4 month old in the parks?

[MrsM]

On our October trip, our youngest DD will be 4 months old. The youngest child we've ever taken to WDW was our oldest DD when she was 17 months, so taking an infant will be new for us. I'm thinking that we'll use a Snugli-type carrier most of the time, as I think she'll still be a little small for a regular stroller.

I'm wondering what we'll do in sit down restaurants without a stroller, though. She'll probably be too small to put in a high chair, and I don't know how practical it will be to hold her through an entire meal.

Any advice or tips from those that have done this?

 

[952LisaR]

I brought my first daughter to Disney when she was 8 weeks and did it again with my second daughter, so that time it was an 8 week old and a 17 month old. We had a great time! I suggest bringing an umbroller stroller and if needed the extra padding for araond the head that people use in car seats. The umbroller kind of forms to their body and works great. The baby bjorn worked really well too. A lot of restaurants had the car seat type high chairs so you should be ok. It is a lot of work to bring them that young but the memories you will have and the pictures are great. We have a picture from Chef Mickey's Breakfast with Minnie holding my daughter - it is precious!

Good Luck, stay cool and take lots of breaks.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

just remember that if you have your baby in a baby carrier they will still get sun exposure to their delicate skin.

In October you may be able to put a long sleeve sleeper on the baby so most of the baby will be covered-but remember to put on a hat!

It is easy to not realize that your baby is being exposed to the sun while you walk around the parks. But it is soooo dangerous! I cannot tell you the #'s of guests that would ask for doctor care for their sunburned infants when I worked at the front desk at the Dolphin.

I think because of that I am OVERLY cautious when I take my dd to the parks. Make sure you drape a blanket over the foot rest of the stroller to shade the baby's feet and legs-and get a sun shade for the entire front of the stroller, so the baby is never in direct sunlight! You can find them at babies r us.

Enjoy your trip! Just cover up your little one!

 

[akrake]

we used a mobywrap when my daughter was 7 weeks, 14 months & 15 months...it's so easy that way...either a mobywrap or ellaroo would be my suggestion. You can cover them up so they don't get sunburned & so people don't touch them. It's a lifesaver!!
akrake

 

[Kirk]

DGD was 2 months for last year's trip in late May early June. (Look at the pic in my sig.) She spent a lot of time comfortably sleeping in that pull down stroller with 2 or 3 little fans going.

 

[DisKim]

I'm taking my baby in August. He'll be 4 months also. I bought a canopy that attaches to the one already on the stroller for extra shade. I'm also going to purchase clip on fans. I have no intention of letting him roast during afternoon parades, etc. We plan on being in the parks in the morning and evening. The rest of the time, we'll relax by the pool. I'm not using an infant carrier because I think he'll get overheated and be overexposed to the sun. I went when my other son was 10 months and I just found an air conditioned area when I thought it was too hot. Good luck and have fun!

 

[amarberry]

My DD was just under 4 months old last November when we took her. You definitely need some sort of stroller for the baby that reclines and has a sunshade. This will also help you out with the restaurants (I think we took the stroller into every restaurant without a problem). I picked up a Graco "Umbroller" for $17 at Target that was perfect. It didn't recline completely, but it reclined enough that my daughter could comfortably nap. We also had a lightweight blanket that we would drape over the sunshade on the stroller to make a little "stroller tent" while she was sleepy.

A baby carrier is very helpful for lines and I would keep my DD strapped in face forward for the rides. She went on most of the rides with us besides the obvious thrill rides.

A hat and sunscreen (which our ped. gave us the go ahead to use) is a necessity. I made the mistake of walking for just a few minutes with my DD in the Baby Bjorn without her hat on and she was already starting to look a little pink. Yikes!

The other great thing that you should look into is the Baby Care Centers. With the exception of the one at MGM, they are wonderful, especially if you are nursing. We only had one "meltdown" while we were at WDW (on our first day in the parks) and I think it was because my DD was tired, hungry, and hot. I couldn't get her to nurse in the heat so we ended up making a beeline to the Baby Care Center in MK and it worked wonders to just get her in a quiet, air conditioned, dimly light environment.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We took DD last October and she was 4 months old!

We took a full stroller that she could lay down in (Phil & Teds Kiwi e3) and had a sun shade for her, it was really warm while we were there so long sleeves was a no go! She spent a fair amount of time in the Baby Bjorn and wearing a big floppy sun hat.

When we took her to DL in April we bought a Sun Topper blanket, I wish we'd had it at WDW!! Sun Topper that was awesome and made the trip so easy!

Make use of the baby care centers and don't try to go too fast and you'll have an awesome time!

