Cancel or Go (newborn + toddler)?

[alicia080979]

Thanks for all the advice & opinions. We have decided to go ahead with our trip bc none of the other dates were working out at all with either no availability, no reservations available or my mom not being able to go. Now I feel like I have million things to do to get ready!

I will probably post a new thread asking about what to do, what I need for little ones if I still have questions after searching old threads. I bought an ergo carrier today but I have to have the infant insert in it because she is so small. I carried her around the (air conditioned) house for 30 minutes and she is hot and sweaty so I feel like that isn't good option for the heat of September so now I'm not sure what to do.

Lots to do in the next few weeks but already excited about our first 'family' trip!

 

[bjgonzo]

I hope you guys have a blast!!

For the Ergo, you can use a receiving blanket instead of the infant insert, there is a video on YouTube. Also when we lived in the desert, I would sometimes put a receiving blanket between me and my little one and it would help with her getting hot, but neither of us would overheat. And I had to make sure her head wasn't against my bare skin or she sweated like crazy!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Angel Ariel]

I will probably post a new thread asking about what to do, what I need for little ones if I still have questions after searching old threads. I bought an ergo carrier today but I have to have the infant insert in it because she is so small. I carried her around the (air conditioned) house for 30 minutes and she is hot and sweaty so I feel like that isn't good option for the heat of September so now I'm not sure what to do.

If you're not attached to the Ergo, I would look at maybe returning it and looking at a carrier that you can use that doesn't need an infant insert (or keep the ergo if you're OK with having more than one carrier..different carriers are great in different situations!).

I have a Beco Gemini. You can use it for children from 7 lbs- 35 lbs, and you can do 4 different carries - front facing in, front facing out (for babies that are old enough), hip, and back carry (for babies that are old enough). It's a great carrier. We brought it to Disney in March and will again in October.

You could also look at getting an infant sized Kinderpack with koolnit. The center panel is made with a fabric called Koolnit that is meant to help air circulation and keeping baby cool. I know this particular listing is sold out of infant sizes, but the company restocks every week (on Thursdays generally, I think). If you "like" them on FB, they post preview pictures the night before along with the time that the new stock will go live on the website for ordering.

If you have a Babywearing International chapter near you, you can try carriers out at one of their meetings before buying one. Members are also allowed to "check" carriers out from their sling libraries for a month at a time.

I loved the BWI chapter near me. They were fantastic in helping me choose a carrier and also in preparing to travel and wear her!

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Not sure if has been mentioned but familiarize yourself with the baby centers in each park they can be a lifesaver. And look into a Moby wrap. She will feel safe and secure against mommies chest. And congrats! Hope you get to keep both of them and this will just be your first of many Disney family trips.

 

[merbobear]

My first thought is the logistics/regulations of bringing foster children on vacation, BUT, I am just naive to all of the rules surrounding fostering, so I am sure that you have looked into that!

I say GO and have fun. Look at the Fisher Price Rock N Play for a sleeping space for baby. They are small and collapse for travel. My dd slept in a cradle until she was 3 1/2 months old, so I would think a 5-6 week old would sleep fine in a bassinet or rock n play.

For the stroller, I would either rent a double city mini for both kids, or rent the single and wear baby. I think, personally, it would be handy to have the option to put her in a stroller, but I guess it depends on how much she prefers to be held or to lay down and also how warm it is.

By the way, I think it's great that you want to bring them and give them this experience.

 

[scrapquitler]

I didn't see this mention, forgive me if I'm repeating. We were a licensed foster home in Illinois. We had to get written permission to take foster kids out of state. If this applies to your state- do you have enough time to get permission? We had to have permission even during the 6 months until our adoption was finalized. Best of luck! Congrats on your two babes

I was going to ask this as well. I have a friend who is a foster parent in New York, and when they were taking their kids to WDW, they had to have a court date with the judge to get permission (from the parents and the judge) to take the foster child out of state. Heck, she had to get permission to get the toddler her first haircut as well and was only allowed to get the haircut that the parent without custody would approve of.

You need to definitely talk to your social worker before you make any kind of decision about this.

 

[Angel Ariel]

You need to definitely talk to your social worker before you make any kind of decision about this.

The OP already stated that they had permission to go.

Sorry just saw this. We already have permission if we want to go. Our caseworkers just told us to let them know when we decided for sure and they would sign whatever forms we need.

 

[alicia080979]

The OP already stated that they had permission to go.

Yep, I don't know all the logistics because we are new foster parents but basically the county that has custody of the child has to give written permission for them to travel. I don't think they have to go before the judge or anything. They made it sound like they just have to fill out vacation/out of state travel forms to keep on file and then give our agency (we are working with a foster/adoption agency that works with 6 counties) a copy.

Typically the bio parent has to give permission too but in our case, our son's bio mom is 15 and in foster care herself so the county gets to make the call and for our daughter, her bio mom has already lost custody of 6 other children and is on a very, very short lease (and in a court ordered rehab center) so they aren't really giving her any choices. Our daughter's case plan is for adoption vs reunification so her caseworker just told us to live life as normal with her and go on vacations, long weekends, etc.

 

[alicia080979]

My first thought is the logistics/regulations of bringing foster children on vacation, BUT, I am just naive to all of the rules surrounding fostering, so I am sure that you have looked into that!

I say GO and have fun. Look at the Fisher Price Rock N Play for a sleeping space for baby. They are small and collapse for travel. My dd slept in a cradle until she was 3 1/2 months old, so I would think a 5-6 week old would sleep fine in a bassinet or rock n play.

For the stroller, I would either rent a double city mini for both kids, or rent the single and wear baby. I think, personally, it would be handy to have the option to put her in a stroller, but I guess it depends on how much she prefers to be held or to lay down and also how warm it is.

By the way, I think it's great that you want to bring them and give them this experience.

I am getting really excited about our trip. I am feeling more & more comfortable each day. We have another Dr. appt tomorrow with our pediatrician (7 day appt was at our Children's Hospital that the county made us take her to) so I will of course go over everything with her new Dr. again.

So far, at least for us, it seems like the traveling with foster kids won't be that much different than traveling with normal kids as far as logistics. We had to get permission which basically meant me emailing dates and they sign whatever they need on their end. We have their medical cards as they have our addresses on them so we can provide any medical care they need. Really I think that's about it! Smoother than I had anticipated!!

I ordered a Maya Wrap Ring Sling to try out and see if I like that bc baby girl loves laying high up on my chest and I feel like that will be more natural to the way I hold her without all the straps that the ergo has. We will take both and see how it goes. We also decided to take our City Select Stroller that has a car seat adapter and a bassinet as well as a seat for our son. We will be driving every where though bc there is no way we can haul that beast on the bus, lol. Plus we can use the bassinet for her to sleep in at night too which will be nice.