Babies at Disney in July - I'm worried

[boomhauer]

After reading the thread about the poor little girl left in the stroller, now I'm worried about taking my babies next month. They'll only be 5 months. Their doctor said they'd be fine, and just to keep them hydrated. My wife and I are almost too vigilent of them at times, but it still worries me. Maybe the heat will be too much for them. We bought little fans to put in their stroller, and we'll have plenty of water for them, but will it be enough?

We have it planned out that when one of us is taking our older child on a ride, the other will be in a gift shop or something that's air conditioned with the babies, but they'll still be outside alot of the day.

Am I being paranoid?

 

[dsnymomof4]

I don't think you're being paranoid. That Florida heat is almost unbearable at times. I think your plan about keeping them in ac as much as possible is a good one. There are also air-conditioned attractions as well that they can go on, such as IASW, COP, etc. Just try not to have them out in that afternoon sun too much and yes, plenty of fluids. Take afternoon breaks to cool off (you and them). I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[DMRick]

I see so many babies there in the sun..please be sure to bring something to cover the stroller with, so the sun doesn't get them..be sure it includes their feet. I see so many sunburned babies (really little ones) at Disney, I can't help but think, what were their parents thinking.
We always tried to be so careful with my grand..and yet we still had one down day from dehydration. We started taking him in the morning and late afternoon evening and seeing a movie or coming back to our room mid day. He just couldn't take the sun when he was little..and the older I get, the harder it is for me. No more summer at Disney for us.

 

[snugglepeas]

you might want to talk to the doctor about pedialite that might be better for them than just plan water.

 

[Tikicampers]

Am I being paranoid?

No, you're just being a parent.
We took DD for her first trip earlier this month. She was two and a half months. She did fine, except for one day. The day she got overheated was the day we stayed in the park until well after lunchtime. My advice, and what worked best for us, is to go back to your hotel either just before or after lunch. Stay there for the worst of the heat, and then head back to the park. One of you can stay in the room with the babies, and the other could take the older one swimming.
As your DR said, be sure to keep them hydrated, they may want to eat more to get the fluids. Also, take advantage of the baby care centers in the parks. They have A/C and changing and feeding areas. Since you have two, I'm not sure if this would work for you, but I would take the baby into the care center (I'm nursing, so we didn't have a choice on who went where), and DH would take DS on a ride. It worked perfectly for us.
We had a great time, and got some really cute pictures of DD and DS. If we could afford it, I'd head back down today.

 

[laughinplace199]

I think it's normal to worry about stuff like this, but if you're well prepared (it sounds like you are), you'll be fine.

Do the babies drink water at home? I'm only asking because my DS has never had water and I don't know if he'd drink it willingly. We went to WDW in April when he was 5 mos and our ped said that if it was really hot, I should give him extra formula instead of water (DS wasn't a great eater in the beginning and the dr didn't want him to get filled up on water and then not drink his formula). We are going again in Aug and DS will be 9 mos. He still has never had water, so I don't know if he'll drink it. His 9 month check up is the week before we leave, so I'll ask the dr if we should give him water, Pedialyte, or formula in between his regular feedings.

If your ped has ok'd the use of sunblock, I'd try it out at home first. I didn't try it before we left because we went in April and didn't need it in Boston in April. On our first day, DS broke out in a rash from the sunblock I bought for him. Luckily, we had another brand of sunblock with us for my DD8, who has very sensitive skin. I ended up using her sunblock on DS and he was fine. I would have panicked if I hadn't had another type of sunblock readily available.

For our Aug trip, I'm bringing a clip-on stroller fan and lots of batteries. I also plan on bringing a lightweight blanket to drape over the stroller canopy to provide additional shade. I'm also going to bring a zip lock bag with some washcloths in it. If DS gets really hot, I can put some cold water on the washcloth to cool him off.

We will be at the parks right at opening and stay until lunch. Then we'll probably go back to the resort to nap, swim, and relax. We'll go back to the parks in the evenings for dinner and more rides.

