Disney Baby Tips

[little miss minnie]

Alright everyone. I am traveling to WDW in October with a 9 month old. I want your "Been There, Done That" suggestions, tips, hints.... EVERYTHING. I want to know what baby items were helpful, which ones were not. How did you handle feedings and food in the park (I will have a 9 month old who will still be drinking formula and eating solids)? How did you handle naptimes? How did you handle later nights and fireworks? What things worked for you and your familiy, what things didn't? What would you do differently if you had the chance? Give me all your knowledge of babies at Disney! Anything at all!

 

[schmass]

9 months old is a great age! Our DS was 9 months when we took him in February. We really liked having the Ergo with us, as well as the stroller. Food pouches worked well for him, along with some of our food. Definitely utilize the Rider Swap passes.

A bottle brush was helpful so that we only had to bring 2 bottles with us. We also bought a bottle drying rack at the dollar store, which was great!

 

[DisMommaof2]

We just went down in April and ds was 10 months and it was easy peasy! We got formula at the local target along w diapers and some pouch baby food. He was mostly on table food so we didn't need much. He slept really well in the stroller while we were out. I just made sure to take his puppy he loves and a light blanket for shade. One of us would take dd (3) on rides while the other would stay with ds. Take along snacks..puffs and such. I used disposable bibs, utensils and changing pads which is probably the best idea I can tell you! Nobody wants to lug around soggy bib lol! Prefill bottles w bottled water if you use powder. The water is horrible down there. Maybe take along some of those table topper things. If I think of anything else I'll let you know have a super fun trip!

 

[little miss minnie]

Can you guys give me some examples of the park food you gave to your child? We are still in the baby food/mashed food stage right now, so I'm curious what kinds of food you felt comfortable giving them?

 

[Karenj2]

When DD was 9 mo, she was barely on table foods, and we gave her mashed potatoes, tiny bits of bread, mashed banana, and then we had the fruit pouches in case she didn't like something. (We had a box of diapers & snacks shipped to the hotel from diapers .com)

 

[kohlby]

My middle child had a trip at 8 months. (And one at 2 months). The sling was super helpful. She was picky about naps then and would only nap in the stroller on full recline. My youngest, at 11 months in Disney, would only nap in the sling though - and much, much later than normal - like dinner time! But they're babies so I figured they would eventually get enough sleep and they did.

At 8 months old, breastmilk was her primary nutrition, but she was tasting foods. She ate tastes of what we were eating, just avoiding some foods like dairy and seafood. (I had to avoid dairy and soy myself since she had issues with them at that age). I would just cut up food small enough and it was not an issue.

The 2 month old - or 8 month old - or 11 month old was easy. It was the 3 year old of those trips that made it more challenging! Babies are much easier than 3 year olds!

As for what I brought that helped a lot - a disposable changing pad! Mark one side so you know which side to put down so it's always the same side. If it gets too dirty to reuse, then just throw it away. Easy peasy!

 

[DisMommaof2]

We gave mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese, small pieces of bread and cheese. Breakfast bars have yogurt and muffins which are good. Baby will eat off your plate so keep that in mind when ordering.

 

[manicstreet]

We were in disney world in June with our 6 month old. Best advice I can give, take advantage of the baby care centers. They are air conditioned. Have high chairs to feed your child. My wife went in the care centers whenever our son was hungry or needed to cool off.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Nine months is such a easy and fun stage!

Sleeping-Try to keep it as close to home as possible. Co-sleep, regular crib (you can rent), or pack and play if he has slept in one before and does well.
Bring his sheets or at least a blanket from home and any sleep toy he might use. Pack both cool and warm PJ to allow for room temp adjustments.

Bottles- I am a huge fan of the expensive single feeding bottles IF the nipples are like what you are use to and you can find your brand in them. Otherwise...stick with what you have. Powder is the easiest if he likes that. Take enough for each day and a bottle brush and soap to wash at night. October may still be quite warm so you may wish to offer extra water, or diluted juice if your dr is ok with that. A sippy cup introduced a couple months before the trip would be nice too.

Food- Number ONE rule is to not introduce anything new on the trip. Our little guy has food allergies and we have lots of experience with them. A first reaction can occur with any kid, any time. The pouches are great and there is an active post on flying with them. Tastes of foods that he has been exposed to before off your plate are great. You can find yogurt, apple sauce, etc most places too. Take disposable bibs and place mats. Finger Foods are a life savor and can allow you to EAT dinner....but only if your little one is ready for them and try each at home first.

Stroller- Be sure that you have a good reclining one with a nice share cover and snack tray. A carrier is also a great idea. Be sure to use it a lot before the trip not only to adjust him to it, but also adjust you to the extra weight.

Diapering- Disposable pads and plenty of diaper rash cream, just in case.
Sun Screen- Cover as much skin as it is cool enough to do so and use a good infant brand...I like neurtagena for babies. Add a wide brim hat if he will wear it.

Bring his normal bath/hygene stuff, extra passy if you use them, a few toys and books, and maybe a quilt for tummy time on the floor of the room.

