?? For those who have taken infants

[SplashMountainMama]

Do you think there's a big difference between taking a 2 month old vs. a 4 month old??? I'm not looking for advice on whether or not to take the infant, but rather if there's a significant difference between taking one at either age. Just so you know, this is baby #6 so motherhood is neither new nor overwhelming to me if that was going to play into your answers at all. The reason we're debating is that one of the other kids turns 3 inbetween those ages and so if we go when the baby's 2 months we'll save some money. The youngest we've ever brought one of our kids to WDW was at 8 months and we didn't find it too much of a problem, but I'm not sure if there are issues I can't think of off-hand. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Desnik]

I would think the only difference would be sleeping patterns. Maybe at 4 months your baby will be sleeping better? But if going when the baby is 2 months gets your other child in for free, then I would just go then. The youngest I have ever taken was DS when he was 8 months. I think taking a baby/infant is so much easier than a toddler!!LOL Oh, maybe the time of year would be a factor too. If we are talking of taking an infant in Aug as oppose to Oct, then I would say wait till Oct was less humid, hot weather. My kids are now 9 and 5, I don't remember if they have more immunizations at 4 months. That could be a factor too!

 

[Trena]

well, no difference really. The baby might sleep a little better through the night at 4 mos. You might feel better if you've had more sleep.

The only problem I had taken an infant (that can't sit up) was what do with with them at a restaurant that didn't have infant high chairs (reclined) or if you couldn't take your stroller in. In the Land Pavilion, you can't take your stroller in. I hated that. We wanted to eat in the food court down there, but couldn't.

You can hold the baby while you eat, or bring a snugly type carrier.

 

[Desnik]

That Land pavilion was the only place we had been turned away with our stroller. So, I just put the baby in the Baby Bjorn and it was no problem. He loved being in it and it wasn't too hard eating while he was in it. Every other restaurant let us bring him in with a stroller.(he was a premie and had delays so he wasn't sitting up on his own yet at 8 months)

 

[kjetjl]

I have 6 kids too. Congratulations!!!
We have been to Disney when #3 was 3 months old. When #4 was about 4 months old, when #5 was about 7 months old and when #6 was about 8 months old. (It became kind of a tradition to celebrate the birth of a new sibling at Disney.)
I say go with your gut. Personally, I don't think I could do it at 2 months but I also appreciate the cost savings!
We were all ready to book a trip for when #6 was about 4-5 months old and I just needed a couple more months to fully recuperate.
I remember thinking it was easier at the parks with the babies at 3 months and 4 months because mine were still sleeping a lot. I recall just taking them on the rides while they were sleeping. But the nights were a little harder.
At 7/8 months, they needed a good couple of hours to sleep in the stroller in the afternoon. My husband and I just took turns pushing the stroller while the other took the older kids on the rides. But they were pretty much sleeping through the night by then, so the nights were easier for us. We had a great time everytime!!
I think you and your husband will know your family best and how things will work out.
Good luck!!!

 

[tinaluis]

Our three daughters each took their first trip to WDW at 8 weeks old. (We had to sneak in a trip before my maternity leave was over.) I always say that those trips were the easiest of all. We'll be there in September with our 4 week old and we're hoping he'll be just as easy to handle as his three sisters were before him! Have a great trip!

 

[tjmw2727]

Wow that's a real toss up isn't it?

Although going when the toddler is still two is tempting I think I would wait. Just in case the baby is colic, you have any issues or your just not up to speed yet after 2 mos esp with 5 others! If its at all in the budget I would give everybody the time to adjust esp you, dh and the baby. I would also consider the time of year, two months can make a difference in terms of heat and humidity in FL.

I will also mention just in case you haven't done WDW with an infant that at sling or snugli is for me a "must" as is a fully reclining stroller with a sunshield and fan (for cooling and white noise). Although you can BF anywhere don't forget about the babycare centers for rest and relaxation for the toddler and the baby. Lastly check out allearsnet for a great FAQ on traveling with infants and toddlers.

TJ

 

[stacy6552]

I would think it couldn't hurt to have a bigger stronger baby with more head control.

 

[estherhead]

I've taken 2 babies at 2-3 months (not twins, 2 different trips) and I thought it was great. I've had good sleepers, though. The only struggle I've had is with all three of my kids I've been a fairly tenative nurser & that was a little tricky being SO out & about.