I hope your family has a great time!

 

[boomhauer]

Thanks for all the tips.

I bought these 2 rechargeable, high-powered fans that fit into strollers. I'm also going to bring a small cooler with ice packs in it to rub on them if it gets hot.

We asked their pediatrician about fluids, and she actually said no to the pedialtye as there was too much sugar in it. Good tip about trying to give them water before to get them used to it. I think my boys will drink just about anything.

I could go without thinking of any of this stuff and I'd be more than prepared. My wife is more of a worrier about our babies than I am.

 

[Ariel8676]

You could also get lightweight blankets made from Solarveil material..it is very light and breathable and also provides sun protection...

 

[vanderty]

We went last year with our twins when they had just turned one at the beginning of August and it went just fine as long as we went back to the hotel for nap. Looks like you are staying at the Wilderness Lodge which will work great as you can just hop on the boat and not have to take them out of the stroller.

Just a couple of FYIs based on what happened to us. Our battery operated fans were stolen at EPCOT on the first day. Luckily my SIL had two for her 3year old that we were able to use. When you go on rides hide them or put them in the diaper bag.

Also, we stayed at WL and had a problem with our neighbors. They stuck a note under our door saying we ruined our vacation b/c one twin was up one night with an earache and cried. Said we would be kicked out of the hotel - front desk manager had no complaints and said that would never happen. But he did say the WL trended toward having less families and more older folk without kids.

Hope no one else has ever had that problem but just wanted to share my observations.

 

[blessedby3]

Thats why we travel in the off season, cooler months. I cant stand the FL heat myself and I feel sorry for all the babies that are sweating bullets in the parks. I would switch my travel dates, but that is my preference. If you go in the summer I think you have to make sure you take a mid day break to get out of that hot, humid, FL weather.

 

[disney6family]

We have always taken our little ones, mostly in July. We just did what you plan and never had problems. Extra fluids, ice chips, light clothes, and plenty of time in the shops. Cosmic Rays is a good place to wait for family in the MK, let them get wet in the many squirters at Epcot, the MK ones by Ariel, or else when they are outside for long periods wet down their head/ necks, the stroller fans are a good idea, and we used little hats that had the flap on the back to protect their necks from sunburn when we went

 

[boomhauer]

We went last year with our twins when they had just turned one at the beginning of August and it went just fine as long as we went back to the hotel for nap. Looks like you are staying at the Wilderness Lodge which will work great as you can just hop on the boat and not have to take them out of the stroller.

Just a couple of FYIs based on what happened to us. Our battery operated fans were stolen at EPCOT on the first day. Luckily my SIL had two for her 3year old that we were able to use. When you go on rides hide them or put them in the diaper bag.

Also, we stayed at WL and had a problem with our neighbors. They stuck a note under our door saying we ruined our vacation b/c one twin was up one night with an earache and cried. Said we would be kicked out of the hotel - front desk manager had no complaints and said that would never happen. But he did say the WL trended toward having less families and more older folk without kids.

Hope no one else has ever had that problem but just wanted to share my observations.

That's awful. I'm sorry, but if you have a problem with kids of any age, don't go to Disney.

We're actually staying at Wilderness in December. July we're staying at Port Orleans.

 

[crcormier]

After reading the thread about the poor little girl left in the stroller, now I'm worried about taking my babies next month. They'll only be 5 months. Their doctor said they'd be fine, and just to keep them hydrated. My wife and I are almost too vigilent of them at times, but it still worries me. Maybe the heat will be too much for them. We bought little fans to put in their stroller, and we'll have plenty of water for them, but will it be enough?

We have it planned out that when one of us is taking our older child on a ride, the other will be in a gift shop or something that's air conditioned with the babies, but they'll still be outside alot of the day.

Am I being paranoid?

What would you do instead? Cancel the trip?

 

[vanderty]

Good luck to you! We will actually be staying at POR July 4-9. Trying it again with almost 2 year old twins.

