An Infant and the In-Laws......

[Tinker-Belle07]

Meet Our Crazy Crew:

Me: Christina, aka Chris or Mommy, 29. Trip Reporter and foodie.
DH: Michael, aka Mike, Dad, and Geek #1, 40. Trip Funder.
DS: Alex the Great, 8
DD: Princess Claire, 3 months old
DFIL: Hack, aka Poppy.
DMIL: Evelyn, aka Mema.
DSIL: Heather. Trip Planner and fellow foodie.
DBIL: Rob, aka Geek #2.
DN: Christian (the too cool teenager), 14.
DN: Dylan, lover of all things Disney (except Monsters, Inc.), 2
DBILM: Judy, aka Mamaw. Rob's mom, Christian and Dylan's Mamaw.

Confused yet? Let me give you a basic rundown. Hack and Evelyn are the parents of Mike and Heather. I'm married to Mike and our kids are Alex and Claire. Rob is married to Heather and their kids are Christian and Dylan. Judy is Rob's mom.

We left on May 2nd. The grandparents returned home on May 5th, the rest of us stayed until the 9th.

We got home 2 1/2 weeks ago. It's taken me that long to recover from this trip enough to want to talk about it. Just kidding. We had a great time. With this bunch, you just never know what to expect!

See the PTR for our itinerary, pics from previous years and pre-trip excitement. Itinerary....Yeah. Let me just say that most of it changed. I will relist the baby stuff here. Hopefully it will be of use to someone. Sooo....baby stuff up next! Crazy fun-ness to follow!

 

[Jeanine3kids]

I can't wait to read more I read your pre-trip report and it was really funny.

Jeanine

 

[OhMari]

I can merge your pre-trip over? Let me know.
OhMari

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

Why would we be crazy enough to take a newborn to Disney? Because I couldn't stand missing the big family trip this year. By the time she was 6 weeks old, I knew that she was an awesome baby that would make the trip well. If your baby is collicky or unusually fussy, you might want to wait. We're very fortunate. I searched for stories about taking babies, and couldn't really find any helpful info, so this is for other brave souls that want to live on the wild side.....
The girl:

The stroller:

The supplies:

-Baby sunblock SPF 50. I was told by her ped to start putting it on her 5 days in advance because some of it would absorb and build up to give her extra protection. I reapplied it on her with every diaper change.

-A foldable, compact stroller. I looove the one we chose. It was so handy! It was easy to maneuver, laid back for her to nap, padded and comfortable for her, and it folded up with a carrying strap. It was easy enough to manage that I could get on a bus with the baby by myself. We also gate checked it on the plane, so we had it for travel in the airports. Great idea.

-Sunhats. A must. We took 5. Sunglasses are also good if you can keep them on. Claire's cheeks made this difficult.

-Cute, lightweight clothing. Lots of sundresses and t-shirt/short sets, and the cutest little swimsuit EVER! She didn't get to use her swimsuit. I took about 18 outfits, but she's a really clean baby, so not too many changes.

-Bug Repellant. Planned to spray the stroller if need be, not the baby. Didn't need to.

-Travel Diaper Bag. I used a large one for a carry on, but in the parks I took an AWESOME one that holds a lot and is easy to carry on rides even. It's a JJ Cole Logic Bag.

-Stroller Fan. I bought one at Mouse Gear. Mickey hands clip onto the stroller, and the fan has ears. A fan is great, the strollers get awfully hot and stuffy for the kiddos. The fan we bought doesn't blow very hard, which is good for infants, but you might want a stronger fan for older kids.

-Soft Carrier. Claire thinks this is the greatest thing ever invented. I'm pretty fond of it too, as it allows me to be hands free while still holding her.
We used it a couple of times, but she really liked her stroller.

-Diapers. Obviously. I took a jumbo pack. We had a few left over.

-Wipes. Same as the diapers.

-Medicine. Better safe than sorry. I took a variety of things we MIGHT need. Infant Tylenol, Desitin, Mylicon. You can get meds there in case of emergency, but they're going to cost you.

-Colorful and Noisy Toys. We got some neat things to keep her attention. We didn't really need them at the parks because she was fascinated with everything going on around her. We did use a quiet one while flying.

-Bathing gear. I put her and the sponge bath mat thingy in the sink. We use the pre-soaped washcloths, so we didn't have to worry about spills in our luggage.

-Bibs, burp cloths and lightweight blankets. She's become quite a drooler.

I think that's it for supplies.

