Cancel or Go (newborn + toddler)?

[suffieldhockeymom]

My middle son was 8 days old and the oldest was 2.5 when we first went. I put him a sling and he rode everything (including the Astro Orbiter) while in the sling. It was one of the best trips we had taken. He slept in his car seat at night most of the time. Go and make some memories!

 

[ShayBells]

I need advice, tips, thoughts, etc. on our upcoming trip. Dh & I are new foster parents hoping to adopt and we moved our Nov trip up to Sept. 25-Oct.5. In the end of July we got our little guy who will be 18 months old during the trip. We were starting to get everything all set and felt pretty comfortable with our decision to go and take him then last Friday we got a 2 day old little girl who came straight from the hospital to us. Now we don't know what to do. Are we completely crazy to take a 5week old to Disney World? Oh and we would be driving the 14-16 hours from Cincinnati, OH.

Where would she sleep (We are in POR with DH, myself, DS and my mother)? We were already going to rent a crib for our little guy but I am almost positive 2 cribs won't fit. Would she be okay in a bassinet at 5-6 weeks? What kind of rides can she go on? I know there are a lot of rides with no height restrictions but are they really okay for a baby that small (i.e Pirates, TSM, Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc.)? We hate to move our trip back to next year because we don't never know how long our little guy will be with us (looking like January at least) and we don't want to go in Nov/Dec bc the baby will just be starting to lose her antibodies and I am afraid of her getting sick.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if our little guy couldn't go but now I am just not sure what to do. We are buying a a City Select Stroller with the car seat adapter so I can use it for both kids and I was planning on renting a regular City Mini so I didn't have to worry about mine being stolen but I don't even know if you can rent those.

I probably have more questions but this morning is the first time I have had enough time to sit down and ask the Dis! DH & I went from no kids in July to a 17 month old boy and a week old little girl. Life has been crazy...in a good way...and I could use any advice you have.

I say go. Always go. Just like most people say though be prepared. Don't try to do everything and take your time. Enjoy the parks without rushing. And definitely take advantage of the baby care centers!!!! They are wonderful. They have rocking chairs to feed and they are air conditioned!!! The 18 month old can watch tv or hang out while the baby has their bottle. I definitely say go. Look up the rides and explanations. I think the baby would be fine on things like small world and even haunted mansion if she sleeps good. Any ride you are unsure of you have rider swap for the 18 month old.

Congratulations on your adoption

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[AliceIn]

I think 5 weeks is too young to be at a theme park all day. They don't regulate their body temperatures well at that age, and it can be brutally hot in Florida in September and October. I don't think the long car ride will be pleasant with children that age either. I've got three kids, and my younger two are about the same age difference as your two. My daughter was born in August and I know that I wasn't able to spend long periods of time outdoors the first weeks after she was born due to the extremely hot weather we had that year. You cannot use sunscreen on babies that age, and it's difficult to keep the stroller positioned so that sun is not on the baby. I cannot imagine trying to worry about keeping a newborn cool, out of the sun, while entertaining a toddler and also trying to deal with rides, etc. at Disney.

I'd wait a couple of months.

 

[Rose23]

Congratulations on your decision. How exciting!

I'm with the others that have commented to wait a few months. Late September is still a little heated in Central Florida (low 90s and high humidity). It's tough on adults! Temperature in November will be low 80s/high 70s and more manageable.

Let the pediatrician be your guide and see what they say about respiratory, shots, etc.

When you go in November, probably a good idea to stop at the half way point and stay overnight in Atlanta or Macon to give yourselves and the small kids a break. We drive from Central Ohio. Pace yourself and make the trip part of the vacation and memory.

Best wishes to you and your family! O-H-I-O

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Disney for Families board.

 

[RysMomma]

Congratulations! You and your husband are amazing people!

