New baby in the parks

[Cllong75]

We planned our Disney trip almost a year ago and shortly after my sister in law found out she was pregnant. The baby will be about three weeks old when we go. We are traveling with 6 adults, and 4 children ages 8, 5, 20 mos. and 3 weeks old. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions with this???

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

We took my 4 mo. old son. It's definately a chore but still fun. We also had my mother-in-law and we took turns watching the little one. Sometimes one of us would take him back to the room. Most of the time he just slept. It was difficult keeping him out of the sun but we managed. Good Luck!

 

[rt2dz]

I would have her check with her Pedi. Mine says take all the day trips you want, but don't go too far from home until the first set of shots (2 months). So much could go wrong so quickly. However, you can take an exterme amount of precautions without too much trouble that shouldn't impede the trip too much. She might also, if nursing, want to make sure everything is going OK in that department too before truly committing to the trip.

 

[Disneymommie]

3 weeks is very young, also is that age based on due date??? If so she may want to rethink the trip. If the baby is late she could be as young as a week or a few days! My 3rd was 2 weeks late!

That said, take a lot of precautions with staying out of exstreme temps, out of sun. It is a big risk for that young of a baby! We took my son on a trip when he was 4 weeks old but it was a trip to Grandmas house where we staed in and were rested. Good luck!

 

[Disneyrsh]

There was just another thread about this very thing.

I'd say alot depends upon what time you're going. It can be very hot. Another thing to consider is that you've got a ton of different viruses and bacteria floating around disney, we almost always come back with a cold.

RSV is something to be concerned about with newborns.

That being said, I did go to Disney with a 4 month old and had a blast (her sister turned 2 then), but I don't know if I would have been up to doing Disney 3 weeks postpartum. And I'm a trooper!

 

[Colinsmom]

If the baby is late she could be as young as a week or a few days!

Also, keep in mind that she could have a c-section (or a less than easy delivery) - there is NO WAY that I could have done anywhere near that kind of walking (or sitting) so soon after DS was born, and I did not have a c-section. Not to mention the nursing issues, lack of sleep, susceptibility to germs, and so on.

Honestly, if I were her, I'd back out of the trip or at least delay it a month or two (though I think you said that it was a group trip).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would definitely push out the trip.

I'm a big supporter of babes at Disney---but when they are younger than 6 weeks..the risk is to high.

Factors to consider:

*Her Due date--it isn't a precise science--due dates are estimated calculations--she could be 2 weeks early--she could be 2 weeks late. You are in a tight window of opportunity--and dare I say...people have inductions for all sorts of reasons--an induction to make the trip...too tempting and unnecessary.

*Post Partum recovery---without getting graphic--I used the rinse bottle for the entire 6 weeks until post partum check up. She needs to take care of her own healing. A women having a baby--though completely a natural and healthy thing--her body still has gone through major trauma. So her health, in addition to baby's health is an issue. Also--what if she has a c-section? I'm not familiar with recoveries--but a jaunt to the mall or to the park is not equatable to going on vacation to a theme park when you are recovering from childbirth--either way the baby is born. She should ask her Obstetrician to see if there is even the possibility of being cleared to go on the trip.

And if you still want to go....

*Time of year---cooler/colder weather would be better b/c baby could be bundeled---May-September with a newbie newborn--they need to be swaddled/bundled and it just won't happen at this time. If baby needs this comfort---mom may be spending her time in the hotel room

*Travel distance--I would assume you aren't in the state of Florida--the further you travel--the further stress to baby and new mommy.


Sorry to be a bummer--I know you have it planned for a year...when is your trip taking place. She will be under a doctor's care--so surely, perhaps--trip insurance would even allow a reschedule.

Good luck!

 

[Dorisk3]

Lisa Loves Pooh said it far more eloquently than I could. Disney is not going anywhere and I think it would be much smarter for your sister in law and her family to join you another time. Going to the grocery store, mall, etc. at home is different than running around Disney for 5 to 8 hours a day. How will she feel after just having had a baby. Also, if she is nursing, how big a drag would it be to have to stop every two hours or more while everyone else wants to get going. Disney World will still be there next year and then it will be much easier for everyone involved. I hate when people are spoil sports- and I know I sure sound like one- but I still think that she should rethink her decision.

 

[jrjac]

As the post above says, "Disney is not going anywhere..." A baby that little is too precious to take the risks mentioned above.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Cllong75--I hope you didn't think we were flaming you. I'd hate that your first impression of the DIS were to be negative and prevent you from coming back.

In your case--safety and health are more important for the trip. In the end, it will be up to your SIL's obstetrician to clear her and up to the baby's pediatrician to clear him/her for travel regardless of any tips you receive here.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[Cllong75]

I appreciate the input, her pediatrician said that as long as she has a good birth and she has her two week check up he doesn't see a problem. She is being induced on Tuesday and we are going Sept 9th.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Does she have her OB's go ahead?

(I assume the 2 week checkup is for baby).

It would be a good idea for her to get a follow up visit prior to the trip.
In any case--She should not be staying all day in the parks with you guys.

I had post partum depression with both of my girls--with my 2nd...we were out of the house daily since she came home b/c she constantly needed bloodwork b/c she developed jaundice post delivery. It made for a very stressed mommy.

Additionally--she won't be able to swim either.