Do the things that YOU want to do. He will be thrilled to be with his parents and see and smell and hear all the new sounds and will be just as happy to be in Space Ship Earth as Little Mermaid. Unless he reacts to loud noises or dark, he is too little to be afraid of things like the HM or the Great Movie Ride. Have fun!!!

 

[Chrispygal]

I took my daughter at 9 months and it was a great trip! I did whatever I could to make things easy on myself, and I would not hesitate to go with a 9 month old again. DD did great sleeping in her stroller so we lucked out there. The other things we did that were super helpful included:

-Pre-scooped formula into bottles at beginning of each day and added water as needed.

-Brought disposable spoons with me so I could discard after feeding and not lug around the park all day.

-Ordered baby food from garden grocer and had it delivered (along with yogurt and bananas) so I did not have to pack in my suitcase. We also got a case of water so I would bring a few bottles into the park each day in a soft sided cooler (that I kept under the stroller) which saved a ton of money.

DD was just starting trying foods at that point so we'd give her tiny bits of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, bread, tuna, or other soft items that we had in our meals. She tried her first table food at Disney!

Oh, and if your child has enough hair I highly recommend getting the first hair cut on Main St. It was really cute and we have a certificate and hat from it.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

bring a padded changing table pad. the changing tables are hard! we used on in the adventureland area and it was marble. i would bring a padded changing table pad and then a disposable changing pad to lay on top of it.

btw, you are lucky that your 9 month old can eat table foods and puffs! our dd was not able to do that for SO long. she had a texture adversion and would vomit on any sort of textured or lumpy food. she was 2 on our last trip and could only do a few table foods. thankfully now at 3 she eats everything. just one more thing to be thankful for. have a great time!

 

[little miss minnie]

Anyone have packing tips for a baby. Im still wondering how I am going to get all her clothes, diapers, wipes foods, formula, toys and everything else for 11 days into 2 bags. (Southwest allows 2 bags to fly for free)

 

[Karenj2]

Pack clothes & enough formula/wipes/dipes/ to get you through the trip down + a day, then order online & have the bulk of the stuff shipped down to your hotel room for day of arrival. (We used diapers.com, others have used Amazon, Walmart.com, etc. we've had everything including snacks delivered...) You don't need many toys - bring just whatever you need to entertain on the plane.

Oh, and don't forget that you get two bags free plus a purse & a diaper bag...

 

[little miss minnie]

What great tips! Thanks everyone. And keep em coming if you think of anymore!

 

[lnh'smom]

We were in disney world in June with our 6 month old. Best advice I can give, take advantage of the baby care centers. They are air conditioned. Have high chairs to feed your child. My wife went in the care centers whenever our son was hungry or needed to cool off.

Totally agree! The one in Epcot was amazing! I fed my youngest there more than once ( they had little high chairs that were very clean....still wiped them down myself though) when he was hungry and we weren't in a restaurant ourselves. I felt like the one at DHS was fine, a little small. I also felt like the one in MK was not as nice as the other two.
I just packed all the diapers and food we were gonna need for the week in our suitcase. Packed too much but I didn't want to pay Disney prices for stuff I could bring along

 

[SweetMissy]

9 months should be an awesome age! We took our youngest for his 1st trip when he was 4 months old, so a little younger than yours. He was strictly nursing at that point so fortunately didn't have to deal with solids, bottles etc. My suggestion is babywearing if you're not already. If not, at this point, not sure how your little one would do since he's not used to it. If you are baby wearing...awesome, it'll make it a lot easier. Naps were easy because he slept in the carrier. Pack extra clothes and favorite snacks, small toys and you should be set. A baby is easy IMO.

 

[SweetMissy]

Anyone have packing tips for a baby. Im still wondering how I am going to get all her clothes, diapers, wipes foods, formula, toys and everything else for 11 days into 2 bags. (Southwest allows 2 bags to fly for free)

We scattered diapers throughout all our bags instead of wasting half a suitcase for just diapers.

 

[kohlby]

Anyone have packing tips for a baby. Im still wondering how I am going to get all her clothes, diapers, wipes foods, formula, toys and everything else for 11 days into 2 bags. (Southwest allows 2 bags to fly for free)

Are you checking your carseat through? Most airlines don't charge to check your carseat. We put ours in a carseat bag - which then meant plenty of room for diapers! (You can also pre-buy diapers to be delivered once you arrive). Some airlines allow strollers to fly for free too. In that case, fill up any secure pockets on the stroller.

 

[SaraMc]

Bring a couple of favourite toys that they love. But take them away about a month before you go. That way they are all excited to have them. We did this for DS and DD with some toys that could attach to the stroller and it helped them.

We did a lot of buffets so that we could pick out items that DS could eat too.

 

[Jessupnorth]

So glad to have found this thread! Will be traveling to WDW in Feb for a week just a few days after our youngest turns 1. Currently breastfeeding and will probably be weaning during that time, so trying to figure out the whole feeding baby thing (prob important, right?). What is the Garden Grocer? Is it an offsite grocery store that delivers? Has anyone mail-shipped items directly to their room ahead of time? Considering having water and diapers delivered to save on space.