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

[poohandwendy]

Bottom line, I think this all depends on the type of family the OP has. Are you the go with the flow types and if something comes up you just aren't bothered by it? Or, if something comes up, will it put a huge damper on your fun? Will the sibling be upset if you end up not being able to be at the parks as much as you would like? Is your DH an on-hands kind of dad? Are you a worrier when it comes to your babies? Only the OP can answer these questions.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I wouldn't take a 6 week old to Disney. Too many people, too much noise, too much sun, too much of everything. But that's just me.

 

[lucas]

Personally... no way would I do it.

It would be too hard on the baby who won't even remember it and even harder on the parents.

 

[justhat]

I'm due with my 2nd baby about a week before you (8/28) and my dr plans to induce at 38 weeks also (cause my dr was born 15 days early and 8.4 lbs) and I had the same thought about planning a trip 9/30 to take advantage of the free dining! My end decision is that we won't be going (well, unless something can change my mind) but it was a hard thing to decide on. If my son does end up coming at 38 weeks he'd be around 7 weeks or so by 9/30, but I just keep thinking "what if he comes closer to his due date? what if he has medical problems? how will I manage with a 2.5yo who wants to see everything now and a newborn? what if I'm still not feeling up to full days at WDW?" With my daughter I had a decent labor/delivery, but lots of internal stitches from the forceps, double mastitis, and nerve damage to both legs causing me to be numb from the hip-knee for 6 months after she was born. But with all that, by 6 weeks old I was at a bridal shower and felt totally fine.

We took my daughter for her 1st trip at 1 week shy of 3 months old and I will admit it was the easiest trip we've ever taken with her. BUT she was my only child and we were with extended family and friends (the trip was planning before the baby was). This time I will also have a 2.5yo so even though the baby may be easy, I still have another kid to contend with, who will inevitably get hot, tired, grouchy, etc. Not sure if I can handle that while being hot and tired myself, plus caring for a newborn. Also, I breastfed my daughter so I didn't have to take bottles around with me, but what if this one isn't such a good nurser? Then I've got more gear to tote around.

But, the positive for you is that you would drive (we'd have to fly) so that would make it a bit easier, IMO. And your 1st child is older than mine also making it a little easier. If we had extended family to go on this trip too then I'd probably end up going this fall, so maybe if you have someone you can tote along that would be a good option. Oh, and yes, it's hot, but it was hot in May when we took my daughter and she was totally fine, never overheated or dehydrated, and she didn't cry once the whole trip (and this was a very, very high maintenence baby at home for the 1st 4 months). One last thing, my husband will be a dr as of 5/21 (and is the biggest germophobe you'll ever meet as a result) but he really didn't have any qualms about taking our daughter so young and didn't mind the thought of our son going even younger. And this is a guy who wouldn't let anyone other than our moms visit the hospital or house when she was born and made everyone who touched her wash their hands before every touch till she was 4 months old. Maybe cause we live in a city and walk most places so WDW wouldn't be so different.

So I wouldn't say don't go, just giving my reasons for my very hard decision being in almost the same situation as you.

 

[TheDisneyBunch]

I'm due with my 2nd baby about a week before you (8/28) and my dr plans to induce at 38 weeks also (cause my dr was born 15 days early and 8.4 lbs) and I had the same thought about planning a trip 9/30 to take advantage of the free dining! My end decision is that we won't be going (well, unless something can change my mind) but it was a hard thing to decide on. If my son does end up coming at 38 weeks he'd be around 7 weeks or so by 9/30, but I just keep thinking "what if he comes closer to his due date? what if he has medical problems? how will I manage with a 2.5yo who wants to see everything now and a newborn? what if I'm still not feeling up to full days at WDW?" With my daughter I had a decent labor/delivery, but lots of internal stitches from the forceps, double mastitis, and nerve damage to both legs causing me to be numb from the hip-knee for 6 months after she was born. But with all that, by 6 weeks old I was at a bridal shower and felt totally fine.

We took my daughter for her 1st trip at 1 week shy of 3 months old and I will admit it was the easiest trip we've ever taken with her. BUT she was my only child and we were with extended family and friends (the trip was planning before the baby was). This time I will also have a 2.5yo so even though the baby may be easy, I still have another kid to contend with, who will inevitably get hot, tired, grouchy, etc. Not sure if I can handle that while being hot and tired myself, plus caring for a newborn. Also, I breastfed my daughter so I didn't have to take bottles around with me, but what if this one isn't such a good nurser? Then I've got more gear to tote around.

But, the positive for you is that you would drive (we'd have to fly) so that would make it a bit easier, IMO. And your 1st child is older than mine also making it a little easier. If we had extended family to go on this trip too then I'd probably end up going this fall, so maybe if you have someone you can tote along that would be a good option. Oh, and yes, it's hot, but it was hot in May when we took my daughter and she was totally fine, never overheated or dehydrated, and she didn't cry once the whole trip (and this was a very, very high maintenence baby at home for the 1st 4 months). One last thing, my husband will be a dr as of 5/21 (and is the biggest germophobe you'll ever meet as a result) but he really didn't have any qualms about taking our daughter so young and didn't mind the thought of our son going even younger. And this is a guy who wouldn't let anyone other than our moms visit the hospital or house when she was born and made everyone who touched her wash their hands before every touch till she was 4 months old. Maybe cause we live in a city and walk most places so WDW wouldn't be so different.

