Essentials for parks with a 7 months old?

[Lanie]

Hey guys,

we have been to WDW 5 times, and we are park commandos! But we now have a baby, and while I was on the Babies R Us website to order a stroller lock, I started thinking: is there any other things that you like to have for a day at the park with a baby?

We will probably spend most of the day at the parks (my little man LOVES to sleep in his stroller and hates being stuck in a hotel room), and we are going Dec. 16 to 22.

TIA!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

EVERYTHING DISPOSABLE!! From sippy cups to bowls to utensils to bibs. These things are your friend!

Take a bottle drying rack, dish soap, and brush with you as well to keep in your room to do "dishes" on your break.

Ziplock bags are a must.

Streamline your diaper bag - it's just easier. We used the the 3 chamber thingies for our formula and our cereal (we mixed it into the food). We would refill them on breaks and it saved having to lug around extra weight.

Take your own stroller. Having some form of carrier/sling is a must too. You might not think it, but baby WILL GET TIRED of being in the stroller.

Take some time to let baby out of both. Find a nice quiet spot to let the kiddo sit on the ground or toddle (if you are to that point). Even finding a bench to let LO pull up on will be a welcomed break.

You will have to slow down, and you can use the parent swap on any ride that offers FP. Granted, you'll be riding those rides solo, but if you want to do it, it's the price you gotta pay.

I'm sure I'll think of more. We took DD on her first trip at 6 months (DS was 2.5). We had a blast.

 

[DbleTheFun]

Baby Bjorn (or similar carrier)

Drop in Liners (if you are bottle feeding)

sunscreen sunscreen and more sunscreen (even if you arent going mid summer)

Peltor Ear Muffs (These are ear protection made for little people, and was a GOD SEND for things like fireworks and nap times... our boys loved them and helped them not get over stimulated when they got tired.)

Those were our most important ones... though there were dozens others I am sure, if I thought back to those first trips to the world with our twins!

 

[exwdwcm]

Know where all the baby centers are in the parks and use them- they are fabulous!!!!!

they even have extra supplies of just about anything you would need if you forget something.

stroller lock? don't bother. it's very rare a stroller is 'stolen'. if one is missing, it has usually been accidentally taken by another guest because it looks like theirs. We like to tie a bright lime green bandana on the handle of our stroller, so it is easy to identify, especially since the CM's move them often (another reason not to have a lock).

have a great time!

 

[Lanie]

Thanks guys, those are great suggestions! I'm definately making a list!


For the ear muffs, do you think little ear plugs would work better?

 

[DbleTheFun]

Thanks guys, those are great suggestions! I'm definately making a list!


For the ear muffs, do you think little ear plugs would work better?

Ear Plugs did NOT work well for us... they bug their ears, and they want to pull them out all the time. These work WAY better, and cover their ears entirely (Picture a construction worker)... they were only $12 or so... and worth every penny.

 

[Lanie]

Bumping for more great ideas!

 

[anjalee6]

When we took my DD then 8 months old, we needed lots of breaks in the park so we stopped at the Baby Centers in each park often. We made sure to bring a small cooler with us so that we could put milk in the cooler and bottles as well as baby food and snacks. I was breastfeeding at the time but bringning pumped milk was so much more convenient. We packed our baby on every ride which was a life saver for both my husband and I especially while waiting in line. We also found that it was better to let the kids nap whenever and wherever so that they didn't get over tired. I would say just be prepared that the baby might dictate your schedule and be comfortable taking lots of breaks if needed.

 

[KellyWasHere]

If your babe likes to sleep in the stroller you've got it made. We took our youngest at 7 months and she too slept in the stroller and it was a snap. She was still mostly nursed, so we didn't really need much ... diapers, wipes, a few small toys. One or two small jars of baby food and spoons. Very easy. Have a great time!

 

[LilGMom]

Like a PP said Ziploc bags are wonderful! We would guesstimate one diaper for every 1.5-2 hours that we were going to be in the park, grab a few inches worth of wipes, bottled water (if formula feedin) or canned formula, single serve formula packets (look like the little single serve Kool-Aid things), one extra change of clothes, more ziplocs, Cheerios or other small snacks, disposable placemats, etc. For Dec. I'd make sure to pack a few warm hats, thick socks and/or baby shoes, mittens or sleeves that are made to fold over their hands, small stroller sized blankets.

The Baby Care Centers are wonderful and always staffed with very helpful and nice CMs. At your child's age we used a backpack carrier that had a kickstand so it could double as a seat - wonderful for meal times or shows where you sit on the floor (Playhouse Disney or a parade). We could wear our child through the ride ques and we got very good at slidding the baby out and taking off the carrier while in line before our turn to board.

Have fun, take it slower, and enjoy the little things throughout WDW. DH & I have always said that one of our best trips was when we took our ten month old DS for the first time because it forced us to slow down.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Diaper rash cream! We forgot ours and DS needed it, so we had to buy it in the baby center and it cost us like $6 I believe (which isn't too bad for a big tube, but still should have brought some).

We also brought a mist fan that attaches to our stroller to keep baby cool in warmer months and a stroller cover incase of wind/rain.

Also, don't forget baby/infant tylenol, and other medicines you may need.

 

[HappyCrew]

so happy to see this post - this is exactly what I needed to know as well! I never thought about the ear muffs - what a great idea!

 

[Flamingomo]

I have a question...What about their poor little ears on the plane. What would help them? I know they say to feed them or have them drink a bottle, but if my baby isn't hungry, he will not take a bottle. Any suggestions there?

 

[PEANUT1]

These are all great ideas!! My kids neve had trouble with their ears on the plane..just give them a binky or bottle and they will be fine..I also brought some of the pre mixed formula that comes in bottles..that was awesome to have so I didn't have to worry about mixing the formula. ALso, its already at room temp so you don't have to worry about heating it up. If you are nursing, its even easier

The baby care centers have everything you would need if you forget something..it costs of course. Good luck to you..travelling with a 7 month old will be easy and very enjoyable

 

[pixie2416]

This tip served us well when we traveled with our little one: if you're flying, use a grocery delivery service like Garden Grocer to have baby supplies (diapers, wipes, food, formula, etc) delivered to your hotel. You have so much extra stuff to pack with a baby, that anything to lessen the load that you have to lug through the airport is a HUGE help.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[DisneyMom]

I found a plastic stroller cover at Rite Aid the other day that is such a great idea - of course it has ventilation holes but covers the stroller in the event of rain - kind of a stroller poncho!! It was only $7.99.

I've ordered the disposable bibs and placemats too as DGS is insistent on feeding himself.

Just a little over a month! Yea!

 

[Lanie]

These are great guys, thanks!

And for the plane... my little man won't nurse if he's not hungry either, but I make sure he has his paci in or I give him baby cookies (tasty treat he can't resist)! So far he has flown 5 times in 4 months and he has been good!