Babies on board

[Besman]

I was wondering if I could get some help with questions I had regarding infants on DCL. My little one will be 12 weeks old the day we board and I was considering taking a stroller. I've been on cruises before and I know the corridors are tight and the dinning areas are always packed. If anyone else has travelled on DCL with a baby this young do you have any suggestions or offer any advice. Any hints or help you may be able to give me would be great I'm a bit worried about travelling with her so young. One other question, I'm also travelling with my entire family (14 altogether, 8 adults and 6 children ages 12 weeks-6years) My mother just completed 6 months of cancer treatment and we are all going on this vacation to celebrate the end of her treatment. Does anyone know if they seat large groups all together in the dinning area? We are doing the land/sea package in a week.
Please excuse any mistakes this is my first post. Thank you

 

[CM_Mom]

Welcome to the boards.

I don't think it will be a problem to seat 14 together in the dining room. Make sure the ressies are all linked so they know you're together.

I haven't cruised with a little one since my "baby" is working on the Magic but when we were on the ship in May I wouldn't call the dining rooms "packed". We saw a couple of folks with a baby in a carrier they sat on a chair rather than in a stroller.

I'm sure others can help you.

Congratulations on the successful completion of Chemo for your mom. I know she's glad to have that over with. My mom had breast cancer 12 years ago, had surgery and chemo and is still going strong today.

Have fun on your cruise.

 

[natdencro]

How lovely that you will be cruising: I just know you will have a great time. It is better than any medicine I think. You certainly should be ok to sit together, but let Disney know in advance, then they can prepare the table/chairs for your arrival in the dining rooms. There are lots of babes-in-arms onboard, so they certainly are used to strollers/baby carriers in all areas on the ship.Our DD is also a CM, and just loved having tiny children in her area of the dining rooms. She misses them now in Palo! Have fun. Nat

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

I would definitely take a stroller -- it will give you more flexibility so that the baby can sleep while you're doing things (like eating).

May I also suggest that you bring a sling? I couldn't have survived without my sling, and I think you'll free up your hands quite a bit, while keeping the baby close to you in the process.

 

[kcashner]

As to seating a group of 14 together--we had 18 on one cruise, all at one table...so I'm sure 14 wouldnt' be a problem. You do need to have your TA call DCL to be sure that the ressies are "linked" which is their code for you wanting to be seated together.

The do have strollers available on board, and they are nice and clean. Also available on Castaway (you may want to use their's on the island and not get your's sandy.) A plea--you are right that the halls are crowded. Please move your stroller into your stateroom so that it isn't in everyone's way when not in use. With one so young, an umbrella stroller isn't very practical (I never did figure out why the younger they are, the more stuff you need!) A sling is a great idea.

The crew is used to babies..you shouldn't have any problems!

 

[momto2dkids]

I second MarcyIn Florida and kcashner- A sling would be a perfect idea/solution IMHO, especially with a baby that young. We've used a sling for our youngest "baby", now 11 months, since day one. She loved it then and still loves it now.

With a baby that young, you could have your baby laying down in the sling while you enjoy your dinner. Most likely, between the warmth and scent of your body and being so close to hear "mommy's" heartbeat your baby will sleep right through dinner. Also if you plan on breastfeeding, you can breast feed your baby while he/she is in the sling in the middle of dinner without anyone noticing and he/she will probably go right back to sleep.

Another benefit: if your baby should wake up and want to be social, you can take him/her out of the sling, hold her, let other family members enjoy holding him/her and just fold the sling to put under your chair until you are ready to put the little one back in there. That way you won't have to worry about having enough room for a stroller beside the table or weaving in and out between the tables.

If you have never looked into a sling, I would highly, highly recommend one. There are several makers out there. I personally use and LOVE my Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. It has a very deep pocket, excellent for safety purposes, a padded shoulder, can be used with baby in several positions,i.e. laying down, sitting up,etc., is good from birth to 30-40 pounds and is so easy to transport compared to a stroller. The best thing about a sling- for both you and your baby, you get to have your baby close to you more often and still have use of your arms/hands.

Best of luck to you and your precious little one!

 

[DutchsMommy]

When my little guy was *really* little I found using his infant car seat in situations like going out to dinner etc. worked perfectly. He was comfortable, I could rock him with my foot, and more often than not he would fall asleep. I am not sure if you were planning on bringing a carseat with you (I think a must esp. for one so young) but if you are going to have it anyway, I would suggest bringing the baby in that.

I was always paranoid when my guy was in the sling/baby bjorn that I would spill something hot on him by mistake, and therefore I just didn't eat with him "on me".

just MHO.

