will we really be able to bring a 7mo old to wdw?

[2binak]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! It does gets better!!!!! Our DD had colic from 3-6 wks of age...it was the longest 3 weeks of our lives...at the time. Now it's just a blip in our minds.

We started taking DD out to restaurants at 3 wks old so she's very used to them and very well behaved during meals out. I would recommend not changing your entire lifestyle for your baby, but incorporating your baby into your lifestyle as much as possible.

We took DD to Disney when she was 8 months old and it was wonderful! Even though she came down with an ear infection the day we left (we were at the pedi's office 3 hrs before our flight!) she still had a great time. She was amazed by all of the sights and sounds of every minute of our trip. We're going back in Nov when she will be 21 months old and we can't wait!

 

[pooh4evr]

I agree it will get better day by day. A 7 month old is a completely being from a 1 month old. By then he'll be eating baby foods, holding his own bottle and maybe sort of sitting up, and be much more interactive with you and his world. True he won't know anything that is going on at WDW but it will be a trip you will remember and treasure forever! Don't worry it will be OK just start planning early!! Take a good stroller or rent one form A Baby's Best Friend, go a t a good weather time (cooler) plan on a good diaper bag... you can do it!!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Congrats!! on your baby.
It will get easier, your baby and you will be a lot different at 7 months. Disney is so family-friendly. Nice changing, nursing centres in the parks and you can use the child swap for attractions if you wish.
We took DS at 2.5 months. Probably one of the easiest trips to WDW with him. He sat in the snuggly and slept on the rides etc. It was a great trip. We rented a house so that was a lot easier for us than a hotel room for preparing bottles etc. Convenience of a kitchen and a car definitely helped.
Have a great time. When he turned 1 we went back to the hotel room because it does get easier and you seem to need less stuff. He has been to WDW every year since he was born and he and DS love the World just like their Disney addicted Mother. DS is now 4years old and thinks planes only go to WDW

 

[4HppyCamprs]

It will get better!!! We are taking our DS 4 and the baby...who will be six months when we go.. I can let you know how it goes but like PP said the first 6 wks are rough..okay horrible. I would pay somebody to substitute me out for those weeks. I EBF and know how hard it is in the beginning but somehow it is like a lightswitch and after 6 weeks things just go so much smoother..your learning curve and babies learning curve have leveled out. Also after like 3 months there is a longer time between growth spurts so less feeding and baby will have their own routine..not a schedule neccesarily but like you will have a better indication of what your baby likes and when...I am super glad that all these people have said what a breeze travelling with a baby is

 

[2binak]

OP - have you tried standing under the bathroom fan or in front of the vent over your stove? Both worked wonders for us when none of the other 5 S's would work. It's the same as you sushing the baby, but in a much louder, deeper way. DH and I spent hours standing in the bathroom, trading on and off, rocking DD from side to side under the sound of that fan!

 

[We_love_WDW]

Everything will be fine by then...the first 3 months are the hardest. By 6 months he should be on somewhat of a schedule, which will help a lot. We went when our boy was around 8 months and it was great. Since we knew when he was tired or what times he ate we avoided meltdowns. He also had colic -AHHHH! Try sitting on a yoga ball and holding him with his head by your shoulder and slightly bounce up and down. This really works. Both of my children would fall alseep with this motion. It will take a couple minutes at first, but I bet he will learn to love it. My first only fell asleep by me bouncing her on the yoga ball, but she would be sleeping within minutes. With my second I used it for colic and to establish a sleep routine. Hope this helps

 

[rotlex]

First; congrats on the bundle of joy!
Second; yeah, it will get better
Third; You can absolutely take a 7-8 months old to Disney without issue, and have a BLAST!!!!

How do I know? We took our 8 month old, along with our 6 year old, just this past June! He loved it, we loved it, our daughter loved it....so much so we are going again the end of August for free dining!

Seriously though, he had a really good time, and while I'm sure he won't remember it, we sure will. He loved the lights sounds and characters. He even had a great time on things like the Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Small World etc. There is a LOT at WDW that infants can go on, which is why we love it so much.

We pretty much carried anything we needed, diapers, wipes jars of food etc. in a backpack, and didn't need to worry about milk or cooling it, as our little guy is a great nurser. My wife primarily used a baby wrap to carry him in, which also doubles nicely as a "cover up" for feeding times.

