Small infant travel item recommendations?

[Spart02]

We will be traveling with a 4 month old in December to Disney World for 8 nights. Since we are flying, space is VERY limited. What items have you brought in the past that you were happy you had, or that you wished you hadn't bothered with?
We also have a 4 year old and a 7 year old, so we are considering buying a sit and stand stroller so we wouldn't have to drag along 2 strollers this time. Also, I'm thinking it would be best to bring the infant car seat...and hopefully it'll safely snap into a sit and stand stroller. Since we'll need it anyway for the rental mini van, I think it would also be nice to have at the parks so we could easily transfer the baby from the stroller to the van without waking it.
I'm thinking we'll just have a pack and play brought up to the room at Pop Century. We have used them in the past and have been pleased with their condition.
What other items have you used that you have found helpful? Do you have any other tips for traveling with a small infant? We are a family that spends all day at the parks, and it's been awhile since we've done it with a baby, so we're a bit rusty!
Thanks for you suggestions in advance!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

We went in December with our DS4, DS7, and DD (then 6mo)

The item that I found indispenceable was the front carrier. She spent most of the time in it. Ate and slept in it too. It was so much easier to go on the attractions and monorail /trams with her in there than having to transfer her from the stroller. We still brought the stroller for her, but DS4 used it more than she did. He refused to walk most of the time. DS7 did really well walking and only complained a couple of times. The only time we used her infant carseat ( outside of the rental car ) was when we ate at Chef Mickeys, we didn't really need it but she was sleeping when we got there.

Other items that I used were disposable changing pads, huggies bath wipes (these are dry and when wet they become soapy ), bring 2-3 pacifiers if your baby uses them, also bring at least 2 bottles with you. We always had one mixed and ready to go and the other with water in it, so we just had to add the powder incase of emergency. Bring, a sunhat and layering clothing, extra outfit just incase they wet through, sunscreen and only one or two small toys. Don't bother with the cute stuff like shoes, I brought them and didn't use them because I was afraid they would fall off. I also brought way too many clothes for the baby. She didn't wear 2-3 outfits that I brought ( I was way too caught up in the... she'll look cute in that when we see XX when I was packing) Other things that I brought but didn't use were, disposable bibs, spoons and babyfood, too many toys, sunglasses, blankets (brought 3 only used 1), sippy cup, and baseball hat.

 

[Ariel8676]

I have to agree with some type of carrier..i use slings and Mei Tei's..
check them out.. http://goo-ga.com/ , or http://babyhawk.com/ i also have a BECO http://ecobabies.com/ and here http://littlepearlbabywear.com/ everything is in stock here... You can also check out http://thebabywearer.com/ there is a ton of info on all types of carriers.
If you plan on bringing the infant seat maybe a snap and go type stroller may be a better option, or just bringing a lightweight double for the baby and 4 yo..you will definitely want something for the 4 yo, thats a LOT of walking.
You can also ship a package to your resort ahead of time, with diapers and wipes and things that take up a lot of space in your luggage, and you can ship cases of water there as well free through Staples.com.
Im an overpacker..lol SO im really no help in that department..lol
Good Luck planning

 

[SaraMc]

I tend to over pack too, but DS is so upredictable. Somedays he's a spit up machine, others he's fine. Also the weather at this time of year I have extra stuff for him just incase. One thing I did get for DS that we use all the time when we go out and will be taking with us is Avent has a formula holder container, holds 3 feedings of powder formula and when they are older you can use it as a snack cup. We got 2 so that we can have enough for a full day in the parks with us. We dont normally make a bottle up before we go anywhere the type of formula DS is on if its not refrigerated after 1 hour its no good.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

Last time we went our youngest was 8 months and this October we will be going again (flying from Canada so I know about space issues) and our children will be maybe 4 months, 3 years, 4 1/2 years, and 12 years old. We will bring the infant carrier for the plane/rental van but will not bring it in the parks as it takes up too much good stroller room! Last time we had the 8 month old in the sling most of the time, the 2 year old in the stroller and the 9 year old liked to sit in the stroller from time to time as she was exhausted by hour 6 and took a break when she could! The baby rarely sat in there to be honest. This time I bought a Maya Wrap instead of my New Native Sling and I pack the Bjorn for DH as he prefers it (I like the Maya best as I can nurse and walk/ride and no one can see a thing and baby is so secure). I also pack a million wipes, disposable bibs & change pads, ziplocs for clean changes of clothes and dirty clothes and my #1 item - rain cover for the stroller - I was the envy of many the last time I went - even was offered $$ to sell it!!

Have fun!!

 

[laughinplace199]

We're flying also and our baby will be 5 months old when we go. I'm shipping formula down in advance and we're planning to get diapers, wipes, etc at the grocery store (we'll have a rental car). We're bringing the baby's car seat & stroller and we will use the Pack N Play at the resort (but we're bringing our own sheet for it).

The thing I haven't figured out is what to do about baths. I'm thinking of getting one of those inflatable baby tubs, but I'm not sure.

I'm also going to bring a rain cover for the stroller and I'm bringing the Baby Bjorn.

Have a fun trip!

