Nervous about upcoming trip

[bdtracey]

Hi all,

So DW, DS (3mo) and I are heading down Dec. 6-15 and I'm getting a bit nervous about the trip. This will be our first vacation as a family and I'm not quite sure how DS is going to handle it. He'll be 4.5 months old by the time of the trip.

Lately DW and I have been really trying to place ourselves in DL in different scenarios with DS. Yesterday though was one of DS's worst days yet! He pretty well cried/screamed the ENTIRE time he was awake. It was not a good scene. He was completely inconsoleable (sp?) but once he fell asleep he was alright. He honestly hasn't been that bad since he was about 3 weeks old.

That being said I'm not exactly sure what we'd do in DL if he has a melt down like that. We're the type of parents that feel TERRIBLE when DS is crying because it could be annoying for someone. We're definitely going to keep him on his schedule while we're down there (we'd be dumb not to!).

Basically, everytime something goes a bit sideways right now I think "What would we do if we were in DL?". It's starting to get a bit overwhelming because the only answer I can come up with is "head back to the hotel". If that's the case we'll be spending a lot more time walking between HoJo and the parks than actually in the parks. DW and I even had the discussion about cancelling the trip.

Is it normal to be this nervous about going on a vacation? I thought vacations were suppose to relieve stress

 

[Brancaneve]

I understand how you feel...both my kids went to DL when they were 6 months old and my daughter was a fussy baby. Every child is different but my daughter refused to sit back in her stroller. She sat at the edge and up against the tray, flapping her arms and legs as she was completely mesmerized by everything.

But I do recommend frequent visits to the baby centers on Main Street and the one in California Adventure. Both centers are so quiet and peaceful and the ladies who work there are very nice and helpful!

You and your wife will just have different expectations of DL as you will not be able to ride attractions together as you once did before baby. Yet, taking your baby for the 1st time is something you will never forget. Enjoy and let us know how it went!

 

[XTinabell]

I agree with the previous poster and do keep in mind that you'll be out doors most of the time and often it's when you're indoors that a crying baby irritates others. I think it will be just fine, go and enjoy yourselves.

 

[sasha]

First of all, congratulations on your little bundle of joy! We also have a 3 month old and she's already been to DL 3 times in her short little life (the first time at 4.5 weeks) and she's done great each time. I agree with the pp about the Baby Center. It's great! And if your DW is nursing, it's a nice, quiet escape from the park for awhile. Plus the women that work there are wonderful! I've been in there nursing before while mothers with screaming babies come in to comfort them and it always seems to calm them down. I think the peace of the place soothes them. Are you taking a stroller or a sling? We find that if our baby gets a little fussy, all she needs is to be put in the sling and she falls right to sleep. I think the comfort of being so close to us, along with the motion of walking is pleasing for her. Also, we're able to take her on many of the rides and she's done great.

IMO, 4.5 months is a good age to take a baby because they're not too small to notice their surroundings. I think all the lights and excitement of DL holds their attention. It's probably so facsinating to them.

Try not to worry too much. I'm sure your little guy will do great! Be sure to take lots of pictures because take it from me (a mom of 3), they grow soooo fast!

Sasha

 

[avalon451]

Welcome to the parenthood trenches, soldier!

Totally understand where you're coming from. Especially with your first baby, you tend to be very sensitive to their moods and their needs. You worry about over-stimulation, etc. If you have another one in a few years, you will be amazed at how much more easygoing and laid back that baby is (usually), because unconsciously, YOU will be more laid back.

Also, if you haven't figured it out by now, babies sense your mood and often respond to it, even when they're brand new. If you are tense, they can be tense. This is why I love the PP's idea about getting a sling or some kind of front pack that you and your baby are comfortable with, and get accustomed to using it now. It can be very calming for baby to be right next to you, and some of the sensory stimulation they are getting too much of (like at DL) is screened from them.

I would try not to worry, and know that you will enjoy DL with your sweet little boy! It will be a different experience,slower, more limited, but it will still be wonderful. Just have your options open for time to rest and decompress. The baby care centers are a great option; there are quiet, shady places to rest (I'm thinking of obscure corners of Tom Sawyer Island or Redwood Creek Challenge Trail). You guys already know, I'm sure, how to run through the list of possible crying triggers in your little guy, with their various solutions. Hungry, wet, tired, over-stimulated, tummy ache, etc.

BTW, sounds like you might be going through a bit of colic right now, anyway.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[pumpkin5156]

I think you may have a little bit of a colicky baby as well. My son had chronic colic for the first 16 weeks of his life, and I swore off having kids after that. We took him to DL at 3 months and 4 months old. He did great! He actually slept better there than at home and was very content to just watch and listen to all the interesting things.

If he cries or has a meltdown...so what? He is a baby and you guys should focus on meeting his need and not worrying about other people. Disneyland is packed with way annoying toddlers throwing worse fits than a 4 month old. (I say this because I have a toddler). If you are in a show when it happens, sit close to exit so you can leave quickly.

The worst thing I did in preparing for our DL trip in December when he was 4 months old was worry. It just adds to the stress. And it ended up being incredibly easy and fun!

Enjoy your sweet family and roll with the punches.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I completely agree Gail ~ motherhood the 2nd time around for me was much easier, not that DD was a better baby ~ I was a better *more relaxed* mom.


OP ~ I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I think DS will be at an ideal baby age for DL, not brand new but not yet mobile. I'm sure between a stroller, sling and mom and dads arms he'll be fine. Take it slow and easy, you have many days to enjoy the parks.


Perhaps we'll see you. Our dates are 12/8-12/11.

