ask if they minded me bringing my newborn (only because I’m an over thinker and would prefer to not feel any awkwardness) but of course everyone always said yes of course!
I wore mine in a sling, or breastfed and it was lovely!

I remember DH taking our second child to watch the first at his junior football match when he was just 3 weeks old! He was the cool hands-on dad with the sling. You will be fine!

Absolutely fine to do, everyone will be delighted to see a little babby.

The reality too hard to manage bit will depend on the baby!

It's absolutely normal, many parents do this. Wouldn't you be feeding a newborn on demand wherever they are?

With a second baby they need to go where you go so swimming lessons, parties, school run etc- especially as you're likely to be doing the lion's share if on maternity leave.

Yes 100% fine and expected

Yes I've done this, no problem at all. I can't imagine another mum not understanding you needing to bring a newborn with you

I felt a pressure to carry on as normal for the benefit of my toddler when my next baby arrived and didn't recover properly. So I would caution against going to too many events in the fourth trimester. Your second baby deserves to have a well recovered mum just like your first (hopefully!) did.

This is the difference between first and subsequent children. I vividly remember not being able to leave the house with DS1 before about 11am. I couldn’t figure out how to do it .

DS3 was born during DS1’s first term of reception. He was 36 hours old when he did the school run for the first time.

Your newborn isn't going to have a strop because they didn't get a party bag or to take part in Pass the Parcel. When they're 5 and 10 it'll be a whole other story.

You will manage.

This is how life goes for the subsequent borns. They fit in with their siblings social life! Easier when a newborn than a toddler as well.

Interestingly I have vivid memories of this time and actually felt quite judged by the mums in my circle (gap was smaller so there were lots of 2nd & 3rd birthdays when my 2nd was a baby). Many of them with younger siblings left therm with dad so they could "focus on the older one" or some such bollocks. I couldn't leave my baby behind and so managed both on my own all the time. It was a weird time - mix of jealousy on my part that they had it "easier" and jealousy on their part that I could cope "better". It felt like a big deal at the time but I know now it wasn't.

Anyway, my point is you will be fine. Set your life up so you can do all the weekend things without DH and be proud of yourself for that. Make it as easier as possible for yourself - baby sling, prepped meals, low housework bar etc.

Absolutely fine, and better in case the rare chance your 5yo needs to leave earlier you're not trying to get out the house with a newborn!!

I wouldn’t take a newborn to a children’s party. Wait 6 weeks or longer if possible.id be worried about bronchiolitis and chicken pox etc.

@timetobegin their sibling is going to school with them every day. If one of them has chicken pox it’s coming home to the OP regardless of whether she takes the newborn to the party or not.

Only if her older child contracts the infection. It’s common sense to limit a new Norns exposure to infection. Once a baby has a bit of weight and particularly once it’s had its immunisations I’d be much more relaxed.

Newborns are the easiest siblings to take to a party. They won't want a go on the activity so you won't have to ask party parent or pay, won't be the wrong age for the activity but still want to do it, won't be bored. Just go along find a comfy seat to feed at, get a coffee and hope they have a nice baby change area.

Hosting your own child's birthday with a baby in much trickier!

Same! My friends took it in turns to hold my baby while I was there! I barely saw her at parties 🤣

So true. My youngest was a newborn at my eldests party. Thank goodness I have a lot of helpful mum friends!

Easiest time is when they are newborns. It's when the younger siblings is older than it gets much harder e.g. can't take them because of numbers/or they won't not kick off because they can't join in.