Disney with an Infant

[daisygirl902]

For those of you who have traveled to WDW with an infant, bring on the tips!

My DH and I are planning our coming baby's first trip when he/she is only 2 months old, in October of this year. We're planning to stay at either BLT in a 1 bedroom villa, or at BWV or OKW in a 2 bedroom. My mom is coming along, not only because we love to travel with her, but she'll be a great help.

Let me know if you've braved this type of situation before. This is my first child, so any tips are welcome from traveling via airplane to managing the parks. Bring it on!

 

[eliz603]

I used to swear I'd never take a baby to Disney, then I ended up taking a 10 month old.

Each park has a Baby Care Center. Some are better than others. For example, I much prefer the one at AK to the one at DHS. However, they are all clean and attended areas that provide changing tables, private nursing areas, etc.

With a LO that young, you may not feel the need to take breaks the way they are when they are a bit older. Little babies have this amazing ability to sleep anywhere despite the noise! It will just be up to your comfort and your child as to if you need to take breaks or just depend on those little naps babies take all day. I have three kids, and they all three have had very distinct sleep needs and habits!

Consider babywearing, especially when baby is sleeping. You can have baby in a wrap (I love my Boba, but they aren't great for babies that young without the insert, but something to explore) and still be able to enjoy the attractions. Baby will sleep better up next to you, too. Of course, you can't wear your baby on Splash Mountain, but it will give you freedom away from the stroller.

 

[angelmom27]

We leave today for a weekend trip with our 3 month old dd. I have also traveled with my other kids at a young age. I find breastfeeding and babywearing to be so hopeful. I will be taking my ring sling and a wrap too for our trip. She can nurse while in the ring sling and at night or during naps i can wrap her up and still do stuff like maybe get something to eat.

 

[daisygirl902]

Consider babywearing, especially when baby is sleeping. You can have baby in a wrap (I love my Boba, but they aren't great for babies that young without the insert, but something to explore) and still be able to enjoy the attractions. Baby will sleep better up next to you, too. Of course, you can't wear your baby on Splash Mountain, but it will give you freedom away from the stroller.

We leave today for a weekend trip with our 3 month old dd. I have also traveled with my other kids at a young age. I find breastfeeding and babywearing to be so hopeful. I will be taking my ring sling and a wrap too for our trip. She can nurse while in the ring sling and at night or during naps i can wrap her up and still do stuff like maybe get something to eat.

I'm definitely going to plan for this. I've got two options I'm looking at using, which I'll "practice" with around the house and our local area first. My sister is giving us a Baby Bjorn front pack, and I'm looking at getting a Baby K'tan as well since they are very easy to fold up and stow when not needed and get great reviews online for comfort and support.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Don't forget if you are Canadian and traveling by air to the US, your baby will need a passport.

 

[daisygirl902]

Don't forget if you are Canadian and traveling by air to the US, your baby will need a passport.

I've already added that to my list so that I don't forget it when mommy-brain sets in! I'll have very limited time to get it done, although their turnaround time has been great lately.

 

[dsneygirl]

Baby Care centres are nice but not a must do. I wouldn't go all the way across the park to get to one. there are lots of quiet, shady corners and change tables in both mens and womens restrooms. I definitely recommend a carrier, I like the Ergo with infant insert.

And most likely your baby will sleep anywhere so enjoy yourselves and follow their lead. Infants are 100x easier at WDW than a toddler.

 

[SunshineTK]

I traveled last week with my 3 month old. I recommend feeding your baby on the airplane's decent to help with ear pressure. Also, I learned that *many, not all, sit down restaurants will allow you to bring in the stroller because the infant can't sit up yet in a high chair. I was able to do this at Be Our Guest, San Angel Inn, and Cape May Cafe. I was so happy because I had planned to hold him during all meals.

 

[angelmom27]

I'm definitely going to plan for this. I've got two options I'm looking at using, which I'll "practice" with around the house and our local area first. My sister is giving us a Baby Bjorn front pack, and I'm looking at getting a Baby K'tan as well since they are very easy to fold up and stow when not needed and get great reviews online for comfort and support.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

I would avoid the bjorn. Not good for babies. The ktan is nice and will allow baby to be in a good position but may be hot for it here. I would also get a nice ring sling too. Bring the ktan too though. Nice to have a couple options for baby and you but dont forget the stroller too. Its good for holding stuff and so you both can have a break. I know moms who can wear all day but if your not use to it it can be a bit much.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We are traveling with our 8 month old on the next trip. It all depends on the baby. My now 7 month old is a very relaxed go with the flow type of baby. My other son who is now 7 I could never imagine doing disney with him when he was a baby bc he was a massive spit up kid and colicky so he cried A LOT! LoL...but traveling with a 2 month old shouldn't be so bad bc they sleep a lot! Good luck on your trip!

 

[jgive]

My son was 15 months on his first trip, but just being flexible helped. Also, having each outfit (apparel, socks, diaper) in a gallon sized ziploc bag made it easier to whip out clothes and have some place to put wet/dirty clothes. This also made getting clothes out for the day easy because outfits were already matched up and did not require searcing through luggage.

 

[treemi01]

My kids have all been to WDW as infants. My oldest son was 7 months, my second son was 5 months, my daughter was 7 months, and my youngest will be 4 months when we go in May.

