Travelling with 7-month old baby

[stephen11]

Hi, we have posted on the DVC boards and also on the transportation boards... we will be travelling with our new granddaughter to the BWV on early October.
We will be flying and taking ME to the hotel. We plan on bringing her formula on the plane. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated....

 

[HamTown]

Our DD was 7 mo on our last trip. She had more fun than anyone! I packed a small canister of formula in our luggage and brought a box of the formula "sticks" (one stick makes 8 oz of formula) to use on the plane and to keep in the diaper bag in case of emergency. I was still nursing twice a day, so I didn't have to bring formula for all her feedings. But if you're in a pinch, the baby stations in each park have a great reputation. On our day at Epcot, we had originally planned to go back to the hotel for a nap, but the kids were doing so well we just stayed. I used the baby station there to pick up some baby food and some formula. It was a little pricy, but a big time saver. They also have a place to change babies and have a little quiet time.

Other things that really worked for us:
The baby-bjorn. She spend the majority of the days in the park in the bjorn. It kept her occupied because she could see people and things instead of just looking at the back of her sister's head in the stroller. When it was nap time, I simply turned her around and she slept against my chest.

Make sure you have an extra set of clothes! Buying an outfit for an infant in the middle of Animal Kingdom gets expensive

Gate check your stroller. Even if you're carrying the baby in a bjorn, a stoller makes a great carry-on luggage cart in the airport.

Have a great time!

 

[AmyBWV99]

Traveling w/a baby we have found to be pretty easy, the baby is no problem, security thru the airport, unloading at the airport, loading up a rental car, etc no-fun. You'll be golden doing ME and having them lug your bags, however try to have everything you think you may need in a day w/you b/c it will be hours before you get your luggage. Enough diapers, formula and clothing to last nearly a day or PJ's incase you arrive at night.

We started flying w/DS at 9 weeks; I've always put DS in Hanna Andersson Wiggle Pants & Jeepers Creepers w/matching Pilot's Caps, layered w/a cardigan sweater. I would dress him in that the night before for jammies (due to our early flights), then just as we're about to walk out the door before the sun came up grab him and plunk him in his car seat. I change his diaper at the airport and often he'd fall back asleep on the plane or either be ready for his morning bottle by that time and either would cover the ear issue even tho I took Earplanes for him everytime he never needed them. Even in the hottest months I took his cap and sweater b/c a lot of planes can have overzealous A/C, the cap would also muffle some of the background niose and they are super breathable.

 

[DonaldsDaisy]

Just took DD last month and she was 7 1/2 months. The smartest thing we did was order all her diapers, baby food and so on from gardengrocer.com. They delivered everything right to the hotel and it worked great. I only packed enough diapers, food and formula for 36 hours. Just in case there were any delays.

We also used a light weight stroller instead of our big heavy Graco. She was comfy and had a great time. We also bought an extra shade for the stroller that attached to the one on the stroller and covered her completely if it was too bright or she was sleeping. It was called a Kiddopotamus. I can't tell you how many people asked where I got it.

We also took advange of those luggage carts you rent for 3 bucks at the airport plus curbside check-in. Both things we would normally not use for just DH and I but it was a life saver. We also had her as a lap child and even though she was so good I would always buy a seat for her in the future.

I found DD perfered to eat light with lots of fruits(she actually perfers veggies normally) jice, water and her formula.

We just took things easier then we would before DD and we all had a wonderful time. We can't wait to take her back in September for her 1st Birthday.

Have a great time!

 

[stephen11]

Thank you all so much for your tips!! At first we thought that we should rent a car, but I believe that ME will be so much easier for all of us. I will make sure we have enough formula, diapers and changes until our luggage arrives.

We will be arriving at the BWV at approx. 10:00 am.

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Tigger714]

Just a little note, my youngest two boys both made their first trip to DW around 9 months. I shipped all the formula, diapers, wipes and food ahead of time to the resort via fed ex. I missed one major thing! When you are traveling diaper changes don't happen as often as they should and you are probably offering liquids more often to alleviate ear discomfort. SOOOOO, make sure you pack plenty of diapers in your carry on and at least 2, count em TWO, extra outfits. We have lots of Matty peed on Daddy moments listed in our scrapbook from our last trip. Once on the plane was not a problem, I quickly changed diapers and outfit. It was the accident on the ME, when we had none of our luggage yet that was the problem. We ended up buying one of those "not so inexpensive" outfits form the WL Mercantile when we arrived since luggage takes a few hours with ME. Anyway it goes, your little GB will love this trip and I'm sure you will enjoy it too!

 

[laughinplace199]

Thank you all so much for your tips!! At first we thought that we should rent a car, but I believe that ME will be so much easier for all of us. I will make sure we have enough formula, diapers and changes until our luggage arrives.

We will be arriving at the BWV at approx. 10:00 am.

Thanks again,
Steve

I would recommend renting a car. We've taken kids to WDW at all ages and have always rented a car. It's nice to be able to leave the parks when you want to and not have to wait for the bus, which may or may not be standing room only by the time you board. Having a car also allows you to easily travel to another resort for a meal. Using Disney transportation to do that can take a long time.

This Aug, we're taking a short trip and using DME and Disney transportation. The decision to take this trip was sort of last minute and I'm trying to keep it fairly inexpensive (can you use the words "inexpensive" and "Disney" together? ) by using free transportation. We have a baby who will be 9 mos at the time and I would prefer to have a car, but I'm happy to be going to WDW so I can deal with the no car thing.

Aside from the transportation thing, i would recommend a Baby Bjorn or some other type of carrier.

I also found disposable changing pads and scented plastic bags to be great for diaper changes in the parks.

We used gardengrocer and they were terrific. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

If you're using the Pack N Play that Dinsey supplies, bring your own sheet from home. The baby will sleep better on the sheet that smells like home. Also, I bring Clorox wipes to wipe down the PNP, high chair, etc.

Don't forget swim diapers, sunblock, and a wide-brimmed sunhat.

Have a great time!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

You have already gotten some great tips here, and I want to add one.

It will take you a LONG time to get through security at the airport and there is a good chance people in line behind you will start getting frustrated. Take everyone's shoes off, take baby out of stroller, fold stroller, get stroller through x-ray, explain what a breast pump is when the guy looking at the x-ray doesn't know what it is and freaks out, etc.

The first time I flew with our baby this got me really stressed. Now I just remind myself ahead of time that it is going to take a while and I am not going to worry about it.

I'm sure this will seem silly to some, but that first time through security was rough for me.

We had taken our baby to WDW twice by the time he was 15 months old and had a great time both trips!

 

[stephen11]

Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice. We are so looking forward to this trip and your suggestions are so helpful!! (I've printed them all)....

Steve