Concerns about air travel and exposure for newborn

[PiscesMama24]

I am due to have my rainbow baby sometime in January 2011. My mom will be moving to Thailand for the next couple of years but wants to return for a few weeks to help me with the hospital stay and caring for the baby. I'm concerned that traveling between Thailand and the U.S. might expose my mom to any number of viruses/airborn illnesses that she then might pass on to my newborn.

Would you be worried at all? Do you have relatives who have travelled long distances (flying) to be with you during birth and for the first few weeks after the baby is born?

I thought about having her stay with my sister for a couple weeks, until we're sure she's not going to come down with anything, is that over the top?I might be being very paranoid/overprotective but I can't bear the thought of a sick infant, let alone something that will cause me the loss of another one of my children.

Thanks for your help mamas.

[tabrizia]

Honestly I won't be worried about it at all. If baby is nursing even if your Mom does end up with a cold or something similar, she is unlikely to pass it on. I flew with a 4 week old and she was fine and I have flown long international flights as well and neither me or my nursing child became ill.

[seagull]

My fil met his grandson after spending 6 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia (maybe Loas also?). Anyways, yes I was a little nervous if I thought about the possibilities, but it was more important to me to have them meet each other.

[spargel]

Honestly, I would be be cautious. 2 weeks sounds like a lot though. If she's going to come down with something, you'll know within a week. I travel from Europe to the US to visit family twice a year, all three times I've done it, I've gotten sick. Last time, I started pounding zicam as soon as I sensed I was going to get sick and I managed to squeeze by without coming down with a full cold. I'm pregnant now and I'm going back in 2 more weeks. Not looking forward to the sickness!

[texmati]

I wouldn't worry. I might ask her to be extra careful with hand washing, and let you know if she felt that she was coming down with something.