Newborns at Disney

[Shakthi]

In the past, maybe, but with H1N1 in mind these days, I wouldn't run the risk.

 

[kimara]

we took our kids when they were small. i know the memories aren't for the babies, they are for me. if you and baby are up for it, then go for it. but if for any reason you are concerned about immunities or feeding or your own healing, wait. we did great and enjoyed it because there were 3 adults to help with the baby, i had a sling and i can modestly, comfortably breastfeed any where. enjoy the new baby.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Wow, thanks for the suggestions everyone!

This trip cannot be changed, hence my wondering .. she will be 3.5 weeks at that time, nearly 4 .. so I guess we will wing it and then go from there ..

I love hearing about your experiences tho!

That's assuming she comes exactly on her due date I'm guessing? Most babies don't. First babies typically arrive late.

I personally would not plan a Disneyland trip for 3.5 weeks post-due date, for many of the reasons the PPs stated. Exhaustion, recovering from labor, possibly recovering from a c-section, getting breastfeeding established - even the ride on the tram is likely to be extremely uncomfortable! So please take it easy on yourself.

 

[love2go2disney2]

I agree with the previous post. I have three kids and we just got back from DL, kids ages 6, 4 and 14 months!! I saw at least 5 newborns at disneyland. The parents looked like they were having fun. However, you do not know how delivery is going to go. I dont think I would be up to going to DL after having a baby. But everyone is different. I Know some women have their baby and they are back to themselves right away. Just keep a open mind, if you do have a C section, it will be very difficult to go to DL ( I had 2 C sections).
I hope you have a smooth delivery!!

 

[alyssa810]

Our DS made his first trip to WDW when he was 12 weeks old. I had some complications after delivery, and we didn't want to plan anything too far out, so basically we waited until I got an "all clear" from my OBGYN (who I was seeing frequently), and it seems like I remember we wanted to wait until he had a few immunizations under his "belt" before we took him on a plane.

We're planning his 1st DL trip for this September when he will have just turned 3

 

[Mugglemama]

we bought our first AP's when our kids were 9yo, 3yo, and 5 months old. we continued to go at least weekly (sometimes 2 or 3 times per week) for the following 2 years unless we were blocked out. so, my youngest daughter spent a LOT of her first few years of life at DLR.

the only thing that ever really concerned me was germs, lol. my kids were SUPER easy to manage at the parks, despite the fact that the baby wouldn't sleep AT ALL while we were there. we just held her on our laps (before they got strict with the no lap-sitting rule) for any ride she was allowed to go on.

we always did (and still do) incorporate a lot of hand washing, etc. into our time at the parks to try to avoid illness. the only thing my kids ever (apparently) caught there was the chicken pox, and that was when they were all older. although, that would be a major concern for a newborn (unless you're breastfeeding and you are yourself immune? if that's the case, the baby should be protected).

in regards to breastfeeding, i always found it easy to nurse in the parks (but we were usually only in the parks for 3-5 hours each time we went - it might be more draining if you had to do it all day, for multiple days).

personally, i would be WAY too physically affected by childbirth to take a baby who is just a couple of weeks old. i don't take my newborns out into public until they are at least 6 weeks old though, either. you might want to re-think your timing....disneyland is a TON of walking. i know for myself, i could never have handled that kind of physical exertion that soon (and it's not really good for you - your body needs a good 4-6 weeks to really heal). also, if the baby arrives later than you're thinking, one thing to keep in mind is that nursing is pretty uncomfortable for the first 2 weeks (downright painful at times), and that is NOTHING that i personally would want to deal with while at disneyland, either.

just some food for thought! congrats on your soon-to-be new arrival!

 

[SueTGGR]

One addition, that some posters have hinted to but I like to be direct:

Please, ask YOUR & YOUR BABY'S Doctor beforehand. You can ask them now but I am sure they will tell you they can't give you a good answer until after the baby is born. Don't push it especially if this is your first baby. It is so new and different with the first.
Enjoy & Good Luck!

 

[Brady's Mom]

I would plan on using some sort of baby sling to keep my baby close to me and protected from people touching. Babies are so small and sweet and cute that people just naturally want to touch them. If you wear your baby close to you you can protect him/her from people sneezing and coughing around you and it is easier to get on and off rides when your hands are free from holding a baby. Get a sling that is neutral in color - no pink or purple - and get hubby to wear Baby, too. That way you can give your back a rest and he can get some Baby bonding time.

If you feel comfortable with taking Baby to DLR then you should do it. It's your baby and you are the one who will know what she needs, better than anyone else.

 

[Karlzmom]

1st, I'm a mom of 2. The youngest age we took them to the park was just under a year. He enjoyed the Christmas lights and enjoyed himself, though it was a bit of a task to keep him on his schedule and still be able to manage..that having been said let me sing the praises of the baby care centers at the World. Haven't noticed if DL has the same set up, but it was nice to not have to change diapers on tiny little cold slaps and to have a rocker to nurse at least a couple of time during the day instead of a bench!

For me, the parks are too full of far too many germs from all around the world that come on all the other tourists to expose a newborn. Even after taking the baby "out" I'd still be hesitant....goodness, the amount of coughing we heard this weekend made me concerned and we are all "old enough" to have some immunity in place.

