Best tips for going with a baby

[jsebsirois]

Hey there,

We've always travelled to WDW as a couple only, but next september, things will change for we'll be taking our first trip as parents, with our son who will then be 10 months old.

I've been through different threads already about the pros and cons of going to Disney with a baby.

Now, I'd like to know, what are your best tips while visiting WDW with a baby?

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[kmb584]

Know that not everything will go as planned.

 

[NJlauren]

Following as we are going in May with our 10 month old.

 

[nalajms]

Use a stroller, not a carrier. It'll save your back!

Know where the baby care locations are at each park ... so much nicer to change them there than the restrooms. And don't over plan your day.

 

[lovesdumbo]

My kids were 4 1/2, turned 3 on trip and 11 months on our first family trip. My baby is now 12. Here's a few tips I remember:

If flying buy a seat for baby. Baby is far more likely to sleep in their car seat than in your lap. I was able to call airline & get reduced fare for baby. Not sure if they still do that.

Bring your own stroller or rent from off site. Since you're going in September I would bring a rain cover for the stroller.

Make use of baby care centers in parks.

My baby got horribly constipated on that trip. She was so distracted by all that was going on around her that she wasn't eating well. After that happened I just made sure she ate her fruits or veggies before anything else and that solved the problem.

I'm sure you'll have a very magical trip!

 

[Ryansdad0727]

Find quiet places in each park for some away from the craziness time. It helped my son relax and was a good place to get him to go to sleep in his stroller. Naps before he is so tired that he just screams is important. My sons first trip was at 18 months and now he is 5. He has been 7 times now. Next week will be our first trip with both boys. 5 years and 16 months. It should be interesting. Below is my list of quiet spots around the world.

MK- Between Space Mountain and Fantasyland train station. Tom Sawyer Island.
EPCOT- The walkway between TT and Mexico. Figment area is usually kinda bare. Leave the park through the international gateway and walk around Beach Club and Boardwalk. Its really nice and quiet.
HS- Streets of America are usually quiet.
AK- The back route from Dinosaur and Dinoland is a good place to relax. Rifiki's planet watch is a good place to go.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Hey @TinkLoverSam yiu can gather some tips here...

 

[LadyRayado]

I took my DS at nine months his first time. Definitely take a carrier for lines, restaurants, shows, buses, etc. - places you can't take the stroller. Either pack or ship all of the diapers, wipes, food, baby meds, etc you will need. Bring extra. All of those things are very expensive on site, and in limited brands/sizes/quantities. Bring baby sunscreen and a hat. If you are using formula, I'd suggest the little mix and go packets that just dump into water. Most TS restaurants will bring you a hot cup of water to warm formula, but won't do it for you. You might work on getting them used to room temp formula. I'm not sure if the baby centers have bottle warmers or not. If you breastfeed, Florida has great laws, as does Disney. Basically, whenever and wherever you want (you know, as long as you have a legal right to be in the space).

I took DS on all the family rides, many times using my Moby GO carrier. Even at that age he never napped more than 45 minutes or so, so we didn't bother to leave the park. He napped on rides and at shows, on the buses, both in the stroller and in the carrier. Basically I just let him pass out wherever he was comfortable. DS loved the parades and characters at that age, too.

Mostly, remember things go a little slower when you have to stop and change diapers, find sippy cups, grab snacks, put on another layer of sunscreen, and take naps. But you will still have a great time!

 

[SillySallySews]

Skip the stroller and use a carrier. One that fits well and is used properly should not hurt your back or shoulders, especially if you will be using rider swap and can switch on and off with your spouse. We took our daughter at seven months and used a carrier. So easy to just walk right onto the rides with her and no dealing with folding up the stroller to get on the bus. The next year we returned with a stroller and I realized how much easier using the carrier was.

 

[Lilliputian]

I agree that you need to have a carrier and be used to wearing it before you go. It will save your back in lines.

Do you have to go in September? September is HOT. A baby in a carrier or in a stroller will be even hotter.

Make sure your little one drinks enough. If you don't normally do juice at home, giving juice at WDW is a great way to get most children to drink more.

Have a plan for folding your stroller. You'll need to empty it to fold it, so don't have tons of stuff in it. Take everything you need without going overboard. Remember you can always go back to your room or to the car if you run out of something.

