Bringing a newborn to the parks...has anyone done this?

[MissyPrissy]

We have a trip planned for next August and it seems that there might possibly be a newborn baby here in August as well...we really want to take the kids to Disneyworld...they are thrilled about it...I am concerned that if there IS in fact a baby (it's early to tell but all signs point to yes and I'm FREAKING out) that the kids will not look too kindly upon the new arrival if the trip is canceled because of him/her.

Has anyone taken a newborn to Disneyworld before? Is this just a totally insane thought? This will be my first baby, my husband's third and the first new interloper into the blended family. Actually it may be about a month old by August...even so, I am just a nut to think I can do a trip to Disney with a teensy one?

I would LOVE any ideas, tips, advice anyone out there has for me.

thanks!!

 

[krystalleigh1]

I've only been to WDW a couple of time and never with a newborn. . . However, I think the easiest age to travel with would be a newborn. Especially if you breastfeed. You'll have to bring a diaper bag with diapers and wipes (if you bf then no formula and the baby won't be on solids so you don't have to worry about bringing any jarred foods). I'd also bring a baby sling. Really, the baby will probablly sleep all the time and as long as he/she is fed, has a clean diaper, and is not too hot or cold it should be pretty easy for you. It will be much easier traveling with an infant rather than wait a couple of years for the terrible two's.

I am lucky enough to be going with a willful 2 yo. next month. We thought about waiting until he was older, but decided to go when he was 2 because if we decide to have more kids-that's we'll probablly have a toddler at some point going with us to WDW anyway.

Congrats on the baby, and have a fun trip!

 

[Donald - my hero]

I agree! By the time babe is past a month colic if it will happen is gone. Baby will love extra contact with mom or dad & so will you! It will let the other children know that you are now truly a family since the little one does not punch a wedge in the current grouping.

Like the other posters said if you are B/F you will find things even easier. There is a great baby care centre that will give you an airconditoned place for the two of you to relax!

Have a super time as a family

 

[nicolita3]

The first trip my litltle brother had to disney was when he was 5 days old, and my mom had no problems really, she just recommends taking sunscreen because babies skin is sensitve.

 

[XYSRUS]

I hate to rain on the parade, and I'm sure tons of babies have been to WDW and have been fine, but I think it would be better to stay home with the baby. First, you might not be in great shape. With it being your first, your body goes through a lot! Babies immunity is underdeveloped. Babies thermoregulation is underdeveloped. Babies personality and temperment are being formed. August is blistering hot in Florida. Can you wait just a couple of months ? Good luck either way.

 

[MissyPrissy]

Thanks so much everyone for your encouraging words! I appreciate too the words of caution. I did think about bringing a very small baby on a germy plane, the idea is not very appealing and August IS blistering hot. I may be kidding myself thinking I could physically handle having a baby not too long before, handling the weather and two very energetic children, a hovering but very dear husband, and a new baby. The children may inadvertantly witness the meaning of "wicked stepmother".

I guess we'll just have to see what happens. I don't know yet whether I am pregnant or not...some days I think I am and others I'm not so sure. We'll know soon enough!

anyhow, thanks again for the replies, they are greatly appreciated!

 

[t-beri]

take a snugli, or someother carrier, I took DD @ 3 mo. and she hated being put in her stroller. We had to carrier her all day, unfortunately I left the snugli in the car- you can bet I remembered it on day 2. Also, there are nursing stations but most likely they will be far away from you when you need them (murphys law) However w/ a recieving blanket you can nurse anywhere and I suggest any ride slow enough that they allow the baby and is dark. I nursed on the haunted mansion, winnie the pooh, the big ball at epcot that I NEVER remember the name of etc. There weren't many of these options at AK, so I spent a lot of the day away from my family while they went on rides and I nursed on a bench or at the nursing station.
Good luck!
...t.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

My little girl was nine months on the first trip, and the baby centers were great. I would try to go once the weather is not quite as hot (August is brutal). In the strollers the kids are so close to the pavement and it is hotter down there then what we adults experience. My mother once got a horrible heat rash around her ankles because of the heat radiating off of the pavement. I think some sort of a sling would be best.

Other then the heat issue (and the fact that you could be quite exhausted depending on your age and the delivery), I think baby's do just fine at Disney.

 

[rentingspace]

Hi, I also hate to be a downer, but! We went and my son at the time was 6 months. We ended up in an ambulance. We went to one hospital who than shipped us to another. We stayed and extra 4 days in Florida(hospital with tubes and IV's and no relatives to hold our hands) and then had to send my 3 yr old back home on a plane with his auntie.(who flew to Florida to get him) The doctors told us that they admit atleast 5 children a day from Walt Disney. He caught a virus from Maybe a rented stroller, who knows.? I hate to rain on anyone's plans. Let me just say he'll go when he's 5-6 yrs old.

 

[daisax]

Folks, keep in mind that there's a world of difference between a one month old and a six month old and a 9 month old!

I have to say that personally, my blood runs cold when I hear that distinctive newborn cry in someplace so congested as a theme park. You almost can't help trying to find the baby to make sure it's okay -- they're built to cause the maximum amount of alarm with their little voices!

Another possibility -- bring a third adult along to spend time at the resort and switch baby minding responsibility among the three grownups? That way baby can spend the majority of time cool and calm, you can have fun with the kids between feedings, and everybody can have fun.

