Disney vacation with a 6 week old?

[AmyBWV99]

Totally doable. We took DS #1 (who had brain surgery at 2 weeks with his Neuro Dr's apporval he said go forth live life enjoy it!) at 9 weeks, 11 months, 15 months & 18 months, we then proceeded to take him and his borther at 2.5 & 2 weeks, 3 years & 5 months and we're still going and there have been some up and down days, a cold while at WDW but we'd have had that at home so we may as well have been there. We found it's more work to go the older they get they run and are busy, busy, busy.
I had 2 C-sections and walked fine. We never do commando and have taken grandparents as well which has been a huge help, you'll have a blast!

 

[sritter78]

We just got back on Wed. from our trip. My DS was 6 weeks and my DD was 3 1/2. We had a GREAT time.

*invest in a sling (it was much easier to have DS in the sling on the rides then trying to only hold him)
*bring the stroller and carseat (we have the graco snap n go that his graco carseat attaches--not a big stroller)
*bring extra clothes in ziplock baggies
*bring more diapers than you think you will need (I shipped a box with food, diapers, and wipes~we went through a package of 92 diapers and had to buy more)
*bring hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes (we got some from BRU that are safe for kids)
*get a ray shade for the stroller (BRU) to help hide from the sun
*stroller fan (I bought the Mickey one and it eats batteries so I used one of the squirt fans and just wrapped the neck wrap around the stroller and aimed it at him~worked perfectly)
*take lots of pictures (they are soo cute)

I only used the Baby Center at MK. Otherwise, I just nursed him wherever.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm afraid it isn't a good idea.

You cannot predict how close to your EDD that your baby will arrive. (And IMHO--though may be controversial, an induction or scheduled c-section so that you can make your scheduled vacation is not a good idea either as that will become a valid concern as you come to the end of your pregnancy.)

You are not allowing yourself any recovery time and you are presuming the perfect conclusion to a perfect pregnancy.

We did take DS when he was that little (just over 6 weeks maybe, I would have to go dig and find out). We live within 90 minutes of disney and we had our passes that were expiring. The trips were not planned in advance, but rather--I felt good, so we went after he was 6 weeks old.

My biggest issue though--is more over what you cannot predict and the temptation to want to fool with mother nature to make a voluntary trip.

I'd push it out by a couple of weeks or so at a minimum (8 weeks past your EDD) so that you know the baby will be at least 6 weeks old.

Trip Insurance would cover any unexpected issues and permit you to cancel your trip if something unknown happened.

Maybe also consider going earlier than December. Perhaps when you are 6 or 7 months pregnant as a last hurrah with your dd as an only child.

With my son, I traveled with my Moby Wrap--it was a lifesaver as it permitted me to walk and nurse and permitted him to be close to his mommy like he liked. I enjoyed being out and about and the family had fun riding the rides that he couldn't go on.

I would bring ponchos or something to cover the stroller in the event of rain. You must park them in most places and if it got wet, it is useless for the baby.


(and in case it wasn't clear, I am not against you traveling with a 6 week old--it is more of being unable to predict and treating babies birthday as a deadline to make a trip. )

 

[minniesmama]

