first time with a 6 month old..HELP

[MrsDopey]

We will be going to WDW 11/30-12/5 with my dd who will be 6 months on 12/1.
My question is....( more like I have a TON of them)...

What to pack for her?

What to do about stroller/bjorn?

Bring carseat or rent one ( we will be renting a car 11/26 and going north to my MIL house for 4 days, then ditching the car when we get back to disney)

she is exclusively breastfed at this point- but will start solids between 4-6 months...what should i do about that?

what rides can she go on??

Any other useful info??

THANKS!!

 

[ecatesby]

We just did this in March with our own little 6-month-old!

FIRST - know that you'll have a GREAT time! And so will your DD. Our little girl loved all the sights - so many colors! And we loved watching her watching it all.

SECOND - the practical stuff...pack as lightly as you can manage for the parks. We used a backpack, and it worked great. We also used a Bjorn when it was time to stand in line, or to go short distances - it worked GREAT. She was too little for the WDW rental stroller, so we brought our Graco. She could nap, and we liked having the extra space underneath to carry stuff. This was also good for post-park time - I would have hated to have to hold her while waiting for buses or monorails. As for feeding...the only tough thing was that some restaurants used the "big kid" highchairs. They were great, though, about letting us bring in the stroller - though I've heard mixed reviews on that.

Rides....anything without a height limit. She loved Small World. The only thing I took her on that I kind of regretted was the Toy Story Mania ride - it whipped around really quickly, and even in the Bjorn, I was a bit nervous.

Have a great time! And be sure to take lots of pictures - what is sweeter than a baby's first meeting with Minnie Mouse?!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

What to pack for her? Since DD is starting solids, bring Pampers Bibsters disposable bibs. Bring baby suncreen and I like the baby sunscreen stick for face. Hat, swim diapers if going to try the pool. Sunshade for stroller if your stroller doesn't give good coverage.

What to do about stroller/bjorn?Bring your own stroller, I use a MacLaren (Techno, Quest or Triumph) since it is an umbrella stroller but has good recline. Plus with an umbrella stroller you may have better luck bringing into restaurants. Six month olds still sleep a lot, so you need the stroller to walk to monorails, naps while at counter restaurants, waiting for baby swap, etc. If you have a Bjorn bring it! If you haven't bought one yet, my friend swears by the Ergo Carrier. With a carrier you can still go on some rides if baby is sleeping, bring in to restaurants, etc. Plus you can't bring a stroller in The Land (Epcot)

Bring carseat or rent one. I refuse to rent one. You have no clue if it has been in an accident plus they charge a lot! My first trip a car seat would have been over $50 to rent. I bought an inexpensive car seat for travel (Cosco Scenera-good good reviews on Consumers) for $45, took it on several vacations and also good to have around for emergencies. Eventually sold it on Craigslist for $25 so I got my moneys worth. Plus, if the flight is not full and you didn't get DD a seat, some airlines will allow you to bring on the carseat and baby can nap in an empty seat. Southwest is good for this since no assigned seats.

she is exclusively breastfed at this point- but will start solids between 4-6 months...what should i do about that? When I would travel, I would switch brands and only use baby food that comes in plastic containers. Glass weighs way too much! For cereal you can buy ones in individual packets. Bring some food on the plane, TSA allows it for a baby (just refer to the TSA website for specifics). Make sure you know where the baby center is in each park, they are great for nursing, heating food, etc.

what rides can she go on?? I would put DD in the Bjorn and bring her on rides like Pirates, Small World. Use baby swap for thrill rides, you can go on a ride, then spouse goes though fast pass line while you wait. When first person gets in line say you need to do Baby Swap.

Other useful info: I used the Lands End diaper backpack. They stopped making it and I saw recently it is back! DD is out of diapers and I still use it w/o the changing pad for travel, the organization is great.
Bring small travel packs of baby wipes instead of a case.
Since you are ditching the car, bring baby Tyenol (Motrin can be used at 6 months *I think*), digital thernometer, diaper rash cream, phone # of doctor (we needed it on vacation two different times).
If DD is lap child on plane, bring copy of birth certificate. She is obviously younger then 2 years, buy airline may still ask for proof of age since flying for free. You could just get the ticket counter agent who wants proof!