 

[traej73]

My daughter was 4 months old when we visited last year in August! Very hot! I used purchased a hotsling for the parks and also took our stroller and the car seat carrier. The hotsling was great for waiting in lines and the rides. It was the only place she would sleep and the material covered her almost completely. We left the carrier at the hotel and used it when we were heading out for breakfast or dinner from the room. That way we could use a high chair. If we were out and about, we took the stroller into the restaurants. Find out where the baby stations are in each park. I loved them. It was a great place to relax out of the heat and give the baby some down time. You will have a great time! Traci

 

[lillygator]

DD #2 was 4 weeks old when we first took her (she is now 4 months) we also have a 2 1/2 year old....we took a double stroller into the parks and kept DD#2 in her carseat hooked into the stroller and when going in restaurants we just took in the car seat....it also worked well for her to sleep in at the resort....we also brought along a portable swing for the resort...

have fun!

 

[kimpossible]

Congratulations. It sounds like we are following the same schedule. I am due this Sat. and bringing my 4 mth old and ds5 to Disney in Oct. too. I am planning on bringing a stroller w/a carrier and the bjorn (for evenings). I will also bring my light weight combi for my older son as I am sure he will want to ride.

Best wishes to you, and maybe I will see you down there.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I would take a stroller, definitely one that reclines and with a sunshade (I took the big infant one--somewhat of a pain on the bus, but worth it overall). I would think you would want to lay him/her in it while you are eating, plus the baby will be able to sleep more comfortably. I took my Snugli, too, but only used it at DD in the evenings. Just my opinion!

 

[las3888]

We are also going this fall (early November) and will be the first with any kids...our DS will be 8 1/2 mos then, but he is 4 months just now, so I thought I would share my thoughts as if I were taking him today. I hope it is somewhat helpful!

Our DS is now just able to sit okay in a regular stroller (versus the carrier that plops into a stroller base). For longer stretches of time, a head cushion of sorts would be somewhat helpful. We just ordered the Combi savvy soho stroller from target.com. We bought it with Disney in mind...it is super lightweight, but full of features. It folds up so nice and small and can be carried on your shoulder. Target stores sell one for around $69, but we liked the one for $89 online that has a little window on top so you can peer down on your baby and see what's going on. It also reclines fairly well, although not completely flat. It also has a decent-sized pouch underneath for your diaper bag, or for placing your carrier in when not using it.

We also have an infantino 6-in-1 carrier. I am a huge fan of carriers, so I have tried them all--snugli, Baby Bjorn, etc. This 6-in-1 carrier allows you to carry your baby either facing in (when sleeping) or facing out. It comes with a little cover that you can use for sun protection. It also can be strapped to the back of a chair so you can place them in a regular chair at a restaurant (even if their head support isn't quite there yet). Our DS is too young to sit in a baby chair in restaurants yet, so this carrier is ideal when travelling and you don't have his car seat carrier.

These were just a few products that I find very helpful at his age right now. I am sure I will have a whole new set of problems for 8-9 mos when we go.

One note - he is really starting to get heavy in that carrier...just a month ago it didn't bother me nearly as much as it does today. He is just about 16 lbs. so I guess he's on the larger side. Anyways, be prepared to take turns carrying him because you might get tired!

Good luck and have a great time! Let us know how it all worked out when you get back!

Lisa

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We are also going this fall (early November) and will be the first with any kids...our DS will be 8 1/2 mos then, but he is 4 months just now, so I thought I would share my thoughts as if I were taking him today. I hope it is somewhat helpful!

Our DS is now just able to sit okay in a regular stroller (versus the carrier that plops into a stroller base). For longer stretches of time, a head cushion of sorts would be somewhat helpful. We just ordered the Combi savvy soho stroller from target.com. We bought it with Disney in mind...it is super lightweight, but full of features. It folds up so nice and small and can be carried on your shoulder. Target stores sell one for around $69, but we liked the one for $89 online that has a little window on top so you can peer down on your baby and see what's going on. It also reclines fairly well, although not completely flat. It also has a decent-sized pouch underneath for your diaper bag, or for placing your carrier in when not using it.

We also have an infantino 6-in-1 carrier. I am a huge fan of carriers, so I have tried them all--snugli, Baby Bjorn, etc. This 6-in-1 carrier allows you to carry your baby either facing in (when sleeping) or facing out. It comes with a little cover that you can use for sun protection. It also can be strapped to the back of a chair so you can place them in a regular chair at a restaurant (even if their head support isn't quite there yet). Our DS is too young to sit in a baby chair in restaurants yet, so this carrier is ideal when travelling and you don't have his car seat carrier.

These were just a few products that I find very helpful at his age right now. I am sure I will have a whole new set of problems for 8-9 mos when we go.

One note - he is really starting to get heavy in that carrier...just a month ago it didn't bother me nearly as much as it does today. He is just about 16 lbs. so I guess he's on the larger side. Anyways, be prepared to take turns carrying him because you might get tired!

