How young is too young?

[lizziepooh]

Personally, I'd wait. May doesn't give you much time to adjust to motherhood, get back your energy etc. My granddaughter had colic as a baby and fussed/screamed a lot. We would have all been crazy had we tried to take her to Disney during that time. She is now 2 and we are looking forward to going in October.

 

[laceemouse]

I nursed all four of mine, which I highly recommend to everyone, but breast fed babies have to eat more often so I was up several times a night for quite a while with all 3 girls. DS slept through the night at about six weeks. I would be way too tired to take a baby so young. The youngest we ever took one was my son, my easiest baby, at about 5 months. My oldest daughters were 4 and 2 at the time so it was really for them. He was great. Never cried and we nursed during the dark shows. It was also November and cool/ not too crowded. You just can't predict how easy a baby will be or not be. Also, my first 3 were all VERY LATE. Number 4 came on the due date, but most people seem to get induced these days and never go as late as I did.

 

[MagikMom]

Labst60, Hi I'm a Mom of 2 and a pedi RN. I would discourage bringing a newborn to Disney World. Too young. You said the baby would be approx. 6 - 8 weeks old at the time. Even at 8 weeks babies do not tolerate extremes in Temp. very well. The baby would not be able to be by the pool for very long even shaded. Sunscreen is out of the question as someone else mentioned also. You are also going to be tired. Trust me on that one! I would wait a little bit longer, at least til the baby is 4 - 6 months old. Hope that helps!

 

[Lesley]

The pic in my sig is my newest dd, born March 13th (due the 12th) at Epcot over Memorial Day weekend. She has been to WDW twice now, we went in July also.

Babies are easy and portable. Get a good carrier (Maya Wrap or New Native) ...bring a few dipes and wipes to the park and as long as baby has mom there for food you're good to go.

Our main problem these last couple of trips was our 4yo...not the baby!

 

[labst60]

Thanks for the great advice everyone.. haven't decided what we are going to do yet... but you guys sure gave me a lot to think about (Especially the sunscreen tip... I had no idea!) Thanks again!!!

 

[JimFitz]

I would ask your pediatrician.

I am leaving in one week with my three children one of which is 4 months old. My doctor said it was fine, but watch the heat. I am going to keep some cloths in the bottle bag against the ice packs to use on the baby if needed. I am going with three boys under the age of 2 (22 month old twins), but I have my mother in law to help us.

If this is your first baby you may want to get use to the lack of sleep before you venture on such a big trip.

Just my .02. Good Luck!!

 

[AnnetteF]

I was exactly where you are one year ago at this time. My DD was born on March 1. Last year at this time, I was feeling so sick that I knew I wouldn't be able to make a trip to WDW before baby. Things did get better as the pregnancy went on but I never completely lost my nauseau and I was barely able to stand a shopping trip for very long, much less walk around WDW. We also had some points (about 100) that we would lose if we didn't use them by July 31. We decided to go to one of the concierge collection hotels (The Equinox in Vermont) and had a very nice long weekend in the fall when I was about 5 months along. This might be an option for you, too. We decided at that time that we would take the baby to WDW this October. If we had planned it for 6 to 8 weeks after the baby was born, I don't think I would have felt up to going. This may be because my baby wound up being delivered by C-section but it really took me a long time to recover after that and get the hang of caring for a newborn infant at the same time. I don't mean to scare you, but my pregnancy went great and I just never saw that coming. Just something to think about. Even if I could have made the trip at that time, I don't know if I would have had the energy to pack for myself and the baby.

I do agree with the post that said that babies like to keep moving. My DD hates to sit still for very long, so I do think that walking around WDW is a better option with baby than HH or VB. Especially since they have the baby care centers. Our trip is coming up next month and I must admit that if I hadn't planned it already I probably would have waited until she was closer to a year old. But I do feel great now and feel that we'll just take everything at the baby's pace.

Whatever you decide, I wish you a healthy pregnancy and a happy and healthy baby!

 

[jmatias]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Since this is your first child I would probably wait only because your baby will arrive when he/she is ready....not when you think your ready

My first child was born 6 weeks early and had to spend 2 weeks in NICU. My 2nd was born 1 week early, and my 3rd was induced on her due date. With each one my pediatrician said no taking baby to public places like the mall, market, etc. to minimize catching germs for the first 3 months. We live in Hawaii where there is a higher rate of tuberculosis because of the many Asians that immigrate ( their countries don't vaccinate like we do ).

Tourists to WDW come from all over the world and other countries have their own health standards....not to scare anyone but something to consider with little babies in tow.

Also, you have no idea how tired you will be....babies are the most beautiful things but they sure wipe you out!

We now how 3 great kids and our newest, DD ( 9 months) went the earliest to WDW, at the age of 6 months.

It all comes down to what you feel comfortable with....good luck with your decision and wishing you a wonderful pregnancy!

 

[KristiKelly]

Could you take a trip before the baby is born, January perhaps? We went when DS was 2 & I was 30 weeks pregnant with DD. By that time I felt good - large - but good . If you wait until after the baby is born, I would suggest bringing along a grandparent for back up

 

[LisaSt]

I would go and have a great time take it slow and have many breaks when you feel you need them.

 

[las3888]

Congrats! It looks like you and I are about in the same boat...we are expecting our first in late Feb. We are also a little older so not sure how our energy levels will be with a little one! We have a trip booked for May but will in all likelihood cancel. We are going however next month. I am now in my 2nd trimester. I don't feel great, but I don't feel awful (although it depends on the day). We will go for a nice getaway and relax and have a last trip to WDW without kids. You might consider trying it???