EDIT- At 9 weeks our DD was mesmorized by the Tiki Birds! LOL

 

[nytimez]

Is your MIL going to Disney with you? You could buy a car seat down there and leave it with her -- this way it will be there for you for future trips.

There are baby centers in each park with private rooms for nursing.

Definitely bring your own stroller, especially one that goes completely flat so she can sleep while you stroll the parks at maybe a slower pace than you're used to. You might be surprised at how much more you'll notice.

"Small World" is a great ride at that age -- so much to see, it's a nice long ride and there are no sudden movements. Don't be tempted by the Pooh ride -- the Tigger bouncing might not be good for your little one.

Animal Kingdom is a great place to stroll with the baby -- the two walking trails have lots of shade, you can take them at your own pace, and your baby can take in the animals.

 

[BenA81]

I liked using the baby bjorn but regretted using it for very long stretches (4+ hours), it really put strain on my back.

 

[NJR]

We will be going to WDW 11/30-12/5 with my dd who will be 6 months on 12/1.
she is exclusively breastfed at this point- but will start solids between 4-6 months...what should i do about that?

You may choose to run this by your pedi, but around here it is recommended to wait until at least 6 months to start introducing solids. Since you indicate that your LO will be turning 6 months a few days before you return home, why not just wait until after your trip? At that age, breastmilk (or formula) is still the primary source of nutrition, the solids are just to start getting the baby used to different tastes and textures. Unless your doc recommends otherwise, your LO won't "starve" because you wait until 6 months + 5 days to introduce solids, and that way you won't need to worry about bringing anything special and can just carry on with nursing regularly.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

What to pack for her? Enough for 1 outfit each day plus 2-3 emergency changes (and 1 warm outfit).

What to do about stroller/bjorn? We used both. When DD got fussy, we put her in her pack, otherwise she hung out in her stroller.

Bring carseat or rent one ( we will be renting a car 11/26 and going north to my MIL house for 4 days, then ditching the car when we get back to disney) I always feel more comfortable with our own stuff.

she is exclusively breastfed at this point- but will start solids between 4-6 months...what should i do about that? Get disposable spoons, bibs, and buy size 1 food. You can put cereal in those formula chamber things and you can easily keep that in the diaper bag. We took our bottle strainer (munchkin) to keep in our room to wash up (bowls/cups/bottles) at night. We also used a travel toiletry bottle for dish soap

what rides can she go on?? Anything that doesn't have a height restriction, but use your best judgement (can't see a baby on Teacups, but I'm sure it's been done)

Any other useful info?? Use the baby changing stations in each park. We took disposable changing pads to lighten our pack load. Pack just enough diapers (3-4) plus a travel wipe pack for the park and refill during the afternoon break. Don't forget a hat/sunscreen! Tylenol and teething tabs (DD cut her 1st 2 teeth on our trip)

 

[Jdougherty]

What to pack for her?
A sheet from home for the pack n play at WDW
enough clothing for 1 outfit perday PLUS 3 extra outfits. Ensure that you bring warm clothing/stroller blanket for chilly days. Rain cover for stroller.

What to do about stroller/bjorn?
Bring your own stroller a 6month will not fit or be safe in a WDW one, they are built for anyone younger than 1. What ever stroller you bring should lay flat for naps. MOST airlines will gate or counter check it for free. We also use a stroller travel bag to keep it clean and easier for the handlers to pick up.(Amazon.com) I used my sling to carry her around. They also make nursing covers. I loved my sling and it was great to have it at disney, didn't use the bjorn I felt that DD (9mnth) wouldn't and didn't sleep in it.
http://www.hotslings.com/

Bring carseat or rent one ( we will be renting a car 11/26 and going north to my MIL house for 4 days, then ditching the car when we get back to disney)
Bring your own, I haul a evenflow symphony across country on a regular bases, its the sense of security for DD to have "HER" carseat. Plus you can use it on the plane if it's not full ( southwest is great about this)

she is exclusively breastfed at this point- but will start solids between 4-6 months...what should i do about that?