I would have to agree with others and say wait. At 5 weeks with both my kids, we still hadn't found our complete groove together and we had our rough patches. Plus, with the heat, I would be concerned. Also, I'm not a huge germaphobe (both my kids have been in daycare since they were babies) but, I would want her to have some of her vaccines first. I'd be afraid of her getting sick. I wasn't told to stay home until they were 2 months, but I chose the places I took them. A crowded amusement park, as much as we all love Disney, would make me nervous. But that's just me. Let us know what the pediatrician says!

Good luck, momma!

 

[Nixie]

My advice would be to postpone as well. The heat down there would just be brutal on a little one. They don't have the temp regulation systems that we do nor can they tell you that they are too hot. Not a good combo. Also, I would look into getting two connecting rooms or maybe a family suite or something if the little one still isn't sleeping through the night. I would suggest getting a ringsling to carry the little one around the parks. Much more easier to manage than a carseat and stroller combo.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Absolutely! We found that out in the worst way, when we took our then 4-week old daughter to the mall. The next day she came down with spinal meningitis! Thank God it was the viral kind and not bacterial, but it took 5 terrifying days with her in the hospital before finding that out. Listen to your doctors people, and keep your infants protected until at least 2 months of age!

I'm very sorry that happened to you. However, our pediatrician does not advise keeping healthy newborns at home. She does recommend wearing your baby in a sling or wrap. Our youngest was exposed to the most germs from her own siblings. If she stayed home for two months, the older kids would have been stuck there too, all summer long. My husband was working long hours, so if she didn't come to the grocery store with me, we didn't eat.

I am paranoid about overheating and sunburn with newborns, so I would make extra sure the baby stays shaded and cool with plenty of indoor breaks in the hottest part of the day. If the eighteen month old is an early riser, you might have most of your park time in the mornings and then all take naps in the afternoons.

 

[tarak]

I was never told to keep my children home for two months, either. That includes the youngest who was born with a heart defect and had surgery at four days. But each doctor is different. I have a friend whose pediatrician recommended no contact with strangers for eight weeks. Her son was born completely healthy. Honestly, I'd go loony at that.

I've never stayed in POR, but I wonder if you might be cramped with three adults and two kids. Have you looked at one of the suites at AOA? I admit, the thought of staying in a single room with my mom and my husband for ten days gives me hives. If you can swing it, it might be nicer to have separate sleeping areas for your mom and your family.

 

[ChitownFamily]

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

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

First of all, thanks you for being a foster parent! I wish you all the best on your adoption journey!

Like others have said, I would wait until she's three months. That way she's vaccinated, has more neck strength and is hopefully sleeping through the night (or close to it). Plus Orlando weather is awesome in Nov./Dec. so you won't have to worry as much about overheating or dehydration.

Since your son will take the crib, I highly recommend buying and bringing a Fisher Price Rock and Play sleeper. My youngest slept soooo well in it and it folds up flat so you can easily pack it in the car.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Bless you and your husband for being foster parents--how wonderful.

As the mom of a 6 week old, I do not think I would have enjoyed being at WDW last week with my newborn at 5 weeks. She's eating every 2-3 hours and I nurse and supplement...that takes up a decent chunk of time just to feed her. She's waking up one or two times a night...I don't mind, but if I were in a hotel room with 4 other people, I'd imagine it would be not-so-good sleep for all involved! Especially since you need to turn on a light to do a feeding and change a diaper. Also, my little girl sweats a lot when it's at all warm when she sleeps...I think she'd be sleeping in a pool of sweat if she took a nap in a stroller or sling in the Sept heat. We were there last September and it was unbearable from 2-4pm each day for us.

If you DO decide to go, I highly recommend the FP Rock N Play sleeper as well...it's awesome!

 

[RoosMama]

I didn't read through this thread fully, but I took my dd at 8 weeks. We also stayed at por with 3 adults, and what I did was have her sleep in a moses basket in the bed with me. That way you can save on space since you already have one crib.

