newborn at disney?

[pookybean]

first off, i would like to say that i searched for info on this and found 1 thread with opinions but nothing on the follow up (how did the trip go etc...)

i just found out that i am expecting (due 11/25) i have a trip planed for 12/19-12/30. it is a grand gathering with 10 people. it is also my sons 13th b-day and i am the one coordinating the whole thing

i know if the baby is born on time he/she would only be around 3 weeks old. on one hand i know that it is not the best thing to do, but on the other i feel that i CAN'T cancel it. we have been planning this since aug. my kids would be crushed and my family pissed (especially the ones who bought their plane tix already).

is there any hope to go, i do have great easy labors(knock on wood) but who knows when exactly this one will be born. my ds was 3 weeks early (still a respectable 7lbs) and my dd was a wk late.

sigh
thanks for any help, advice, comments.....

megan

oh and ps....how would i break it to everyone!?!?!?!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

As someone who has been 9-13 days overdue with my children, that doesn't leave you a lot of time for recovery. I would talk to your doctor about what you could reasonably expect or inducing on your due date if it would be 100% safe and still the best for the baby. Really, you need to put you and the baby first, and if the rest works out, then lucky you!

Oh, I would break the news by saying something like another family member has decided to come along on the trip!

 

[disprincessatheart]

In fall of 05 my sister took at trip with us. My nephew was 3 months at the time. It definitely changed the entire pace of the trip for her, but he had no problem napping in the stroller when necessary and we thought it went fine. She was breastfeeding and all. I know yours will be littler, but as long as you plan to take it slow, do baby swaps, and be prepared for all the little extra things, you can definitely make it work.

Plus, since you're making all the arrangements, you can plan to your needs!

Congratulations.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would not go on the trip. You don't know when the baby will be born or how you will feel. You even said yourself that you think that the baby should not be going to Disney at 3 weeks old. I agree. Others may not but I do not think it is a good idea. That is also a very very crowded time of year. If your family is going to be mad then that is their problem. I am sorry but they should not get mad at you because you are having a baby. I would at the very least change the trip to February break or Easter break if you need it to coincide with school closings. I am sure your kids will be a little upset and I know it sounds cruel, but they'll get over it. Sometimes you have to do what is best even if it means hte kids have to live with a little disappointment. Besides, they'll be so excited abouttheir new brother or sister that it will be fine. You have to do what you feel is best but don't do something just to please the rest of the family when you aren't comfortable with it.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

As long as you don't have c-section it should work fine. Get one of those Baby Bjorn carriers and you will be good to go. Newborns are very portable, especially since it won't be hot.

 

[Ariel8676]

First of all Congratulations!!!!!! 2 of my girls are November babies (November 24 and 25 )
The yougest any of my girls were at WDW was about 9 weeks...it was super easy though (we breastfeed) I wouldn't recommend a Bjorn for a newborn but a good sling might be good...i used a Peanut shell and loved it... http://goo-ga.com/
I would be worried about how you are feeling...sore, tired not sleeping...The next thing would be if you were flying...i think the youngest you can fly is 7 weeks, but i could be wrong.( i think i read that somewhere).
I would talk to your doctor and a pediatrician and see what they have to say, then make your decision from there.
Good luck! Hope you have a happy and healthy 9 months!!!!

 

[SylviaL]

Congratulations!!! I had a baby 3 1/2 weeks ago, normal delivery. I was lucky because she was 2 1/2 weeks early so smaller than my first two kids. I had an easy delivery and left the hospital within 36 hours. By the 5th day, I actually felt back to normal. I think my 3 1/2 week old DD would do great at Disney right now because she sleeps a lot and anywhere. I am breastfeeding her which makes it easier. However, I know her pediatrician would not like for her to fly until after her first set of shots which I think she gets at 1 month. So, if you plan on flying, talk to your pediatrician about it. Good luck with your decision--I know it's a tough one.

 

[Steph9072]

Congrats! My dd was born Nov 25th on my folks anniversary. I hate to say it I would not go on the trip. Even if you are well the baby is well I would not risk it. To many germs for a newborn. Is it possible to move the date? Maybe if you explain to the others in the gathering they may understand and agree to move the trip back, even a month.

Good luck with you pg and your decision

 

[MACfamily4]

Congratulations to you and your family. I'm afraid I would vote for changing your trip plans to a later date - too crowed, too loud, too stressful, too early for a newborn. In addition, there are just too many variables (for both you and the baby) to ensure a fantastic trip for everyone. If you delay even a few months, everyone will have settled into a routine, sleep won't be so elusive, and you're entire family, including you, is much more likely to enjoy the magic - and that's what it's all about. Good luck!

 

[macmahony]

We have done it, and we planned it that way (baby was young, 9ish weeks)
The baby will be close to you the whole time, so I was not a single bit worried about germs, she slept in my bed at night, and slept great, and slept most of the time we were there. I would wake up in the morning, and put her either in the sling, or baby bjorn, and she would stay there the whole time. She might of sat in her stoller once or twice, but was mostly on me the whole time. I had two other girls, almost 2, and almost 3, and it was easy. We drove (from new jersey), which was great, I did not even ask for a crib or pack n play, easier to have her with me. We nursed everywhere and anywhere, new borns are so very portable.
The weather will be nice, (hopefully not too cold, not too hot), and if you delayed the trip, for spring, now baby is sitting up, and once my babys sat (the youngest at 13 weeks!!), they crawled within weeks of that, and were just antsy to be down and exploring. So, we want to go when she was small, easily portable, and did not need to be entertained.
Delievery would be my concern, but as long as you think you would be okay, I would not change it (after my youngest was born, we were home at the 24 hour mark), and hit the ground running at that point. We are not a sit around the house family, we are very active, and having a newborn has not changed that for us. So, that is what I would think about, think about how you would feel at 3 week post partum, don't worry about the baby (as long as it is healthy) babies are so portable!
Congrats! number 4 is due for us in august (we are also planning a camping trip for within a week after baby is due, we have an RV, and want to squeeze one more trip in before the oldest starts kindy!!)

