Disney with one month old infant?

[Vaughn4380]

Well I never thought I would be posting this question. My wife and I just welcomed our first kid into the world on June 10th. Things are getting settled around the house and we are adapting well (kid is healthy too).

So I have two more weeks of vacation left before I have to go back to work, my wife is a teacher and is off for another three weeks, and yesterday we were talking about how we didn't book our annual Disney trip this year as we weren't sure about how the kiddo would effect our lives.

Then I made the mistake of checking out availability on the Disney site and found our favorite hotel is available. Now we both want to take the kiddo for a quick four night/three day trip at the end of this week but we have no idea how travelling with a one month old infant will work or if it is even advisable. So I was wondering if any fellow Dis'ers might have some input?

The only part that really worries me is the drive there and back, it usually takes us 15 hours one way (Ohio to Orlando). I understand we will need to stop more to change diapers, and that park time will be more about taking care of the kid instead of hitting all of our favorite attractions, but I think it would be neat to have pictures of the three of us in the "world".

 

[BreeCan2]

I've taken a brand new baby to Disney and I would do it again in a heart beat! The drive there was slow (I was breastfeeding and the baby needed to eat often)

Once we got there I put her in the sling and she slept most of the time right there attached to me! The only major goof was that her little arm that was poking out of the sling got a little sunburned.

So my advice... a great baby carrier and keep the baby covered since sunscreen is a no go when they are brand new!

Here's a pic of us on that trip!

 

[kbheap]

I have done it and would absolutely do it again. We travel mostly at night so this wasn't a problem. When they wake up, stop for gas, food and changing. When they sleep, drive. My youngest had his first trip at Disney before my maternity leave was over. He was 5 weeks old at that point!

 

[Crl1817]

The American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend using sunblock in small quantities for babies under six months if you can't keep them covered. This is a change from when my oldest was a baby.

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx

The time in the car seat is the only thing that would worry me. There is some information that car seats interfere with breathing for really little babies.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263488.php

I might check with my pediatrician before going.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would ask your babies doctor. It is VERY hot there right now and babies do not regulate their temperature as well as older kids.safety, rather than difficulty of travel would be my biggest concern.

 

[Laura66]

No way, no how would I do it in the summer months!

Maybe in the cooler months . . .

 

[ateam79828592]

I think the heat, sun, long drive, and summer crowds would keep me away. As of mom of four...my babies tended to sleep LOTS those first 2 weeks...and then be a bit more awake/fussy from that point on. We skipped our annual Disney trip this year as well due to a new baby. We'll be back in Nov when baby is 11 months.

Congrats on the little one!!

 

[North of Mouse]

No way I would, and especially in the summer. Don't know how a baby can keep from being overheated, especially wearing one.

To each their own - too much crowds, too much heat for me though.

 

[lucyddr]

Personally, I would not try to make the trip this year. At a month old, the baby has not been immunized against most things and has a higher risk for multiple illnesses...even RSV which is a year-round issue in Florida. You have have to factor 30 hours in a car for 4 days, the heat (for the baby and Mama), and how much packing has to be done to travel with infants.

I would wait until next year personally. We have preemie twins, one of which still has some respiratory issues. We are just now brave enough to take them next month when they will be 20 months old. To me, it's not worth the risk!

 

[pigletgirl]

Would I take a 1 month old? No way. First and foremost it took me a good 6 weeks to recover from the birth, and with breastfeeding, WDW would of been too much.

But, you will learn that each family has to make that choice for themselves. If things are going well, what's there too loose?

 

[Crl1817]

We did take dd to family camp for a week when she was three months old. Days got up to 100 and there was no air conditioning. I figured babies are born in hot climates with no a/c all the time. She was fine--although cranky that first day while she figured out she needed to take extra bottles. But definitely I would ask that of your doctor as well.

I think the vaccination point is an excellent one, especially as disney world has visitors from all over the world. I know when I discussed dd's vaccination schedule with her Ped he wanted to know all of our travel plans and international travel or travel to places with lots of international visitors was something we discussed.

