Disney w/3 month old twins???

[skychica]

We just booked a trip w/my parents, brother and his fiance for December. We will be spending two nights in Universal Studios and 5 nights at OKW.

I'm very nervous about taking my two newborns while breastfeeding. Anyone have any advice??? We are Disney vets which help!

Thanks!

 

[dzneelvr]

Personally, I wouldn't attempt a trip with such small ones, but hey, it's not my call. Each park has private areas for you to attend to your loved ones needs. I'd call your resort CM and ask for specific locations. Have a great trip.

 

[RedRuby]

First off, congratulations on your multiple pregnancy (I take it you're projecting that the twins will be 3 mo at the time of the trip?). Being in a family with multiples is an interesting, challenging experience - we wouldn't trade it for the world!
But...
Personally, we found being out and about with newborns (eg 3 mo old and younger) a bit challenging, but that was probalby due partly to our weather. I personally believe (and personally experienced) that breastfeeding infants is easier than lugging bottles, nipples, bottle liners (if you use 'em), and formula or expressed breastmilk around....so that actually makes things easier.

What might make things harder is not knowing the health of your two little ones (what if they arrive early? what if one or both have lingering health issues?) nor how you and your partner/husband deal with the two little ones. You might not have much time between all the requisite baby activities for both babies to do much else -- looking back at our log for that time, I can say with confidence that most of what we did was: single or tandem(double) nursing, changing diapers and putting the girls down for naps/bed. We had very little time during the day for anything other than these activities....simply because you've got two separate little people to care for.

The upside of your trip would be having help around *and* not having to cook or clean or do laundry. The downside could be that you and your partner/husband don't have enough time to *do* much other than take care of your twins....I would suspect that you would still be dealing with some of your own baby-induced sleep deprivation, which would make enjoying WDW more of a challenge...(based on our and our friends' experiences in the twins' club).

Basically I think if you set out to do it, it would be an adventure! A fun one but challenging and potentially difficult...depending on a lot of factors you wouldn't be able to predict at your 45 day deadline for payment :-( If you live close by and are Disney vets, you might do fine. If you have to travel a long way and this is more of a 'trip of a lifetime', then I'd probably suggest against it (or going in with VERY low expectations).

Personally if I *had* to recommend something, I'd suggest putting the trip plans aside for a while, and going when they are bigger and easier to manage (12-24 mos), but that's just me. I'm sure it's doable but just not easily slotted into my experience with 3mo twins.

 

[RedRuby]

Personally, I wouldn't attempt a trip with such small ones, but hey, it's not my call. Each park has private areas for you to attend to your loved ones needs. I'd call your resort CM and ask for specific locations. Have a great trip.

Two short comments aobut this: (1) yes, you can nurse your babies at a private place or wherever you are most comfortable. You may find yourself spending a lot of time in sitdown restaurants and benches

(2) There is an inflatable, portable twin nursing pillow...which would be great for throwing in a backpack or stroller to use at WDW or atleast travel with. (Our large foam double nursing pillow would have been unwieldy!)

 

[pjupton]

Just thought I'd weigh in too. My twins are almost 19 months and will be 22ish months when we go to WDW this fall.

I'm so glad to hear you are planning to nurse your babies! I hope you will pick up a copy of "Mothering Multiples" by Karen Gromada - we found it to be an invaluable resource. Since you still have a ways to go in the pregnancy, you might want to pick up a copy of "When You are Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads" by Dr. Barbara Luke... she's got some great evidence based advice about maternal weight gain and the impact on the outcome of the pregnancy - start eating!

I really have to agree with Red Ruby. I think I would save this trip for another time. You just don't know what might happen. You could be sick. Your babies could be sick. Even if everything goes perfectly fine with your pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding experiences, you will still be caring for twice the normal number of newborns. Honestly, the first several months were pretty all-consuming just with baby care, never mind things like grocery shopping and household maintainence type stuff. We didn't sleep more than 2 hours straight for about the first 14 months. WDW will always be there!

If you do decide to go, I think staying at OKW is a great idea. Actually, you might want to stay there the whole trip and just go over to Universal for the day so you don't have to move and will have more room. I'd imagine December would be a good time of year to try this, both temperature and crowd-wise. You can nurse anywhere and you'd probably be spending a lot of time doing it. Although I usually nursed simulatenously at home, I almost always nursed them separately when we were out. That means it was pretty much one after the other after the other after the other.

Best of luck for a healthy pregnancy and an easy birth and nursing experience!

 

[utahkennedys]

I would make sure to know where the Baby Center is at each park. They are so nice, cool and quiet.

We went with our friends to DL last September with 3 year old twins, and I thought that was a challenge, but maybe it will be easier when they are smaller and sleep alot! Since you are staying at OKW, I would also plan for a lot of down time.

