Disney With a 7 Week Old - Advice?

[dhardawa]

I got a new foster baby four weeks ago who we'll be taking with us to Disney the first week of October when he is 7 weeks. I hadn't planned to have an infant when I booked the trip so I'm looking for any advice, things I might need, information on things in the park for infants (not rides, but things like diaper changing places), etc. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

It will still be HOT in October and the sun will still be strong. Your baby is probably too little for any type of sunscreen (ask your pediatrician just in case), but a hat and lightweight long sleeves are probably critical. Keep the sun shade up in the stroller. The baby care centers are great - there is one in each park. You can heat up bottles, feed in comfy chairs, and have real chaging tables with supplies for changing your baby. The baby care centers have extra supplies in case you run out. Probably best to use powdered formula since you can't be sure to keep it cold unless you bring a small cooler, but someone who has been with an infant will chime in to help out with that.

I'd worry most about overheating and the sun at that age. Watch for signs of dehydration - make sure you are changing plenty of wet diapers. It's not as bad as summer, of course, but it will still be very warm.

 

[TwingleMum]

Are you sure its a good idea taking a 7 week old in such large crowds. I would never do it. My pediatrican would never allow it. Have you OK'd this medically??

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Took my now 15y/o dd when she was 6wks(also in Oct). The advice you got earlier is sound, keep the baby covered from the sun, dress appropriatly for the temp, it can get hot during the day then chilly at night. Get a stroller that is comfy for the baby as well ar the person pushing it. The baby care centers are great but they can be far away, in those times I just changed the baby in our stroller(I never liked bathroom changing tables). Always bring extra recieving balnkets, they can be used to "line" many things to keep the "germ" exposure to a minimum. Powdered formula and above all bottled water, Disney water is gross.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree to check with the dr. first. Our ped. also would have said "no way". Also be sure to clear it all with the DSS department. Our friends had to go through all sorts of red tape to take their then foster child to WDW with them and it was just weeks before his adoption would be final. If dr. ok's it, I would ask lots of questions on things like water for formual, sun screen ,way to keep him cool etc. I also know that many foster infants have already been at risk in some way so besure to discuss any special needs such a low bith rate and how they might be adressed at WDW.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

[kpm76]

I agree with some of the previous posters about asking the Dr....ours would never have Ok'd it either. 7 weeks is really little, most babies are not sleeping at night very well and October is very hot in WDW....since babies that age cannot regulate their own body temp, I would worry.

 

[crissichef]

We went to WDW 2 years ago when my son was 7 weeks old too! But we went in July ! He was great. I don't think it was an issue at all.

The biggest tip I can give you is to bring a baby bjorn (baby carrier) and a hat for the baby's head. He basically slept most of the time in the baby carrier and I kept a hat on his head at all times to keep him out of the sun. When it was time to feed him (I was nursing), we would go to the baby care center for a break in the air conditioning.

He could go on most of the rides with us so I would leave him in the baby carrier and go on.

I know pediatricians have different opinions on sunscreen, but I used it on him as I did for my now 9 yr of DD and nothing happened to either of them. Just make sure it is baby sunscreen and is hypoallergenic. Since most of him was covered I just put some sunscreen on his arms and legs that were sticking out. I also bought a fan that attached to the stroller for when I laid him down once in a while in the stroller to make sure he was cool enough.

I would also recommend bringing your own stroller that reclines. The strollers that can be rented are more for older kids than infants IMHO.

Let me know if you have any other questions. You'll be fine and have a GREAT TIME !!

Crissi

 

[CastleCreations]

One thing I wanted to mention, that I'm sure you already do, is wash your hands every time you can. A few nasty germs aren't killed by hand sanitizer, and heaven knows how many hand rails, chairs, etc, that we touch on vacation.
Enjoy your self and have fun!!!

 

[Ariel8676]

I have taken my girls when they were that young.
I would dress the baby in layers and bring one extra outfit. Nice big hat and a Solarveil pouch or ring sling would be perfect..that way the baby can snuggle right up to you, its breathable and solarveil (or solarweave if you can find it ) has a lot of sun protection built in. PM me if you would like more info..
The baby care centers are nice..you can sit and relax in the a/c if its hot, or rock the baby to sleep in the rocking chair.
I would defintiely bring bottled water...
Good luck and let us know how you make out, i think it is wonderful what you are doing.

 

[dhardawa]

I agree to check with the dr. first. Our ped. also would have said "no way". Also be sure to clear it all with the DSS department. Our friends had to go through all sorts of red tape to take their then foster child to WDW with them and it was just weeks before his adoption would be final. If dr. ok's it, I would ask lots of questions on things like water for formual, sun screen ,way to keep him cool etc. I also know that many foster infants have already been at risk in some way so besure to discuss any special needs such a low bith rate and how they might be adressed at WDW.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

We have already cleared everything through DSS and will have the court order Thursday. Luckily, he was a completely healthy full term baby so I don't have special needs to deal with either. I have a list for the pediatrician tomorrow too on things like sunscreen and giving him water. I'm planning to pack the travel system, possibly a Maclaren (that will lay flat), and the Bjorn. We'll have three adults, but I just hope I'm not missing something important and obvious.

 

[dhardawa]

We went to WDW 2 years ago when my son was 7 weeks old too! But we went in July ! He was great. I don't think it was an issue at all.

