Any advice for taking a new born?

[dlaushey]

We are going over Labor Day weekend for a quick 4 day visit - taking Thursday and Friday off from work. This will be our 1st visit with our new son born on 6/18. He will be about 11 weeks old at that time. We also have 2 girls (9 and 6 yrs old).

Does anyone have experience taking a new born to Disney? Any tips or advice? Are we crazy for taking him?

I'm having withdrawals from Disney. We haven't been since April (Spring Break). We had gone about 4 separate times since New Years when we purchased our AP's. My wife will finally get to ride the Mountains and such since she is no longer pregnant.

 

[Disney Fool]

My advice would be: Please, please, please keep your baby covered from the brutal Florida sun!!! I cannot tell you how many times I've seen babies at Disney with sunburns on their little feet, arms, and their heads! I've seen mothers carrying their babies with no hats to protect them, and their skin is so fragile. And, they forget their feet which is constantly exposed to the sun.

 

[canwegosoon]

I would ditto the above post. Check with your peditrician, the summer sun can be very strong in Florida, and frequently newborns can not wear sunblock. I know how bad it can be, I had my hair snap off . I would also suggest a stroller with a very wide canopy, if you must go. I know you really want to go, I would suggest making sure you do lots of indoor things/breaks, or wait until Oct-Dec. The sun will be much less burning then. But check with your dr., and listen to him/her. Good luck

 

[MouseClubMom]

Also avoid the "loud" attractions and shows or be sure to cover the little ears with a folded up blanket when it gets loud. Do lots of indoor attractions to keep your little one out of the heat.

Most importantly - get a sling and learn to use it before your trip! These are WONDERFUL and so much more convenient to carry your baby around than trying to juggle him in your arms. Also take a mid-size stroller that reclines - dont bring the big monster size stroller since you will get tired of maneuvering that around.

Have fun and read your baby's cues. Make sure you allow some quiet time back at the room for baby to nap undisturbed.

MCMom

 

[DisOrBust]

Great point about the sun. Unfortunately you can not use sunscreen before 6 months. Wash your hands and everyone in the party frequently. Including wash the babies hand with a baby wipe. I took my DD at 4 months and it was a breeze compared to when she was 16 months and walking ! We also stayed at the poly so we didn't have to take her in and out of the stroller when she was asleep! I would not hesitate to go!!

 

[dlaushey]

Thanks for the input. I will definitely check with our pediatrician for his advice.

 

[4greatboys]

We took our last ds to disney at 5 months old (we did put suncreen on his legs and it was okay per my pedi).
One of the best things I have recently is an umbrella that clips on to the stroller. That way the sun doesnt shine right on the baby from the front. They also have great little fans that clip on the stroller and blow some air in on baby.
Just take plenty of breaks to keep baby hydrated and cool and you guys should have a great time!

 

[Barbday62]

Im taking my grandson in August and he will be 5 months old. I purchased today a fan that clips on the stroller. Here is where I found it (Under stroller accessories) www.onestepahead.com By the picture it looks like it opens real wide to clip on the front bar and runs off batteries.

Then I also plan to take recieving blankets and something to pin them onto the stroller so when he is asleep we can keep him fully undercover with the fan blowing.

I will be watching this thread for other ideas too.

If you arent breast feeding my daughter discovered a great way to heat his bottles. She makes 2 ounce straight formula bottles and carries an insulated carrier for bottles with an ice pack in it. It keeps it really really cold. Then she carries a small thermos with extreemly hot water (I think we will be carrying our electric hot water heater) then when we put 2 ounces of hot water in its just right temperature. I have on one occassion needed to add an ice cube but most of the time we have it down to a science how hot to have the water. (We use this when we go to the zoo or childrens museaum with my older grandaughter. The baby is no problem to take with this way.)

Also for a hat we bought a bucket style hat instead of a ball cap. For one thing we arent finding a lot of things that fit him yet. The bucket hat covers his ears and head.

Another thing we plan to take afternoons off so he can have down time. We have 5 adults going and one or two at a time can take time off to let the baby have time to rest out of the heat.

 

[GEM]

If you are planning on breastfeeding, I just wanted to say how easy and wonderful it is to be a nursing mom at Disney! We saw lots of nursing moms on our last trip. Nobody was paying them any attention at all. We just happened to notice because it was my first time there as a mom. I was able to nurse my little guy (13 months old at the time) pretty much anywhere. We found lots of nice out of the way benches, dark attractions, etc. We did use the Baby Care Centers once or twice, but only when we happened to be in that area anyway. They are nice because of the AC, though. Have fun! Oh, and I second that about a sling. We LOVE ours and Paul pretty much lived in it the first year of his life! They're so much better than the front carriers!

