Traveling with 16 month old and looking for friendly advice

[Belle's Castle]

Hi All,
My DH will be traveling for in 2009 with our DD who will be 16 months on the date of our trip. We are going to bring a stroller and are planning on taking mid-day breaks so she can nap. Basically our overall plan is to play things by ear based on how she is doing that day. We are going during the end of July beginning of August. I know it is going to be HOT but I work in a school and am only aloud to vacation during school breaks. Since we are going with my parents and sister and BIL this is the time that works best for everyone.

My husband and I are getting concerned about how DD will deal with the heat. The doctor reported she will be fine, but she is our first and we are alittle nervous. Does anyone have any advice on how to help her deal with the heat? I have read lots and lots of posts about taking young children but they are never during the summer.

DH and I always go in the summer and we know how to deal, I am just concerned about her and starting to rethink this whole thing. Any helpful advice on how to make this trip magical would be more than welcomed!!

 

[happymommy1102]

Hi! I saw this post and just had to respond! We just got back from a week at Disney today and it was HOT HOT HOT! Holy cow the humidity! BUT.... We brought our 4 year old and 16 month old and let me tell you he (16 month old) did AWESOME in the heat. He did better than we did! We planned it so we got to the parks first thing when it wasn't so hot, did the rides they wanted, then went back for pool time and naps. It worked out perfectly. And once the sun started to go down we went back to the park to do any rides we missed or to see fireworks. I highly recommend getting the water bottle that has the fan attached that also sprits water. It was a big help for all of us to keep cool during the day. Plus the kids loves spraying each other. I'm sure you will be fine. I had the same concern you did before we left and even when we got there. But as long as you keep her hydrated and take breaks you should have no worries!! Enjoy your trip!! Hope this advice helps! If you need anymore don't hesitate to ask!

 

[erddig]

First, she and you will be better than fine, much of what you will be doing will be in and out of air conditioning, so you get a chance to cool off. Some things to remember,
hydrate- yourself and her-drink water, not juice, not pop
dress in fabrics that breath and dry quickly
take percautions to prevent diaper rash (change diapers often, baby powder or equivalent)
if her stroller is a dark color, take a light colored, light weight blanket to put under her (dark colors absorb heat)
a mister fan can do wonders,

But most importantly use sunscreen and reaply.

BTW, we go to Disney in Feb, but other hot climates in the summer!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Hi, We have taken smaller infants, but in less hot times of year, but we love the misting fans pp have suggested. They are expensive at Disney, but I was aat Walmart today and they had them on sale for $2.50. I know they are good ones because my kids had the same kind for soccer. Just a tip if you are interessted, I know your trip is a while away. I hope you don'tt cancel, Disney is best through the eyes of your kids, you will be happy you went even though it will be more work then your previous trips no question!

 

[happymommy1102]

Good idea mickeymomofthree! definitly purchase the misting fans outside the park. We didn't and spent 16.00 at disney! then went to walgreens and saw it for like 3.00! Also, they have great baby care centers in each park that are great to change your baby and take a break. Also bring lots of snacks. I found while walking around the parks it helped keep my kids from wanting to get out of the stroller.

 

[Belle's Castle]

THANKS SO MUCH....I am feeling less nervous now and will definately be getting a misting fan. Our stroller is brown and black (macl. volo). I never thought about it getting hot because it is made of mesh; so the towel idea will come in handy. We are going to be staying at the Boardwalk one week and AK the following week so I am getting excited. My parents are DVC members so the kitchen will come in handy. I think I just needed someone to tell me this trip is doable and that I am not crazy for wanting to see my DD in Disney even though she will never remember it.

At this age will I still need to bring baby food or can i give her small pieces of fruit and other soft foods???

 

[Willow25]

By 16 months she should be off baby foods and you will be able to feed her most foods. My daughter has been on "normal food" since she was 12 months and that was on the recommendation of our pediatrician. You will have a great time it is such a great age.

 

[dolfinjuls]

We just returned with our 13 month old and 3.5 yr old. And the 13 month old was the easiest! She was so easygoing unless she was getting tired, but she'd usually just fall asleep in my arms. We hardly went back to the room for a nap. She'd either sleep in my arms on a ride or pass out in the stroller.

We just made sure to keep her hydrated with water. She had milk at meals. No baby food...she eats all regular food at this point. Lots of finger food snacks throughout the day.

Good luck & have fun!

 

[erddig]

I would keep her diet as close to what it is now, she will probally eat less. You can get baby food in the parks at the baby care centers (they are a great place to feed, relax and cool off. Also if you have a car, go to the store and buy it, I'm not sure what is available to buy at the resorts.

She WILL remember the trip, more acurately she will THINK she remembers. That's why we take all those pictures, my middle child swears she remembers her first trip, at 5 months---she remembers every detail of every picture she ever saw of that trip

Relax and have fun!

 

[Mrs D]

We leave in 5 days for our first family trip with DS3 and DD14 mo.
I was prepared for HOT and Humid, not am preparing for Humid and RAINY! I have clip on fans for the strollers (o2Cool from CVS $4.99) and rayshades for each stroller for extra sun protection. Now we have also purchased rain covers for both strollers!
You can bring a soft sided cooler into the parks, freeze a few water bottles in addition to cold water and disposable sippy cups - this will keep her hydrated.
You will have a great time!

 

[JustinsMommy07]

Everyone's advice is great! Definitely do the powder when changing diapers. We took DS(4months at the time) in December. It was the first time he had a diaper rash. Once we started with the powder everything was fine. The only other thing that I will add is to take a washcloth with you and wet it throughout the day. You can use it on the baby's face and neck to cool her down. You will have a great time just take things slow.

 

[PrincessPeyton]

My best piece of advice I can give you is visit the Baby Care Centers . We didn't visit one until our 3rd day and boy what a difference did it make! It's nice and air-conditioned....and you can get water there too! I also asked for 2 cups of ice water at every counter service and asked for to-go cups for my DD2 at the tables services.
We were there last week and it was about 95 degrees and like the OP, my DD2 did better then we did!
Also, about the naps - My daughter loves to nap, at home she could easily take a 3 hour nap and we would still have to wake her up. When we were at Disney, she took maybe a hour nap in her stroller at the parks and was wide awake until atleast 11 PM every night! I can only explain it as Disney "magic". So play it by ear and good luck!

 

[Belle's Castle]

Thanks for all the advice...I never thought to use the baby centers. I guess I thought they were more for people with really little ones. My DH and I are starting to get very excited and our trip is over 10 months away. We have started playing Disney music for DD around the clock and everytime the Tiki Room song comes on DD goes crazy. SHE LOVES THAT SONG.

Another question...if she is 14 pounds now, most likey she will be 22 pounds before our trip in July, righ?? I am hoping so because I really do not want to take the read facing carseat on the plane. I would prefer the CARES or her forward facing carseat.

OOO one more question...see loves to sleep in her pack-n-play (we visit nana and poppy alot because they live out of town and she sleeps in the pack-n-play) I have heard that they are not very clean at Disney. If it ends up being dirty, can I request one that is clean or that they come and clean it???

 

[dolfinjuls]

The pack n play in our room appeared to be very clean! I have also heard of people bringing their own sheets just in case.

I forgot about the sheets..but they seemed fine. I did bring blankets for her in the pack n play though.