Keep that newborn shaded--no sunscreen is allowed on newborns as their skin absorbs it too much.

If she has a sling for the baby--that would be the best way to get around. A stroller/car seat combo in the parks is kind of a pain. Some restaurants will let them in--but others pretty much won't.

Mom should not hesitate to rent a scooter for example in EPCOT--if she finds she is too exhausted to keep up with everyone.

 

[Disneyrsh]

The scooter's a good idea, I wish I had one of those just for everyday postpartum

I had trouble with the sling, though, we got too hot being in such close contact with each other, and I was normally a constant sling user-we found we just couldn't get enough circulation around them in the height of summer when we were outdoors, and ended up with the babies in a shaded stroller with all the padding stripped out so it was more 'breathable'.

September's not a big deal for RSV, and if the new mom's breastfeeding the baby will get a lot of protection from the various and sundry bugs floating around Disney.

Please keep us posted on how the vacation went, I'd like to know what she enjoyed and what was tough to do with a newborn.

 

[becca011906]

Persaonally there is no way i would do it, but that's JMO and all my babies were 9lbs and it took me the full 6 weeks to recover... Also i really hope she is planing on breastfeeding or eles i wouldn't be suprised if she ended up with a illness! I Also agree that a sling will be needed! It just saves you so much with a newborn.

 

[lillygator]

We took our newest princess at 4 weeks old. I had an emergency c section with her and was fine to walk around the parks. I am sure everyone's recovery is different - I had my first born naturally and had no issues with bleeding or anything with her either. Maybe I just recover well??!!

She was fine during our entire trip which was in March..we had all kinds of weather - rain, cold and heat during our stay. We took a travel swing for the room and since we had a 2 year old princess along as well....we did the parks in the morning and back to the pool in the afternoon...she slept in the stroller at the pool and was good as gold. I brought along her formula and that was not an issue either. She went everywhere...even to the Braves spring training passholder game....

It's up to you but I found it very doable and would do it again in a heartbeat.

oh and the double stroller was fine...they offered to let us bring it in everywhere we went....we didn't - this past weekend we took it in Ohana but I felt the double stroller made life very easy for us...

 

[rt2dz]

Far be it from me to tell you or your SIL what to do, but be careful. I hadn't even thought about post partum recovery.

have had two emergency c-sections. The first was after 24 hours of labor. I soooo did not want a c-section, but when my life and DS's life were both in danager, I no longer had a choice. It took me almost the full two weeks before I could stand up straight. Riding in a car was the most painful thing (lap belt) and walking was limited to short amounts of time, although to recover I had to do it often. And the bleeding... I wasn't even released from the hospital for almost two weeks.

My second emergency c-section went a lot better. I was ready to be up and around as soon as I had feeling back in my legs. However, you are still limited in activity for the first two weeks after having c-section. And I did have a bad case of the baby blues/ light case of depression. Anyhow, when you have a c-section you have two post-partum check-ups--one at two weeks and one at 5-6 weeks. Also, induced women (I wasn't) are much more likely to end up with a c-section.

Your SIL really needs to check with her OB about taking the trip and go over all scenerios and precautions. If she has her OB and Pedi blessings, then ENJOY without reservation. At this point, I would be worried about the monetary investment in case things don't go well during labor & delivery or post-partum.

Other than that newborns basically do nothing but eat and sleep with diaper changes between. They are very portable. And as long as everyone is realistic, I don't think you'll find it too much work--especially with all that help. She just needs to remember not to push it, do what she can and not be afraid to break away from the group.

 

[Alysa]

It can be HOT in September.
If the baby is late or if she is still recovering she may find she spends a lot of time in your room. Not sure where you are staying but a moderate, DVC room or deluxe would be nice for this. I pushed my trip back one more month so the baby will be 6 weeks, however, if that is not an option for you, if you have to recover anywhere, Disney seems a pretty good place to pick. Good luck on what you decide.

 

[can'twait]

I wouldn't do it. If she is a first time mom, she could be in for a surprise, and this kind of a vacation, which some of us need a vacation from when we return home, is the last thing she will need. Some people are OK and recover from childbirth quickly, but others need to adjust physically and mentally. And sometimes the baby needs to adjust to the "outside world" as well. Would you like to be in a hotel room with a colicky baby in the next room? Or the same room?! It's a whole lot of money to spend to travel and then stay in the hotel room because you are exhausted and suffering from post partum. I think she will like the comfort of her own home the best. I was invited to a Christmas party 2 weeks after my daughter was born and it was totally out of the question. I could barely walk. I was lucky if I could take a shower every day, LOL. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[MandM-Mom]

I was induced and ended up with a C-Section after 26 hours of labor, and I did have a quick recovery but I definitely was not up to an amusement park. Plus is it her first baby? Sometimes you think it will be much easier till you actually do it. At that age they are pretty much up most of the night, that makes for a long day. Just some things to consider. Im not sure but I think you have to be 6 wks to fly too.

 

[SnowWitch]

We canceled our June trip because our daughter was due in May, our little surprise. I was 5 months preggo before I conceded there was no way I would be able to deal with the heat, crowds, and rude people with a newborn. Thats me, your sis-in-law maybe more able to handle than I but Sept is so miserable as far as humidity goes, its really a personal choice. Good luck!!!