Would Taking a Baby to Cabo San Lucas Be Unwise?

Updated on August 15, 2010
H.P. asks from South Hadley, MA
7 answers

We have this incredible opportunity to stay for a week for FREE at a nice resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I am so craving a beach vacation and I know our kids would just love it. Mentally, I'm already there! But I'm starting to be concerned whether it's safe and wise to take our baby. He will be a little over 7 months old at the time we would be going (January time frame). He is breastfed, but I've been to Mexico before (Puerto Vallarta) and gotten very nauseous after eating at a nice restaurant. I'm afraid I could transmit a parasite or something to my baby through breastmilk or even through the water in his bath. Am I being too paranoid? The resort we'd be staying at uses filtered water and says it's safe for American standards. My other kids will be 3, 4, 9. and 15. And my other concern is what to do if the baby (or other kids) gets an ear infection or sick.. are the hospital standard acceptable there? I don't know and who really would know the answer to that. I thought about just me and my husband going, but with such young children and a breastfed baby, I don't think that would be good to leave them for that long either. What are your thoughts? What would you do in this situation?

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all the feedback! I expected more negative feedback, so I'm pleasantly surprised! All of you gave great advice and your personal experiences are valuable to know. We will be delaying the trip because air fares are so expensive for a family of 7 in the winter to Mexico and we don't have passports for the kids, so we're going to take our time preparing for this trip (the free offer is indefinite, so we're fortunate there). Thanks again!

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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

We went on a cruise to Mexico when our kids were almost 3 and 6 months old. I was breastfeeding our 6 month old. They were fine and didn't get sick. We take them with us everywhere. I say, go for it! Take your family and have a great time!

As a precaution get everyone in to a chiropractor before you go to make sure your bodies are as strong as possible so they will be able to fight off any ear infections, colds, etc. That's what we do before every trip!

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

I took my son to Cabo twice - once when he was 11 months and then again when he was 23 months. He got an ear infection the first time, but we were armed with Motrin, Tylenol and the staff doctor at the resort we stayed in gave him augmentin. There's an "American" hospital down in the center of town, but we never took him there. We called our pedi and he told us that it was ok for him to fly home (of course he got the ear infection the day before we were leaving) but that he may be a little more uncomfortable with the take off and landing with the change in pressure. I was also nursing him the first time and I ended up eating something that didn't agree with me. Didn't seem to do him any harm though. The second time around we think that the milk we were giving him didn't agree with his stomach because he threw up a few times, so you may want to limit the dairy (or at least the milk). Despite those few issues, we're heading there again this winter. My best advice is to bring your own medicine bag with lots of different things. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

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M.J.

answers from Boston on

I have a friend who has traveled everywhere with her daughter, now 3, since she was just a little baby. They have actually gone to different resorts in Mexico several times with no issues. Just take the precautions that others have mentioned in their responses and I am sure you'll be fine. On another note...I am most impressed by the fact you'll be traveling out of the country with 5 children!! You might need another vacay after this. You are a brave woman! LOL

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M.A.

answers from Dallas on

I went to a nice resort in Cabo in February with my 7 year old daughter and I think it would be fine. You would definitely want to bring any babyfood for the baby, but they do have bottled water that is fine. I would check with your health insurance to see what they cover while you are traveling, and definitely get extra travel insurance in case something does happen. Also, make sure the resort is family friendly. Some are definitely more of a party atmosphere. I had to kick some drinkers out of the baby pool. Good luck!

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S.R.

answers from McAllen on

Go and have a ball, Cabo San Lucas resorts meet international standards, so they do have filtered water and you can always ordered bottled water. Most hospital in tourist cities like Cabo San Lucas are Certified by the Joint Commission International, which certifies not only American Hospitals but hospitals around the world. Another thing is Hotels have their own water supply, (most of them) and take great care of it. So I think you are being a little bit too paranoid!!!! Its going to be OK!!!! Go and have a ball, it is beautiful out there and there's plenty to do!!! Take your children, they'll have great fun, and if you wanna go with your husband only, It's super cool for a romantic getaway!!!
Im so jealous!!! (Can you take me instead?? Just kidding!) Have Fun!!! =)

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

We took our son when he was 6 months. He was the only baby at the resort and everyone made such a fuss. At dinner I would order my food then take him out for a moment, rock him to sleep and then put him in his car seat to sleep. He was an easy baby so that helped. We would not have wanted to leave him for a week. We had a ball!

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M.V.

answers from Detroit on

We went on a cruise when my oldest was 2, and we were in Cozumel. He drank some juice at Hard Rock and had diarrhea for 3 days. I personally don't trust Mexico when the kids are little. Plus, with the turmoil and the advisories against Americans travelling there, I would have to say no.
See link here to the US Department of State:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html

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