Taking a 7 month old

[Disneymom83]

Anyone have experience with going to the world with a 7 month old along with older children? It'll be myself 30, DH 31, DD 10, DS 4, and DD 7 months.

 

[kohlby]

We never had kids exactly those ages at Disney, as when we went with an 8 month old, we also had a 3.5 year old. We've also done an 11 month old, a 3.5 year old and a 6.5 year old. (As for the older side, we've done 3.5, 6.5, and 9.5).

We've done three trips with babies under a year and found they were easier than the 3 year old of the moment. We used a single stroller that had recline and a sling. The baby was in the sling all the time on two of the trips and the 3 year old in the stroller. In one trip, the baby was in the sling for all but naps. That was the 8 month old trip and she would nap in the stroller. So, the 3 year old would walk during those times.

As for having an older child, one thing we did was have hubby take the oldest child back out at night by himself a couple of times. He really didn't need it much though, as he walked the entire time and the other two were in the sling or stroller so he worked a lot harder than the younger two. We do most attractions together during the day but occasionally split up. We are careful to alternate rides a smaller child can't go on with ones that they can go on. This isn't an issue with your 7 month old - as they don't care - but can be with the 4 year old. Some people find going back for nap/break mid-day works. We've tried it several trips and it doesn't work for us with just one exception - and that's if we're struggling due to heat. We usually go when it's not hot so we hit rope drop and leave when someone acts like it's time to leave. That's usually somewhere around dinner time. Since the parks close earlier when we go, the going back out at night for the oldest and one parent is restricted to extra magic hours normally - though once it was for Fantasmic. I'm the one who stayed back with the younger kids when the oldest and hubby went back out. I didn't mind since then hubby would make an extra effort to let me go off and do a thrill ride or two the next day.

 

[hipporina]

We went last September when our youngest was 7 months and it was fantastic!!!! Our other kids are all significantly older (10-17 at the time), and it worked great. For the most part, we did our trip the same way we would have had we not had Jude (the baby).

We took our own stroller (Britax B-Agile which I love!), a ring sling, and a Beco Gemini. He spent a huge percentage of the trip in his Beco. I can't tell you how often we pushed the stroller with just stuff in it and I wore Jude. He was just so much happier that way and I was able to interact with him more than if he were in the stroller.

As for scheduling, he was an easy going baby, and we just hauled him along. He slept in the stroller or, more often, in the Beco and we kept going. I was still breastfeeding, so I would just stop wherever we were and feed him when he got hungry. For the rides he couldn't go on (very few to be honest), we either did child swap or my dh took the big kids and I hung out with the baby. Some of my best memories from the trip are my time with just Jude relaxing, people watching, or finding a quiet spot to just stop and nurse him and be in the moment with him while the rest of my family rode. (We go almost yearly, so it wasn't a big deal to me to miss things.)

Even at that young of an age, there were things he just loved! He stood and danced through the FoLK, got super excited when we saw Tigger and Pooh, and just really soaked it all in. My big kids enjoyed watching his reactions as much as I did.

We are going back next month and Jude will be almost 2 (20 months.) I'm afraid that will be a significantly bigger challenge than 7 months because he is far more opinionated now than he was then!

 

[Disneymom83]

We never had kids exactly those ages at Disney, as when we went with an 8 month old, we also had a 3.5 year old. We've also done an 11 month old, a 3.5 year old and a 6.5 year old. (As for the older side, we've done 3.5, 6.5, and 9.5).

We've done three trips with babies under a year and found they were easier than the 3 year old of the moment. We used a single stroller that had recline and a sling. The baby was in the sling all the time on two of the trips and the 3 year old in the stroller. In one trip, the baby was in the sling for all but naps. That was the 8 month old trip and she would nap in the stroller. So, the 3 year old would walk during those times.

As for having an older child, one thing we did was have hubby take the oldest child back out at night by himself a couple of times. He really didn't need it much though, as he walked the entire time and the other two were in the sling or stroller so he worked a lot harder than the younger two. We do most attractions together during the day but occasionally split up. We are careful to alternate rides a smaller child can't go on with ones that they can go on. This isn't an issue with your 7 month old - as they don't care - but can be with the 4 year old. Some people find going back for nap/break mid-day works. We've tried it several trips and it doesn't work for us with just one exception - and that's if we're struggling due to heat. We usually go when it's not hot so we hit rope drop and leave when someone acts like it's time to leave. That's usually somewhere around dinner time. Since the parks close earlier when we go, the going back out at night for the oldest and one parent is restricted to extra magic hours normally - though once it was for Fantasmic. I'm the one who stayed back with the younger kids when the oldest and hubby went back out. I didn't mind since then hubby would make an extra effort to let me go off and do a thrill ride or two the next day.

Thank you! Its so different when you have older children in the mix with an infant. I've taken an infant before but not with older children. I don't want to keep the older ones from doing things when our littlest one just needs some quiet time back at the resort.

 

[Disneymom83]

We went last September when our youngest was 7 months and it was fantastic!!!! Our other kids are all significantly older (10-17 at the time), and it worked great. For the most part, we did our trip the same way we would have had we not had Jude (the baby).