We're leaving next week for a trip with my now 5-week-old (She'll be 6 weeks while we're there). I'm excited! I am a public health professional, and am not particularly worried about "germs". My baby is not likely to come into contact with many pathogens. She doesn't touch things and put her hands in her mouth yet and I carry her in a moby wrap most of the time so her contact with the public is limited to anyone who is willing to invade MY personal space. As long as I keep my own hands clean, she should be fine. The whole recirculated air on the plane bit is mostly paranoia. [For example: if there is a bacterial meningitis case identified on a flight, CDC guidelines only require the notification and prophylaxis of the passengers seated immediately around the affected passenger, and only if the flight is over 6 hours in length. Pathogens don't "fly". It's really all about hand hygeine.] DD sleeps in the moby for hours at a time, so we'll be able to move around pretty freely. I have also been teaching DD to breastfeed while I walk around with her.
I am concerned about the heat. We plan on taking it verrrry slowly. My 3-year-old DD will be excited just to be there and doesn't need to go on every.single.ride . We'll do a lot of strolling around the parks taking in the sights. My baby hates her carseat, so we're renting a double from OSR and she can nap in there. We'll bring misting fans and a ray shade and will really play our touring by ear. We're renting a car so we don't have to deal with busses. And we're stopping at a children's consignment shop on the way to the hotel to pick up a used bouncy seat (about $7-$10 - much cheaper than renting!) that we'll either leave in the room or give to another family with a baby at the hotel. I am bummed that only one of us will be able to swim with DD3 at a time!
Personally, I feel great and am totally up to this physically. Hopefully you'll have an uneventful birth and you'll be fine too. I say go. Just have the right kind of expectations. It's going to be a different kind of trip - but I think going slowly is going to make it great!

 

[DaddyTo2Girls]

People told us we were crazy to take a 6-week old, but we did it anyway. We had planned a trip in December but we got pregnant and cancelled the trip. DW had a C-section on 1/15/09 and a few weeks later declared herself well enough for a trip to Disney. The 6-week old slept most of the time and never got sick (we went first week of March). She is 4 months now and I think it would be much tougher. The baby was great and my wife calls it the best week of her life. You may end up a little sleep-deprived, but for us it was definitely worth it. We were able to take her on more rides than I ever imagined--just ask the cast members if it's ok. I even took her on the new Toy Story Mania ride.

 

[annmichelle]

As a nurse, I would never recommend anyone taking a baby of that age. You need to stay home for now and enjoy that time. There will be many years for trips to Disney ahead. That is no vacation for a baby and I doubt for you.

 

[DaddyTo2Girls]

but my brother is a doctor and he voiced no concern over our baby's health. And he was right--she suffered no ill effects from the trip.

 

[hmacmahony]

GO!!!!!!!!

Go and have a great time! Babies are SO portable, and don't complain about what ride you are doing next. Our first trip we had an almost 3 year old, almost 2 year old, and my youngest was 8 weeks. We traveled with a family that had an almost 2 year old, and 12 week old.
The babies were AMAZING! They slept the majority of the time, thankfully the weather was great (we also went in december, it was no colder than 65...including the xmas party we atteneded, and we were the last ones out of the park around 1:30 in the morning...we took our sweet time leaving)

Both me and the other mom strapped the babies into their slings first thing in the AM, took them out to eat, to change diapers and that was about it. They were so easy! The characters LOVED them. Mary Poppins offered to babysit for us.

We nursed anywhere and everywhere. On rides (space ship earth, haunted mansion etc), during shows (hall of presidents...I think we got naps out of the other 4 kids during that show). And actually during this trip we never even needed the baby care centers, we used them since then, but this trip we never even stopped in there. They are fabulous though, so use them if needed.

GO GO GO! Have a great time, this trip will be so relaxing, because trust me, once they start walking....it is NONSTOP on the trips!

 

[LPNmom]

My sister took her first baby at 2 1/2 months old and had such a great time! The baby slept well during the trip, napping through most of the park. Used the baby swap at all the rides that have height restrictions. Have a great vacation, and enjoy your new bundle of joy!!

 

[minniesmama]

As a nurse, I would never recommend anyone taking a baby of that age. You need to stay home for now and enjoy that time. There will be many years for trips to Disney ahead. That is no vacation for a baby and I doubt for you.

No, not a vacation for the baby, she doesn't care if she's at Disney or not. But my 3 year old does! When you have older kids "stay home" is ridiculous advice, IMHO. I have to take my DD3 to ballet class, to the playground, to preschool and any number of other activities. Her life does not end because I'm tired and would like to lie around the house with my baby. So we're going to enjoy our time by being together as a family watching our older child experience the magic. My life is going to be easier than it is at home just by having DH around all the time to help out with the kids!