Good luck and have a great time! Let us know how it all worked out when you get back!

Lisa

I bought the Combi too, with Disney in mind. As Lisa said, the $99 one is better because of the window and it has a full recline. I'll let you know how we like it, we will be in Disney 3 weeks from today!!

 

[kimpossible]

Las3888

Thanks- your post has certainly helped me, since it will be 5 years ago since I last had a 4 month old. My ds was also 16 lbs. so I never thought about how heavy this one might be in a bjorn. Also, what I would do at a restaraunt if I didn't have the infant carrier/carseat to pop out of the stroller. Do you think it would be easier to keep a 4 mth old sleeping if we used the carrier/carseat w/the stroller? I am thinking of bus rides...stroller parking etc...or would it be easier to not have it to lug around?

 

[TexasGirl]

We are bringing our 4 month old in a couple of weeks. I was leaning towards not bringing him to the parks. Do you think it will be too hot? Which park is most baby friendly? He is 11 pounds.

 

[amarberry]

About taking a stroller into restaurants...I can't remember ever NOT taking our stroller into a restaurant on our trip last fall. I read somewhere that Disney has a sleeping baby policy...meaning if your baby is sleeping in it's stroller, they won't make you leave the stroller at the door of a restaurant. You might be able to even bring it into a show (I can't remember).

The only time that it was a problem for us not having the infant car seat was with transportation. I do remember trying to load my sleeping DD onto a bus in her stroller and the driver told me that it had to be folded up.

Personally, I don't think that I would have wanted to lug an infant carseat around because ours is so bulky and heavy, but my DD never was much of a napper so she was usually up for the rides. When she was asleep, we were lucky enough to have my dad (who was terrified of the Dumbo ride on our first trip to Disney when I was 8) who was more than happy to sit with her while we went on the non-baby friendly rides.

 

[kimpossible]

Thanks amarberry.

Texas Girl-

The park that tends to be the hottest (maybe because of the vegatative coverings) is AK. That does not mean I plan on avoiding it when we bring our 4 mth old...merely an observation. (We are also going in Oct. when it is slightly cooler.)

As long as there is not an older sibling dictating the attractions you see, I would say that there are plenty of attractions that are air conditioned. I would also not try to be "comando's" on this trip, and if the little one gets fussy, you know it is time to head back to the hotel for a break. I would not skip the parks altogether, but maybe get in and out early, and not return until after the heat of day has left.

Have fun and keep us posted on any post trip tips.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We didnt take our infant carrier either. I think it would be a pain to lug around on the bus. We did not have a problem either bringing the stroller into restaurants when DS was sleeping, the CMs were very accomodating. Maybe this is because we were there in Sept/Oct. Also, if you use the boats and monorails for transportation, when possible, you don't have to fold your stroller up.

 

[las3888]

Las3888

Thanks- your post has certainly helped me, since it will be 5 years ago since I last had a 4 month old. My ds was also 16 lbs. so I never thought about how heavy this one might be in a bjorn. Also, what I would do at a restaraunt if I didn't have the infant carrier/carseat to pop out of the stroller. Do you think it would be easier to keep a 4 mth old sleeping if we used the carrier/carseat w/the stroller? I am thinking of bus rides...stroller parking etc...or would it be easier to not have it to lug around?
__________________
- Kim


Kim, I would lean against taking the car seat carrier. As I mentioned in his baby bjorn, same with the car seat carrier - SO HEAVY! If you are just going somewhere where you won't have to walk with him in it much, no problem, but if you will have to lug it to any length, it might be too much of a pain. For restaurants, it sounds like you can keep baby in his stroller (can't say because we haven't gone with DS yet), and if that's the case, that's exactly what I would do.

I would also bring the baby bjorn or whatever type of sling you have because our son is a little on the fussy side and the sling is just about the only place we are almost guaranteed a happy baby. I would just stow it under the stroller when not in use. It would definitely be nice to have the option to put it on and off as needed/wanted. Sounds like others have found it helpful in lines and I would agree with this.

The other great thing that you should look into is the Baby Care Centers. With the exception of the one at MGM, they are wonderful, especially if you are nursing. We only had one "meltdown" while we were at WDW (on our first day in the parks) and I think it was because my DD was tired, hungry, and hot. I couldn't get her to nurse in the heat so we ended up making a beeline to the Baby Care Center in MK and it worked wonders to just get her in a quiet, air conditioned, dimly light environment.

Curious about the baby care center in MGM...??? We went when we were pregnant and checked out the one in AK just out of curiousity. Wondering what to be prepared for at MGM???

Good luck to you expectant moms! Congrats!!!

Lisa