 

[picprincess]

My youngest was 10 months on her first visit and is now 2.5 and has been to WDW 4 times. Here are some of my thoughts:

Definitely use the baby care centers! I used those for feedings and changing. It was a nice place to cool down in the summer months.

We typically didn't go back to the room to nap. She slept great in the stroller! My sister and her little one have come with us as well and both babies slept well in the stroller.



We found stroller fans on Amazon that were a life saver in the hot months. We have lots of sleeping baby pictures with characters! I would also get a rain cover for the stroller.


Generally she liked the face characters better than the fur characters. She was just starting to walk so it made for some great pictures!






Just take it slow and you'll have a great time! And take lots of pictures!!


She loved taking her shoes off when she was in the stroller and dropping them on the ground! We had to make sure to take them off before putting her in the stroller so we didn't lose them!

We also took a strap to attach her sippy cup to the stroller so she wouldn't throw it down on the ground.

We mostly used the stroller, but we did have an Ergo carrier that we used some at night. It was really too hot for me during the day. Use whatever you are most comfortable with!

 

[ruthies12]

First of all congratulations!!!

I've been twice with 10 month olds, both my oldest dd and my youngest dd went at that age. It can be very fun if you are prepared! I learned a few things after the first trip so I'll give you all my suggestions even though some will be repeats of what other posters said.

Have a stroller that is easy to fold quickly, lays flat so baby can nap in it, has a good sunshade, and bring a rain cover for it. If there is even one single cloud in the sky, cover the stroller anytime you park it and most especially if you are going to be gone awhile for eating or a show. Really sucks to come back to a soaking wet stroller and soaking wet diaper bag.

Take 2 extra changes of clothes for baby in addition to the diapers and wipes, snacks, and formula if you are bottle feeding. Try to use just one bag to carry all that in that is one giant open pocket without a lot of extra little pockets, this will make going through security much faster and easier. Buy clips for the bag if needed but make sure it goes on and off the stroller quickly and easily, both for the security line and for getting on and off busses.

Here are some after market things I bought for my stroller:
http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant...=1425136496&sr=8-1&keywords=stroller+sunshade

http://www.amazon.com/Stroller-Hook...qid=1425136542&sr=8-3&keywords=stroller+clips

To make carrying things easier, I left only clothes and diapers in the diaper bag and left that on the stroller at all times except loading and unloading from busses. I left nothing expensive in it. I carried a small crossbody bag for my camera, phone, wallet, and also one extra diaper, disposable changing pad and wipes, and one bottle of formula. My biggest fear was getting stuck on a ride like Pirates for an hour or something with a screaming baby who was starving. Or coming back to a stolen diaper bag and having no more diapers or anything with me.

Here is what I used for feeding to make life easier on the trip:
http://www.amazon.com/Similac-Advan...id=1425136759&sr=8-9&keywords=similac+formula You can get these cheaper at a local store than online. These can be carried and fed at room temperature, which makes them perfect for traveling. Then I used these and just threw the whole thing away afterwards http://www.amazon.com/25-Enfamil-St...1425136913&sr=8-1&keywords=disposable+nipples

With my second dd I used a sling carrier for carrying the baby in lines after not having one the first trip and it was a godsend! Here is the one I used: http://www.amazon.com/Balboa-Baby-S...qid=1425136141&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+sears+sling It was perfect imo for Disney because it allowed me to carry the baby on my hip in a natural position where she could lay her head on me and nap as needed, but when we sat down on the ride I could easily slip it over her head and then sit her on my lap to face forward so she could see. Then when the ride was over I could easily put her back on my hip and slip the sling back into place without holding up the exiting people behind me. I swear this thing saved my arms from falling off. It also wasn't too bulky so I could just keep it on when the baby wasn't in it during the rides. Whatever you choose make sure it is easy to put baby in and out and take on and off cause you will be doing it frequently

My other advice is to just try to keep the baby to their schedule as much as possible. From 8 months to 10 months the schedule won't change that much so you will have a good idea of when nap times are before you have to do FP+. Don't schedule M&G during nap times and expect cute pictures!

