Would you take a 6 week old to Disney???

[TheDisneyBunch]

Ok need some opinions. I asked something like this a while back. We have been trying our best to figure out how we can work in a Disney trip this year with the baby being due the first of Sept. Well.. my dr will induce at 38 weeks if I want her to which I know I will. I had my son at 38 weeks and he was over 8lbs and I was so ready for him at that point..lol So anyways, that would put me having him August 20th. We want to schedual a Disney trip for Sept 30th for 6 nights with free dining at POR. We would be taking our almost 4 year old and then the new baby which would be 6 weeks by then. Is this a terrible idea? Anyone ever tried going with a baby before? I am not worried about missing rides or anything. I love going for the atmosphere, the fun my son has, pin trading, good meals, enjoying the resort, etc... I am just kind of torn. I really want us to be able to go and it has been driving us crazy thinking of not getting to plan a trip this year and this is the best solution we can come up with is to go on the very last possible day of free dining and take the baby. I just don't want that to be too much for the baby or anything, ya know? Opinions??

No need for anyone to be rude though.. Had some rude comments to my last question like this.

Thanks for any thoughts guys! We are having the hardest time making up our minds but really WANT to go.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

first congratulations on your soon to arrive baby.

I would think the answer would be it depends. My first born had colic. It took all I had to make it though the day with his crying in the afternoon/evening. I would never have enjoyed Disney under those circumstances.

Now my daughter was an angel. I would have taken her at 6 weeks without a doubt. Babies at that age are easier in my opinion than those about 6 months old or older. They are to young to have any routines disturbed - they eat, sleep and basicially don't do much more than that. You can use a baby carrier (I recommend the Baby Bjourn) I am sure that is spelled wrong but I swear by them.

I saw go for it. I am sure your family will enjoy the trip.

 

[AnnetteF]

I would also say to go and enjoy. I would probably just mention it to the pediatrician to make sure they had no concerns but I can't imagine they would. At 6 weeks they just eat and sleep anyway. We took DD at 7 months and I wished then that we had taken her earlier when she was just eating and sleeping. We still had some wonderful moments on that trip. Strolling through EPCOT during the F&W Festival with DD asleep in her stroller. But had we gone when she was even younger, there would have been no solid foods to deal with and she would have spent more time sleeping and been less aware of her surroundings. The baby care centers are wonderful and what a wonderful place it is, even if you have to spend more time in your room than usual. Plan it and have a wonderful vacation. You will deserve it!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

For sure I'd go! We always traveled when both of our kids were teeny tiny. I think my DS as 4 or 5 months for his first Disney trip and my DD was about 2 years old. He was definitely the easier of the two!

 

[MinnieM3]

I'd say too soon for me,unless the trip is also for older siblings. If it's just him, I'd wait a few more months. JMO

 

[barkley]

my concern with a 6 week old would be exposing them to the heat and sun at that time of year. at 6 weeks their body tempurature regulation is still immature, and in order to keep the sun off them in a stroller i would think any covering would make it dangerously hot and risk dehydration. i cant imagine using a snugli or other type of carrier because an adult's increased body temp due to the weather would just increase the infant's being next to it. (and while it's been several years since mine were infants-i seem to recall that my pediatrician and the baby books did'nt reccommed using sunscreen at that early an age because of possible alerigic reactions and something to do with their skin pores).

the other issue that would concern me is how the infant's sleep pattern would be affected/how this will impact everyone else's ability to sleep. both mine slept through the night at 6 weeks but i know this is not a given-and that was with both of them having their own bedroom and a regular schedual. the combination of an exited toddler and 2 adults in a resort room might cause the baby's sleep pattern to go off, and an awake baby at night is not going to be beneficial to either the adults or the toddler sibling who will likely be very tired from the day's activities.

last but NOT least-consider that no 2 deliveries are the same and while you may have bounced right back after #1, you may feel very different after #2 (not even taking into consideration that with #2 you may deal with surprising issues with #1-i've know plenty of 4 and 5 year olds who were fully potty trained for a few years that went right back to soiling themselves and having major sleep/behaviour issues-just their way of dealing with the stress of change)-while i had a much easier pregnancy and delivery with my second child, i found my body was a bit slower in recovering (anyone whose had a second episiotomy can relate that they sometimes heal slower the second time around ).

personaly, i'de hold off a couple of months until the weather was cooler. we've gone in january and still worn shorts and tanks, swam, enjoyed everything without the blazing heat-but my personal favorite time is in early november-small crowds, holiday decorations...and an almost 3 month old can be a delightful traveling companion.

