?? for Families that have taken infants to WDW

[DisneyPhD]

Now I have to agree with you 100%. Disney, first and fore most is for kids no matter what age. Even a 36 year old kid like me. That being said, I noticed that you have a PHD in Disney. What University is that from and how can I get one I think I'd make a pretty good candidate for the program. What did you do your thesis on? I don't doubt your degree, you do seem to know what you are talking about. I would have to consider myself a graduate from Disney H.S.
Cheers

Too funny. DH came up with the name sense his students say he has a PhD in Disney instead of Chem, sense he talks about it all the time in class (he is little crazy, but that is how I love him. )

However we are now acepting applacations for the program if you are interesed. I think you would be a great canidate! Aparenlty my thesis would be on taking young kids to WDW, however we went many times before they came into our lives so I guess my masters was in going to WDW as a young couple with out kids.

 

[hokiefan33]

I just don't understand why anyone would bring an infant to WDW.
I can only guess that it's because they get in free?
Puttin' on my suit!

Yep, b/c they get in free. I spend all the money on the other 4 of us, just because the baby can get in free. But if the baby were to cost just $5, I wouldn't go, b/c then the baby wouldn't be free.

Knucklehead, you truly don't understand. We took our DD 3 months b/c we have 2 other kids (DS9 and DD6) who ARE old enough to have a lot of fun and remember it. So your 2 choices are either don't go at all, b/c you have the baby, or go with the baby, so those who can remember it can have fun. An infant really doesn't slow you down that much. Sure, you have to stop and feed, change diapers, things like that, and parents do have to switch on some rides, but that's easy stuff. Plus if you switch on rides, the kids get to ride it 2x in a row, which they love! Really not that hard. Personally, I think taking them when they're 2 or 3 is much more of a challenge than when they're an infant!

 

[rjthkids]

Slings seemed to be the overriding opinion on this thread. I thought they were a great idea and bought a whole array of them when I was pregnant. I was never able to use them however. My son hated them and neither I nor my husband were ever able to wear one without killing our backs. Our son was born 10 lbs, was 20 lbs by 5 months and 30 lbs by 11 months. He is now off the height/weight charts (over 100%) and in size 4T clothing at 17 months. Now that he is walking, we are hoping to cut back on chiropractor visits for our backs!

I returned the slings if I could or gave them away. I kept one in case we ever have another baby... Maybe she/he may like it! I always envied parents who could wear their children!

As many parents know... each child is different. The best advice may work with 90% of kids and may not work for yours. The quilted blanket highchair/shopping cart cover worked for us very well until he was sitting properly.

Brygida

It does always amaze how different kids can be. My kids have always been super light. My 17 month old is 19.5 pounds. My four year old was born extremely premature and weighed exactly 16 ounces. She was sick for awhile....at nine months old she was released from the hospital at 7 pounds. Today at four she is 23 pounnds. It does make it extremely easy to carry them in sling or Ergo though!

 

[wdwlver]

Yep, b/c they get in free. I spend all the money on the other 4 of us, just because the baby can get in free. But if the baby were to cost just $5, I wouldn't go, b/c then the baby wouldn't be free.

Knucklehead, you truly don't understand. We took our DD 3 months b/c we have 2 other kids (DS9 and DD6) who ARE old enough to have a lot of fun and remember it. So your 2 choices are either don't go at all, b/c you have the baby, or go with the baby, so those who can remember it can have fun. An infant really doesn't slow you down that much. Sure, you have to stop and feed, change diapers, things like that, and parents do have to switch on some rides, but that's easy stuff. Plus if you switch on rides, the kids get to ride it 2x in a row, which they love! Really not that hard. Personally, I think taking them when they're 2 or 3 is much more of a challenge than when they're an infant!

Very well said. I couldn't agree more!

 

[momimouse27]

Its a good thing that poster put on a suit because you cant say something so absolutely assanine without getting flamed....

