Disney with a 4 month old??

[RooRach0906]

DH and I just found out we are having a baby girl. The thing is his grandparents live in Orlando and now he is thinking we will take another trip to FL this Sept but he knows I can not go to Orlando and not go to Disney so he said we would go and stay on Disney Property!!! but where would the best place be to stay with such a young infant???? Plus is the park hard with that age of child?? We have no other children so it be werid to see 2 adults and baby at Disney??? Sorry so many questions he really surprised me by telling me this?? I really thought we would not be going for at least 2 years on our last trip when we found out we were prego at Disney (sorry had to add that, cuz it was so awesome to me) Thank you for all your help.

 

[kohlby]

Congrats! We went when our second child was 2 months old and then again when she was 9 months old. It would have been a lot easier if she had been our first child! It was our 3 year old, not the baby, that made things a lot more difficult. The best thing I did was use a ring sling. I carried my daughter in that sling from 8-10 hours a day! I did have a stroller that reclined all the way back as well. We found that when the 3 year old wanted to walk, it was easier to park the stroller and use the sling. Plus, it makes it easier standing in line using a sling.

I can't think of any reason why a hotel would be difficult. I co-sleep at home so I co-slept at Disney. I did push the bed to the wall and do this at any hotel we go to so baby is between the wall and me. You can request a crib, or bring a pack 'n play, or rent a crib from an off-site location if you'd rather.

Baby swap makes it quite easy to go with a baby. There are baby care stations in the parks as well where you can nurse in quite or heat up a bottle. I used the baby care stations only when we went in the summer - since it was air conditioned! Otherwise, I nurse wherever I am. (The sling also helps with this since it can cover you up a bit if you feel you need it).

We're planning another trip - this time with three kids, one of them a baby. I'm not at all worried about baby or the oldest child. It's the 3 year old that's going to be the most of a challenge again. (Different 3 year old than last time. She's a much easier 3 year old than him, but 3 is harder than a baby!)

I refuse to take my kids to Disney during the toddler stage. The barely a year and under set is easy since they can nap wherever pretty easily. And they can be carried in a sling or a stroller. But at around 15 months, they want to run all over the place and napping may be harder to do in the parks. So we skip the toddler years until around 3 years old, preferably at least 3.5 years old. Go now, it's going to get harder someday!

*Edited to add: We have to use California Baby sunscreen. It's much more gentle than most sunscreens. You can find it at Target. But be prepared for sticker shock - it's very expensive sunscreen!

 

[El&Asmom]

We went last April when dd3 was 5mo. It was pretty easy. I agree with the sling suggestion. Dd pretty much slept most of the time in her carrier. She was on a schedule by that time, so I knew that an hour and a half after she got up in the am, she would be ready to sleep. We have a ton of pictures with her sleeping in the carrier. Night time was a little tougher. If we stayed out late, she would fall asleep in the sling, and didn't transfer easily to the PnP. We spent a couple of nights up late with her b/c she had a little cat nap before bed at the parks, and then was wide awake at bed time. Not a big deal as my older dds don't love the fireworks yet, so we usually were back in time for bed.
Feeding was a breeze since she was exclusively breastfed. We didn't bring any bottles so I'm not sure how it would be to have to pack all that extra bottle gear.

I agree with the previous poster. My older kids were more work than the baby. At that age they just go with the flow or sleep. No tantrums yet. The only thing you might have to worry about is colic. If she is a colicy baby, it may be tougher.

The last thing to think about will be the heat. I used a solarweave Connecta baby carrier, (you can google it), most of the time with the occasional Ring sling or Babyhawk carrier. The Connecta is made out of a fabric that is super light weight and has some SPF protection along with a hood. I also put my nursing cover on top of her which covered her legs when she was sleeping to keep her out of the sun while walking. That FL sun is hot in Sept. A good hat and some time indoors will be needed. Blue Lizzard is also a great sun screen for babies that young. We used a lot of it on our last trip. If your local baby store doesn't have it, order it on Amazon. It is much better than your typical Coppertone for babies.

Congrats and have fun. WDW is very easy with a young baby.

