How Young is Too Young?

[buttons]

My family was planning a trip in October until I found out we will have baby #3 in November. I work in a school, so this leaves us with 3 options: #1- go at Spring Break in March( baby will be approx. 4 months), #2 go in mid-late January while I am still on maternity leave (baby will be 2 months approx.), or #3 Don't go at all. I have been when my girls were 4 months, 6 months etc. We had to make adjustments, but had a great time. I am just not sure if going in January would be wise. Anyone else taken a baby to the parks at around 2 months. Was it a nightmare? Thanks for your help.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

How old are your other children? I think that would make a difference. I have 4 DD's- they range in age from 2-13, so they all do different things. At this point DH can take the 2 little ones and do things while I go ride the bigger rides with the older ones. It just depends on the kinds of things that you want to do with them. Think about the ages of the other kids and then see if you can work around it with a newborn. I dont like the colder weather so for me I would stay away from January, cuz I hate coats on vacation.

 

[macmahony]

We took my youngest when she was 8 weeks, the other two were almost 2 and almost 3 at the time. It was a fabulous trip! The baby spent the whole time in the sling, we even only brought a single stoller, and that was all we needed (10 days). It was not hot, so it was great for the baby, I did not have to worry about heat, and since I was wearing her for 10 days straight, it was cool for me as well. Honestly I don't think we took it much slower than we have the other two trips, I fed her where she was hungry, (we nursed, so if she was hungry she ate), she slept almost the whole trip. She slept with me in the bed at the resort, my almost 2 year old slept in the crib, and my other daughter slept in the bed with my husband. I would not hesitate to bring an 8 week old, they are so portable, we actually planned the trip at that age because I did not want to wait until spring until she was 6 months. My kids have all been very early crawlers and sitters, and I knew at 6 months she would need much more stimulation, rather than just being carried all day. My other two at that age were great as well, since I wore the baby most of the time, I would take a kid (and the baby) on a ride, and my husband would have the other one. Most rides I did not even have to take her out of the sling. And, man I caught a good nap in spaceship earth (as did my 2 year old!!).
I felt great too, I was only 8 weeks postpartum, but her delievery and recovery was so EASY, and that made a difference too, so think of how you will feel at 8 weeks.
Good luck, if you have any more questions let me know
Heidi

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I agree with PP, the little ones are so portable. I'd say do what you are comfortable with. January and March both have such mild weather and either way, an infant is bound to sleep most of the time. So really I would base it on how you think you may feel around the 2 month marker. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate to go in January. Not going wouldn't even be an option for me.

 

[Princess Roo]

Everyone gets to do what they want with their children, of course, but personally I wouldn't plan on taking an 8-week-old, especially in the winter with all the germs. At this point it is too early to know whether you will deliver early (higher chance of weak immune system) or late (taking a 6 week old!). Our pediatrician cautions against unnecessary travel in the first 12 weeks, especially during flu season.
We're planning a trip when our baby should be 4 months old, and that's about as early as DH and I are comfortable with.

 

[AngieWin]

We did wdw when ds2 was 10 weeks in November and had no problems. He was the easiest child out of four to deal with!!

 

[mhm]

Everyone gets to do what they want with their children, of course, but personally I wouldn't plan on taking an 8-week-old, especially in the winter with all the germs. At this point it is too early to know whether you will deliver early (higher chance of weak immune system) or late (taking a 6 week old!). Our pediatrician cautions against unnecessary travel in the first 12 weeks, especially during flu season.
We're planning a trip when our baby should be 4 months old, and that's about as early as DH and I are comfortable with.

Ditto this point--my youngest was born in late Nov., and it was vastly different than my oldest (a September b-day)--I was pretty paranoid whenever we were out with our younger one & someone nearby had sniffles. By March, the worst of flu season is past, and they are still pretty portable at that age.

It also will give you a chance to establish more of a routine. Granted, a vacation will disrupt any routine, but you'll probably be less stressed before you go, and be able to re-establish the routine once you're home.