 

[RachaelA]

You really want to drive from Ohio (I'm from Cleveland and we drive every year so I know the drive) with a one month old for a 4 day trip in July when its 100 degrees.

I think that sounds like no fun at all.

Plus the whole vaccination thing freaks me out. And I take my newborns and infants lots of places. But the number of people at Disney... and from other countries whose vaccination schedules I don't know. Ugh

I would wait until next summer or maybe a long weekend if you can fly when your wife has that extra Monday off.

 

[mommyofsamson]

I would do it. Take more frequent breaks, make sure to point at least a vent to the ceiling to bounce back. Bring a mini fan for them. Try to keep them out of the car seat (if in the stroller) and you can go on rides like Haunted Mansion for a breath down.
Make sure to keep the AC on at all time. And take rests. I would have gone then if I could have. Even with that long of a drive. But I love Disney. And I live in a tourist center where I mingle with a lot of different people. So maybe make your own decisions and see what you are comfortable with.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I had a baby in March, and I wouldn't have gone anywhere far away and full of potentially sick people with my baby before he had had his two month vaccines. Factor in the heat and the long car ride - no way.

We took a 5 day trip to the Finger Lakes with our baby last month when he was 3 months old, and that was great. But by 3 months he was eating much less frequently than he was at one month, he had had his 2 month vaccines, and he started sleeping through the night, so we weren't a bother to anyone in hotels. It also wasn't too hot. I can't imagine doing Disney with my now four month old in the 90 degree heat and humidity.

 

[Hope Counts]

Our pediatrician recommended avoiding high traffic places like WDW until after 6 weeks. Not just for the vaccine issue but because if a baby under 6 weeks gets a fever they have to do a spinal tap to check for meningitis. That is not a good experience for anyone.
The risk that someone might spread what would normally be no big deal (a cold for example) but be serious for a newborn means that Personally it wouldn't be worth all the involved risks to take a trip to WDW.

 

[branv]

Had our first in September, and there is no way I would have made that trip for all the reasons listed above. Their immune system, the heat, the crazy amount of car seat time you're talking. Let alone all the baby gear.

True what a PP said about RSV. I'm in a small online mom's group (about 30 mom's), and two of the women's babies were hospitalized due to RSV at 2 and 3 months. One got it while traveling and they had to hospitalize her away from home. It was a nightmare. There is a reason these board joke about the Disney Flu. You might be fine, but why risk it?

And BTW your wife is in for some more hormone changes. She's probably still a month or so away from the big "final" postnatal hormone flush (say goodbye to her hair), so she might be fine for your trip, but she might not be. And let me tell you. Some have an easy time, but for others it's no picnic (including PPD). The physical and emotional stress of a trip might be harder for her than she realizes or is used to.

Everyone is different of course, as the PPs who did do this prove. I wouldn't have done it. What does your pediatrician say?

 

[Vaughn4380]

Thanks for the input everyone, after talking it through at home, we decided it might be best to wait until next year.

 

[MandiC]

I think this just depends on each family's parenting style. We are pretty laid back, I would have taken an infant if money weren't an issue. The *only* thing in your situation that would make me rethink it is the July heat. That wouldn't necessarily be a problem if you just want a leisurely trip and are willing to take breaks, especially during the heat of the day.

 

[SweetMissy]

I think a 1 month old is kind of young....unless you have older kids, I wouldn't do it. Our youngest was 4 months old for his 1st trip and he was very easy. Slept and nursed the whole time. As for the vaccine issue....yes, it's true at 1 month old, not many if at all have been given, however my 2 1/2 year old has been to disneyworld 3 times without 1 single vaccine and is still alive and healthy.

 

[buzznina]

I think you made the right choice. If you had a shorter drive or were staying for at least 7 nights then okay. Our youngest was 6 weeks when we first went, our drive, which normally takes 7-8 hours, took over 10 hours.