(I also have to plug thebabywearer.com for any first time mom. It is a great place to start when learning about motherhood and babywearing )

 

[Namsupak]

We were just in WDW with our 5 month old from Dec 12-22. This was an extremely easy trip compared to what I thought it would be. We went between wearing DD and putting her in the stroller. It was 86 the first few days we were there and I just got too hot wearing her for extended periods. We have a baby jogger city mini. She loved being in the stroller and sitting up. Of course she's been able to sit up assisted for about a month. The baby stations at the different parks made things very nice. The only thing is that the baby station at hollywood studios leaves a lot to be desired. The nursing rooms only have curtains to close. I don't even nurse but was bottle feeding in the rocking chair and a little 3 year old came ripping through the curtain at one point. Other than that and a meltdown during dinner one night she did extremely well! We brought a clip on high chair but didn't really use it because she's nosy and always wants to see whats going on so we generally hold her while we're eating. We are DVC members and stayed at Saratoga Springs and Beach Club. It was really nice to have the kitchen because we could put on a Pur filter for her formula water and a freezer for keeping my breastmilk frozen. There is a pack and play there but i just felt it was cold being in the floor so we put her in bed with us. The nice thing with a king size bed is we had more than enough room for the 3 of us. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me.

 

[blessedby3]

We took our youngest for her first trip when she was 3 1/2 mos old. We went in Jan so we had no heat issues, and she was great. Except for her refusing to nurse and having to find formula the trip was fantastic. She was so easy to take everywhere. We took the sling and a stroller. Many times we wore her on the rides without even having to take her out of the sling. Babies are much easier than toddlers and preschoolers at Disney. The just go where you take them and dont throw tantrums!

 

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
Congratulations! With the exception of not being able to go on the rides together (dh and myself) , I have actually found Disney to be easier with an infant than a toddler. LOL!

By 4 months, the baby should be in a fairly regular eating/sleeping pattern. I would get your baby use to taking a few naps in a stroller or in a baby sling and you should be fine.

Have fun!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

DH and I just found out we are having a baby girl. The thing is his grandparents live in Orlando and now he is thinking we will take another trip to FL this Sept but he knows I can not go to Orlando and not go to Disney so he said we would go and stay on Disney Property!!! but where would the best place be to stay with such a young infant???? Plus is the park hard with that age of child?? We have no other children so it be werid to see 2 adults and baby at Disney??? Sorry so many questions he really surprised me by telling me this?? I really thought we would not be going for at least 2 years on our last trip when we found out we were prego at Disney (sorry had to add that, cuz it was so awesome to me) Thank you for all your help.

Congratulations on your baby girl!

I think a visit to the World is in perfect order for the new family! Anywhere is going to be fine to stay with baby, but if I had my choice, I would stay at a mod. They are a decent size and very quiet. We used one of their pack n plays for DD to sleep (6 mo @ the time). We took our own crib sheet to use.

It's not weird to see a family at Disney! There is going to be lots for you to enjoy, but you may not be able to do all the attractions that you are used to.

Slow down and enjoy your time. Pack smart (lots of dispoables - bibs, playtex drop in bottles, changing pads), refill your bag on mid-day breaks, and take it slow!

 

[RooRach0906]

I really apperiate everyones help. Thank you so much!!! I am a lot less nervous about it now. Also for those of you who breastfeed.... this is just a please help me thing.... what kind of bottles did you use when you had some else feed them... I am having the hardest time trying to figure out which ones to register for... Thank you.

 

[AMB1]

I really apperiate everyones help. Thank you so much!!! I am a lot less nervous about it now. Also for those of you who breastfeed.... this is just a please help me thing.... what kind of bottles did you use when you had some else feed them... I am having the hardest time trying to figure out which ones to register for... Thank you.

If you are planning to nurse, but want the baby to have the occasional bottle, the Avent brand are very good. They are a wide mouth bottle with a nipple that requires the baby to keep his/her mouth wide open -- they suck on the base of the nipple, not the nub. This is closer to what a nursing baby does. Lactation consultants I've dealt with have all recommended them and I've never had any problems.

Our youngest was around 3 months when we went last year. She was very easy to travel with. We're going again this year and I'm more worried this time around now that she is walking!