Also - not sure on the sunscreen thing - I have come across some articles recently that say they are now changing their minds on sunscreen before 6 mos...maybe do a little research and see what you find.

We are planning our first trip with our little one for next fall. This way he (we know it's a he!) will be 7-8 mos old. Hopefully we will be in the swing of parenting a bit by then.

Good luck with everything!

 

[OneMoreTry]

I don't know what pediatricians say about flying at that age, but we flew with our kids below 2 mos. and had no problems. The only problem I could forsee would be ear problems because their eustacian tubes are small.

8-week-olds are much easier to travel with than 1 year olds. Travel doesn't bother them at all. They can sleep anywhere. Just get a good (not cheap) snuggly and use a hat to keep him/her out of the sun. Or bring your stroller. Don't plan much cause you'll need breaks to get out of the heat and nurse.

Go to the pool in the morning or evening when it's not too hot.

I would go for it.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

If it was me, I would book Hilton Head for the last week of May, hot, but not scorching, pool and beach, and if you had enough, you could go shopping or site seeing at your own pace.

 

[crisi]

I had a pretty easy labor, but ripped, and it was about four weeks before I could take a shopping trip to Target. Anything requiring the level of walking of Disney would have been several months.

Plus there was the "up every two hours"

Went back to work after three months, and was a zombie for another three months.

She would have done fine - I really didn't want to leave the couch.

 

[Tinkmom]

For many reasons, most if not all which have already been stated:

You have no idea if the baby will be late or have some unusual problems. You don't know if labor will have complications. Even if you plan to breast feed that may not work out so you are dealing with bottles and sterilization, etc. Some infants seem to sleep all of the time, but many (mine included) do NOT and trying to keep them happy when you are away from home can be tricky. With tiny ones, even short trips seem to involve about as much planning as the Normandy invasion! It just seems like it would be much more hassle and stress than fun.

Being a new parent is harder than you can imagine. (Best job I ever had, but don't kid yourself -- being a conscientious, careful parent is incredibly difficult). Infants that age more often than not have crying jags, so what will you do if it is the middle of the night and the baby screams for hours. It will be extremely hot and humid and an infant will be miserable out in that heat -- I don't care if your stroller has an awning -- 90 temps and 90% humidity don't change with a little shade.

I am a big believer that infants that young really need quiet, calm secure environment. In a few months it might work out fine, but with a very young infant "vacationing" in an extremely hot area, with little space and privacy, is just asking for problems. When your child is six-weeks-old, I think that you would be thrilled just to be quietly at home and getting a long nap!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I also vote that that will be too soon.

There are just too many unknowns right now--C-section or complicated delivery, baby's temperament, etc.

If you were scheduling a resort trip where you could cancel at the last minute, that would be one thing. But a DVC trip where you would lose the points, I wouldn't feel comfortable with.

I would rent out the points and then you could still take a trip this summer with the $$$ if you feel up to it.

Good luck to you and congrats on the sweet baby!!!

 

[CruzNMom]

The day after my first was born my husband was offered opportunity to transfer to one of two distant cities. They wanted to know ASAP. We talked to pediatritian who said "don't travel before 4 weeks." So, at 4 weeks, 1 day, we took a 4 hour flight west, stayed a week, then a 4 hour flight south for another week, then a 3 hour flight home. No problems! I breast fed so baby and I were totally portable. Our only problem was diapers - we learned to buy them at every chance.

If you like to walk around you might try EPCOT - once the baby gets old enough to walk/talk you won't get to see EPCOT in detail until he/she is old enough to go off on their own. Walking around the Boardwalk is also beautiful.

Hilton Head is gorgeous and you could really relax there but, if you have one of those babies who needs action, you could have a problem. On the other hand, I would love to be in a hammock with a baby on my chest swinging away.

Vero Beach is also nice. We rented bikes there and went for a 6 or 7 mile bike ride. Maybe they have baby carriers? or sidecars?

Go, go go..... might be a long time before you can relax!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Regarding the Hilton Head comment, I wouldn't go to a beach with an infant. I guess some would. But I would go to WDW -- if my wife would have it.

Some of the comments above are real uptight. If you're that way too it would be wrong to go. If you're not uptight, then you'll have a great time and the baby will be fine.

 

[DisneyPhD]

That would really be the soonest I would consider it, and I think 12 weeks or older would be better. But things might be fine. I don't think I would consider any sooner then 6 to 8 weeks. (as you can see by my sig I have a 5 week old right now.)

My DD1 was born March 29 2001 (her due date, BTW, my birthday is March 20th good day!) That june we took a road trip to Virgina Beach and had a great time. It was really a good trip. We did a ton that summer.

I also was very sick both pregnanices (nothing bad for the baby or me really, I was just morning sick and messerible.) Both times we took a trip to WDW and I felt the best there then any other time in the pregnancy. We also took a trip this past May 2004 to Vero Beach and that was a great palce to go pregnant (I was 26 weeks) . I think if you could at all swing it while you are pregnant would be better then when the baby was under 4 months old. Once they can sit up some it is eaiser to tote them around.

You also might consider using your points in a different way for a place closer to home, and maybe bring grand parents or other help with you.

You have lots of choices. Good luck and congradulations. Also if you are worried about morning sickness, the second pregnancy I took a medicaiton called Zofran and it really helped!

If it is use of loose the points, go for it. You might want to have some "back up" people you could give the ressies to if something happens that you are unable to make it.