 

[Gillian]

For formula, we used bottled water and powdered formula. Room temp water, left in a hot stroller for a while, becomes a good temp for baby!

There are great hats with long sides. They look like kind of like baseball hats with and extra piece that covers the ears and neck. Great for the sun! One brand is called Flap Happy. You can see their catalog here Flap Happy

 

[rahwest]

we have gone with our youngest when he was 5 months old. the best advice i have for you is

BABY BJORN!!!!

it was a life saver for us! i was able to leave him on when i went on the rides with our 2 year old. he would sleep often and with a hat on and a lightweight blanket i was able to keep him covered from most of the sun. it made it SO easy!!!
i was nursing and i could find a spot to stop and nurse him basically anywhere we were.
you will have a great time!
and ... i agree with whoever said a 4 month old is easier than a 16 month old! ha ha unfortunately that 5 month old of ours will be 17 months when we go this year more fun ... but A TON more work ha ha

 

[MsLeFever]

Originally posted by MouseClubMom
[

Most importantly - get a sling and learn to use it before your trip! These are WONDERFUL and so much more convenient to carry your baby around than trying to juggle him in your arms.

Another plus to a sling is that you can keep the baby totally covered - safe from sun as well!

Barbara

 

[WDWorBUST]

I have a question - an honest question I'm not trying to start a debate. September is brutal as far as the heat in Florida....aren't the slings really hot for the little one? My baby is 8 months old now and I can't imagine carrying her around in a sling in September. Won't the baby get overheated? I would love to go this September but Sammi will only be 10 months old and I can't imagine taking her when it's that hot. Not saying you shouldn't take your baby. I was just wondering....we never used a sling but I am breastfeeding and I'm always carrying her so it probably would have made my life easier

 

[GEM]

I have a very light weight "summer" sling that I love. It's made out of light colored, breathable fabric (a very light cotten) and it has a lot less thick padding. I've worn it all over the place for two summers here in Arkansas (VERY hot and humid) with no problems at all. I also used it in May at WDW, which was really hot, and my little guy never got uncomfortable! I also have one made of a mesh material that is made to use in the pool. Paul nursed pretty much 24/7 for the first 9 months (and he still nurses a lot at 14 months) so I wouldn't have gotten much done without my slings. We've gotten tons of use of them and they were wonderful at Disney! Even DH likes wearing him in the sling. They're MUCH easier on your back the the Baby Bjorn type carriers and he can ride in lots of different positions in the sling - sitting up, lying down, facing in, facing out, on my hip, on my back, etc.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by WDWorBUST
I have a question - an honest question I'm not trying to start a debate. September is brutal as far as the heat in Florida....aren't the slings really hot for the little one? My baby is 8 months old now and I can't imagine carrying her around in a sling in September. Won't the baby get overheated? I would love to go this September but Sammi will only be 10 months old and I can't imagine taking her when it's that hot. Not saying you shouldn't take your baby. I was just wondering....we never used a sling but I am breastfeeding and I'm always carrying her so it probably would have made my life easier

We do use slings in Florida and they can be bought in very light weight materials. No the baby will not overheat if you have a summer weight one. Also receiving blankets can be found in diaper material with lace trim if you have any Latin baby shops around. Very nice to cover the stroller or baby. Light. Do bring a heavier one for restaurants and inside attractions as the A/C can be cold.
Took my daughter at the same age and had a wonderful time. In the sling she was safe on the rides that I was able to take her one. She is a Florida child though so the heat was not as much of an issue especially since our home did not have A/C anyway.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Thanks for responding and not taking offense - it was just an honest question. I will definitely have to try a sling with my next baby because I have heard that they are absolutely wonderful...just never tried one. I did try the baby bjorn and snugli type but absolutely hated them. So I am definitely building arm muscles up caring her around.

Amanda

 

[Talking Hands]

How old is your daughter? I saw slings demoed at a Mothers of Preschoolers meeting recently and the woman said they could be used up to about 35-40 pounds.She demoed with her infant as well as her 3 yo and both were quite comfortable. Another woman bought one for her 6 month old and that baby settled right in and promptly fell asleep cradled in the sling.

 

[WDWorBUST]

She's 8 months old now. I don't know if she would enjoy a sling now though. She hates being held like a "baby" and enjoys playing what we call the round butt game - where she keeps going in circles looking for something to get in to.

BTW - I love your user name.....my grandparents were both deaf and I love watching sign language......it is so beautiful.

 

[GEM]

Just an FYI - if you get a sling she doesn't have to lie down "like a baby". There are lots of different ways you can carry a baby (or toddler) in a sling!