 

[ruthies12]

Well after typing my last sentence and hitting post reply I saw the OP pictures! I take it back, napping babies during M&G are adorable!

 

[LadyRayado]

Make sure your little one drinks enough. If you don't normally do juice at home, giving juice at WDW is a great way to get most children to drink more.

Yes, definitely this. Pedialyte makes little powder packets that you can dump into water. I used them for my son during our September trip to keep him from getting dehydrated. The box says not for under 1 yr old, but my pediatrician said it was fine if it was a bit diluted. Check with your doctor. I buy mine at Target, but here's a link. http://www.amazon.com/Pedialyte-Powder-Variety-0-3-Ounce-Count/dp/B004M1BOC6

 

[picprincess]

Well after typing my last sentence and hitting post reply I saw the OP pictures! I take it back, napping babies during M&G are adorable!

We didn't plan on sleeping baby pics with characters, but we were so happy to get them to sleep we just kept on going! Of course we have plenty where they are awake too!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hey there,

We've always travelled to WDW as a couple only, but next september, things will change for we'll be taking our first trip as parents, with our son who will then be 10 months old.

I've been through different threads already about the pros and cons of going to Disney with a baby.

Now, I'd like to know, what are your best tips while visiting WDW with a baby?

Thanks in advance everyone!

I have found at this age--as enjoyable as it is, baby is in tag along mode. So while we do incorporate rides and attractions for baby, we can just as easily play peek a boo while waiting out a baby swap. So it is quite a good age.

Our day is planned around our wishes or those of the rest of the family since we have older kids.

The best tips I have for babies is to make sure to have them wear clothing that breathes. The Disney souvenir outfits are cute and all, but during a hot day, meh! We stick to cotton clothes and keep it simple.

Make sure you have adequate provisions for how baby will eat. How will you nurse, if applicable. Bringing enough bottles for bottle fed babies. Bringing baby food and snacks and/or a baby food grinder to mash up table food.

Have a napping plan. If your baby is a nap anywhere kind of kid--then you are (mostly) golden. If they need that dark room and absolute quiet, then a strategy for returning to your room is in order.

Wearing baby: my babies love to be carried. My arms and back get tired--wearing the baby helps. Again, keep climate in mind. That Moby wrap made with fabric intended for winter will be sweltering in September, as an example. So having a means to be comfortable with what you use to wear baby is a good plan.

But overall, I like the portability of infants. The hardest part to adjust to was riding rides without my husband as we did the baby swaps.

 

[jsebsirois]

This is awesome everyone! Thank you so much!!!

Most people around us think we're crazy to go to WDW with a baby. Nice to see that it's not that bad, as long as you plan ahead and accept that it's not the same game anymore!

Thanks again!

 

[jsebsirois]

Hey there, it's me again!

Thanks again for all your tips. I'd have a few extra questions so maybe some of you can help me!

1) Are there any rules regarding baby diapers in the WDW Resort pools?

2) Are they selling 3.25% milk on property? I only remember 2% or low fat milk...

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

1. Children must wear swim diapers in the pools. They sell them at most of the pool snack stands, but it is a good idea to bring your own.
2. Choose a resort that is baby-friendly. Of course, any of them can be, but we LOVED the cabins at Fort Wilderness. They are perfect for a baby. They have a separate, dark sleeping area so we could let her nap while we watched tv or hung out on the porch. Also, we didn't feel guilty when she cried at night because we knew we were not disturbing anyone else since we didn't share a wall with anyone. They also have kitchens so we could make and store the food she likes. The pool area is awesome for a toddler.
3. Bring lots of snacks (baby finger foods) so she has something to do when you are waiting in line.
4. Bring at least 2 changes of clothes and a swimsuit. Our daughter loved the water play areas.
5. Bring something warm for her to wear also. Many people think that WDW will be really hot in September, and it often is, but it rained when we were there last September and the kids got cold at the parks at night. Having a sweatshirt or sweater would be nice.
6. A stroller rain cover is very useful.

 

[senadler]

We did not have any problem finding whole milk at the parks when my son was younger. We have also used garden grocer for milk, water, snacks, and the less expensive baby supplies instead of having to bring them ourselves.

Especially in September a stroller rain cover important.