One other thought....and maybe its just me, but if I had to stay in a hotel, I wouldn't go until its a pretty safe bet that baby will sleep through the night. I'm sure I'll get blasted by someone for saying this, but the walls at hotels are just too thin to deal with the up-every-2-hours-to-eat-crowd. I suppose if the was an absolute need to hotel it I might feel differently [though I can't think of such a need off the top of my head]. To go "just because" knowing there will be crying at all hours of the night would make me feel bad for the neighbors. I signed on for the sleepless nights, the poor family next to me didn't.

 

[letthembelittle]

I too was one of those parents who said that I would "never" take a child under age 7 or so, but that being said we have gone twice now with kids much younger then that. This last trip my youngest was just about 7 months old, it was a super fun trip he was much easier then my middle son was at about 14 months when we went for the first time. Would I take a newborn, probably not just because I would be so tired and not back to myself yet but that is just my opinion.

 

[jennilouwho]

Most doctors I know don't recommend taking your newborn out in public until at least 6 weeks old. I also ended up having to have c-sections with my children. I could barely walk a mile at 3 weeks post partum, I don't know how one would make it through disneyland if you ended up needing an emergency one. We didn't have breastfeeding down very well at the 3 week mark yet and I was completely exhausted from the baby being up 2 or 3 times a night. It just doesn't sound like a very fun trip to me...

 

[momofeva]

I have taken my children when they were about 4 and 6 months old. They all survived and are healthy. We used a stroller, we had a double stroller. At night when it got cold we would go to the baby center and fill our water bottles with hot water and put them around the baby-outside the blanket they were wrapped in. That would help the baby sleep because they were extra warm and I wouldn't have to fuss about making sure the baby was covered and warm.

Just remember to take it at your own pace. If you need to rest, rest! Use the baby centers, there is one in both parks. Use the sit down entertainment to rest or the train, monorail, Mark Twain Riverboat and Small World. We loved riding the train all the way around the park, it was a chance for me to rest, nurse the baby or let the baby sleep. Enjoy your visit. No matter what any one says you will have fun even with a newborn. Just make sure you keep hydrated.

 

[B9erSteve]

Took my son when he was 3 mos old. Boy were we naive. But, we learned a lot about being parents on that trip. Figured out that we couldn't run on our own schedule it HAD to be his. (the unexpected good result of this was that we learned to slow down and enjoy DL not only for the rides but for the ambiance. DL is a completely different place when you slow down!) We learned that a good stroller was a MUST for a very young person. (Only older children would really be any good in the rentals) We took a great deal of rest breaks during the day. DS also had a lot of problems sleeping at night in a different place (he did much better the second night and no probs the third) Today, he is 8 years old and has been to DL so many times that he could guide a tour.

 

[jennilouwho]

I have taken my children when they were about 4 and 6 months old. They all survived and are healthy.

I personally think there is a big difference between a 3 week old and a 4-6 month old.

 

[momofeva]

I personally think there is a big difference between a 3 week old and a 4-6 month old.

Not when the 4 month old had been in the hospital at 2 months with Whooping Cough. I had the blessing of my doctor to take my DS to DL. He actually said that it would be good for DS to be in the December "warm air" of SoCal, we live in Utah.

My sister took one of her kids to DL when they were 5 weeks old, also a healthy pre-teen now. She took it slower and rested more, she did not ride some of the bumpier rides and she had a doughnut cushion to sit on.

I have a different perspective on children and germs then most parents though. My husband teaches middle school and unfortunately germs are part of the job. In fact, we found out that as adults, even fully immunized, you can carry Whooping Cough and possibly get it, but it will only seem like a cold to most adults-that is likely how my DS contracted the Whooping Cough.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Took both my kids each at 6 weeks. Of course it's different as we only live a few minutes away and could leave at any time. But it was nice to get out of the house and walk around and the pictures I have of my infants with Belle & Mickey are precious to me.

 

[doclegler]

We have brought our kids to WDW (never DL though) at all different ages and they have enjoyed it. Our youngest was 4 mths (which isn't a newborn obviously), and he was great throughout the trip. My only complaint was not getting as much sleep due to the nighttime feedings. Otherwise I really enjoy taking them. They just take it all in and sleep as necessary.
Good Luck!

 

[ty&brenmom]

Most doctors I know don't recommend taking your newborn out in public until at least 6 weeks old. I also ended up having to have c-sections with my children. I could barely walk a mile at 3 weeks post partum, I don't know how one would make it through disneyland if you ended up needing an emergency one. We didn't have breastfeeding down very well at the 3 week mark yet and I was completely exhausted from the baby being up 2 or 3 times a night. It just doesn't sound like a very fun trip to me...

I agree with you - I had natural birth with both my sons - but didn't heal very well with my oldest and there is no WAY I was able to walk around the store without being in pain, let alone walking around disneyland. I also was still extremely exhausted and couldn't even think about a vacation - there were many days it took hours to get ready to run and get milk. I am sure that it is "okay" to take your newborn and that you both will survive, but how much will you enjoy it??

 

[Gisele]

I keep telling people that new borns are something that the park no longer sells!

 

[mbfqueen]

Yep, it's a planned C-section .. not for me .. but all mine were c-sections .. first was emergency, second were planned .. so yeah I knew the day .. it may look odd that we know the date without knowing that first ..

She is a first time mom .. but she has age on her side lol

OK curious... You are going in 3 months... but you "know" that the baby will be 3.5 weeks old? Now is that number based on the babys due date? Will the doctor induce delivery on that day? Are you the mother? Does the mother have other kids? If not, I hope the mother knows what to expect! Those first couple of months are tiring... Even more so for my wife!