 

[KAA1972]

I echo the sentiments of everyone!! It is fabulous to go to Disney with a baby!! I went five times during my daughter's first year. It was much easier with an infant than it is now with a toddler. I recommend a couple of things to make it easier.... First of all, bring a tote bag that you can leave in the bottom of the stroller. Put several changes of clothes, extra diapers, wipes, clorox wipes, bottles, food, etc in the bag. Leave the bag in the stroller when you go on rides. Then, bring a backpack. Put all your valuable i.e. camera, wallet, another small pack of diapers and wipes in the backpack. You can wear the back pack and carry your daughter with no problems. I also recommend a front carrier or sling for your baby. We put our daughter in the front carrier and jumped on and off rides in Fantasyland all day long! It was fantastic! Just watch the bar as it lowers on some of the rides so it doesn't smash her. If you hold your hand out then you can catch the bar and stop it from lowering too far. I LOVE the baby care centers and they are at all the parks. They are very clean and a great place to nurse or just relax from the crowds.

I also recommend a sunshade for your stroller. We use the Valco Universal Sun Shade. You can google it and buy it online. We drape it over the stroller and our daughter naps, *****turbed in darkness while we tour the parks. I would recommend bringing your own stroller over the WDW strollers because WDW strollers would not be suitable for an infant.

I know you asked for a few suggestions on bottles and I would highly recommend Born Free. However, I would recommend just buying one single bottle to start with. Once you start bottle feeding you can buy more once you find out if she likes that kind of bottle. If you are nursing, you won't need a lot of bottles to start with and it's better than having a lot of bottles go to waste. We had to try four or five different kinds before we found one that worked for us. I also liked Dr. Brown's but they are a PAIN to clean!!! Great bottles but a huge pain to clean!! Avent leaked for us but I know a lot of people like them and they are very popular. I also didn't like Playtex nursers but people swear by them too. Ultimately, it boils down to what works for you and your baby.

Go to WDW and have a great time!! Congratulations on your baby!!!

 

[vettechick99]

I took DD to on a beach vacation at 4m in the summer. I remember thinking, thank God I didn't take her to WDW!!

DD was and is a major sleeper. At 4m she was still sleeping 20hrs a day. However, she's a picky sleeper. She can not sleep in a stroller, on a bed, or in a carrier. She needs her crib, peace and quiet, and darkness. So we would swim at the house, read magazines, etc and she would sleep. We would go out maybe once a day to eat dinner, but the majority of the time we spent at home with her. We were a block from the beach and never even made it over there!

I am telling you my story because I was always a die-hard you-can-take-babies-to-WDW type. But now that I've had one, not every baby is built for WDW. In fact, when we take DD to Disney now, we have to go home for 4-hour naps everyday. One night she fell asleep at 5pm and didn't wake up til the next day! And even with all the sleep, it's so much for them. WDW with a child is a whole different ballgame.

So my warning is that you won't know your baby or her habits til she comes out. You can plan the trip, but re-evaluate when she arrives. You may change your mind.

Sorry to be a downer...just want to give you the other side of vacationing with a baby. Whew, it's hard freakin' work!

Congrats though!! We are expecting our 2nd this summer. I can't imagine WDW with two. Oh my!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Also for those of you who breastfeed.... this is just a please help me thing.... what kind of bottles did you use when you had some else feed them... I am having the hardest time trying to figure out which ones to register for... Thank you.

I ended up registering for and receiving LOTS of the Avent bottles... then DS developed colic and spit up lots (formula and breat milk). The only bottles he ended up being able to tolerate were the playtex drop ins. I really didn't want to use them since you throw things away so much, but it came down to trash vs. tons of crying... A friend of ours baby ended uphaving really bad reflux issues and Dr. Brown's ended up working best for them.

If you are planning to BF, I'd hold off on gathering too many bottles until you figure out what baby is going to tolerate best. Maybe get 1 box of the Avent to start and see how it goes, then use up gift cards ('cause you'll get a couple) for extra bottles after baby is born.

And definately invest in a sling if you are planning to BF on your trip. It'll offer the most support for baby and you should be pretty comfortable too.

 

[kohlby]

Also for those of you who breastfeed.... this is just a please help me thing.... what kind of bottles did you use when you had some else feed them...

