Travel to DR with 5 month old

My best friend is getting married in DR - I am now pregnant and the baby will be 4-5 months old when we are planning to travel. First of all is it safe to bring a 5 month old, I will be breast feeding and would like to know about the water, food, and other health issues. Secondly, is there any particular immunization that I would need or that my baby would need prior to leaving. Thanks!!

Leave the baby at home. The DR has to many problems with water and emergency health services. Check with your local health department with any other health concerns. Remember that the DR is still a third world country with many health problems to solve.

I strongly disagree.

As long as your baby is basically healthy it should be no problem at all. Especially not as you are probably going to stay at a resort.

The problems with water are mainly that most of it is not drinkable when you are a tourist - your stomach will not be used to the microbes in it. Use bottled or purified water instead - it is supplied almost everywhere and will no doubt be free at the resort. Most resorts have their own emergency health service.

As long as you breastfeed your baby will have a large amount of protection from infections from your milk as well.

However, check with your own doctor. If your baby at the time has any special health problems it is of course a different matter.

And have a look on the home page of CDC, Centers for Disease Control, in Atlanta. They have plenty of advice for travellers, including advice for those pregnant and those travelling with children. Link below.

Regards,
Susanne

I agree with Susanne.

My sister took her then 4 month old baby to the DR to attend my wedding a few years ago. She also breast fed and encountered no problems. The only part of the trip she didn't enjoy was the flight.

Jodi

I agree with Susanne and Jodi. I took my 7 month old baby for 4 weeks and was not staying at a resort. I stayed at different family and friends houses, I was breast feeding and neither I nor my baby encounter any problems.
The best coution is to drink bottle water, and not to fear the worst.
Good luck!!

Rick is quite wrong. Period
Pay attention to the two girl's and bring your baby.
Breast feeding is gaining in popularity nowadays. (And it was in the news, too!) Besides, all the young girls at the wedding will love to hold and cuddly the baby..Something in Dominican genes, I guess.., so you won't have to worry about carrying your child around for a few hours..

As for medical stuff, that is ECH's realm, but your basic immunizations at 5 months should be enough. Common sense, of course, don't drink any water you aren't positive is pure. Plenty of good bottled water and baby formula around at any market.
From the friendly fatherly fingers of a guy that has raised a flock!!
HB

Take the baby...

I stand corrected. Good Luck.