 

[tartemis]

I am also pregnant with #2 and we plan to take a trip to Disney at the end of my maternity leave when the new baby will be closer to 6 months. (We took our 1st to Disney when she was 6 monhths.) I would never take a baby at 6 weeks, though -- especially if I had to fly to get there. That doesn't mean it can't be done or that reasonable people can't disagree -- but, I probably wouldn't even take my 6 week old to any crowded establishment during RSV season. I could just never forgive myself if something happened.

 

[The6Mousketeers]

Hi there, I have taken a 6 month old but I personally wouldn't be comfortable taking a 6 week old. Several reasons:

1. It can be far too cool in December.
2. The germs.
3. I had cesareans and was still exhausted 6 weeks post partum too much so to do a week long trek at WDW.
4. Small babies are too demanding at 6 weeks old, feedings, diaper changes, for ME personally it would not be enjoyable.

Good luck deciding!

 

[sritter78]

FYI~I also had a c-section and felt great. I didn't have any pains or anything. My doctor did release me prior to leaving and we bought trip insurance just in case. I got the okay from his ped and my OB to go.

 

[DisneyMom4964]

Never, ever, ever would I go to Disney World with a 6 WEEK OLD CHILD! Thats a no brainer, use your common sense. You are exposing your child to many germs and infections. Plus, its around that time of the flu season. I mean, I understand brining a 8 month old child but 6 weeks is out of your mind. Cancel your trip, plan it for the first week of June, that is when I went last year and it was wonderful no crowds. But if you want, take your child while he is 6 weeks old and let it have a good chance of dying and hey, it wont be my problem will it?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Op you can do whatever you like. If you are asking for opinions then I would say no. I do not think it is advisable to take a child that young and expose them to crowds of that level. Disney will always be there. I personally would not risk it. My child's health is more important than a theme park. You have to do what you feel comfortable with. Nobody can answer that for you.

As for the person who took their 6 week old on Toy Story Mania
That ride is way too whippy for a 6 week old. I would never ever take a child that young on that ride.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Colleen27]

If that's the only time you can take advantage of the military deal, go! Buy trip insurance just in case something comes up, and plan for a relaxed pace. It wouldn't be my ideal time to go, but life can pass you by while you're waiting for the perfect time to do things!

I'm not a big believer in keeping baby at home, especially with 2nd and subsequent kids. With big brothers/sisters in school, playing outside, and interacting with other kids, its not like home is a germ-free environment, and a baby in a sling or carrier isn't especially exposed even in a crowded place. Just make sure you and especially your older kiddo are careful about washing hands before handling the baby! We've found that our kids are the most portable when they're brand new. DD9mo is absolutely more work now than she was at 6 weeks, because she's so much more active and has some pretty strong opinions about her surroundings!

 

[DaddyTo2Girls]

Op you can do whatever you like. If you are asking for opinions then I would say no. I do not think it is advisable to take a child that young and expose them to crowds of that level. Disney will always be there. I personally would not risk it. My child's health is more important than a theme park. You have to do what you feel comfortable with. Nobody can answer that for you.

As for the person who took their 6 week old on Toy Story Mania
That ride is way too whippy for a 6 week old. I would never ever take a child that young on that ride.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Well, I took our 6-week-old on several rides, including Toy Story Mania, and she showed no ill effects. I would say she is actually ahead of the developmental curve. We went the first week of March when it was a little chilly and DD had no problems. She was not needy at all and slept most of the time. She never got sick and we had a great time. DW had a C-section on Jan. 15th and kept up rather well on our trip.
It's a personal decision, and one we didn't take lightly, but it worked out beautifully for us. For those who think it's a horrible idea--go ahead and stay home and hope for the best--you can never be too safe.