We took advantage of the Baby Care Centers everywhere we went. I just wish there was more than one in each park. If you've never visited these centers, you should. They are air-conditioned and sell supplies you might need. There is a room with many changing tables, a room with a tv, tables, and highchairs for feeding babies/toddlers, a kitchenette with microwave where you can prepare food/formula, and a dimly lit room with rocking chairs for nursing mothers. These are great for all intended purposes, or if you just have a kid that needs some down time. Claire and I spent a couple of hours each day at these centers.

Kid swap is a handy thing. When you get tired of dealing with your child, you swap for a different one. No, no, no. Just kidding! If you're traveling with a child too small to go on a ride, you inform the attendant at the ride and they'll give you a pass for the person that stays with the child and up to 2 more people. Some of them want to see the baby because apparently some dillweeds are abusing the system.

Taking an infant is work. You have to be constantly tuned into their needs. Make sure you keep them hydrated and as cool as possible. Babies under 6 months can't regulate their body temperature. Discuss the trip with your ped. If you're an avid Dis-er, you know the parks well, and are going with help, you can have an awesome time even with the extra work.

You'll hear more about Claire and her adventures during the rest of the TR, but I wanted to get the baby basics out of the way.

Stay tuned for Day 1!

 

[Paparazzimama]

Just read your PTR and can't wait to hear all about your trip!!! I'm looking forward to lots of input from "Poppy" - he's a riot! Can't wait for the next post . . .

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

I can't wait to read more I read your pre-trip report and it was really funny.

Jeanine

Thanks! Glad to have you!

Just read your PTR and can't wait to hear all about your trip!!! I'm looking forward to lots of input from "Poppy" - he's a riot! Can't wait for the next post . . .

Welcome! Trust me, Poppy has lots to say.

 

[soxnation]

Can not wait to read more!

 

[Jeanine3kids]

I think it is great that you took your infant. I took my daughter when she was 6 months old than i took my son when he was 10 months and they both times they did great. I had the little formula cans which made feeding them easy. I think its when they are 2 that is when they are rough. I went in Nov and my than 23 month old drove us crazy and now we are headed back in August and he will be 2.8 we just love to torture ourselves for Disney.

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

I think it is great that you took your infant. I took my daughter when she was 6 months old than i took my son when he was 10 months and they both times they did great. I had the little formula cans which made feeding them easy. I think its when they are 2 that is when they are rough. I went in Nov and my than 23 month old drove us crazy and now we are headed back in August and he will be 2.8 we just love to torture ourselves for Disney.

That's what I kept telling everyone who thought we were crazy for taking an infant. Next year it will be much tougher than it was this year. We have Dylan to use as a guide, too. They skipped taking him as a newborn, but we've been there for his 1st and 2nd birthdays now. It gives me a glimpse of what's ahead. I can't wait until they're old enough to be really into it!

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

Can not wait to read more!

You'll have plenty to read, I assure you. There will be at least 5 of us putting in our 2 cents.

 

[VanniGirl]

Great start - can't wait to read more!

 

[RadioFanatic]

Why would we be crazy enough to take a newborn to Disney? Because I couldn't stand missing the big family trip this year. By the time she was 6 weeks old, I knew that she was an awesome baby that would make the trip well. If your baby is collicky or unusually fussy, you might want to wait. We're very fortunate. I searched for stories about taking babies, and couldn't really find any helpful info, so this is for other brave souls that want to live on the wild side.....
The girl:

The stroller:

The supplies:

-Baby sunblock SPF 50. I was told by her ped to start putting it on her 5 days in advance because some of it would absorb and build up to give her extra protection. I reapplied it on her with every diaper change.

-A foldable, compact stroller. I looove the one we chose. It was so handy! It was easy to maneuver, laid back for her to nap, padded and comfortable for her, and it folded up with a carrying strap. It was easy enough to manage that I could get on a bus with the baby by myself. We also gate checked it on the plane, so we had it for travel in the airports. Great idea.

-Sunhats. A must. We took 5. Sunglasses are also good if you can keep them on. Claire's cheeks made this difficult.

-Cute, lightweight clothing. Lots of sundresses and t-shirt/short sets, and the cutest little swimsuit EVER! She didn't get to use her swimsuit. I took about 18 outfits, but she's a really clean baby, so not too many changes.

-Bug Repellant. Planned to spray the stroller if need be, not the baby. Didn't need to.

-Travel Diaper Bag. I used a large one for a carry on, but in the parks I took an AWESOME one that holds a lot and is easy to carry on rides even. It's a JJ Cole Logic Bag.

-Stroller Fan. I bought one at Mouse Gear. Mickey hands clip onto the stroller, and the fan has ears. A fan is great, the strollers get awfully hot and stuffy for the kiddos. The fan we bought doesn't blow very hard, which is good for infants, but you might want a stronger fan for older kids.