 

[RangerPooh]

I also agree with the front pack and rain cover for the stroller. Extra outfits (unless you plan to do laundry) and blankies. I also bring Similac or Enfamil powder sticks. I can put these in the diaper bag and they are premeasured and ready to be poured into water. A big can of formula, as formula at WDW isn't cheap. I also bring travel sized bottles of baby bathwash and shampoo. Also don't forget the diaper rash cream!

Be sure to use the baby care centers when the baby needs a break. It's got AC and nice changing tables and a play/reading/DVD area for the older kids to wait in.

 

[MiniGirl]

The thing I haven't figured out is what to do about baths. I'm thinking of getting one of those inflatable baby tubs, but I'm not sure.

Do you think an inflatable pool ring would work? It sure would be easy enough to carry and very inexpensive.

To the OP..... I loved travelling with my Maya Wrap. It's been a few years, but I loved that thing. I used it all the time. It was great. My dd was so close to me that people wouldn't dare reach in to touch baby for fear they'd touch me instead. Loved that -- especially this time of year with all the colds and such going around. Also, nursing was so easy. They can take some getting used to, but my babies loved being worn; and I loved having them close.

 

[dsneygirl]

We used an inflatable tub for DS, didn't take up all that much space. He was very happy in his stroller (Mac Quest). I used those link a doos to attach a couple of toys to his stoller than there were no worries about him dropping them and losing them along the way.

Definitely recommend the rain cover. We only had to use it twice but it was so worth it to have it. It folded up so small we just kept it in the basket at all times.

 

[hrarcham]

Hats and Sunscreen are a MUST! We brought our stroller ( with rain cover )and a front carrier. Wipes are great for their intended use and to cool down a hot infant... We always packed all our diapers and formula in an extra suitcase since my husband usually only takes one...

 

[dfarner]

My youngest DD was 4 months when we went down this past September. I definitely agree with other posters that you need some kind of body carrier. Especially on the plane. We flew Southwest and DH had to take her out of it on take-off and landing, but other than that, she was in that carrier and sleeping on his chest. We feel that if, God Forbid, anything happened on the plane that was absolutely the safest place she could be.
I would also definitely suggest bottled water for the baby's formula (if you will be using that) as he/she's little tummy will likely not be able to handle the change in water down there. If the baby is nursing, then remember for yourself to drink HUGE amounts of water, even though you're going in a cool month. It is hard to remember to take care of mommy when she's taking care of everyone else, but stay hydrated.
We really struggled with the idea of taking an infant so young, but let me tell you it was a breeze because she slept all the time. You will have some great pictures...family with Pooh, baby sleeping...family with Ariel, baby sleeping...family riding Small World...MOMMY sleeping.

 

[AllisonG]

We're leaving in one day. Staying at the VWl and driving up. My DD is almost 6 months old and I was thinking about bringing her bouncy chair with us. Is that a good idea? Yes at home I use it atleast twice aday for feeding and such. Will I use it in Disney. I've got the room in the car but how should the chair travel? Should I put it in something?? Take it apart?

Help Mom's!??? What do I do?

 

[dsneygirl]

If you have room I would bring it. Just throw it in on top.

 

[Jaymie]

I agree with the other posts about the carrier. Another thing I used a lot, as well as the link a doos. My son never took a pacifer, but I attached the little thingy that you normally attach a pacifer to (I don't know what it's called), to soft books, rattles and other soft toys. That way he didn't only have to play with link a doo toys. He loved books. So I wasn't constantly picking up thing he would drop. He was 5 months at the time. We've been again when he was 18 months and again when was 2 1/2 and 5 months was by far the easiest.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

We're leaving in one day. Staying at the VWl and driving up. My DD is almost 6 months old and I was thinking about bringing her bouncy chair with us. Is that a good idea? Yes at home I use it atleast twice aday for feeding and such. Will I use it in Disney. I've got the room in the car but how should the chair travel? Should I put it in something?? Take it apart?

Help Mom's!??? What do I do?

I brought baby food along with us. DD was the same age as your DS and I never used it for her. She was fine with just the formula ( we used tap water from the condo and the difference in the water didn't bother her ) The baby food was just too much extra work and she didn't miss it. If your DS is sitting up, I think he would be fine w/o the seat. Maybe just use a blanket instead if you're worried about dirty floors and such. It'll leave more room for souvies on the trip home

 

[Brika]

We went to Disney when DD was 5mo. We LOVED Having her carrier in the park. I don't like the feel of front packs... especially if it's hot. I simply let her sleep and ride in the carrier in the stroller.... and when we did a ride... they always let me simply take the carrier off the stroller and on the ride with me. I never woke her and we never missed a ride. The other thing I was HAPPY I brought was a cheap crib sheet. I used it as: towel, sun blocker (hung over stroller), cooling device (when soaked in water it keeps baby nice and cool), a butt saver to sit on during parades and many other things. Someone suggested it me and I was very happy. Our dd is 2 now and we still leave it folded in our stroller for a variety of uses.

Also, I only breastfeed so I didn't have to worry about formula, bottles, or water. That was great, her meals were always ready and at the perfect temperature. I did bring LOTS of wipes... it seems everyone in our family found uses for them while we were there.

I wished we would have had two blankets instead of the one we packed. It got dirty and even though we washed it, it would have been nice to have one other to exchange it with. I hate having dirty things by a small baby.

HTH!