Ask Amy: Is Mexico safe for a 3-month-old baby?

Ask Amy: Is Mexico safe for a 3-month-old baby? Read Post

Ask Amy

Ask Amy: Is Mexico safe for a 3-month-old baby?

Question: I just found your blog and it feels like a lifesaver right now... or soulsaver I guess I should say. I just found out I'm 2 months pregnant (not planned). I do retreats out of the country and have been excited about my career path and the possibilities for travel in my future. Having a family is something I didn't really have strong ambitions for, although I did feel I would welcome the experience. Finding out I am pregnant was less than welcomed at first. After a few weeks now of processing, I am starting to get excited. Your blog makes me happy to see that women are traveling and living their lives WITH babies. So here is my question for you:

I am scheduled to co-facilitate a really great women's retreat the first week of Dec, 2012 in Mexico. My due date is August 29th. Any advice on taking a 3 month old to a yoga resort in Mexico? I will be teaching 2 classes a day. Also, in March of this year, I am co-facilitating a retreat to Nicaragua. Any thoughts on traveling pregnant to a 3rd world country?

Answer: My best advice is: Don't worry. Everything will be fine.

I can remember when one of my best friends asked me to be in her wedding in Mexico, and I had a baby and was pregnant. I spent weeks fretting over dirty drinking water and strange viruses. I called my pediatrician in a panic and asked: "Do you think I should just cancel the trip?" She told me what I just told you: "Don't worry."

And it was good advice. We ended up having a lovely time and there were no problems. Mexicans adore children. At dinner, the waitstaff would take turns holding our daughter while we ate. Once a waitress even rocked her to sleep.

If you're nursing, feeding your 3-month-old will be easy. You'll want to make sure to stay healthy by drinking bottled water and don't eat any uncooked vegetables. Bring some PeptoBismal tablets just in case. And check in with your doctor and pediatrician a couple weeks before you leave. You might consider locating a pediatrician close to where you'll be staying in Mexico before you go.

As for traveling while pregnant, you'll find a few tips here.

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Where I want to bring my kids next: Oaxaca

Where I want to bring my kids next: Oaxaca Read Post

Where I want to bring my kids next: Oaxaca

I have always wanted to visit Oaxaca, the southern Mexico state stretching between the mountains of Chiapas and the Pacific Ocean. The rich moles sauces, the colonial capitol, the ancient ruins, the lazy beach towns--all of these things have called out to me.

After a friend brought her two children to Oaxaca the city and told me about taking a cooking class, I started to think about bringing my kids. And then I read a story highlighting Oaxaca's many kid-friendly attractions in the San Francisco Chronicle and now I'm convinced I must go. When? Not sure. But it has officially been put on my "places to go list" and moved above Iceland, India, and Morocco.

"It turns out that this place of endless diversions for adults also provides endless distractions for children, especially those with a love of pyramids, dolphins, chocolate, clay and monsters,"
David Frey writes in the Chronicle article. "Bonus points: They just might learn something about the culture without ever seeing a classroom."

Frey brought his 8-year-old twin boys to the state and writes about watching an explosion of fireworks over the city of Oaxaca, visiting a village where the children playing with clay at a pottery shop and learning to weave at a weaver's workshop, running up the stairs to the top of an ancient pyramid, and spotting turtles and dolphins at the beach.

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Ask Amy: Cleaning baby bottles in Mexico

Ask Amy: Cleaning baby bottles in Mexico Read Post

Ask Amy: Cleaning baby bottles in Mexico

Question: I was digging around on the Internet for information on traveling to Mexico with an infant and came across your September 9, 2008, entry. I was curious to know if you have any advice for cleaning baby bottles while in Mexico. We are planning to use bottled water for formula, but I don't know if I need to wash the bottles with bottled water as well. We won't have access to a microwave to boil water or to use sterilizing bags so I'm trying to figure out what is best to do. My son is 3 months old and we are still wondering with all of the gear and supplies we have to bring along if we are insane for traveling to Mexico with him . . . the things you do for family (my sister-in-law is getting married there). Your entry has given me some confidence, so thanks!
—Larissa

Answer: First off, take a deep breath and relax. You're going to have a great time in Mexico and your baby will be fine. Just like you, I was worried about traveling there with my 1-year-old, but everything worked out and we had a great trip. I did use bottled water to wash the baby bottles. Our hotel said that the water from the faucet was filtered and safe to drink but I wanted to be extra careful. Be sure to buy the water from an established supermarket or the hotel--rather than from a small stand on the street. Sometimes these small stands refill used bottles. Before you go, be sure to check in with your child's pediatrician who might have tips on how to keep your baby safe and healthy while you're traveling. Have fun!

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Safe to bring a baby to Mexico?

Safe to bring a baby to Mexico? Read Post

Safe to bring a baby to Mexico?

When Paris was 1-year-old and my friends Aimee and Nate invited me to their wedding in Mexico, I immediately said, "Of course, we'll all go!"

I always assumed I would be the adventurous type and tote my kids everywhere and anywhere. Istanbul? Sure. The Amazon? No problem. Mexico? A cinch.

I went through all the motions of planning our trip without any second thoughts—until a week before our departure when a friend asked, "Have you gotten shots?"

"What shots? No! Are you kidding? Do you really need special vaccinations for Mexico?"

I hadn't even talked to our pediatrician about the trip. Stupid me!

This led me to the Internet where I read a blog written by a mom whose infant nearly died from a strange bug picked up in Oaxaca. And then I visited the Center for Disease Control's site that recommended seeing a health-care professional four to six weeks before the trip.

I flipped! I called our pediatrician, Dr. Udovic, who by then was used to my freak outs. We talked about where I was taking Paris—Zihuatanejo and a small town called Troncones 30 minutes north—and determined that our family was headed for safe ground. No shots needed. In fact, the standard vaccinations are all that's recommended for most travel in Mexico.

As soon as I stepped off the plane into the warm, soft air, I kicked myself for worrying. Our trip was smooth, easy, and relaxing. We spent our days lounging in the pool and playing in the surf. Of course, we took precautions and drank only bottled water and we carefully selected restaurants, but my initial anxieties were unfounded.

Mexico is a great place for families—especially those living on the West Coast. The plane flight is short and accommodations are reasonably priced—compared to Hawaii. Our beachside hotel with two swimming pools was $100 a night. Best of all, the Mexicans adore children. At dinner, the waitstaff would take turns holding Paris while we ate. Once a waitress even rocked her to sleep.

Ever traveled with kids to Mexico? Please share your stories.

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