Need advice to give SIL...

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Hi everyone! I haven't traveled to WDW with an infant and my SIL has decided to join us in April for our trip with her DD (who will be 5 months old at the time). Any good tips I can pass along for her? I would love to hear any that you have!
Should I recommend she bring her travel system stroller or that she make an investment in an umbrella type with a shade/cover?
TIA for any info you can give us!!

 

[Desnik]

Having taken both my kids as infants I think I can offer some tips/advice.

Definately bring her own stroller. The baby will be more comfy, able to sleep and be in something familiar. I think an umbrella stroller is better for an older child. Bring a carrier, like the Baby Bjorn. It's great to get the baby out of the stroller and for in line for attractions. She'll be able to bring the baby on almost everything. We were so surprised when we went the first time with DD at 9mo how many things we could do with her. For both my kids, the Baby Bjorn was a life saver! So glad I bought it! Have her ask her pediatrician about sunscreen. Make sure she brings a hat for the baby. Take advantage of the baby care centers at each park. We would've been lost without them! Here's a link to info on them:
http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/infant.htm#babystat
You didn't say where you will be staying, or if your SIL baby is formula fed. All WDW resorts, except the value resorts have a fridge in the room, no charge. This will help her if she needs to keep bottles cold. She could bring a bottle warmer for the room to warm them, or use powder formula.

I'll post more if I think of any. You could also do a search on this board. There has been so much info in the past about bringing an infant to WDW.

Oh, the characters are so nice and love infants! I have so many great picks of my kids with them. My fav is when Mickey help my DD. Too cute and great memories.

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

nooooo travel system!

Oy! What a nightmare that can be!

They're so heavy and cumbersome, and difficult to fold. (And you have to fold strollers fairly often for getting on trains/busses/trams - just to get from the parking lot into the parks).

She needs something she can fold with one hand, while holding the baby.

I highly recommend a Maclaren Volo - they are around $100 (some are on ebay, new) and they have a TON of wonderful features, including a 5 point harness for little babies like hers.

I also want to say that a Baby Bjorn can be a lifesaver at this age. Facing forward, the baby is content because they can see everything, and Mom's hands are totally free (and no folding and unfolding to get on busses and trams). If my almost-one-year-old wasn't so heavy, I'd wear mine to our upcoming trip nonstop. They're WONDERFUL. (Get them on ebay - for SUPER cheap or at a baby resale shop like Once Upon A Child).

Don't pack diapers, wipes, and baby food - get them at Wal-Mart, which is right down the street. It is a total waste of packing space, IMO.

Get a GOOD wide-brim hat for the baby - at least 3 inches - Old Navy has them for cheap and they will keep the sun off the baby.

Get a good sunscreen from a health food store. The regular ones are not supposed to be used on children under 6 months, but a baby exposed to that much sun will need something. I like Avalon naturals - we used the lavender one last trip which also acts as a natural insect repellant.

If the baby can't sit up in a highchair, try something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-0841249-1581540?v=glance&s=baby&n=547948

We invested in one three kids ago and have used it ALL THE TIME. It's so handy to secure a baby in a highchair when they tend to fall over to one side, or when the seatbelts are broken for a toddler (in a highchair)

 

[Desnik]

Oh, I also wanted to add that you can bring the baby in a restaurant with a stroller. We did this with DS because he couldn't sit up on his own yet. When checking in at the restaurant we just told them we had to keep our baby in the stroller. It was no problem and we saw many parents with infants in their stroller.

I also wanted to agree with the previous poster about not bringing the whole travel system into the park if you are relying on the buses. It will be a pain, but if she has help it could work. I found it best to keep my baby in the Bjorn when traveling on the bus and have the stroller already folded for the ride. I would highly reccomend if she is getting a new stroller for the trip to get one that reclines and has a canopy. I don't think the Volo reclines. Her baby is only 5mo so she needs something more infant friendly. I'll provide a link to the VOLO.:
http://www.babyage.com/product_details.aspx?productid=13678
We have used this website and had a great experience. Here's a link to my stroller and I absolutely love it and it has been on 2 WDW trips and is so easy to fold.
http://www.strollandgo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2053
Also another stroller I have is an umbrella stroller that reclines and it is great too.
http://www.babyage.com/product_details.aspx?productid=6731

 

[Colinsmom]

I'd leave the car seat in the hotel (use it on the plane, though!!) and only use the stroller part of her travel system. What kind of stroller is it? If you have plenty of adults or older kids, she doesn't need to be able to fold it and lift it with one hand - someone else in your party can be "assigned" to help her. Whatever stroller she brings should recline fully for naps and provide good sun protection for such a little one. The Volo does neither, and really isn't a good Disney stroller for an infant. If she wants a new stroller, there are others that are much better for her babe for this trip, but it would help to know her budget before making suggestions.

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

Thank you all for your replies...will be doing a search of other tips, but sooo appreciate all of the ones you have given. I will share them with my SIL and find out what questions she has specifically and then get back to you all re: what kind of stroller, etc. she is planning on bringing.
Thanks again! And any other tips...keep 'em comin'!