You can order( highly suggest this for Diapers,wipes and other things)and have it delivered to your room or if you have the car at the begining of your trip get directions to walmart. I started my DD on creal and fruit at 4 months, we where doing creal/fruit/vegs at 6 months, we just added 1 item a week. DD also did yobaby yogurt at 6 months. We used bibsters and disposible spoons to feed her while traveling. (here is also where having your own stroll is also nice) Florida state law also allows you the right to breastfeed ANYWHERE. Couple of poster have mentioned besides the babycenters a few rides that are good like carosel of progress, pirates. anything dark.
I liked Gerber stage 1 food PLUS I kept and reused the little containers.
I put what I needed for a single meal in a ziplock bag. I used an empty food container to mix up creal. plus a ziplock for any dirty spoons/items I wanted to keep. You can also perportion the ceral into the little containers.

what rides can she go on
Like the PP mention anything with out hieght restrictions, she did lots of rides and did very well, just keep her in the sling or hold her. DD did most of the rides in her sling or on my lap, we did not do dumbo/teacups/anything I felt might give her wiplash.

Any other useful info??

Be flexible, understand that she might have times when she's cranky, know the fireworks schedule IF she's got a problem with them Don't force the charactors on her let her deciede if she' okay with them.

My diaper/backpack for a day at the parks included these items:

Med kit ( infants motrin(can start using at 6 months) /tylenol. teething tablets ( you never know),nasal aspirator,spraymist saline(little noses))
extra pacifier
enough diapers for the day (think changes every 2-3 hrs) plus 2 more
wipes
Handsanitizer
extraoutfits 1warmer 1cooler
bibs /spoons
Food for each meal out in ziplock bags (I did food,bib,spoon ,extra paper towel, emptyclean food container for creal in each) plus extra ziplock to put dirty spoons in.
snacks
extra stroller blanket.

If you have anyother question please PM me and I'll help as much as I can. I have traveled with my own to WDW,plus multiple DNs' at that age too.


good luck!

 

[Anonomom]

This a great post! DD will be 7 months when we go in September, so a lot of this advice applies.

One question for anyone who has used Magical Express -- I've heard that they don't allow carseats on the bus. Is this true? And if so, do you just carry the baby? I know we'll be doing that on the buses on property, but the idea of doing it on the highway outside of the World gives me the heebie-jeebies.

 

[Jdougherty]

You carry, we've done it before the busses are really quite safe. If your worried put DD in a sling or bjorn strapped to you.

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

We went with DS the first time when he was just about 6 months old too.

What to pack for her?
- I kind of kept track for about a week of what I used on a regular basis -- and added it to the list as I went. I brought WAY too much, but I felt prepared for ANYTHING! We drove though, so had the room for extra stuff.


What to do about stroller/bjorn?
- We brought our own stroller, and I brought a sling. I even used a sling on the last two trips when he was 10 months and 17 months, but switched to the ring sling for those trips. It was great though -- he slept in it and it made the lines easier.

Bring carseat or rent one ( we will be renting a car 11/26 and going north to my MIL house for 4 days, then ditching the car when we get back to disney)
- Personally, I agree with the previous posters who expressed concern about renting.

she is exclusively breastfed at this point- but will start solids between 4-6 months...what should i do about that?
- We had just started when we went too. And, we chose foods based on our trip to start! We did bananas and yogurt and other things that we knew would be easily accessible while we were there. DS was on formula by then (I exclusively pumped for the first 5 months) but some solids. I think we brought cereal with us too, but he was never into jarred foods, so we kind of skipped that stage. He also liked those Baby Mum-mums cookies though.


what rides can she go on??
- Anything without a height restriction. It's a beautiful thing!

Any other useful info??
- Ziplocs are your friend -- bring extras We kept one in the bottom of the stroller with an extra outfit and some extra diapers to save room in the diaper bag.
- Go at her speed -- you may get a lot or a little done, depending on the day. One day, we didn't make it to the park until about 3 pm...another, we were there for opening. It just totally depends.
- Visit with characters -- she'll think they're great at this age! Our DS is 2 now and on our December trip wanted NOTHING to do with them!
- HAVE FUN!