 

[pigletgirl]

Wow, what an incredible story you all have! Knowing what I know (I've been a parent for only 3 months) is that I would postpone to next fall. I'd be a bit paranoid taking an infant that young to a place like that. But, its up to you mama in what you feel comfortable with most. Congratulations!

 

[acceber32]

I know you've fought and struggled to get this trip to work out (I remember reading your posts on the FD thread) so I say go. It will be tough though!! A 5 week old doesn't sleep much at night and that causes parents to be tired. Just be prepared for it to be a completely different trip than you had planned originally.

Also, if you do go I strongly encourage you to get a baby carrier. For a newborn a ring sling or woven wrap would be best. Mobys are great for newborns but I think it would be way too hot for it. At 5 weeks my baby would sleep best being held and this way you could keep her close. And it would keep people out of her face (people tend not to get to close when you babywear because they don't want to get in your face). If you are on Facebook join the group Babywearing 102 and they can help you out with what type to get. Also, you could get cooling pack to put between you and her if it got hot.

 

[Angel Ariel]

otherwise you will need to lug an infant carrier with you.

DD was 8 months when we went, but she still was not sitting on her own enough for a regular high chair (we tried at Tony's..it didn't go well).

We were able to bring her in a stroller into Be Our Guest (lunch), Pecos Bill (twice), and the CS in American Adventure. Chef Mickey's had the infant high chair, as previously mentioned.

The only 2 restaurants that a carrier would have been helpful for were Tony's and Coral Reef. I think for Coral Reef, one of us just held her in our lap.

 

[alicia080979]

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

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]

I'm still a little torn but leaning towards not going right now. The only problem with that is that there are 2 sets of dates in Nov. we can go and both have no bookings available for the resorts we want. So now we aren't sure what to do. Her Dr. appt yesterday for her one week check up was good and she is perfectly healthy. I asked the Dr. his thoughts and he said it was totally up to us. Her being healthy means she would probably be fine and he said if we can easily switch it to after she is 3 months, then he would do that but if we can't that she should be fine. He said we just have to make sure to wash our hands a lot and watch for any changes in her behavior/patterns since at that age they can't really do a whole lot to show they don't feel good. I really wanted him to give me a firm yes or no, LOL.

I also have a home daycare so she is exposed to lots of germs there (I don't let the kids touch her but they are all around her and me all day). Since she is in foster care, she is having bio visits at the Dept. of Jobs & Family Services, being seen at a foster care Check Clinic and having to sit with me in the county health department waiting rooms for appts so this poor baby has already seen more germs in the past week than a lot of people. I am hoping that will eventually make her immune system stronger though.

I am going to decide in the next couple of weeks after I see how she continues to do, her sleeping & eating patterns, etc. In the meantime I definitely need to check into that rocker/sleeper and a baby carrier. We have been the past few Septembers and know how hot it can get so we will be out of the parks for the heat of the day. I figure DH & DS can swim while the baby & I take naps, shop indoors, relax, etc.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[bjgonzo]

I say go if she is sleeping enough that you are rested enough. I have 4 kids, no way could I stay home and inside all the time with them. When DD3 was less then 2 weeks old, we went to an award ceremony for a long weekend in Myrtle Beach. I wore her in a wrap and no one messed with her. My older kids are in school and other activities so the little ones are exposed to plenty of germs lol.
Def look into babywearing. Not sure if this is allowed, but I have always liked thebabywearer.com for info on the different carriers and they have a FSOT board there that used to be really good. A lot of my friends talk about a BWing swap page on FB that gets a lot of business.
What you and your husband is doing is so awesome, thank you!!!

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[Mom2Ben02]

GO!!!

I would buy a Moby Wrap for the little one, and an Ergo carrier for the older one. You wear one kid, your hubby wears the other. Easy peasy lemon squeezy (OK, not quite...)

It will be a completely different trip, but what a wonderful way to celebrate the whirlwind changes that have blessed your life!