 

[Hannathy]

I think I would be a little nervous with a baby that young around that many people and germs, remember the baby will be relying entirely on your immunity at that point. I would clear it with your DR. I had to travel with my son when he was that age because my Mom was in the ICU in critical condition and the DR. wasn't real happy. Also are you sure you will feel like it, What are the chances you may need a C-section? And what if the DR. decides not to induce, if this child isn't as big or as developed Sept is a long way to go yet in a pregnancy. If you do plan it I think I would check into insurance and what it would cover if you need to cancel. If you carry them in a sling all day watch for overheating Sept. will still be hot and their heat regulation isn't great at that age. Remember Disney will be there. Good luck, Enjoy your new baby

 

[TheDisneyBunch]

Thanks for the opinions so far guys.

Yes my biggest concern was the heat and how I will keep the baby cool during the day hours. I would definately talk to the dr before making the choice.

If we could go in November or December I would in a heartbeat. However it is not going to be possible. First, my dh will be laid off the end of the year b/c his plant is closing. He will start back to school in January. So going next year will not even be possible with his school schedual. He is very big on only doing/buying things when he is getting a great deal, which is the free dining. Without free dining or something he will not even go..lol I tried to convince him to lets go the first week of December but with paying for food then it would end up costing too much so the best option there was to go during free dining. Then also with his vacation it was working best for him to use those days before November b/c of other Holidays and other people needing off and such. SOOOO..lol It really did not leave us much of an opening of dates to pick from. So for us it will be to go the end of September with a 6 week old or not go at all again for at least 2 years. We hate the thought of not really getting to go for another 2 years if we pass up this year but the most important thing to me is that it would be safe for the baby and all so that is why I am so torn and looking for opinions.

Anyways, sorry for all the blabber, thanks for reading. Thank you too for the ideas and such. I definately appreciate it. Gives me a ton to think about.

btw, is is still really really hot in that first week of Oct? We went the firstof Sept last year and it was definately hot a couple of days and then the others were cooled off by some short rains.

 

[GinaGrumpyDwarf]

i have 2 DD 3.5 and 0.5. i would have died!! Maddie was colic, and intolerant to the formula. you never know!! im convinced that if we would have gone before we sorted it out, it would have been a nightmare! (think swing, and vacum sound)

IMHO, i say skip it. you need time to get the baby into a routine, and 6 weeks is just too soon. if you do decide to go, get the trip insurance!!

 

[CPM]

I took my son when he was six weeks old. It was February though. If you're comfortable with it that is all that matters.
I don't remember our ped having any problem with it either.
Wish they are as easy when they get older as they are when they are six weeks old!!

BTW, yes, it's stilll pretty warm in Oct. Starts getting cooler towards the end of Oct.

 

[epcotfan]

I think having the whole family sharing a hotel room with a newborn isn't a good idea. If the baby is up all night crying, it will keep everyone else up too. It might also disturb your neighbors. Like others have said, I'd get the baby into a routine before taking them on a trip.

 

[barkley]

something else crossed my mind, and i think probably the pediatrician would be the best to check it out with. being a west coaster and used to "dry heat" what realy causes us problems with traveling to florida during the hot spells is the humidity-it not only wears us out, it is literaly taxing on our lungs (we've come down with symptoms similar to bronchitis). i would wonder if there are health issues with a young infant (who likely even if born in a high humidity state tends to spend the majority of their time in the first months in-doors in a less humid environmentt) spending extended periods of time (which unless you stayed in the room the bulk of the time and dh did the parks with older sib) out in that heavily humid air?

we've been to wdw in the first week of october and november and january. january was the most tolerable for us. this past november was nice but we were also told it was running about 10 degrees below normal. the october we left home to an indian summer high of around 104 degrees-while it was at least 10 degrees cooler in orlando we still managed to sweat off several pounds each during the week we were there (and that was with eating way more than usual and NOT doing alot of walking).