 

[rgribik]

Hi, just going along with the others on this one, even as Dis vets, 3 month twins will be alot.(we are vets also, and my boys went for the first time at 11 months) My twin boys were a month early, but suffered no health problems(thank goodness). We were told to watch who handled them, where they went, keep them out of crowds, ect... because of the increased chance of rsv. We do live in a cold climate, but if I were you I would still be careful.
To back up the other posters, the first few months, all we did was try to get some sleep, and get the babies to sleep. I had an emergancy c-section(my first) and it took some time to recover from that. My boys are so much fun, and a great joy, but after 3 single babies, twins are a whole different ballgame. Talk to your doctor and ped. about it, before you make a final decision. Good luck and congrats!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I would not go either. December is the middle of RVS and flu season and I would not take any 3 mo old to WDW during that time. Twins are more likely to be early and chances are the Dr. will say no way to the trip anyway. Also chances of a c- section for you is much higher and combine that with loss of sleep and you mat not feel up to a trip anyway!!! I would reschedual for the next Spring at the earliest!

Good luck with the babies!!!

Jordan's mom

 

[beattyfamily]

Oh boy!

It's great that you are a veteran of Disney. That will help a lot. And it sounds like you'll have lots of help too! Although I wouldn't attempt bringing my kids under one year old, let alone twins, to each their own. I think you will have a GREAT time anyway. You'll be at WDW for goodness sake!

December is a GREAT time to go to WDW. Not that crowded, not that cold and beautiful decorations and music playing. Just take it slow. Know where all the baby centers are. I'm sure you'll have a good stroller; just be sure it has good covering and maybe a basket. What about maybe renting a car instead of the buses? That is what I'd do.

Get a good diaper bag; maybe a backpack kind?

Will you pack your diapers or buy them down there? I always packed them and then used the empty space coming home for souvenirs.

Good luck and best wishes for a great trip with your little bundles!

 

[krahema]

First off, congratulations! Twins are so exciting! My twin daughters are now 4 1/2 months old, so I thought I might chime in with my own experience/advice.

It is so unpredicable what they will be like at that age. They might be perfect little angels, but as previous posters said, they may have serious health, eating or sleeping issues that you probably wouldn't want to complicate by taking this trip.

As a couple of previous posters mentioned, December will be RSV season. If you are not familiar with what RSV is, look it up online or talk with your future pediatrition. It is the common cold in most children and adults, but for infants it can be life-threatening. Because it is so contagious, doctors recommend that you don't take infants to public places where they might be exposed. I think WDW would definately fit into that category.

I know it is probably disappointing to think about having to miss a trip to WDW, but being a parent sometimes means making sacrafices for our children. I know there are times I miss the independence my husband and I had prior to our daughters, but I wouldn't give it up for anything.

If anything, save the money you would be spending on this trip for a trip when your children are a little older (even just 12-24 months). You may want to spend some extra money then to get a suite or stay at one of the monorail resorts for added convienence. Also, if you are flying, I would recommend getting tickets for the babies - most airlines offer a 50% discount on tickets for children under the age of 2. Parent of 1 might be able to get away with just holding their baby - they can take turns holding. But with 2, both you and your husband will both have to be holding a baby the whole flight.

To sum things up, it sounds like these will be your first children and twins on top of that. 3 months can be so unpredictable, and taking care of infants can be so consuming. I would either wait until the babies are actually born and you have taken care of them for a month or so and book a last minute trip in December, or put the vacation on hold and do it once the twins are older.

Best wishes for you in the rest of your pregnancy! Eat healthy - and lots! And, be very familiar with the signs of preterm labor - it is notorious for occurring with multiples. The March of Dimes website has lots of great information on it.

Good luck!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Personally, I would go. I did not have twins, but I did have an unexpected c-section and ended up taking my ds to Florida at 2 (almost 3) months and he was fine with the travel and the breastfeeding worked out great. If you have extra help from family, I don't see why you shouldn't go and have a great time! I agree with some of the other posters that the first few months are kind of a blur and things can be very hectic and disorganized; however, for me that sorta dissipated somewhat right around 3 months. If you allow for the fact that you might have to change plans were anything to go wrong with your pregnancy or newborns' health, I think planning the vacation at a slow pace should be fine! I know everyone heals differently, but even should you have a c-section, you will probably be feeling fine at 3 months. Here's hoping you don't need it and go full term with your babies and have a smooth delivery!

 

[daisy_77]

I would totally take them, if I had help, of course!
My advice is to
- Ask their pediatrician if you can use baby sunscreen on them (it is usually made for babies 4 months and older)
-Take lots of breaks!
-Pump milk and use a baby bottle cooler.
HAVE FUN and take lots of pictures!!

