Q. 1. What is the Catholic Church teaching regarding when an infant should be baptised? Some say it is within a week; others say within a few weeks.

A. 1. The Catholic Church teaches, "Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the first few weeks. As soon as possible after the birth, indeed even before it, they are to approach the parish priest to ask for the sacrament for their child, and to be themselves duly prepared for it." [Canon Law # 867 §1]

In a situation where an infant is born in poor health, it should be immediately baptised.