traveling with an Infant

[mickeymyfavorite]

Hello everyone!! I will be traveling to WDW it will be an unexacting trip. Any tips if traveling with an infant Oct/November time.

I have been to WDW so many times that its ok if I don't see everything its ok.

TIA

 

[glassslippergirl]

Others will have a lot of great suggestions, and there's the Disney for Families board that's worth checking out.

My best advice is that the baby centers in each park are your best friend with an infant. The changing tables there are by far the cleanest and roomiest you can find in parks. There's nursing facilities (private ones in some parks; MK is a big gang room), high chairs, places to warm up food and clean bottles, even bottled water (good for mixing formula).

Make sure the baby stays hydrated (and mom needs to stay really hydrated, too, especially if nursing). If you have a device to wear the baby, I'd recommend bringing it-- easier to get on and off rides. Learn how to use rider swap if you plan to go on rides the baby can't. I'd focus on rides the baby may enjoy-- things with a lot of visual stimuli but not too loud. With a really little one, we skipped afternoon breaks and found stroller naps worked better. We are just now incorporating afternoon breaks with DS4 as he drops his nap but needs some other downtime. YMMV.

Take lots of pictures. Knowing DS would not wear a button, I actually got a high quality photo of a first visit button and used a tee shirt transfer to put it on a onesie. I told the Dapper Dans it was his first trip, and they sang a song especially for him. So don't be afraid to see how big a deal characters and performers will make about your baby.

 

[roseaster]

Take your own stroller, one you will be comfortable pushing, one that fully reclines, one that the baby is comfortable in.

If the baby will tolerate a carrier (it was hit or miss with mine) take that. It is great for lines and the rides that you can take them on.

Lots of sunscreen and a hat.

We had a strategy that worked well with our ones that weren't too good at the table. We planned meals for times we knew they would be asleep. Every restaurant has let us bring the stroller in if they were sleeping and we threw a beach towel or blanket over the stroller to keep it dark and they slept through the meal. (also good for keeping the sun out in the park)

Swim diapers.

If you are bottle feeding "pre-load" bottles with the right amount of powdered formula, carry along some bottled water. When they are hungry add water and shake. Take along a small bottle of dish soap and bottle brush to wash bottles in the room.

If they are eating solids baby food or snacks that they would normally eat at home. Most of mine, food wise, just ate off our plate, but definitely baby friendly snacks. Disposable bibs.

Diaper bag use the ziploc bag method to make it easier to get through security and to find things as you need them in the parks. Diapers in one, wipes in another, snacks in another, etc.

Extra pacifiers/teethers if they take one. Finding the "right" pacifier in the park when the baby loses one may be hard.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

We used a backpack in the park as a diaper bag. Our kiddo's first trip was at 5 months, then I think we went at 8 months and then nearly 1 year.
Surprisingly he loved the festival of the lion king- it interested him right from the beginning and he still loves the show at 3 years old.

Bring layers. It will likely be cool in the evening and mornings. We counted out the average diapers we used during a week and brought that many plus some. Some people order them. I used it as an opportunity to clear out space in my luggage.

We also brought bedding that he was used to put in the pack and play/crib. Although find out what your hotel will have as the deluxe properties have cribs.

Bringing soap and a cleaning brush was a good tip.

How old will your infant be?

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

she will be 3 months. We have been looking to get away for about 2 years now and since me and DH enjoy Disney we would just go there. We don't want to leave the baby home and waiting till spring is to long. We are going to take it slow and not do all the parks since we will be strolling around more thanking on rides, this trip will be a lil getaway as a family and shopping and strolling.

 

[kohlby]

Is the infant the only child? If so, it should be easy. Do bring a carrier of some sort. My middle child went at 2 months old and stayed in the carrier the entire time. I used a ring sling. (At 8 months, she was in the sling most of the time but then got picky with naps. Make sure you bring a stroller with full recline and excellent sun shade in case baby wants to nap in the stroller). At 2 months old, I did have to stop often for the frequent nursing and very frequent diaper changes. (Plus I had to drink so much extra as I get super thirsty during the first couple months of breastfeeding. However, by 3 months, both my excessive water intake and the baby's fequent poops have decreased.

 

[Kbendig]

We just spent a week with my 9 year old and 11 month old. My 9 year old was the bigger complainer. Some things we did:

-Use the baby care centers! The changing areas are the best, and it was a nice stop in AC for all of us to take a break.

-A good baby carrier is a must. We got a new one that was lighter because of the heat, the baby would nap in it and we could go on rides all we wanted.

-Make sure the baby stays hydrated. At 3 months I would ask the ped about adding water, at 11 months we had a sippy cup and she got a drink break when we did (on top of her formula).

-We bought 2 gallons of water and would fill the bottles before we went and had a powder formula dispenser filled. We took an afternoon break so I would carry 2 bottles and the formula and reload when we went back in the evening.

-Hotel breaks!! We never did that before, but with the baby it was a must. We went to the pool which the baby loved and it was a nice way to cool off.

-A good stroller. We got a new one for the trip, inexpensive but what we needed. We also got a side mesh pouch for the stroller that we put our hats and sunscreen in.

-A rain cover for the stroller. And use it. We brought it, didn't use it, and had a very wet baby until the heat dried us all.

Have fun!