 

[Tiger926]

We've taken our babes @ 10 months in May, so we would never take a newborn in December. As mentioned, there are way too many viruses (flu, chicken pox, strep, etc.) to worry about. As someone who has had both babes in hospital several times for respiratory and other illnesses (we are beyond vigilant for health and hygiene, but some things are beyond our control - like sick people coughing near a baby, going to the parks sick, etc.). With the whole swine flu thing, this year could be a very dangerous flu season, so I absolutely would not take a newborn anywhere near Disney World.

As also mentioned, at 6 weeks postpartum, I highly doubt you will feel like taking a vacation to WDW - I still was pretty sore at 6 weeks for both kids, and their births were pretty easy. Not to mention, that I was beyond exhausted, and with my first, her days and nights were mixed up, so no sleep.

I would seriously reconsider for both of your sakes - you don't know what will happen during childbirth, nor will you know how you'll feel, or what your baby's personality will be like. It would be pretty easy toting a baby around WDW, but the time of year is not good, as I believe that it is too soon after childbirth to go on a busy vacation like that.

I wish you a healthy pregnancy and uneventful childbirth. Disney will be there for many more years to come!

Tiger

 

[pennymom]

I agree with one of the previous posters...go earlier so you can take advantage of your discounted tickets. Your DD will enjoy just as much in September as she would in December.

I also agree with all those who have said 6 weeks is too young, and too soon for you. I had 2 c-sections, the first as an emergency and the second by choice. No way would I have been comfortable going to Disney at 6 weeks postpartum. And it is just too much of a risk for the baby, for a variety of reasons.

Many posters have been mentioning trip insurance. If you do decide to go, and don't have any yet, read the fine print carefully. I believe that many policies will not cover for reasons due to a pregnancy if you are already pregnant when you get the trip insurance.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Tiger926]

Well, I took our 6-week-old on several rides, including Toy Story Mania, and she showed no ill effects. I would say she is actually ahead of the developmental curve. We went the first week of March when it was a little chilly and DD had no problems. She was not needy at all and slept most of the time. She never got sick and we had a great time. DW had a C-section on Jan. 15th and kept up rather well on our trip.
It's a personal decision, and one we didn't take lightly, but it worked out beautifully for us. For those who think it's a horrible idea--go ahead and stay home and hope for the best--you can never be too safe.

I'm confused by several things in your reply:

What exactly do you mean - you can never be too safe?

Did you happen to do any research before you took your baby to WDW in March? Did you know that it's peak strep throat and rotavirus season in Orlando? These illnesses would be beyond dangerous for a newborn to get. We did a ton of research and decided to take our 22 month old as she was a healthy baby, and had just passed a serious physical with flying colours. But it didn't work out. Once you spend time with your baby hooked up to machines when she should be at the parks, you might think differently here. We saw a doc at Centra Care Clinic (horrible place) and he misdiagnosed our baby, and she ended up in hospital several days later - we were alone, very far from home as we were from Canada. The pediatric specialists who took exceptional care of us at Arnold Palmer's Children Hospital told us our DD was VERY ill, so ill (she didn't present as ill as she was as she was very healthy), that if we hadn't gone to hospital, she might not have woken up. They also told us that WDW is a disgusting breeding ground of germs - especially from Dec - April due to a bevy of viruses, illnesses, etc. and they recommend no newborns go there at all as there are too many people from different parts of world who bring their germs in. Something major to consider for those going during the winter months.

Lastly, I'm not sure why you think that going on a ride would have a developmental effect on your child? Your child's developmental curve would only have been affected had she been made seriously ill and had negative side effects from the illness - most kids do bounce back very quickly, if they are healthy to begin with, but newborns may not be as lucky as they have virtually no immune system at 6 weeks postpartum. I am glad that your baby was healthy while on vacation, but the specialists we dealt with absolutely do not recommend this at all.

As a mom who has had children who were seriously ill in hospital several times, I would encourage people to think long and hard about scheduling trips to WDW with newborns, especially during winter months which are full of illnesses and crowds of people.

Good luck to OP with making this decision, Tiger