In our case, our youngest caught a bug despite our precautions, and as a result wasn't gaining weight. She ended up hospitalized at one month and put through so many tests (daily blood tests, CAT scan, chest x-ray, etc.) she came home anemic all to determine she wasn't eating enough. She was not very portable at 2 months beause we were still having to pump & fortify it with concentrated formula to increase the calorie count. I did not travel with her until 3 months (still pumping), and even then it was only to visit family. It still was a stressful trip for me. By contrast, we traveled with our oldest at 1 month and it was no problem (other than some day-night reversal, but we had that at home, too).

I guess what I'm getting at is that each child is different, and I think the extra time would make it easier for a variety of reasons.

 

[Peachie158]

Hi. I say it's totally up to what you decide to do. We brought our daughter when she was 8 weeks last October. It was the nicest trip, too! We didn't move at lightning speed and we had to wait in the bag check line but we had a wonderful time. We searched for Hidden Mickeys and all the characters and cast members made a huge fuss over her. Congratulations and have a happy, healthy pregnancy.

 

[LuvOrlando]

No such thing as too young. Actually, I prefer WDW in the winter with younger kids than the summer because babies are at such a risk for problems because they can't tell you if they don't feel well.

Just pack for lots of different weather and enjoy the value rates... PS don't teachers get a special discount???

 

[HeatherC]

I say January. Weather is nice and baby is portable and will probably be close to sleeping more during the night.

Where would you stay? I'd seriously suggest a condo. We have 3 as well and when they were little it was great to be able to put them each to bed in a separate room where everyone is not waking everyone else or the baby up.

Have a great time if you go.

HeatherC

 

[tinaluis]

I'd vote for the January trip while still on maternity leave.

We have three DDs (now 10, 8 and 5) and we took each of them at about 8 weeks (before my maternity leave was over). They were wonderful. We had a baby sling and stroller and they spent the most time in the sling. (I think we used the stroller more to store the diaper bag than we did for the babies). As others have said, babies are very portable at that age.

Have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[buttons]

Thanks to you all for your responses. To answer, my DDs are going to be 2 and 4 in January and March. The great thing for us is that my DMiL always comes whenever we take our kids to Disney. This is excellent because it gives us an extra set of hands and it frees my husband and I to ride some rides without the baby and DD2. Whenever we go, we will probably opt for the All Star Family Suites at ASMusic. We stayed there on our last trip and really enjoyed the extra space and extra bathroom. I think we will maybe plan for January and then depending on the baby's personality, switch to March if this baby tends to be colicly (don't know if I spelled that right) like our DD4 was. Once again, thanks for all your input. We love Disney so much we just can't wait to go back.

 

[DreaGirl]

I vote for January. Your LO will be so portable in a sling or something similar. Also, they are sleeping so much at that age, that will also be easier.

Whenever you decide I think you will have fun. I miss my LO being so portable.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I think as long as you and the baby are ready for travel, then it is ok. I don't know if I would feel ready for travel much before 8 weeks, but I did take a cross contry trip with my oldest when she was 11 weeks old (still maternity leave and that was great.) We were ready then.

Jan is a fine time, most likey it will not be too hot. You will need to bring cothes for the whole rang of weather, rather cold (50's) to pretty hot (80') it could be anything. It most likely will not be as rainy and hot as other times, and Jan is a vaule and less busy time.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I would do January too the weather is better for a baby. You can bundle if you need to but they will not get too hot. I took my DS when he was almost 3 months (In Dec) and he was great!

 

[Marshay]

We did WDW when DD was 3 months old in October. It was an awesome trip since she slept in stroller or Bjorn and we could still do the rides and shows.
Having her along actually made us stop to appreciate more of Disney, instead of rush-rush-rush to all the thrill rides.

Definitely take advantage of the baby stations to get out of the sun/heat and have a nice place to change diapers, nurse, get out of the crowds.

I think you'll find your youngest will be easier to handle than the older ones!

 

[emh1129]

First, congrats on your pregnancy!

Our trip was booked for January, but now we are expecting our little one that month We are thinking about late March or sometime in April, so our little one would be about the same age that your little one will be in January.
I think it would be easy if you're nursing and you bring a good sling with you That's what I keep telling myself, anyway