First trip with an infant...

[Piecey]

Hello! I'm new to this section of the boards but DH just agreed to go to Disney the first week of November. I am so excited!!

Our kiddo will be 5 months old and I have NO experience going to WDW with a baby.

Any advice you guys can offer will be greatly appreciated along with any great articles/info I should read up on.

I have a Passporter but we're in the middle of moving and I can't find it anywhere.

I'm really interested in what rides have baby swaps and any information on how this works exactly. I'm a planner and it kills me that I'm starting from scratch!!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I'm gonna put a short post here just to say congrats! Going to WDW with your 5 m/o will be easier than you think. All the rides have baby swaps - I can't think of any that don't. You saw DH is going to ride while you watch Junior then you swap - just that easy. Ask the person at the ride entrance and they can assist you.

Not sure if you are breastfeeding or not (personally, I hope so ), but that is also very easy to do in WDW. Lots of quiet spots to sit and relax with the baby attached. Each park also has a Baby Station near the entrance - be sure to check them out. They have GREAT changing stations, high chairs, a small play room, a Mother's Room for nursing your baby, and they sell all kinds of stuff: diapers, wipes, baby food, sunscreen, bottles, binky's...

Have a great time!

D4D

 

[Piecey]

Thank you so much!

I won't be breastfeeding. I had a reduction 3 years ago and it doesn't seem as though any milk is coming in... so I'll have to plan on formula and bottles.

 

[MaMaSiBs]

Hello! I'm new to this section of the boards but DH just agreed to go to Disney the first week of November. I am so excited!!

Our kiddo will be 5 months old and I have NO experience going to WDW with a baby.

Any advice you guys can offer will be greatly appreciated along with any great articles/info I should read up on.

I have a Passporter but we're in the middle of moving and I can't find it anywhere.

I'm really interested in what rides have baby swaps and any information on how this works exactly. I'm a planner and it kills me that I'm starting from scratch!!

Congratulations!!!! How exciting....... I just wanted to let you know that my hubby and I took our DD1 when she was 4 months and it was AWESOME. It was very easy to maneuver around the park with her in tow. I think she went on pretty much every ride with us, except for the fast ones. But really they are almost all safe for baby to ride on your lap. She enjoyed it VERY much, so much in-fact I started planning trip #2 before we even finished our vacation.

Things I recommend:
pack one of those over the door shoe hangers with all the pockets..... It really helps keep baby stuff organized and clean. I brought a bunch of extra zip lock bags(to store bottles with liquids, dirty wet clothing, snacks and so on) and extra clothes, you can never be too prepared. Good sunscreen, I think our doctor okayed the baby Aveeno brand because it is fragrance free and extra sensitive, hat and sun glasses for baby and a few very light weight blankets to shade or cover baby in the parks if the sun is too bright for them to sleep, I also brought down a small bottle of dish soap and a bottle brush, worked out great. I would wash out the bottles at night and set them on a towel by the sink to dry and in the morning I would fill with water and I had a separate container I would fill with pre-measured formula powder ready to go (no cooler bags was a nice thing too). Um Oh and I also made sure I a few comfort items from home for her..... but most important.... don't forget the camera, cause you are gonna be snapping away with all of the wonderful memories you will be making. I hope this helps a little and have fun planning

Brooke

 

[Perditamarie]

Congratulations! Just wanted to throw in to bring a sling for llines, rides, restaurants, etc.

Happy planning!

 

[msmama]

Congrats!

One thing I'd add - it sounds like you're a Disney veteran. Don't plan on this trip being like all your other trips. I'd say put baby in charge (if he's fussy, take a break).

My son was older than yours, we went at his pace, did probably 1/4 of what I'd done on previous trips, but this one was probably better than all of them!!

We took my guy on anything that didn't have a height restriction (and in my experience only the rides that have a height restriction do baby swap). I actually breastfed him on a lot of rides (especially the dark ones) and he fell asleep on the Haunted Mansion and Nemo (twice). I was also able to nurse him in several shows sitting near the back. He even fell asleep during the stunt show at Hollywood Studios! I know you said you're not planning to BF, but you could probably do the same with a bottle.

Take a comfortable stroller or carrier, or both.

And have a great time!

 

[mrstomrice]

Congrats! Another suggestion here for the use of baby care stations! They are a great place for a break and a diaper change. I also ordered all of the jarred baby food, yogurt, and diapers from garden grocer and had them delivered to my hotel.

 

[disneynut67]

The youngest I took an infant was 4 months old and we had no problems. All of the baby care stations are great but I loved the one at AK the most. If you need a quiet, cool place for a break, try one of them.

have fun

 

[bekkiz]

Do you have some sort of carrier? I haven't been yet with the boys, but I know at 5 months, pulling them in and out of the stoller would disrupt any napping/sleeping going on. I would imagine that having the baby in some sort of carrier would solve that problem (and make you a lot more mobile!)