I'd say go for it, though. I wouldn't trade those trips for anything & I can't really see enough difference between 2 & 4 months to not save a bunch of cash. I'd probably do the sooner trip rather than the later one.

We're about to take our 6 month old & I'm nervous about that as little babies will sleep anywhere, our 6 month old seriously likes to nap in her own crib. So we may be worse off having waited!

 

[dsneygirl]

I took DS at 3 months and 5 months. At 3 months he slept a little more during the day when he was in the stroller but he was always a good sleeper. There really wasn't much other difference.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

I've taken babies as young as 3 weeks...yea I was crazy...and lived to tell the tale. I'll take a snuggly newborn over a cranky toddler any day! Best advice I have is be flexible, and plan on taking a rest break mid-day. This is non-negotible. With a tiny one, a sling or other type of carrier is so helpful. You can wear the baby onto any ride that doesnt have a height restriction. When we went one Christmas...again, I was crazy...we totally skipped the stroller, it was just too crowded to navigate, so the sling was a lifesaver. Just be sure to practice before you leave, so you arent in your learning phase during your trip.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. We've been really lucky so far (knock on wood ) with great sleepers and no colic. I've also had pretty quick recoveries after the babies were born. I think my only real reservation about booking is if I for some reason end up needing a c-section. Then I'm looking at a harder recovery (I'm assuming here since I've never had one) (again...knock on wood) I guess I'll have to think about it a little bit longer and figure out what'll work best. Thanks again!!

 

[wishtdream]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. We've been really lucky so far (knock on wood ) with great sleepers and no colic. I've also had pretty quick recoveries after the babies were born. I think my only real reservation about booking is if I for some reason end up needing a c-section. Then I'm looking at a harder recovery (I'm assuming here since I've never had one) (again...knock on wood) I guess I'll have to think about it a little bit longer and figure out what'll work best. Thanks again!!

I am taking my baby born 7/27 on 9/16 and I had a c-section it was my 2nd. Recovery is not usually the nightmare you read about IMHO. I left the hospital on day 2 voluntarily to be home with my family I was supposed to stay 5 days. I took my baby to a baseball game at 7 days old and all was well. I would save the money and take the portable child that will still probably sleep most of the day.

have fun

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

I am taking my baby born 7/27 on 9/16 and I had a c-section it was my 2nd. Recovery is not usually the nightmare you read about IMHO. I left the hospital on day 2 voluntarily to be home with my family I was supposed to stay 5 days. I took my baby to a baseball game at 7 days old and all was well. I would save the money and take the portable child that will still probably sleep most of the day.

have fun

ITA...yes its sometimes a harder recovery, but I don't know any different because all my babies came this way. I left early too, it was much more restful at my quiet home. Getting up and moving helps, so by the time she was 2 weeks old, we were walking the neighborhood. Its good exercise, and it will help you get ready for your trip.

We were at big sister's dance show at 7 days.

 

[tinaluis]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. We've been really lucky so far (knock on wood ) with great sleepers and no colic. I've also had pretty quick recoveries after the babies were born. I think my only real reservation about booking is if I for some reason end up needing a c-section. Then I'm looking at a harder recovery (I'm assuming here since I've never had one) (again...knock on wood) I guess I'll have to think about it a little bit longer and figure out what'll work best. Thanks again!!

If it helps any, my recent delivery (8/14) was a c-section and I have no reservations about our trip on 9/16. It will be two weeks since the section on Tuesday and I was just commenting to DH about what a marvelous healing power the human body has. I'm almost completely 100% back to normal in less than two weeks!

 

[katdocnorf]

I took my second child at 5 weeks old. We planned the trip so that I would still be on maternity leave and would not have to use any of my regular vacation leave, only sick leave. I had had a c-section also so was still moving a little slowly being my second c-section. But I thought everything was just fine. I used a stroller with the pop on carrier and when we went to the land building I just popped the carrier off and carried that in because we usually like to eat in there at some point lunch or dinner which ever we do not have an ADR at a sit down. We really had no issues. Plus I was exclusively breast feeding and at 5 weeks is still very demanding. We just planned for me to have to stop every 2 hours or so for diaper and feeding and while I did that DS and DH rode rides that the baby could not and then I would meet back up with them. One thing that helped in it was in March and not very crowded. So they got on and off rides fairly quickly where I did not have to wait for them very long.