 

[bdtracey]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I'm sure I am a little over-torqued (sorry...oil patch terminology ) about the whole situation. I guess I'm just they type of person that has to have everything planned out in advance. I'm not entirely used to rolling with the punches....yet but it's coming along!

We'll definitely be bringing the stroller and baby bjorn. He loves his bjorn and has just started to face out which is nice.

DW and I are really starting to understand that he feeds off of our energy...especially last night! I was in and out of the house for most of the night with Church activities and DW was getting pretty burnt out. Once I was able to spell her off he calmed down a bit which is unusual because he's usually worse with me . He's definitely a momma's boy! After talking w/ DW this morning she also thinks that it was colic last night. Oh well, he'll get over it...and like you guys have said we'll be surrounded by (potentially) worse kids than him.

Really, when it comes down to taking the vacation there is A LOT more planning that needs to be done for taking a baby. It's not necessarily agenda planning but planning how to anticipate his needs. I'm sure once we get there and have everything that we need it'll be a smooth ride. Even if it isn't....at least I won't be at work! Plus there is a VERY good chance that I won't have to see any snow for a week

Thanks again!!!!

 

[todzwife]

I haven't read through all the replies but I can give you a few pointers from our last vacation w/ a little one.

#1 Bring some sort of a carrier. www. frogmama .com is one of my favorite stores to buy from, Angelpack LX carriers are dead comfy, even with toddlers. The snugli/bjorn type contraptions are fine for short term, but they HURT after a certain amount of time. You'll want something else to snuggle your baby in (and hold him in line etc.) We're going in November w/ a 2 1/2 year old and I'm bringing several different carriers for her.

#2 Take things slowly. If he gets fussy, head to the baby care center for some down time. Try to anticipate feeding times BEFORE he's starving and head off any major meltdowns.

#3 Bring a change of clothes for EVERYONE in your party and put them in the locker or stroller. Sometimes diapers fail, stomachs don't hold on to a feeding etc. and it's never fun making your way back to your hotel covered in baby poop or stomach contents.

#4 RELAX. Take a nap in the afternoons. Stay hydrated. HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Mugglemama]

yep, the sling will probably counteract almost any issues you may be worried about. my 3rd child was an extremely fussy baby (she cried constantly unless you held her upright and outward so that she could see everything...we even had to do this at home! - she was just extremely inquisitive and if there wasn't enough stimulation, she was miserable). i never even ONCE had a problem with her at DL, and we bought our first AP's the day she turned 5 months old. she's been a DL fan ever since, lol! all of the walking (with her in the bjorn), constant activity, sounds, etc., kept her at her happiest. she's been riding POTC since the age of 5 months and has loved it from the word go! sometimes, when we were having a particularly fussy day with her at home, we would actually pack up and TAKE HER to DL just for the relief and peace it afforded us all due to the effect it had on her behavior.

(as far as the crying goes...consider teething or boredom as potential causes. best of luck! - and have a great time at DL!!)

 

[bumbershoot]

Keep in mind that with baby facing out in the Bjorn, keeping aside the pain for you as baby kicks and moves arms, there is nowhere to hide. If baby gets overwhelmed, he can't just burrow into your or mom's chest for a little. So if you're going to wear baby facing out be really aware that it could *increase* the stress of people staring at baby, seeing strange things (huge furry mice!), etc.

Although many people like the Bjorns for newborns, as baby gets bigger it's really best to get a nice sling or Ergo that really supports baby's bottom rather than having that really narrow area only supporting the crotch area, b/c that's better for baby's pelvis. And when I watch a facing out baby kicking and flailing I just despair for all the muscles in the parent's spine that are having to compensate for all that movement on the front of them!

Though you might get funny comments about having a barnacle, by Jack Sparrow.

-Molly, retired chiropractor and avowed baby-butt-supporting sling user, who used a mei tai at Disneyland when DS was 1 and Ergo with a back carry when DS was 2!

 

[bdtracey]

Thanks everyone!

Molly - I didn't even think how the bjorn would affect DS's pelvis! DW and I are HUGE fans of chiro so we'll definitely be looking at getting a sling now. I know how hard the bjorn is on our backs but we picked up the one that has the lower back support which really helps. We're planning on having DS in the stroller the majority of the time but the bjorn really helps him calm down when he's facing in. We just started facing him out and I get a little concerned about his chubby little legs. Time to start researching slings...

Thanks again!

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

Would it be possible for you to take along another helper? When my husband & I took our children as babies we either took my mom or my niece. They had fun in the parks, but also welcomed going to the room with the baby to nap while my husband & I were able to enjoy some alone time. If that's a possibility, it's definitely worth the extra expense!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

You guys are going to be just fine!

I do want to comment on something one of the early posters said about not being able to go on rides together like you used to - NOT TRUE!

Unless you are the types that really have to do the thrill rides (the Mountain Range) all the time, there is a ton of stuff you can all go on together. In fact, do the Haunted Mansion, Subs, and Pirates NOW - while he's still really little! Once he becomes aware of what "being scared" is, you can do those things. In fact, those are great places to nurse/give him a snack, too. (When Small World opens back up, you get another 15 minute nursing ride, too.) You can even ask to use the Nemo Disability Experience to see the attraction or even nurse, if you don't want to wait in the long lines. Just go to the CM near the true entrance and ask. The disability experience is in a little "home theater" style room - very private. The Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough will have one of these Experiences, also, when it re-opens.

If you feel that you can't miss those attractions, I would save the Mountain Range for when he's asleep in the stroller. That way, you don't mind taking turns!