Tips/Tricks for bringing an infant to DL

[PocahontasLookALike]

I'm a DL veteran (sorta) but a new mom (yay me!) who will be bringing my infant, who will be 12 weeks old at the time of our trip.

What are some tips/tricks that you all would suggest?

I know this trip will be a little different since I'll be working around her little schedule and I am MORE than okay with this. It's been almost 2 and half years since I've been to the parks and I'm more excited to soak up the ambiance and food than I am about rushing to every single attraction like we used to.

We will be bringing our own stroller and we'll be staying at the PPH. I'm aware of the Baby Center/Mothers Rooms at DL and definitely plan on utilizing it since I'm nursing our precious little one. Is there a Mothers Room at DCA?

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I'm aware of the Baby Center/Mothers Rooms at DL and definitely plan on utilizing it since I'm nursing our precious little one. Is there a Mothers Room at DCA?

The baby center/mother's rooms are a dream come true for anyone with a baby. The women that work in there are fabulous. Perhaps my favorite Castmembers.

There is a location in DCA. It is near wear the Mission Tortilla tour used to be and next to the first aid center.

I strongly recommend using the Baby Center to change diapers instead of a bathroom. Much more space, cleaner, etc.

 

[mouseymommy]

Congrats on being a new Mommy! I would also reccomend the Baby Care centers. I went to DL last year with my baby(11mos) and I loved it. Having such a little one will be easier in some ways. They do a lot of eating and sleeping at 12 weeks. I would just bring along lots of baby supplies and go with the flow! Have fun!!

 

[todzwife]

My #1 piece of advice- find a comfortable 2 shoulder carrier (woven wrap, or a buckle carrier like a Beco Gemini or angelpack) I wore my 6 month old 90% of the time when we went Nov 2010. It was easy because I didn't have to constantly put her in/take her out of the stroller.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

My #1 piece of advice- find a comfortable 2 shoulder carrier (woven wrap, or a buckle carrier like a Beco Gemini or angelpack) I wore my 6 month old 90% of the time when we went Nov 2010. It was easy because I didn't have to constantly put her in/take her out of the stroller.

This!

 

[mama2dutchies]

My #1 piece of advice- find a comfortable 2 shoulder carrier (woven wrap, or a buckle carrier like a Beco Gemini or angelpack) I wore my 6 month old 90% of the time when we went Nov 2010. It was easy because I didn't have to constantly put her in/take her out of the stroller.

Same here! also just expect a different experience.. a much slower quieter one, also expect a new perspective on the Land..

 

[croppincolburn]

I took grandma, and grandpa, with me. My mom doesn't like the more adventurous rides so she was very happy to stay with the baby. We take vacations together when ever we can even now.

 

[Davids-Coco]

At that age they are still pretty easy so you will be working around feedings and changings mostly.

But to third (fourth?, fifth?, lol) the above. Get a GOOD soft structure carrier or woven wrap. There is a little learning curve to the wovens but it isn't as hard as it looks. I like the soft structured ones for disney personally just because it is easier to move between myself and my husband. Now our kids are too big - but I can tell you... it is SO much easier than a stroller ever is. Especially in crowds. I wouldn't want my ones down in the stroller at that age in some of those crowds (like the after fireworks exodus).

 

[todzwife]

At that age they are still pretty easy so you will be working around feedings and changings mostly.

But to third (fourth?, fifth?, lol) the above. Get a GOOD soft structure carrier or woven wrap. There is a little learning curve to the wovens but it isn't as hard as it looks. I like the soft structured ones for disney personally just because it is easier to move between myself and my husband. Now our kids are too big - but I can tell you... it is SO much easier than a stroller ever is. Especially in crowds. I wouldn't want my ones down in the stroller at that age in some of those crowds (like the after fireworks exodus).

yes! It was so nice to have her snuggled up to me. It was actually cold when we went, but I had her zipped under a men's XL hoodie so she was never cold. She nursed every few hours (and I just adjusted the carrier to nurse, no one could see anything, and no one even knew!) She slept when she got tired. She did not cry at ALL that week. It was incredible (and she is my easy baby, so that probably has something to do with it). I can't imagine she would have been happy to be in the stroller, at butt level all week. The stroller IS nice to haul everyone's stuff though!

 

[larryt]

Ditto to the baby carrier! I took my youngest when she was 4 months and she loved looking around at all the sights when she was awake and snuggled up close to me when she was asleep. The carrier also works really well when you want to go on child friendly rides - she stayed in the snugglie when I went on Buzz Lightyear, Pirates, and some of the other rides in Fantasyland. It was so much more convenient than unbuckling her out of the stroller and holding her while boarding a ride.

I would also try to bring a "hooter hider" if you can't get to a baby center in time. There's nothing worse than a hungry, crying baby with the next baby center a 10 minute walk away. I just plopped myself down on the nearest bench and nursed her there. No one even noticed what I was doing.

I think going to DL with a baby this age is the best time to take them, when it's more a trip for you. No bottles or food to pack, no certain time where you have to get back to the hotel for a nap (they just sleep in the stroller) - just pack up the diaper bag and stroller and you're good for the day! I'm so glad I decided to go when she was that little instead of waiting until she was older. That way, we could really focus on our then-4 year old and let her enjoy DLR!

Have a great trip!

 

[pixiepowers]

I agree with larryt - the hooter hider worked wonders. I think I nursed in every land! The baby center was the most relaxing quiet place - it was a nice diversion from the stimulation in the parks. Mostly my little guy loved watching all of the people at the parks - we traveled at Christmas, so the sparkly lights helped too. Also, get a My First Trip button and take a picture (your little one won't remember) - a CM spotted my son and grabbed one for us as we were waiting in line to pick up our tickets - she wrote the date on the back of the button as an extra reminder. Best trip to Disney ever - enjoy!

 

[carnival kid]

We took DD when she was 10 months old and still had a wonderful experience. She happily slept in the pram during the day and loved people watching. She came home from the trip knowing how to wave properly and say "hi" cause so many people did it to her while we were there

You sound like me i was willing to miss a lot of the rides to wait with her when she couldnt go on.

Remember to take EVERYTHING out of the stroller if you leave it anywhere.

And dont miss things just because of the baby. We did the fantasmic reserved dining. People told me i was crazy and she wouldnt like it , cry and be scared. After about 5 mins of watching she slept right through the rest

 

[larryt]

I agree with larryt - the hooter hider worked wonders. I think I nursed in every land!

Just to make it clear - larryt is NOT a breastfeeding MAN...I'm logged in under my husband's name and was too lazy to re-login under my name!

When he read my response, he got pretty self-conscious that everyone would think he was writing the post!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

Yep, baby carrier all the way. I had a Moby Wrap that had a little learning curve on it, but it was wonderful at DLR. I used it for 2 yrs with DS in various configurations, and it made such a difference for attraction lines.

Mostly it was just what you said - take it easy, adjust to baby's schedule, and enjoy the slower pace. I loved the quiet moments when DS was sleeping or eating and I could just sit and take in the disney atmosphere.

And I made sure to head back to the hotel for a nap for both of us once a day, which some of the time was something I needed more than DS after the hours of caring for a little one and standing in line and navigating the crowds.

Oh, and make use of the baby swap on rides - we loved being able to do that!

Have a great trip!

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

thanks for the tips! they are all good ones!

 

[shellncesar]

Check out Babes In Disneyland. The author has an ebook and blog all about bringing young kids to DL