 

[alloyd1170]

Well if you end up with a csection, you wont want to be walking around WDW, and you wont be able to right many of the attractions (the thought of a lap bar hitting me in that area after a csection-OUCH!!) I had two csections. The first was a bigger incision as my son was over 12 lbs. I was in good shape, so recovery wasnt too bad. The second one was easier as she was about half the size of ds, but I wasnt in good shape.

The other issue is the baby. I was never a huge germaphobe, but I wouldnt take a newborn to WDW, especially in winter. Too many risks in my book. Plus it can get really chilly in Dec.

You also have to consider that the baby may not want to come out on time, have health issues (jaundice, etc), and so on that would prevent him/her from traveling. So in my opinion, I would have to delay that trip to WDW.

alison

 

[Princess Roo]

There is no way I would take a child *that* young on a plane. The air on planes is so 'germy'. Maybe at 6 weeks and definitely at 8 weeks, but not younger than that, for me. We're going to have to tell everyone that we are having Christmas at our house this year. (I know that's not as big of a deal, but we have a large extended family that always gets together up in NY - this year at least part of the family will be down in GA with us.)

I don't know your financial situation, but if possible I would just offer to pay the $75 change fee for everyones tickets who have already bought them and re-book the Grand Gathering for another date (earlier or later). People have to change things for pregnancies all the time. It sounds like you weren't *trying* to get pregnant at that time, but these things happen, and once the child is born, people won't hold a grudge.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[dsneygirl]

I took my 3 month old but 3 weeks no way. I agree with the others that there are just too many unknowns. If baby is late, you have a C section or other complications. I had a rough delivery and could barely sit those first 3 weeks by 3 months I felt great and we had an awesome time with baby at Disney.

 

[laughinplace199]

I would postpone the trip because there are so many uncertainties about how you and/or baby will be feeling. My 3rd child was due on Oct. 18 of 2006. My first two deliveries were pretty easy, so I expected to be up and about after Oct. 20 and I even volunteered to read a story & do an activity with my son's kindergarten class at the end of October. Well, baby had no desire to come out. I was induced after going 10 days past my due date. Then, I ended up needing a c-section because he wouldn't drop down into the birth canal. So even though I expected to be somewhat back to normal before the end of October, it really ended up being mid- to late November. Also, when my 2nd was born, he was almost a week late and then he had jaundice and had to stay in the hospital for a few extra days. I just think things are so unpredictable that it might really stress you out during a time when you should be able to relax and enjoy what's going on.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Personally, I wouldn't take a baby that young. They haven't had a lot of immunizations by that time, plus December is during flu and cold season...particularly RSV which is a very dangerous illness.

That's just my opinion, though.
We took my daughter at 5mo in September. We didn't want to travel during RSV season.

 

[twinspluscade]

I must admit--I don't envy you having to break the news to your family . I take it this was unplanned?

My first response was the NO WAY would I consider going with a baby that young--that I'd change my dates. BUT...on re-reading your post--and seeing that this is a Grand Gathering type thing and NOT just your own family....and that other family members have bought their plane tickets...I would not change my dates. I would still plan on going then....with the possibility that you and the baby may not be able to go (if a medical problem would come up). And who knows....maybe you'll have an easy, problem-free delivery; baby will get the okay from the doctor and you'll still be able to go. At least you'd have lots of help from other family members with the baby. I'd just plan on taking it easy, know that you're going to spend a lot of time in the resort with baby (especially during crazy-busy Christmas time). I'd also call your doctor ASAP and get their take on it--would they let you fly then, etc.

At the very least, I'd just change dates for my immediate family (maybe to Feb??) and still have the rest of your Grand Gatherings people go.

Kelly

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

There is now way in heck I would take a 3-week old to Disney. Not just because of the germs, crowds, worrying, etc. but because I think it would be a total waste of money for myself. I don't think I could enjoy myself with a newborn attached to me. I'd wait at least 6 months if not longer. But that's just me. Plus, you know that newborns barely sleep so you would be extremely tired on top of everything else.

P.S. Hi neighbor, I'm from Philly too!

 

[surfer_ed]

We just got back with our son and he was 2 months. It was a different type of trip and allot of fun but 3 weeks might be a bit early. Would you be Ok with staying around the reorts while other went off to the parks?...if not than maybe cancelling might be better. I am not sure you will be able to maintain the same agenda as 10 other people.

 

[Samar]

I would have to echo the PP's and say postpone the trip. Even with a safe natural (I got censored over the technical word) birth, your body needs to be able to rest for up to 6wks. Also, your baby will still be so tiny and at that time of year, there probably be a great deal of the sniffles around you guys.

Sorry

 

[kerrynic78]

I have a 3 month old and live in Orlando. I asked my pediatrician about going to the parks and he said to wait at least 6-8 weeks. My baby was born in December and he said that was the worst time of year to bring them out in public so young, even in Orlando where it is warmer than normal. We took his advice, it wasn't worth it to risk it but we can't wait until we go in a month! Good luck with whatever you decide.