So relax, start planning, and go ahead and have a GREAT time!

 

[Lstar311]

Yes, it will get better. It just might take some time. Your child sounds like my son he was very high maintance for a very long time. He also had reflux and spit up buckets for the first year and a half. Eventually you'll be able to leave the house like a pro! I'd say go for the trip, you and your DH will have a blast w/ the baby! We are in the beginning stages of planning another trip with our son who will be 3 at the time and my new baby that I am pregnant with, who will only be 6 months old.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

all your responses have really helped me calm down. we are doing a bit better with the nursing and i have been in touch with a wonderful lady from la leche league who has helped me a bit too.

it is just very hard right now trying to figure each other out.

i really really really want to take him to WDW and it sounds like it is still realistic for us to go. ds already has tons of mickey sstuff and seems to react to his little stuffed mickey

again, thsnk you all for your kind words.

 

[beyondblessed]

We took our DD when she was 6 months old. It was a peice of cake - really. She was in awe of her surroundings and slept whenever she needed to. My recommendations would be:

1. Take our own stroller - this way you'll have it outside the parks (resort, DTD, walking to monorail/bus, etc.)

2. Utilize the Baby Care centers. They are a nice spot to rock, feed, change and have anything you may have forgotten.

3. Don't be scared to ask to take your stroller into restaurants/theaters. We did this numerous times when DD was sleeping and didn't have to transfer her or wake her.

Sorry - this is probably more than you are looking for but I wanted to ease your fears. You can have the most amazing time with an infant. Many people were quick to point out that our DD would not remember this trip. Maybe, but we will and sometimes Disney trips are not about the kids...sometimes they are about the mama's!

 

[wickywinn]

oh hun, when I saw your post it was like dejavu. My ds5 nearly put me in the loony bin when he was a month old. I feel for you I do. He was so sweet and quiet in the hospital, and for the first two weeks so I thought, wow this one is so quiet and easy going. Then week two hit, at my grandmother's big 80th birthday bash (yes I remember the exact moment). He started screaming bloody murder and didn't stop for the next few months. I would just sit and sob late at night. I had to sleep on the couch, with him in his bouncy seat sleeping, every night, not only to keep him elevated but because he woke every half hour (no joke - every single night until the morning). He also had a hard time latching so my nipple was so cracked and raw that first latch on everytime I nursed was killer - I would suck in my breath waiting for him to latch on every time I put him on the ****. I finally started applying lanolin (sp?) and I just left them hanging out to breath. I know tmi but it helped immensely. Covering them up slows the healing. I also loved Happiest Baby on the Block but mine was like yours...sometimes he just wanted to scream bloody murder and nothing - and I do mean NOTHING - was going to stop him. Even enticing him to nurse - when I knew he was hungry. He would just lay with his mouth by my chest screaming. It was so sad and maniacal at times. My poor dh, not only dd he have to hear ds5 screaming but also my sobbing.

Anyway, it does get better. DS5 is a sensitive little boy but the sweetest most loving of my children. By 7mos he just absolutely adored me and the ground I walked on and was cooing and babytalking to me all the time. By then you'll be feeding him solids and he'll be more mobile. he will love the sights and sounds at WDW.

Just take heart that the first few weeks always seem like they will never end but, in hindsight, they really do go by quicker than what it seems. You'll look back and think wow, it really went by faster than it felt at the time.

 

[rjwhitman]

We took my youngest daughter (now 4) a week after her due date. She was born 5 wks early and stayed in the NICU 2 weeks. She was given a clean bill of health and off we went when she was just 6 wks old. Admitedly it was easier with Grandparents coming along but, as the others have said ,it was one of our easier trips. Our "Baby Bjorn" carrier was fantastic (maybe not for a 7 month old). We already had one older child and knew a little of what to expect. We took lots of breaks and where there in Oct. not the heat of summer. We had a lot of fun and dressed the kids up for "not so scary". My wife is a good packer so we were prepared for anything but not overloaded. We rolled with the punches and had a relaxing time. Not what I would recommend for a first time Disney visitor who is trying to go commando but for the frequent visitor it was a great trip.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

great advice, thank you. i keep telling myself, "thisis just a phase...this is just a phase..." don't get me wrong, we have good days and sometimes he does actually sleep. it's just that right now i'm so nervous all the time. nursing is ok but i can only seem to do it with my "my brest friend" pillow, a pillow behind my back, and sitting in my own rocking chair. but maybe that is because he is just so small still (7lb 4 oz at 5 weeks) and i am so large chested. i just can't imagine ever a time when i can just go nurse someplace else.

