?? for Families that have taken infants to WDW

[Brygida]

Thank you for all your ideas We will go and hope for the best. We will end up taking turns holding him if he won't sit in any high chair, I guess that is just a standard for all parents though

One more that I haven't heard mentioned... bring one of those baby shopping cart liners... that fit over a grocery shopping cart... they also fit over highchairs, providing a very cushy experience. My baby was able to sit (more like slouch) in one from about 5 months... before he could sit properly.

Brygida

 

[shellynn24]

One more that I haven't heard mentioned... bring one of those baby shopping cart liners... that fit over a grocery shopping cart... they also fit over highchairs, providing a very cushy experience. My baby was able to sit (more like slouch) in one from about 5 months... before he could sit properly.

Brygida

I had thought about that and wondered if it would work. I think we might get one to take just in case. Thank you.

 

[Aanna]

Another vote for using a sling! We loved both our Baby Bjorn and MayaWrap for carrying our infant around, but the sling was MUCH easier to use while eating in a restaurant. With a front carrier, as another poster mentioned, you need to kinda turn to one side. With the sling the baby doesn't get in the way of eating at all.

And everyone'd told us we wouldn't be able to eat out for a few years! Ha! Our DD has come along with us from the time she was 3 weeks old

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Just a side note to the rude person that commented about bringing babies to WDW, we are going in October with our 9month old and we know she will love it! she's a very curious child!

I agree with the other poster that said we have been going to WDW for 6 years every year as a couple (me looong before that! haha) and we are not going to stop now! I'm also going to be 7months pregnant, should i stay home too? maybe justk DH should go??

Have fun with your children everyone! Oh and TARGET sells a Highschair cover for 9.99$ so you don't have to use the shopping cart one! Just thought i would share!

 

[shellynn24]

Just a side note to the rude person that commented about bringing babies to WDW, we are going in October with our 9month old and we know she will love it! she's a very curious child!

I agree with the other poster that said we have been going to WDW for 6 years every year as a couple (me looong before that! haha) and we are not going to stop now! I'm also going to be 7months pregnant, should i stay home too? maybe justk DH should go??

Have fun with your children everyone! Oh and TARGET sells a Highschair cover for 9.99$ so you don't have to use the shopping cart one! Just thought i would share!

Thank you!! I'll definately go to Target to check that out. When are you going to WDW your countdown says 21 days. We'll be there on Oct 23. We can't wait, it's getting close now see you guys there!

 

[staci]

I would consider a sling. I have never managed to get it on right so that I am 100percent comfortable (Im sure it is USER error ) but when I need to get things done, it is wonderful. I used it with ds to wash dishes, vaccum, etc, and I use it now as a daycare provider, I can carry the baby and push the double stroller.

It is very easy to have the baby with you, and comfortable, while being able to do what you need to do (ie eating)

 

[steen995]

We had a double stroller with a front seat that came off so that it could face either way. We would take this front seat off into restaurants and just sit him in a chair, like a booster seat. It was great because it held him up when he was awake and reclined when sleeping. Probably too expensive of an option right before a trip to Disney, but something to think about for others when buying double strollers. This feature came in handy at home too as my son outgrew the baby carrier type carseat before he could sit up.

Gee, maybe I shouldn't have taken him to local restaurants. Think it's OK to take infants out of the house at all or do you just get nasty comments for taking them to Disney??? (sorry, couldn't resist)

 

[kangaand2roos]

My daughter (2 1/2) has been 9 times already at:
10 weeks
14 months
16 months
18 months
19 months
23 months
26 months
31 months and
32 months

my son (8 months) has been 3 times at:
4 weeks
6 months and
7 months

Most days it was just me in the park with the kids!

I have used a combination of strollers and slings.

My advice:

Take advantage of the baby care centers. They're great!
Take things at the baby's pace. It's kind of nice. Makes you stop and smell
the roses
Don't listen to those who tell you not to bring your baby. No they won't
remember, but they will benefit from exposure to new things and they
will enjoy it!
Have fun and take lots of pictures!

 

[mjkaferle5]

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!

Turning the tables..................I just don't understand why 'this non-child liker' would go to WDW, the greatest family place on earth!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

steen995, I used to get those nasty comments from people who had no idea about kids (like 15 year olds) when I took DD#2 out in puplic after she was born. Hello, I need groceries, got to go out! If you are worried about my baby and germs, please don't try to touch her. I promise newborns won't be touching other things!

My 2nd DD LOVED everything about WDW when she was 7 months and 9 months old. She loved the people, the smells, the sights, everything. I once walked from BCV to FW in Epcot with her in the baby bjiorn and every person I enountered smilled and talked to me. She was so happy to see everyone you just couldn't help but smile.

steen995, out of curiosity, what double stroller was that? Sounds interesting.