Doesn't solve the plane problem, of course.

 

[Brooknwdw]

A newborn in August...please don't! The heat alone would be enough to make the baby miserable I think. If you've never been in August, you can't know how dangerous the heat, sun & humidity can be.
I would postpone, or move up a couple of months if possible.

JMHO, I might do it in a cooler month, but not august.

 

[robinb]

My DD's first trip was at 4 months. It was a perfect age! Why not simply postpone your trip until December? If you're Christian, your kids will love the decorations (I do and I'm not ) and you and your baby will be better equipped to handle everything. I would recommend against going in August with a 4-week old. It won't be any fun for anyone.

 

[SithBladeborn]

I was there as a baby and have been going to WDW ever since.

 

[daisyduck123]

I know many people do bring newborns, & I could've done that with my 2nd child. But after my first, there would've been no way. It was overwhelming. I thought I was prepared for my first, knew everything, etc. But until you get that little baby home from the hospital & go thru 3 weeks of NO SLEEP, you realize that you had no idea what it's really like. It's just physically & emotionally draining after your first.

 

[drakethib]

Dont forget that there are the Infants areas in the parks that are a life saver.

We used them quite a bit.

 

[blessedby3]

I wouldnt have a problem taking a month old infant to Disney- its just the time you are wanting to go. August is a terribly hot month and it is easy for a tiny newborn to get dehydrated. Being in a snuggly in that heat will just make things worse. I would definately wait until November or December. The others should understand if you talk it up a bit- you could even attend the MVMCP

 

[kidangel]

My youngest was 7 weeks old the first time we took the kids and it was Christmas week, so MEGA crowds. Plus, we drove from Detroit. Plus we stayed offsite in a KOA cabin. The other kids were 4 1/2 and 7.

The baby was easy - nursing her every three hours ensured that we paced the drive nicely. The sling and our own stroller were very convenient - in fact, I hauled the pack 'n' play all that way and then didn't use it because she ended up sleeping in her stroller which we parked right beside our bed every night.

However - I think a month or less is pushing it a bit. You do have to consider your own post-partum condition; I had my six week checkup before we went and was pretty much back to normal, but if this is your first you don't really know what it's going to be like. That first month is so overwhelming to begin with, the added "excitement" may be a little much. A Disney vacation is very physical - lots of walking, heat, etc.

Also, the pediatrician had given his blessing too - baby was healthy, gaining, had had her first set of vaccinations. Because most OTC drugs like Tylenol, Triaminic etc. don't list dosages for babies that young he'd given me the dosages for her weight just before we left, just in case.

A trip plan is essential - schedule lots of down time. Also prepare yourself mentally for staying back at the resot if needed and possibly "missing out".

The other kids will still be adjusting to their new sibling - they may find that WDW with new baby is more "intrusive" than being home with new baby because everyone's moving slower, there's more stuff to carry, mom and dad are preoccupied with how heat is affecting baby, etc.

If delaying your trip (even by a few weeks) isn't in the cards, you may want to proceed "as if" but leave yourself the room to change plans - i.e. book room only so that you can cancel without penalty, etc. And let the other kids know that nothing is certain until it's certain.

Shelley

Read my Disney blog!
http://movershakerbirthdaycakebaker.blogs.com/remember_the_magic

 

[ilovejack02]

Aug in Florida is crazy hot. I would never do that to a brand new baby ( or myself LOL) Newborns are pretty easy to tote around so thats not a problem and if you are breast feeding its even easier, no formula to keep cold or to heat. My issue would be how tired you are (sometimes new mommies can be a wreck for the first month or so ) and i really wouldnt go with out his first set of shots for sure!

 

[yensidfan99]

Honestly I would not. My wife and I just went this past May with our then 3 month old. DD was miserable and therefor DW and I were miserable. It was more humid then usual for May and she did not handle the heat well. I don't know how many times other guests saw a crazed father racing back to the Boardwalk Villa's with a hysterical baby but if anyone did it was me. During 7 days being in the park I rode Everest once and that was it. The only other ride I tried to ride was Great Movie Ride with DD. She was fine until we got moving and then absolutely freaked out. I don't want to put a downer on your plans and I am sure many people have taken infants and done just fine but having just experienced it I would not reccomend it.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Any possibility you could move the trip up and go in June? Personally, I'd rather go 7 months pregnant than with a newborn. As long as you have a healthy pregnancy, this should be fine. Then you can tell the other kids they get to go EARLIER, not that you have to postpone (which I agree with you would be hard for them with the additional adjustment of a new sibling).

My general philosophy is that babies are not (normally) fragile, and that you should go out and experience life with them and take them along for the ride. That said, even I flinched when I thought of a newborn in WDW in August. The heat is just so intense. I, too, can hear that newborn cry a mile away even when it's not my baby, lol.

The bottom line, is if you're careful about the heat, your baby will be fine cuddled up to you in a sling/carrier. But your trip will be different than you originally planned. You will go more slowly, have to stop at comfort stations, be up at night, be tired and worn OUT. If the choice is between that and not go at all, I'd go, but if I could find another time (Christmas with an older baby, or May or June when pregnant), I would. Good luck! Let us know when you know for sure if you're expecting!