-Soft Carrier. Claire thinks this is the greatest thing ever invented. I'm pretty fond of it too, as it allows me to be hands free while still holding her.
We used it a couple of times, but she really liked her stroller.

-Diapers. Obviously. I took a jumbo pack. We had a few left over.

-Wipes. Same as the diapers.

-Medicine. Better safe than sorry. I took a variety of things we MIGHT need. Infant Tylenol, Desitin, Mylicon. You can get meds there in case of emergency, but they're going to cost you.

-Colorful and Noisy Toys. We got some neat things to keep her attention. We didn't really need them at the parks because she was fascinated with everything going on around her. We did use a quiet one while flying.

-Bathing gear. I put her and the sponge bath mat thingy in the sink. We use the pre-soaped washcloths, so we didn't have to worry about spills in our luggage.

-Bibs, burp cloths and lightweight blankets. She's become quite a drooler.

I think that's it for supplies.

We took advantage of the Baby Care Centers everywhere we went. I just wish there was more than one in each park. If you've never visited these centers, you should. They are air-conditioned and sell supplies you might need. There is a room with many changing tables, a room with a tv, tables, and highchairs for feeding babies/toddlers, a kitchenette with microwave where you can prepare food/formula, and a dimly lit room with rocking chairs for nursing mothers. These are great for all intended purposes, or if you just have a kid that needs some down time. Claire and I spent a couple of hours each day at these centers.

Kid swap is a handy thing. When you get tired of dealing with your child, you swap for a different one. No, no, no. Just kidding! If you're traveling with a child too small to go on a ride, you inform the attendant at the ride and they'll give you a pass for the person that stays with the child and up to 2 more people. Some of them want to see the baby because apparently some dillweeds are abusing the system.

Taking an infant is work. You have to be constantly tuned into their needs. Make sure you keep them hydrated and as cool as possible. Babies under 6 months can't regulate their body temperature. Discuss the trip with your ped. If you're an avid Dis-er, you know the parks well, and are going with help, you can have an awesome time even with the extra work.

You'll hear more about Claire and her adventures during the rest of the TR, but I wanted to get the baby basics out of the way.

Stay tuned for Day 1!

I'm VERRY interested in your trip report as I'm taking a 7 month old in September - so I have a couple of questions. First, what type of stroller did you have? Second, what type of sun block did you use? I already bought banana boat baby SPF 50 which was allegedly tearless and it made ds break out in a rash and tear up terribly. What were the presoaped washcloths and mat for the sink? Where did you get it? Thanks again for this TR as it will be of great service and I'm sure I'll have more questions!

 

[crgfsu1]

WOW! I took an almost 3 year old (with no troubles) but cant imagine taking a 3 month old - you are either very brave or very adventurous Glad to be on board for this trip report. Ready for more!

BTW - I too took the entire family on our trip (there were 9 of us).

Cathy

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

I'm VERRY interested in your trip report as I'm taking a 7 month old in September - so I have a couple of questions. First, what type of stroller did you have? Second, what type of sun block did you use? I already bought banana boat baby SPF 50 which was allegedly tearless and it made ds break out in a rash and tear up terribly. What were the presoaped washcloths and mat for the sink? Where did you get it? Thanks again for this TR as it will be of great service and I'm sure I'll have more questions!

Welcome! Our stroller is a Combi Helio Ex stroller. Combi makes quite a few that we've seen that fold up nicely. We used Coppertone Waterbabies SPF 50 sunblock. The yellow bath sponge was one of the $3 ones that you can get just about anywhere (WalMart, Target, BabiesRUs...etc) and the presoaped cloths come in a few brands, I got Huggies from WalMart. They come in a box of 20, I think. I hope this helps! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

WOW! I took an almost 3 year old (with no troubles) but cant imagine taking a 3 month old - you are either very brave or very adventurous Glad to be on board for this trip report. Ready for more!

BTW - I too took the entire family on our trip (there were 9 of us).

Cathy

Crazy is probably closer to the truth! Glad to have you aboard! The question is....will we ever take our entire families again.....?

 

[Tinker-Belle07]

Mickey Fan from MouseGears:

Diaper bag:

Stroller:

 

[~Fisharefriends~]

im in!!!!

we took our youngest son last year when he was only 5mths old and had an amazing time and found things to be a lot easier than i thought. Those baby centres really are great arent they and they were always empty when we went in them. We also brought the exact same fan!!!

by the way your little girl is adorable. looking forward to reading more.