 

[Besman]

Thanks for the great advice, I'm off to the mall to get a sling!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

With a baby that young, you could have your baby laying down in the sling while you enjoy your dinner. Most likely, between the warmth and scent of your body and being so close to hear "mommy's" heartbeat your baby will sleep right through dinner. Also if you plan on breastfeeding, you can breast feed your baby while he/she is in the sling in the middle of dinner without anyone noticing and he/she will probably go right back to sleep.

[/B]

Ah, crunchy cruising mamas!

To the original poster: be careful what kind of sling you buy at the mall -- some are not as good as others. The OTSBH, Native, and Maya Wrap are my preference, but definitely try them on and see how comfortable you are with the sling before you buy!

 

[momto2dkids]

MarcyIn Florida- how funny!! I was in the process of posting the exact thing to besman when I had to stop to take my older children to school. I get back to post the reply and found you had already provided the info.

besman- here is a web site that might provide you with helpful info to help you make your decision and the advantages/disadvantages of slings and provides some comparisions.

http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html

I personally use OTSBH for many reasons, some of which I've already stated, but I chose this one in particular simply because it fits a wider range of sizes, so my husband and I can both carry our sweet pea without needing two seperate slings. Sounds funny, but my husband loves to and does carry her in the sling just as much as I do.

Not sure when you cruise, but if you have time, just look around, do some research and find the sling that is right for you and your lifestyle. If you see someone wearing a sling, stop and ask them about it. I found people were very open to talking with me and gave me a lot of good advice and ideas.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Besman]

I was out today looking for a sling--not as easy as I thought it would be. I olny found two brands(can't remember what they were called) and they were both uncomfortable and I didn't feel safe with them. I have the baby bjorn front carrier which I only started using in the past 2 days just to get use to it with my little one. I was wondering if this would be just as good as the sling.I I can't see how I could breast feed though with the baby bjorn or have her in it while I eat dinner.
Marcy thanks for the link, now at least I have some specific brands to look for so I'm off again tomorrow to see if I can find the right one if not the baby bjorn will have to do. We leave for WDW in a week we are doing the Land/Sea package and I can't wait.

 

[momto2dkids]

besman-
I ordered my sling online and received it fairly quickly even though I had it sent regular mail. Several websites offer expediated delivery for an extra charge.
I found this site that carries both OTSBH and Maya Wraps that say you can have it in four days or less, might be worth a look:

http://www.babysling.com/slings.shtm

I've heard that another place to look is at Le Leche League or another store/place that caters to breastfeeding. Try checking your yellow pages under 'Breastfeeding information & supplies'.

I had a Snuggli with my second child and you're right it was impossible to breastfeed with it on. You have to take to child out of the carrier, take the carrier off, breastfeed your precious baby, put the carrier back on and then put the baby back in the carrier. With a sling the baby can stay in the sling sleeping, eating and you can be completely covered because most good slings have enough extra material to completely cover the baby and you while nursing.

If you can't find one before you leave- don't worry. Take whatever you have and have a wonderful time!! It sounds like you will have enough adult arms that I'm sure will be more than willing, even eager, to hold and entertain your little one so you can eat and enjoy dinner. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[momto2dkids]

"I olny found two brands(can't remember what they were called) and they were both uncomfortable and I didn't feel safe with them."

I felt the same way with certain slings.

This is one of the main reasons to buy a good quality sling.
I found the padding in my OTSBH to really help with comfort, especially while you are getting use to wearing one. It also has a special ring on the end of the adjusting strap that would prevent the fabric from ever coming loose/out of the tightening rings. Though mine has never come close to slipping out (in fact, once I adjust and tighten the sling to where I want it, it has never even loosened until I want to take it off), it made me feel better to know it was there at the time I bought it.

Again, choosing one that has a deep pocket for the baby is another major key to look for. Some slings are not made with enough material to really keep the baby in as well as others. That is one of the main reason I did not choose the NoJo sling, I just didn't feel safe with it keeping my baby in it.
My DH is the king of paranoia when it comes to our children and he was really concerned about our baby falling out and wasn't sure about the whole sling idea to begin with. Now he is totally comfortable and loves it as much as I do. It does take some practice to get use to. We practiced with a baby doll for a couple of hours first and found out just how and where to position her and how tight to adjust the sling to keep the baby and sling close to your body. Now positioning her in any number to ways is second nature. She has never come close to falling out. That being said, you obviously don't bend way over at the waist without keeping a hand on her baby.

 

[poohnpiglet3]

My sling was Nojo brand - I loved it. Wished I had used it with my twins earlier!!! They both fit in it when they were little (at the same time!)

Yes... I can hear the "awwwws" now!

Sherri