 

[DisneyPhD]

We went last year with our twins when they had just turned one at the beginning of August and it went just fine as long as we went back to the hotel for nap. Looks like you are staying at the Wilderness Lodge which will work great as you can just hop on the boat and not have to take them out of the stroller.

Just a couple of FYIs based on what happened to us. Our battery operated fans were stolen at EPCOT on the first day. Luckily my SIL had two for her 3year old that we were able to use. When you go on rides hide them or put them in the diaper bag.

Also, we stayed at WL and had a problem with our neighbors. They stuck a note under our door saying we ruined our vacation b/c one twin was up one night with an earache and cried. Said we would be kicked out of the hotel - front desk manager had no complaints and said that would never happen. But he did say the WL trended toward having less families and more older folk without kids.

Hope no one else has ever had that problem but just wanted to share my observations.

What a rude idiotic thing for anyone to do. What do they think you were doing? Pinching them just to bug the others in the resort?

Not like the group that decided it was party time at 3:00 am who was staying under us at OKW and came home and started blasting music and yelling. I called OKW front desk though and they were out there with in 10 min and had the noise stopped (but they had to knock a few times, I heard them trying.) That was rude and uncalled for, but in no way what so ever "ruined our vacation." I considered jumping up and down some on their ceiling the next morning, but didn't go out of my way to make noise.

Anyway the point is anyone who thinks one night of a baby crying is going to ruin anything has wrapped expections (and is going to have a hard time in life no mater where they go.)

When I hear a baby crying at night I think "At least that isn't mine". I also feel for the poor baby and family of, been there done that. Babies cry.

OK about babies in WDW. Use common sense. Try to do things in the morning and later in the day (ofter after the rain in the summer).

If the children are breast feed have them nurse as much as they want. If not just keep the liquids up.

We don't like WDW in the summer, so we try to avoid it then. We plan our trips for Jan, March or May if we can.

Best of luck and have a great time. It can be done safely with babies. Be prepared and keep their needs in mind and you will be fine.

 

[Doesney]

I wouldn't do it. I'd leave the babies home and go alone. The babies have plenty of time to see Disney.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I could be wrong on a couple of points (my youngest is now 8 so my baby knowledge might be rusty), but I'm remembering some things about water and sunscreen for young babies.

I remember our pediatrician telling us not to give our babies plain water in addition to their formula. It was something about their kidneys not being able to process that much liquid at such a young age. If your doctor said to give them water then I'm sure it's OK but I recall being told not to.

Also, isn't there a rule about not using sunscreen on babies until they're at least 6 months old? I seem to recall hearing that too when our boys were young.

Just a couple of things to consider. Like I said, my baby knowledge may be rusty at this point. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[scanne]

Just keep those little ones cool, covered while in the stroller or watching a parade (we'd use a beach towel draped over the canopy if they were napping and a clip on fan from www.onesstepahead.com) and hydrated. My kids have been going to WDW since they were 3 months old - and in the warmer months always as I am a school teacher. We shade the stroller, give lots of fluids, put on sunscreen and hats, take midday breaks and visit the air-conditioned stores/attractions.

I think you will be fine! Enjoy - the memories you will make with your little ones are amazing!

I just read the post above mine and yes, their formula or breast milk is all they will need to stay hydrated! I nursed my DD and my DS drank formula. Seriously, they were fine. And the characters really loved the babies!!!

 

[kitsch4]

I took my son when he was 8 mos, and the thing that I was so glad to have was a stroller sun shade from Protect-a-Bub. I ordered it online. It provides more shade than a stroller's regular canopy. You just tie it on the stroller, and you can adjust it for the amount of shade you want. It was great!!

Like one of the previous posters, I have also heard that babies should not be given water. But I would follow my ped's advice.

I don't think I would be able to go and leave the baby home- I would miss him too much (especially being so young)!

Have fun!

 

[MosMom]

So skip the trip and just go with the original plan.