i don't want to wish away my time with him but really sometimes i wish i could just catch a glimpse of what he will be like at 4 months or so just so i can feel better. i feel like a terrible mom for being so...miserable right now. dh says i should be doing cartwheels in the street and i just feel run down.

 

[2binak]

dh says i should be doing cartwheels in the street and i just feel run down.

Seriously? My DH would have been sleeping on the front lawn if he said that 5 wks after our DD was born. I was actually happy to go back to work 8 wks after having DD because it meant that I was guaranteed a shower and 3 meals a day! It's absolutely normal to be feeling run down so soon after having a baby. Is your DH helping at all? Is he getting up in the night to change diapers or help with feedings? If not, maybe he needs to start so that he can understand a bit more of what you are going through.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

well we had a really good day today. he was awake and not crying for a good 30 min today (total). it was great. and i took him to key food. we didn't do a full grocery shopping but it was more about going there by myself just so i could do it. and we survived. he screamed the whole car ride home but we lived.

dh has been very good too. the last two nights he took ds in the other bedroom so i could get some sleep. DS is very loud when he sleeps (grunting, straining, whining, etc) so i'm always up checking on him. and, my goodness, DS slept 4.5 hours straight last night. JOY!

i just can't wait til we can get on some sort of schedule. that and i can't wait for him to do some smiling and interacting. i think that will really help things as far as my emotions, etc.

 

[2binak]

OP - I'm glad you had a good day and that DH is helping at night. Having to be the sole caretaker 24 hrs a day can be really draining. We started putting DD in her crib at night when she was 5 wks old because she was so noisy. The smiles and other interactions will come along very soon! Keep talking to your DS, read to him after feedings and show him picture books too. You'll be amazed at how quickly he catches on and begins to make little sounds that mimic your voice and those first little grins will just melt your heart!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

OP - I'm glad you had a good day and that DH is helping at night. Having to be the sole caretaker 24 hrs a day can be really draining. We started putting DD in her crib at night when she was 5 wks old because she was so noisy. The smiles and other interactions will come along very soon! Keep talking to your DS, read to him after feedings and show him picture books too. You'll be amazed at how quickly he catches on and begins to make little sounds that mimic your voice and those first little grins will just melt your heart!

read books now? this early? wow that is great. i have always dreamed of reading books with my little guy but figured it is way too early - plus he is usually screaming all the time. i will start tomorrow! in fact we have a mickey goes to the magic kingdom book that i'm looking forward to cracking open.

i spoke too soon about our good day. tonight has been baaaad. but, at least i know good days are possible!

-nancy

 

[Maggie'sMom]

read books now? this early? wow that is great. i have always dreamed of reading books with my little guy but figured it is way too early - plus he is usually screaming all the time. i will start tomorrow! in fact we have a mickey goes to the magic kingdom book that i'm looking forward to cracking open.

It's never too early to start reading books. A baby loves hearing his mommy's (and daddy's) voice. I started reading to my DD when she was just a few days old. In the beginning, I read her a bunch of boring work stuff. I'd add inflection like I was reading a storybook. It didn't matter what the words were, just that she was hearing my voice. I started a regular bedtime storytime when she was around 4 weeks old. In the beginning, babies don't understand the words, but they pick up on the tone of your voice and the structure of speech.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

i'm starting tomorrow! i find myself not talking to him all that much during the day. i don't know - i am an only child and just used to quiet so i forget to talk to him. i will start blabbering more to him for sure.

i even forgot the words to lullabyes! so i have been stuck singing church songs to him! he won't know though

 

[Maggie'sMom]

i even forgot the words to lullabyes! so i have been stuck singing church songs to him! he won't know though

Just make them up! That's what I did. A lot of the time, I'd sing the few words I did know, then just hum the rest.