I can honestly tell you that they were easy as infants! Especially the ones that didn't eat baby food at the time. I brought clothes, diapers, wipes, a carrier, and a stroller and we were good to go. No snacks, no food, no toys...it was a breeze! I did find a muslin blanket (Aden and anais or similar) was great for sun protection without being warm. That's my best tip for the really little ones. And, like pp said, ask to bring a stroller in to TS restaurants. They will usually let you, but I have been told no before.

The hardest part for you will be the passport. I can only speak for US passports, but we had to get one for my son when he was a newborn. They are required to have open eyes and look straight into the camera for the picture. It was really hard to do. It took 2 attempts and about an hour of trying (the second time), but we finally got one. It's much harder than it sounds! Keep that in mind when you go.

I would never hesitate to bring a baby to WDW! Have fun!!

 

[daisygirl902]

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks! I'm now in obsessive "baby wearing" research, trying to find the best option for hot weather.

I always used to think "Why the heck would anyone every take an infant to WDW?" until I purchased DVC...for some reason being an owner just made me realize I don't want our travel habits to be totally put on hold because of children. I want my kids to not know what it's like to have never traveled before! Plus I agree that it's gotta be easier to have an infant at WDW than a two year old, so we might as well get ourselves used to it early!

 

[eliz603]

I would avoid the bjorn. Not good for babies.

I agree. If you do a front carry, you want something where you are tummy to tummy with the baby, and they usually can't sit the safe way leg-wise until they're a bit older than 2 months. A lot of people in the babywearing community call the bjorns "crotch danglers" because the weight is centered in their crotch instead of in their bottom. Just read up on this and make a decision where you are comfortable, both physically and for the baby's safety.

I used a fitted sling when mine were infants, but those have their own set of issues. I was fine with it in the grocery store, but I probably wouldn't want to use it in a park all day.

I don't want our travel habits to be totally put on hold because of children. I want my kids to not know what it's like to have never traveled before! Plus I agree that it's gotta be easier to have an infant at WDW than a two year old, so we might as well get ourselves used to it early!

This is us. However, our third child has his own agenda. We had a 5 hour drive with him when he was about 6 months old. He cried through half of the trip coming and going. Taking him to FL on a plane last year at 16 months was its own special challenge. We were Those People. LOL But yes, this has been our philosophy, too. We have taught our kids how to travel. As miserable as we were with our DS2 on some of those trips, he is sooooo much better now.

 

[tourguide81]

I've taken a 3.5 month old and will take 5-6 month old this year. NBD generally. A little baby like that is way easier than a mobile one. They sleep. They nurse. They look around. They sleep some more. We brought our moby wrap, ergo and ring sling. We used the run sling the least, but we liked having 2 options besides a stroller. Baby wearing makes it SOOOO much easier. We actually never used a baby care center. Not b/c I didn't want to, but we were never close to one when I needed a bathroom - so we just changed them in whatever bathroom was there. I didn't care about nursing in public, so I just fed her wherever we were.

 

[daisygirl902]

My biggest concern with the ergo (yes, I'm still obsessively researching baby-wearing options...don't worry...I've taken breaks though) is that with the infant insert the baby will get too hot! Anyone used the insert while walking around the parks?

 

[pigletgirl]

Knowing what I know now, I would wait. When DD was that age, I wasn't ready to take on something like Disney. Just know your trip will totally revolve around the baby and be ready to change plans at a moments notice. My DD also HATED the carrier (tried out a few and she hated them all, fyi) so we would of been stuck with a car seat.

Any chance you could wait a few more months?

 

[daisygirl902]

Any chance you could wait a few more months?

Nope, I'm pretty stubborn

Plus in all honesty, even if I spend the entire stay lazing around at the resort, I'd be OK with that. I value everything about the Disney experience, not just the parks. I don't think it'll come to that, but I realize this will be a very different trip than most.

We've also been many, many times, so I will never feel like I'm missing out by having to lag behind the group. My hubby and mom get along great, so they can go ride Everest without me while I sit in the shade and people watch (while eating Mickey Ice Cream Bars

 

[tourguide81]

My biggest concern with the ergo (yes, I'm still obsessively researching baby-wearing options...don't worry...I've taken breaks though) is that with the infant insert the baby will get too hot! Anyone used the insert while walking around the parks?

I haven't - I used it mostly in the fall in the northeast. Some similar carriers don't require an insert - the beco and the boba come to mind.

Since the car seat is mentioned in another post, I'd encourage you to have a stroller that is usable from birth up - one that reclines fully and has a good shade so that when you use the stroller you don't also have the bulk and annoyance of a car seat.

 

[pigletgirl]

Nope, I'm pretty stubborn

Plus in all honesty, even if I spend the entire stay lazing around at the resort, I'd be OK with that. I value everything about the Disney experience, not just the parks. I don't think it'll come to that, but I realize this will be a very different trip than most.

We've also been many, many times, so I will never feel like I'm missing out by having to lag behind the group. My hubby and mom get along great, so they can go ride Everest without me while I sit in the shade and people watch (while eating Mickey Ice Cream Bars

In theory, yes you can do those things.

But what I will tell you is this, I had a rough delivery and recovery with DD. At 2 months PP, I was just becoming myself again. I couldn't even imagine travelling with a new infant by then. However, you may have a smooth delivery and be ready to run a 10k afterwards ... there are so many variables right now, I just don't want the trip to be a disappointment for you.

Again, more power to you for taking this on!