So I wouldn't say don't go, just giving my reasons for my very hard decision being in almost the same situation as you.

I am glad to know I am not the only one who has thought about it. In reality I know it is probably not going to happen b/d there really is too much to wory about and the baby comes first but man, I have been shocked at how many people are so dead set against it. Makes you feel like a terrible mom for even considering it in the first place!

Thanks again for all the opinions everyone. Like I said, it definately helps me to feel like I am making the right choice. My 3 year old wants to go back so badly and there is just this huge part of me that wants to do this for him b/c I know he would have a blast. However, I do not want to do anything that is not good for the baby. I am sitting here laughing b/c everyone tells me I am the MOST overprotective parent in the world. I am so so so protective of my son and baby him so much. (I don't even let him play on the jungle gyms anywhere b/c of the germs on them) Yet I have put thought into a trip that most think I am crazy for it seems. Of coarse I think a lot of this is b/c the baby has not been born yet and I am considering how much my 3 year old would love it and how much fun we all had last year and how we are dying to go back. it is hard trying to put the baby into it all when he is not born yet. I know things will change majorly for me and dh when he gets here. We will feel so much more protective.

 

[katerkat]

FWIW--the whole heat and humidity thing--we have baby's in the state of Florida everyday and our babies do just fine.

Yeah, but your babies are used to it. My baby is used to the very dry air here, so Florida is a shock to him.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm sorry - no offense, but I doubt all those Florida babies spend all day outside in the heat at WDW. Also I live in the south and raised my kids in the heat and humidity however I would NEVER take my kids to WDW for vacation at 6 weeks old. That would be nothing but misery - When my kids were that old we spent most of our time inside in the air conditioning - less heat and germs.. We never even considered taking them outside in the heat for hours at a time because of vacation.

1. I am not in support of the OP taking her baby
2. and not once did I say keep the baby outside at all times. In fact--I said to mix it up with A/C locations. I also didn't say it was fun--but the whole avoid Florida b/c of the heat thing just makes me laugh sometimes when people are so don't do it for that reason alone. And for goodness sakes it is September!

re: hurricanes--well at least they would be driving.

Bottom line--I think the other reasons not to come are sufficient enough to not come.

 

[shannonh]

Want another response? I don't normally post, i normally just read, but I wanted to add my 2 cents to this one. I'd say do whatever you are comfortable with. From experience, we took our 2.5 year old and (gasp) our 6 week old little one. It was March, but it was hot. We took lots of breaks, and he hung out in his carrier or the stroller. It was a great trip. Of course, he was slathered in sunblock, no sunburn for him (don't forget the top their heads and ears). Yes, I know, too many people, too many germs. He didn't get sick, but then again, he never gets sick and he's 4 now. Maybe we were lucky, but I have to say (again) it was a perfect trip. I felt great, too. People couldn't believe we were there just 6 weeks after he was born, but you do whatever you have to, to get the MAGIC in. Take all of the advice that you've gotten, then just do whatever your heart tells you. Good luck in your decision making!!!

 

[pixiemomma]

I am glad to know I am not the only one who has thought about it. In reality I know it is probably not going to happen b/d there really is too much to wory about and the baby comes first but man, I have been shocked at how many people are so dead set against it. Makes you feel like a terrible mom for even considering it in the first place!

Don't feel bad. You are not a bad Mom for considering it. People have different beliefs when it comes to raising children and I think the most opinionated ones are here on the DIS.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

1. I am not in support of the OP taking her baby
2. and not once did I say keep the baby outside at all times. In fact--I said to mix it up with A/C locations. I also didn't say it was fun--but the whole avoid Florida b/c of the heat thing just makes me laugh sometimes when people are so don't do it for that reason alone. And for goodness sakes it is September!

re: hurricanes--well at least they would be driving.

Bottom line--I think the other reasons not to come are sufficient enough to not come.

Lisa loves Pooh: I'm sorry - I hope that my reply did not offend you, I didn't mean it that way. I just skimmed the posts and didn't see that you posted that it might be hard to cope because of the heat and the fact the it is still hurricane season.

To the OP: Though lots of posters here are not in favor of going with an infant that age I would never judge someone else for doing so. In the end it is only the OP that can decide what is best for her family and if she does go I hope that they have a good family vacation.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Makes you feel like a terrible mom for even considering it in the first place!

I read the whole thread a couple times and I didn't see a single person say you were a bad mom. You asked people whether they would take a 6 week old to Disney and some people said yes and others said no.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I wouldn't even THINK about planning a trip to WDW, with 6-week old infant or without, if my DH was going to be getting laid off his job soon. I think money spent on a vacation could be better spent on bills during the time of lay-off.

And you said you don't let your son play on jungle gyms because of the germs, you don't think there are germs on everything he would be touching at WDW?

 

[zalansky]

I have not read through the entire thread, sorry I have a 7 month old! Do you have anyone who could possibly watch the baby for you while you go and take your 4 year old? I ask this because my best friend has an 8 week old baby and a 4 year old and they are leaving the newborn home in 2 weeks with the in-laws while they come down and take the 4 year old to Disney for 3 night/4 days. She feels perfectly comfortable because it is her in-laws who will be watching the baby, though she is prepared for missing the baby alot, she also knows that she is going to have a great time with her DH and DS - and our family!

I also have to say taking a young baby is probably better than taking an older baby. When my babies were newborns (first 3 months) all they did was sleep. