Question for Non-Nursing Mothers

[Mom22angels]

Hi!

This will be my first trip with my 8 month old son. I'm debating if I should take formula that I have to add the water too (not sure how Disney's drinking water is) or buy the already prepared formula??? What does/did you all do?

If I decide to take the powder formula, does the care centers have a microwave I can heat it up with or at least warm water?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Brenda

 

[AnnetteF]

We went when my DD was 7 months old ( she is 2 1/2 now and we just returned from her 3rd trip in October). The Baby Care Centers are wonderful. They have microwaves and I know the one in the Magic Kingdom also has a stove and there is usually a pan of hot water on it if you prefer to warm your baby's bottle that way. We brought the formula already prepared in the little 8 oz. cans but I think you would be fine either way. You will love the Baby Care Center. Nice, clean, big changing tables. A full stock of most baby care items you will ever need including most brands of formula, a selection of baby foods, and medicines like infant tylenol. They have dimly lit rooms with rocking chairs where you can go sit and feed your baby, and a room with high chairs.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[lclark0621]

When my DS (3) was younger, he would not drink the powdered formula. No matter what we did, he would just throw it back up.

So we always used the ready to use stuff. When we went to Disney we had a fridge in the room & would put the larger cans in there. We used the canned stuff for his morning & night time bottles, and any other time we were in the room.

When we were out in the parks, we used the nursettes (the pre-made bottles of stuff you just add a nipple to). They worked great. No heating needed, since the stuff was always room temp.

The baby centers are great & we did use them a lot. Just not for mixing formula.

 

[Colinsmom]

Orlando water tastes pretty bad to me (everyone may have a different opinion on this one) so I'd probably only do powdered if I brought bottled water along too.

 

[tmarquez]

If you already are using the powdered formula, I would strongly recommend continuing with that, maybe you could use bottles watter to mix it with if you think the taste of the drinking water in Orlando might be an issue for you.

I only say this because we started DD out on the powdered stuff, then went to the premixed for a vacation. She liked the premixed so much more and would never again take the powdered version.

 

[emma'smom]

We took powdered formula and we used bottled water. We would just fill a few baby bottles up with bottled water in the morning (and always bought more along the way) and carried the powdered formula tubes (I think Enfamil makes them).

I could have carried the little tri-section containers from Babies-R-Us that we usually carried, but the tubes were just a wee bit easier. The Baby Care Centers also had specific sinks from which you could fill bottles with tap water..I don't know why they were designated...maybe they were filtered or something...or maybe just for cleanliness.

Anyway, you can heat the bottles there. We, however, just gave them to our daughter at room temperature just mixing them from the bottled water in our bag. I know some babies need them warmed for digestive purposes, but our dd never seemed to mind room temp and we did this with our older dd when she was younger and we were in a pinch. They have both survived just fine!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

When we go with DD6mo we are taking the power travel packets and bringing bottled water. We were going to drive and just bring a gallon of water from home but our plans changed and now we are flying, so now we'll just stop at Sam's club or Target after we get down there and pick up some bottled water.

FYI if you shop at Sams club they have the big Similac powder container with 12 bonus travel packets for the same price as just the Similac. 12 travel packets for free. I bought a few extra so I wouldn't have to purchase so many travel packets before we go.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Orlando water tastes pretty bad to me (everyone may have a different opinion on this one) so I'd probably only do powdered if I brought bottled water along too.

Ditto!!!

I haven't had a problem with FL water in coastal area, but in the central part of FL (Lake City @ I-10/75 junction and Orlanda) the water has a really strong flavor. While I can't find anything "official", I've heard several people claim it taste like it contains sulfur.

And if you get water that has been bottled locally, it can still have this odd flavor.

I would suggest distilled water for baby formula. We kept a gallon jug in the hotel room and just pre-filled bottles with the water in the morning and just added pre-measured amounts of powder to the bottle for instant formula. We never heat bottles, but water like this is at least room tempature.

What ever you intend to do, start trying it before you go to WDW. Babies can be quite fussy about thier food. I know of a mother who regularly used powered formula, but she had to mix a day's supply the day before and store it in the frige. Regardless of how much you shake and stir, it still takes time for powdered formula to completely disolve in water. Her child knew the difference between formula that had just been mixed and formula that had the chance to sit for a while and completely mix, and he would NOT take formula that had just been mixed.

 

[hthrbells]

I would go the bottled water route too. I will be in Dis in Dec and our youngest will be 9 months. They have powder dispencers in walmart or on line....very handy!! You can buy a couple and you have your portions all set. You can prefill your bottles with water and off you go. Also just another tip you can pre order groc and have them delivered to your hotel. I am opting for that rather than lug everything through the airport, we will bring some just in case but it is nice we do not have to tote a whole weeks worth! Good luck and have a great time

 

[sskem96]

I used to use the bottled nursery water in the little 8oz. bottles-they have Sesame Street characters on them. Just pour the water and the formula in the bottle when it's time for the baby to eat. Then you can just take 1 baby bottle and wash in the baby care center between feedings, and you won't have a bunch of dirty bottles to wash at the end of the day.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Our Target has little bags made for putting your powdered formula in--measure in the amount for 1 bottle into each bag and then zip the top. The bottom tears off in a way that makes it easy to dump the powder into the bottle. Perfect for travel and just carrying around town in the diaper bag! I found these in the same area where they sell the little plastic container that has three compartments for putting your measured powdered formula.

 

[blessedby3]

Just a suggestion, but I would start now to get your baby not so used to such a warm bottle. You could heat the bottle a little less each time until you go on your trip, then you wont have to worry about finding somewhere to heat it up. I nursed my 3 kids, but occasionally gave them a bottle and didnt heat them up, but used room temp. water to mix it with. If money is a factor I would get some snack size zip locks to carry the pre-measured formula powder in and then you could just toss them when done. If money is not a factor, then I would use the pre made packets. Have a fun trip- we took our youngest DD at 10 mos. and it was the best trip ever!! Get lots of pictures!!

 

[mrsltg]

Orlando water does a number on my system, my dd's, too. I mentioned it to my mom who has had the same problem. There is something in it I am not used to. I didn't want to chance it with the baby so I bought bottled water to mix her formula with. I measured the formula into one bottle and the water in the other. When the time came I simply poured the water on top of the formula and shook. It worked fine.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[shelly3girls]

Hi!

This will be my first trip with my 8 month old son. I'm debating if I should take formula that I have to add the water too (not sure how Disney's drinking water is) or buy the already prepared formula??? What does/did you all do?

If I decide to take the powder formula, does the care centers have a microwave I can heat it up with or at least warm water?

Thanks for your thoughts!
Brenda

I would also take the powder if that is what DS is familiar with. We tried giving my DS the prepared stuff thinking it may help with his spit-up and he refused it. It definitely looks and smells different and he wanted nothing to do with it. You do not want to find yourself with formula that he will not drink while on vacation. I also think the powder is much easier when traveling. DS wants his warm so we heat up water and put it in a small thermos. This way you are not looking for the care center when he wants to eat. Just fill it in the morning then refill it when it is convenient for you not necessarily when he wants to eat.

 

[all4fun]

We always took the powdered formula ds was used to and mixed it with bottled water. I also wouldn't recommend using regular tap water there as it isn't very good.

We premixed everything and kept it in a bottle bag w/ice packs...but ds was never one to take more than a few ounces at a time and we tended to offer him his bottle frequently throughout the day. This is not the normal situation for most people...he had reflux and oral aversion issues which made it harder for him to take in a lot at once so we just adjusted.

You might find it easier to just buy water while your there (if you're on the dining plan, you can also use snack credits to buy bottled water - they were selling Dasani when we were there in Sept.).

One tip I found to be VERY helpful:
Before you go, get your LO used to taking a bottle cold (or at least at room temp) and it will make your life so much easier. After all, there's no nutritional advantage to warming it up.

hth.

 

[Mom22angels]

Ladies!

Thank you all for such great tips! I will definatley be sticking with the powder formula because that is what he takes now. Luckily, my brother who is driving, will be meeting us there and I already gave him by "shopping list" (ie bottled water, snacks, baby food, diapers, etc.)!

Thank You all so much!

All4fun....a personal shout out ! I have a 1 lb. 2 oz. miracle....who is now 3 and AMAZING!

 

[Cory's Gal]

I didn't take my son to Disney that young, but we did go out a lot. The Nursettes are the best way to do it. You don't have to mix anything, keep anything cold, and you can just toss the bottle when you're done. It's a little pricey but I think you will find it easier, then you don't HAVE to find a Care Center to warm anything up. It's just for the vacation, be sure to let him try a couple before you leave home!