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

the concern i would have is like another poster's earlier....you dont even know what you will feel like, or how the twins will be...you're talking DECEMBER. The chance of them needing some ICU time is higher than a single pregnancy. HOPEFULLY then wont need any tube feedings, oxygen...etc....Being a nurse, mother, currently Pregnant and an advocate for all those babies that arent able to talk yet at disney....stay home...really, enjoy your kids, take the time to know them..it will be a total adjustment. I travled with my DD at 6 mos., 9 mos, 2 years and now with this next trip she'll be 3...NO TIME has been peaches...let me tell you.
Not that she was bad, but you spend SO MUCH TIME tending to the little ones that you really dont enjoy your trip, Disney will always be there...dont worry....just wait a few more months...like when they are 6 mos old...you will have a good routine down, your kids will be too young to run around, but old enough to be out of the "NEWBORN" phase....

just my opinion....have a great time if you do decide to go!

 

[LisaGoeke]

Congratulations on your twin pregnancy and deciding to nurse your babies!

My twin boys just turned four on Monday. Speaking from experience, I think it is too young to try to attempt a vacation like that. Almost the first year of their lives was such a big blur, I also nursed my boys and I think I only got a few hours of sleep a night for the first year. It was soooo hard and soooo exhausting I couldn't even imagine taking a vacation.

I would also suggest waiting until they are older.

And since you're expecting twins, check out this site here, it's a great resource for those expecting twins and parents of twins.

Twinstuff.com -- Expecting Board

Good Luck with whatever you decide! We're finally going in October and this will be my twins first visit to see Mickey & Minnie!

 

[Disney Ella]

I wouldn't have had much fun with the kids at that age, but all babies are different. Mine tended to be fussy and were just starting to sleep through the night at that point. I had a pretty severe case of anemia after the babies were born and at three months, I still wouldn't have been up to all that walking.

I think you would enjoy the trip more if you waited until the babies are a little older, but everyone's different. I've known (and been jealous of!) people whose babies were so calm and good-natured, they could go everywhere with their parents with little complaining. You wouldn't know it know, but mine were little demons at that age and it wouldn't have been much of a vacation if we took them anywhere when they were that little.

 

[mom2rb]

I would talk to your doctor. Mine was adamant about me not taking the boys around large crowds. I also don't think I would have been up for the walking at that time. Between the C-section, the lack of sleep, and taking care of two newborns it would have been impossible. My boys are 6 now and we are about to go on trip number 4.

 

[mom2rb]

I just told my DH about your trip. He wanted me to come back and say that he can think of no greater he!! than taking 3 month old twins to DW. He is such a smooth talker.

 

[grlzmom]

As mother to seven (the youngest being 2 1/2 year old twins), and a nurse, I agree with previous posters. I would not take them during flu/rsv season, especially when they will be so young. Travelling during the winter would be out completely.

I found breastfeeding the twins to be way easier than dealing with formula and bottles.

A talk with your pediatrician will be helpful and they can give you the best advice with when to travel. Ours were born in December at 34 weeks and the doctor said absolutely nowhere but doctor visits until April when RSV season was over.

We are disney fanatics and waiting until they were six months old (and summertime) was painful but worked out great. We didnt have to lug the infant carseats (since they could just about manage highchairs) through the parks and it was worth the wait.

Parenting twins is an incredible adventure and you will love it.

 

[fanofmickey]

Another mom of twins here (9 yr old boys) agreeing with the majority of posters - waiting until they are a bit older would be better. It seems like the parents of twins are voting for waiting, and the parents of singletons are voting for going. As a mom who had two singletons before her twins, I can definitely say that there is NO comparison! Taking care of one newborn is way easier than taking care of two. I encourage you to seek out a local chapter of the Mothers of Twins Club and join - the advice and comraderie you will get there will be invaluable to you, especially in the first couple of years. I wish you happy, healthy babies!

 

[beattyfamily]

Another mom of twins here (9 yr old boys) agreeing with the majority of posters - waiting until they are a bit older would be better. It seems like the parents of twins are voting for waiting, and the parents of singletons are voting for going. As a mom who had two singletons before her twins, I can definitely say that there is NO comparison! Taking care of one newborn is way easier than taking care of two. I encourage you to seek out a local chapter of the Mothers of Twins Club and join - the advice and comraderie you will get there will be invaluable to you, especially in the first couple of years. I wish you happy, healthy babies!

I'm one of the moms of singeltons who replied to her question, which wasn't "Should I go?" but "any advice?". She's already booked it and maybe she can't cancel. It would be GREAT if some more moms of twins gave her advice for being in WDW with twins in case she goes anyway....