All my children went to Disney early on, because we loved them and wanted to enjoy them and our vacation together. Life doesn't stop because you have little ones.

More on topic, if you had one of those travel systems, you know the ones with the car seat/carrier that pop down onto the top of the stroller that would work. Then you could stroll the baby and when you entered the restaurant you could just pop out the carrier and take it in with you. Just an idea!

 

[caven553]

Another vote for slings! We had the stroller and sling - used the stroller during the day and ditched it for evening shows when it got too crowded. Just let the DD (11 months at the time) watch/sleep in the sling at that point. She fell asleep contentedly while watching the fireworks every night and absolutely loved the parades and characters.

 

[shellynn24]

>>>the baby either was held by an adult or worn in a sling<<<

I ditto the sling. My children are four years old and 17 months. We have never used a stroller for either child, ever. Not even once. People have offered to give us strollers and we've always declined.

Slings are super convenient. I own an armada of them, as some fit certain stages better than others.

At six months of age, I would *highly* recommend a hotsling, which can be seen at www.hotslings.com. They are lightweight, extremely comfortable, cool, super easy to put on and take off, can be stored in a small pocketbook and carried when not in use. With a child held in the hip carry or the kangaroo carry, there is no fatigue on the neck or back. There is none of the hassle of a stroller and all the convenience! You can get a pouch sling from Hotslings for 36.00. A great investment, IMHO

I still carry my 17 month old son in the sling all the time, as well as the Ergo. My four year old really prefers to walk places by herself, but she will also be popped in the Ergo when tired, which is a soft carrier (www.ergobabycarrier.com). These work great for long walks, but as they sit on your back or on facing you on your front, I wouldn't want to eat with my baby in it. That would be a pain in the butt.

Good luck, and I hope you guys have a wonderful time! There is no reason not to take babies anywhere that we go...the point is to have fun as a family, and babies are family members too!

Although I could not give up my stroller, I was thinking about getting a hotsling for my DD(20 months). I was thinking I could use this to carry her while waiting in lines. I know she will not want to stand the whole time. Your DS will fall asleep in the sling? I wish my DD would do that! I will give it a try and see if it works for us. Now DS(4) on the other hand I will not be carrying he is way to heavy for me!

 

[steen995]

DisneyPhD:

Sorry, I can't remember the name of the stroller. Just your standard double stroller that allows the front seat to turn around if wanted or to be removed to place a car seat. Just happened to work great as a restaurant seat too.

 

[rjthkids]

Although I could not give up my stroller, I was thinking about getting a hotsling for my DD(20 months). I was thinking I could use this to carry her while waiting in lines.

How much does your 20 month old weigh? The weight limit on a hotsling is 35 pounds...I mention it only because some kids are "bigger" than others.

Other than that, yes, my son does wonderfully in the hotsling and he will actually fall asleep in it. I can't say enough good things about it, it is *super* easy to put on, and take a child in and out. They are soooo incredibly portable, they're just great!

It might take a couple of tries to get down the motion of putting them in, and I modify their instructions a little to add a shoulder flap, which ensures the weight of carrying my toddler stays off my neck and firmly on my shoulder. It works perfectly and I can carry him for long periods of time.

 

[shellynn24]

How much does your 20 month old weigh? The weight limit on a hotsling is 35 pounds...I mention it only because some kids are "bigger" than others.

Other than that, yes, my son does wonderfully in the hotsling and he will actually fall asleep in it. I can't say enough good things about it, it is *super* easy to put on, and take a child in and out. They are soooo incredibly portable, they're just great!

It might take a couple of tries to get down the motion of putting them in, and I modify their instructions a little to add a shoulder flap, which ensures the weight of carrying my toddler stays off my neck and firmly on my shoulder. It works perfectly and I can carry him for long periods of time.

My baby girl is a hefty 28 lbs! I know it will be hard to carry her, but I would like to have my hands free once in a while. Thank you for the info