Avent for my first child. But I switched to soft spout sippies at 3 months. The avent ones have tops that can switch out from bottle to sippy. My second child refused a bottle, so we started with the Avent sippies at 3 months. My third child refused a bottle or sippy until 8 months, but I admit to not working very hard to get him to take either. I tried daily to try to get my second child to take a bottle with no luck. I tried so hard since we went to Disney when she was 2 months old and we drove. But the sippy worked magically the first time we tried it. I tried many different bottles with her.

 

[Mallow]

I took DD to on a beach vacation at 4m in the summer. I remember thinking, thank God I didn't take her to WDW!!

DD was and is a major sleeper. At 4m she was still sleeping 20hrs a day. However, she's a picky sleeper. She can not sleep in a stroller, on a bed, or in a carrier. She needs her crib, peace and quiet, and darkness. So we would swim at the house, read magazines, etc and she would sleep. We would go out maybe once a day to eat dinner, but the majority of the time we spent at home with her. We were a block from the beach and never even made it over there!

I am telling you my story because I was always a die-hard you-can-take-babies-to-WDW type. But now that I've had one, not every baby is built for WDW. In fact, when we take DD to Disney now, we have to go home for 4-hour naps everyday. One night she fell asleep at 5pm and didn't wake up til the next day! And even with all the sleep, it's so much for them. WDW with a child is a whole different ballgame.

So my warning is that you won't know your baby or her habits til she comes out. You can plan the trip, but re-evaluate when she arrives. You may change your mind.

Sorry to be a downer...just want to give you the other side of vacationing with a baby. Whew, it's hard freakin' work!

Congrats though!! We are expecting our 2nd this summer. I can't imagine WDW with two. Oh my!

ITA! I don't think you are being a downer, just realistic. Every baby & situation is different & it pays to be be prepared. I took my 3 mo old to the beach & had a lot of the same issues. So much so that I swore I would not travel with an infant again. Ironically, my second was such a "go with the flow" child she would have been a breeze @ WDW. It was me however, that was not ready to travel; I had some complications & then post partum so I did not feel myself until 6 to 8 months after delivery (thank goodness for such an easy baby). Anyway, my point is traveling with an infant could be a lot of fun with preparation, but just prepare yourself (as much as you can) for some unexpected possiblities.

 

[alyssa810]

We too had ups & downs with our DS's first trip to WDW at 12 weeks. Long story short, he ended up with a little stomach bug and he and I flew home a day early (my DH stayed behind because the cost to book a last minute trip, return the car, and lose a night of hotel that we already paid for wasn't worth it). DS did have a good time, he was throwing up with a smile! And after we got home and brought him to the dr. it turned out to be nothing.
On to his 2nd trip at 4.5 months- WHAT A BLAST! This was the week before I went back to work and we had the greatest time! It was February and the weather was really nice; he had lots of light cotton clothes to keep him covered but still cool since he was younger than the recommended sun block age...on all trips though I made great use of the baby care centers in the park! They are great! You can nurse in the room for nursing moms, they have nice high changing tables, and supplies for anything you might have forgotten. We have since had all incident free trips (thank goodness!) and I agree with some of the PPs that taking an infant is much easier than a toddler!
As far as bottles, I used playtex drop-in because I'm a little on the lazy side when it comes to dishes, and I got a free sample from a baby fair, and another from babies r us. I also used the playtex ventairs because one of my girlfriends used them. I also had a medela breastpump so I used a lot of the bottles that came with that. I also had a couple of nuby bottles that were OK....I really tried a lot of different one...they say sometimes not to use different nipples so that the baby won't have nipple confusion, but I was nursing my son and using a variety of bottles and he didn't have any trouble eating. I also hear good things about the Doc Brown bottles, but I didn't use them. Also, my complaint with the playtex ventair ones was that they had too many parts!
Again though, the baby care centers are great for all your baby needs at the parks!

 

[RooRach0906]

I really apperiate everyones input it has been very helpful. I got more good news today... not only am I prego but my sister who is 14 years older than I found out she is as well. We were the only two without children... but it does look like she is going to be due in Sept so this trip will probably be postponed... so now Im not sure how old our daughter will be when we go. Life is full of unexpected surprises!!!!

 

[Mallow]

What a wonderful reason to have to cancel a trip. Congrats to your family & I hope both of you have happy & healthy deliveries.