The biggest tip I can give you is to bring a baby bjorn (baby carrier) and a hat for the baby's head. He basically slept most of the time in the baby carrier and I kept a hat on his head at all times to keep him out of the sun. When it was time to feed him (I was nursing), we would go to the baby care center for a break in the air conditioning.

He could go on most of the rides with us so I would leave him in the baby carrier and go on.

I know pediatricians have different opinions on sunscreen, but I used it on him as I did for my now 9 yr of DD and nothing happened to either of them. Just make sure it is baby sunscreen and is hypoallergenic. Since most of him was covered I just put some sunscreen on his arms and legs that were sticking out. I also bought a fan that attached to the stroller for when I laid him down once in a while in the stroller to make sure he was cool enough.

I would also recommend bringing your own stroller that reclines. The strollers that can be rented are more for older kids than infants IMHO.

Let me know if you have any other questions. You'll be fine and have a GREAT TIME !!

Crissi

This is great! I am planning on taking the Bjorn, but so far he has hated it. I'm hoping he'll like it more at Disney! I will also be bringing the travel system and possibly another stroller. I love the idea of a clip on fan. I never thought of that, but will get one prior to leaving and having hypoallergenic sunscreen is smart too. I figure as long as I don't put it on his hands, he'll be okay, but I plan to talk to the pediatrician about it tomorrow. I'm so glad to know he can ride most rides. That was a concern for me too. I keep thinking that most things would be fine, but wasn't sure. I have a couple of big hats too that I'm sure he'll hate!

 

[dhardawa]

One thing I wanted to mention, that I'm sure you already do, is wash your hands every time you can. A few nasty germs aren't killed by hand sanitizer, and heaven knows how many hand rails, chairs, etc, that we touch on vacation.
Enjoy your self and have fun!!!

I never thought of that but you're right! I'll make sure I pack tons of hand sanitizer (to get rid of most of the germs) and maybe even a nice bottle of antibacterial hand soap for washing.

 

[jackdis]

We always took the clip on stroller fan when the baby was little.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I never thought of that but you're right! I'll make sure I pack tons of hand sanitizer (to get rid of most of the germs) and maybe even a nice bottle of antibacterial hand soap for washing.

Wet Ones makes antibacterial hand wipes, unlike Clorox and Lysol wipes these are ment for your hand, face ect.

Those who say their ped. would never allow it, how does Disney differ from daycare (most of the ones that take infants start at 6wks). At Disney the baby will be in the stroller(thus slightly isolated) or in a caregivers arms(also isolated). At a daycare the same caregiver will be caring for several babies allowing for more "cross contamination"

As long as everyone cleans their hand well the chance of the baby getting sick at Disney is probably less than the babies who are in daycare.

 

[dhardawa]

Wet Ones makes antibacterial hand wipes, unlike Clorox and Lysol wipes these are ment for your hand, face ect.

Those who say their ped. would never allow it, how does Disney differ from daycare (most of the ones that take infants start at 6wks). At Disney the baby will be in the stroller(thus slightly isolated) or in a caregivers arms(also isolated). At a daycare the same caregiver will be caring for several babies allowing for more "cross contamination"

As long as everyone cleans their hand well the chance of the baby getting sick at Disney is probably less than the babies who are in daycare.

This is a very good point. He has been in daycare since he was three weeks old and I'm sure there are more germs there than in the car seat or the Bjorn!

I'll look for the Wet Ones wipes as well. I certainly don't want him getting sick at Disney World!

 

[LaurinG]

If he doesn't like the bjorn, you might want to consider a sling...there are so many places the stroller can't go.

 

[scrapquitler]

Why would you never take a 7 week old somewhere crowded like that? My pediatrician told me to take my kids wherever I went, it was good to build immunity. Of course if the child isn't healthy to begin with, its a different story.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It seems the advice changes every few years on when and where it is ok to take babies out . Our set of doctors have remained however, pretty set in their advice to not take babies out in crowds for at least 6-8 weeks and longer in flu and RSV seasonl. They are very much against putting 6 week olds in day care as well. Sometimes of course that is necessary but they strongly suggest not to do that. Unless it has changed, i do not think that NC law allows day cares to take 4 week olds. I may have changed in the past year though.

We saw a lot of newborn infants at WDW in january. Seemed more than in past years. Some were sleeping nicely in mommy's arms and some were screaming their litttle heads off.

I am sure the OP will take all precautions she can with this little one.

To OP, Will this little one become part of your family or is he a short term placement?
Not sure that it matters at all just wondering if this trip will be making family memories.

 

[dijid]

I second the recommendation for a Solarviel sling. I made mine, but you can buy them from several stores online. It's breathable, offers sun protection, and can be worn on many rides. My youngest would take naps up to 1.5 hours in hers while we toured WDW. Plus, I could wear her in the pool with me (I also had 2 other young ones).

Do you have experience with newborns already? If so, I think there isn't much extra you need for WDW that would be different from any outdoorsy day trip. You might want to talk to your ped about giving water in a bottle if the weather gets unseasonably warm.

 

[dhardawa]

To OP, Will this little one become part of your family or is he a short term placement?
Not sure that it matters at all just wondering if this trip will be making family memories.

With any foster placement, you never know, but his mom is pretty much a train wreck so I'm hoping he'll be permanent.

I don't know if recommendations have changed or not, but I mentioned to his pediatrician on Monday that we were going and she didn't bat an eye.