I just love the misconseption that families with babies don't need vacations, or better yet they should leave the baby at home and go with out them! Hello, my baby is breastfeed and never away from me for longer then a few hours. Going around WDW with carefull parents isn't going to hurt her at all. Being with out her mommie, not good belive me.

DisneyMommyMichelle, I went to WDW when I was 8 32 weeks pregnant with our 1st child. People thought we were nuts. Why go there. Well becaus that is were we love to go. It was a great trip too. I don't know how, but when you take a baby to WDW before they are born, they seem to be life long WDW fans!

Most people who make comments about why would you bring a baby don't really think about what having a baby would be like, while it changes your life completly, you still don't sit home until they are old enough to remember things.

 

[ainmama2001]

We took my dd at nine months. Everyone thought she'd be too young. She LOVED it. We took her stroller everywhere and where we had to park it, we used a high chair or the infant carrier. The characters give a lot of extra attention to the "little, little" ones. Have a great time!

 

[TENIA66]

People bring their infants to Disney because they want a fun FAMILY vacation. Infants certainly have a wonderful place at disney. Back to the subject though, infant carriers are good, infant backpacks are good, or good old laps. CM can help you with options also.

 

[staci]

steen995, out of curiosity, what double stroller was that? Sounds interesting.

Im not steen, but I have one of those strollers where the front seat comes off, so you can turn it around and have the children facing each other. I had never considered using it as a stand-alone. It doesnt have any straps to tie to a chair, but in a booth-type seat it would probably work well!

I think mine is a Cosco TwoWay? It is older (garage sale bargain $20 ), I believe the manufacture date was 2000? (I had to check cuz some older ones had recalls).

I dont know if they still sell ones that do this or not? I have seen other people out and about with this old stroller, so I think it was fairly popular.

Hope this helps you!

 

[rjthkids]

>>>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!

 

[smraynor]

This is all wonderful information. Thanks so much to all the posters.

 

[jphouse]

another idea. is an inexpensive travel pillow. My DS was 5 months old and already out of the infant carrier. We put the pillow behind his back to help him sit up in the high chairs. Have Fun. Will be taking my DS 4 and DD 8 1/2 months after thanksgiving. We are looking forward to the trip.

 

[tjmw2727]

How about something like this??

http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=31&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=31&change=117

I know my sil was able to take the stroller in when baby was sleeping but otherwise we just took turns holding DN. If you make ADR's for off times like late breakfast or late lunch you will probably have more luck with the stroller.

As for the bucket, CRS infant seat - the AAP is recommending that babies not spend to much time in an infant CRS other than (obviously) in the car. They are confining and meant to protect against crash. The carseat/stroller combination is meant for quick trips to grocery, school etc and not for all day use as in disney.

When at all possible use a fully reclining stroller for baby to stretch out, esp at disney when you want to keep baby cool.

TJ

eta - It is shown used on a kitchen chair but I have seen people using them on a wooden high chair, HTH

 

[cruzmouse]

We took our DS who was 6 mos this past December, he was able to sit in high chair but was a little awkard...He fell asleep in stroller on our way to eat at Garden Grill, the rest of my party sat down to eat while I stayed outside w/baby in stroller, after about 15 mins DH came out and said CM would allow stroller w/sleeping baby in restaurant....I was so grateful it was so nice to enjoy dinner w/my family and happily sleeping infant...We were a large party of 10 and it was our last night....

 

[MrGrumpy222]

steen995, I used to get those nasty comments from people who had no idea about kids (like 15 year olds) when I took DD#2 out in puplic after she was born. Hello, I need groceries, got to go out! If you are worried about my baby and germs, please don't try to touch her. I promise newborns won't be touching other things!

My 2nd DD LOVED everything about WDW when she was 7 months and 9 months old. She loved the people, the smells, the sights, everything. I once walked from BCV to FW in Epcot with her in the baby bjiorn and every person I enountered smilled and talked to me. She was so happy to see everyone you just couldn't help but smile.

steen995, out of curiosity, what double stroller was that? Sounds interesting.

I just love the misconseption that families with babies don't need vacations, or better yet they should leave the baby at home and go with out them! Hello, my baby is breastfeed and never away from me for longer then a few hours. Going around WDW with carefull parents isn't going to hurt her at all. Being with out her mommie, not good belive me.

DisneyMommyMichelle, I went to WDW when I was 8 32 weeks pregnant with our 1st child. People thought we were nuts. Why go there. Well becaus that is were we love to go. It was a great trip too. I don't know how, but when you take a baby to WDW before they are born, they seem to be life long WDW fans!

Most people who make comments about why would you bring a baby don't really think about what having a baby would be like, while it changes your life completly, you still don't sit home until they are old enough to remember things.

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

 

[Brygida]

>>>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 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