A couple of things to throw out there:

We have the Ergo, but I also really like the BabyHawk. The Ergo won out b/c DH would wear it!
Ergo Carrier
BabyHawk

Also, a backpack instead of a diaper bag will make your life 10x easier. One parent can carry the baby, the other can have the backpack. Here's a couple I've been looking in to:
Baby Sherpa
Dad Gear Backpack

 

[aidtrismommy]

I did formula when I was there with my 4 month old (and again when he was 12 months) You can get really hot water at the baby care stations (from a bubbler thing) I would fill up 2 bottles with really hot water right after I fed him so in about 2-3 hours, the temp would be perfect for his next bottle. It was awesome to reach in and have a warm bottle ready to go without having to heat ut up, etc. I also reccomend spending some time in the play rooms there to let your baby just crawl around and be "free" for a little bit. Get a lightweight stroller that reclines completely. I reccomend the Maclaren techno because it is the only maclaren that is suitable for an infant. (My boys love it and it will grow with them until toddlerhood) It is a really good investment. I also reccomend a backpack style diaper bag, if you go with a stroller with minimal basket space. I love my babybjorn backpack diaper bag. Try and bring your formula with you from home because it is really expensive at the parks, (or get a delivery from garden grocer or something) If I think of anything else, I will chime in. Have a great time.

 

[momma2kiddos]

We went this year with my 5 month old in tow and it was surprisingly easier than I thought. We did bring pampers and baby food with us along with 2 cans of powdered formula because I didn't want to pay for it at the parks! We also took our travel system stroller so we could recline it when he got sleepy. Most people think I'm nuts but he seemed to enjoy a couple of the parks! We just made sure to pack a couple of formula bottles AND a couple of water or juice bottles (it was hellish hot in March!) and he was good to go. It was easy with the rides too. All of them had a stroller drop off site. DON'T leave snacks on or in your stroller! We had the funnest time watching the birds and squirrels trying to take off with other guests goodies! LOL

It'll be fine. Just have fun and keep your camera closeby!

 

[Piecey]

We've got a Jeep stroller that we love... I'm not sure yet if we'll be taking it all the way down or not.

Flights are non-stop so that is a plus, but I've still got a lot of little decisions to make.

I'll keep my eye out for a carrier, though. I know that'll be great to have!

 

[Diz Kids]

November will be a great time to go with a baby. I agree with PP on the carrier. I used a Mei Tai with our youngest when he was 3 months. but found it easier to use a Bjorn type carrier when we went when he was 7 months. It is much easier to park the stroller and then do a few rides with the baby in a carrier, especially if he falls asleep.

Most restaurants will let you bring your stroller in with the baby, since he won't be big enough for a regular high chair yet. With our 7 month old we would ask if they had the infant highchairs (ones that recline a little and have a full seat). If they didn't we would use the stroller.

Good luck to you!

 

[Piecey]

I'm thinking we'll add the Quick Service Dining Plan...

Our only TS will be Ohana. DH has eaten there and he's definitely in love, so we've gotta go back.

I just think I want the freedom of stopping and eating or going back to the hotel and eating in the room while Lucas naps or something instead of being bound by ADRs, as I have been in the past.

Now I've gotta research counter service.

PP who said I sound like a Disney Vet was right... I'm a fanatic!

 

[DISNEY4TROY]

My 2 cents... I answered another baby post here a few minutes ago... the carrier I used was a Snugli (comes with back support and reverse mode, also use as a backpack carrier).. it was Fantastic!! My mother used the same type when she was pregnant w us at Disney!! DS was over 18lbs at the time of our trip(9monthsold)

 

[necopup]

My daughter was 7 months when we went on our last trip. We flew down and to cut down on luggage we mailed a box to our resort with diapers, formula, wipes, baby food and anything that wouldn't need to come back with us. We sent it UPS and it was delivered a day or two before we checked in. They brought it right to our room.

 

[Piecey]

My daughter was 7 months when we went on our last trip. We flew down and to cut down on luggage we mailed a box to our resort with diapers, formula, wipes, baby food and anything that wouldn't need to come back with us. We sent it UPS and it was delivered a day or two before we checked in. They brought it right to our room.

Hmm... I might look into this. We already have to pay to check the bag.. soo... would be cheaper to ship the perishables than to pay to check the other bag.

Right now I'm torn on too much in-depth planning because my brother lives in Orlando but isn't sure if he'll still be there or not in October.

If he is, I'd just give him a list and make him deliver. That would simplify stuff so much!

 

[mrstomrice]

Hmm... I might look into this. We already have to pay to check the bag.. soo... would be cheaper to ship the perishables than to pay to check the other bag.

Right now I'm torn on too much in-depth planning because my brother lives in Orlando but isn't sure if he'll still be there or not in October.

If he is, I'd just give him a list and make him deliver. That would simplify stuff so much!

This is why we order from garden grocer.com. You can order cold food, as well as all of your baby needs. The cost is $12 to have it delivered, which is less than your shipment will be...just a thought

 

[Piecey]

This is why we order from garden grocer.com. You can order cold food, as well as all of your baby needs. The cost is $12 to have it delivered, which is less than your shipment will be...just a thought

Heck, $12?!

For that much I could probably get one of his friends to bring it to me. AFter all they'll still be there after he leaves..

 

[yitbos96bb]

Thank you so much!

I won't be breastfeeding. I had a reduction 3 years ago and it doesn't seem as though any milk is coming in... so I'll have to plan on formula and bottles.

I recommend giving it a try... My wife's breasts did not change in size at all during pregnancy, so we were afraid that she wouldn't be able to breast feed. However, after a few tries the milk flowed like wine... so to speak.