 

[MariettaC]

I don't think so. Six weeks is so little and there are too many people.

 

[poohandwendy]

Hmm, I probably would not do it. Then again, they are almost easier to travel with when they are newborns than when they are older, because they eat, sleep and poop.

The main reason I would not plan a trip with an infant not born yet is because you really do not know how things will go or how you will feel. Not trying to be pessimistic, but what if there are complications with the delivery, someone else mentioned colic as one example of an issue the baby could have. What if YOU have complications? I guess it all depends on how late in the game you can cancel, if need be (I can't recall the rules, off the top of my head).

Also, would you be flying? If nothing else, this is definitely a trip I would get trip insurance for, if possible. Also, that would be in the heart of the hurricane season, if you are driving, that could be a nightmare with an infant. Or even flying. (We were in WDW for Hurricane Charley, LOL)

Many things to consider. If everything went smoothly, it would be great. But, IMO, it would not take too many kinks in the plans to make it pretty miserable. That is why I wouldn't do it. But, that is me.

But, only you know what is best for you and your family. Whatever you decide, I wish you luck with the remainder of your pregnancy and for a quick and smooth labor and delivery! Also, a great trip, if you decide to go!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I probably wouldn't do it at that young an age. My DD had colic and it was just starting at that age. We weren't sleeping through the night. And I was a hyper vigilant nut job over germs and the young immune system.
We did go at 9 months (older DSDs) and she was great to travel with.
Good Luck with everything.

 

[aprilgail2]

I don't think I would have taken my daughter when she was that young. Is it possible to leave the baby home with grandma for a few days while you go??

 

[catherine]

Personally I wouldn't do it, because of the heat/humidity, and the fact that the baby's immune system is not developed. My doctor advised me not to take my DD into work until she was at least 6 weeks old.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Living locally I would consider it since I already have 2 munchkins.

And without being rude--scheduling a 2 week early induction for a trip...just doesn't make medical sense to me. Each baby is different. There was a 3 pound difference between my first and my second. So you could be ready to have the baby--but the baby may not be done cooking just yet even though the you may be ready. Also--not sure about your OB--but mine wouldn't induce unless things were ready and just not happening--or I was already late. And they couldn't make that promise until it got close b/c of so many variables with pregnancy that could happen (esp this far out).

If air travel is involved (making this a full-on vacation adventure)--I would definitely consider holding off.

As I said--we live locally--so we could plan a spontaneous trip. I wouldn't plan vacations elsewhere for that age range b/c each baby is different and the outcome is unpredictable in terms of their disposition and health. My last one was in the doctors office/lab everyday for 2 solid weeks for her first 2 weeks of life. While we may have needed a vacation--the stresses of travel would have been too much at that time.


Good luck with your decision and whatever you choose--just make sure it is right for your family regardless of what anyone of us say here. If it is right to go--then do it!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Personally, I would not do it.

 

[poohandwendy]

And without being rude--scheduling a 2 week early induction for a trip...just doesn't make medical sense to me. Each baby is different. There was a 3 pound difference between my first and my second. So you could be ready to have the baby--but the baby may not be done cooking just yet even though the you may be ready. Also--not sure about your OB--but mine wouldn't induce unless things were ready and just not happening--or I was already late. And they couldn't make that promise until it got close b/c of so many variables with pregnancy that could happen (esp this far out).)

I agree. I highly doubt any doctor is going to make any guarantees NOW about induction until you are pretty much close to that day anyways. And since there is really no way to predict what will happen, you really can't bank on it at this point.

So, if you do make plans, I would think it would be best to plan the baby coming right around the due date...would you still want to go if that happens? Because it certainly is not out of the realm of possibility.

If so, then go for it. If you know that would not be something you would be comfortable with, then I would not make any solid vacation plans.