We took our own stroller (Britax B-Agile which I love!), a ring sling, and a Beco Gemini. He spent a huge percentage of the trip in his Beco. I can't tell you how often we pushed the stroller with just stuff in it and I wore Jude. He was just so much happier that way and I was able to interact with him more than if he were in the stroller.

As for scheduling, he was an easy going baby, and we just hauled him along. He slept in the stroller or, more often, in the Beco and we kept going. I was still breastfeeding, so I would just stop wherever we were and feed him when he got hungry. For the rides he couldn't go on (very few to be honest), we either did child swap or my dh took the big kids and I hung out with the baby. Some of my best memories from the trip are my time with just Jude relaxing, people watching, or finding a quiet spot to just stop and nurse him and be in the moment with him while the rest of my family rode. (We go almost yearly, so it wasn't a big deal to me to miss things.)

Even at that young of an age, there were things he just loved! He stood and danced through the FoLK, got super excited when we saw Tigger and Pooh, and just really soaked it all in. My big kids enjoyed watching his reactions as much as I did.

We are going back next month and Jude will be almost 2 (20 months.) I'm afraid that will be a significantly bigger challenge than 7 months because he is far more opinionated now than he was then!

Thank so much!! I breastfeed as well and we haven't used a stroller with her yet. I wear her using a ring sling. I'm getting a different type carrier in January to use as well. But she loves the sling. So glad to hear baby wearing works well in the parks. I never "knew" about baby wearing with my other two unfortunately.

 

[hipporina]

Thank so much!! I breastfeed as well and we haven't used a stroller with her yet. I wear her using a ring sling. I'm getting a different type carrier in January to use as well. But she loves the sling. So glad to hear baby wearing works well in the parks. I never "knew" about baby wearing with my other two unfortunately.

I would definitely recommend getting a second carrier. I took my ring sling our first evening and was wishing I had taken my Beco. The one shoulder carry just got to be too much for that long of a time period. I used my Beco the rest of the trip. As an added bonus if you are flying, I was able to wear him through security in my Beco going both ways. They did swab my hands in DFW, but it was super easy.

 

[Disneymom83]

Yes I will definitely be getting a second carrier. Thinking of getting an ergo.
Fortunately we won't be flying. Flights are so expensive. We only live 2 1/2-3 hours away.

 

[kohlby]

I actually used just the ring sling all day long and had no problems, and I don't have little babies. I'm rather petite myself but it wasn't an issue. The only time the sling was tough was when I had a 2.5 year old using it after a year break from it. (However, all slings aren't created equal either. I started with an Over The Shoulder Baby Holder when my first was born and had to switch after a couple of months since it felt like it slipped and it couldn't be adjusted enough later on. I used a homemade sling and a real Maya wrap too - and those both worked great). I've heard wonderful things about the Ergo though!

We found a couple other uses to for the sling - if you open in up, it can be draped over the stroller to keep the sights out during a nap. And it can be used as a seat belt in a regular chair if there's no highchairs available.

 

[Runnergal]

We will be there in a few weeks with a 7 month old- along with an 8yo, 6yo and 2yo. My biggest dilemma was deciding whether to bring a double stroller or 2 singles. I decided on the double so that we can split up and either dh or I can stay with the big kids while the other heads back to the resort with the littles. Staying somewhere convenient was also a big priority- we chose the CR. Choosing which rides to do with fp+ was tough- we ultimately decided to choose rides for the big kids like space mt, splash mt. Hopefully the big kids will benefit from rider switch. My logic is that the 2 yo doesn't even know about rides yet- he will be happy just being in Disney with a giant lollipop in his hand. He won't know what he is missing. Oh, and the 7month old-he is just along for the ride! I hadn't considered bringing a carrier, but maybe I will in case he gets cranky in the stroller. He is 19 pounds and a lot to carry!

 

[tracik19]

Just got back from a trip with a 7mo old and 2.5 year old. The 7mo old was wonderful. I should say she is the easiest baby in the world, but even so, there was nothing to it! I took a carrier for getting on/off transportation & rides, and she rode in the stroller the rest of the time. I am still nursing, and that was a piece of cake too, just nursed her in dark rides and on park benches with a cover. A cast member saw me nursing her once (with a cover) and offered to let me in an airconditioned part of the store but at that point I was almost finished. I thought it was a fantastic time because although she started crawling she was content to just ride along in the stroller or be in the carrier for the rides. The characters also loved her, they'd let her kiss their noses etc. We never went back to the resort for her to rest, and she went from rope drop to after the evening show each night with just naps in the carrier or stroller. We stayed at Art of Animation and transportation worked out great. She rode most all rides except the big ones while in the carrier. I have the Beco Gemini carrier. It was fine while I was there, my back was a little sore whenever I got home. As far as ride though, we did have 2 grandparents with us that could sub in whenever I wanted to just stay with the baby and the stroller. Have a great trip!

 

[Disneymom83]

Thanks for all the input. I was considering not taking the stroller. Maybe I'll just take it and leave it in the room JUST in case im really sore from carrying her so much. I love using our baby carrier. I don't think I could go the whole time using the ring sling so I'll get an ergo or something similar and take both.

 

[lovebug21]

Nice thing about the stroller is you can lay her down to sleep while you do a ride or two and someone sits with her.

 

[Disneymom83]

I didn't think about that. I'll have to consider bringing it then. Thank you!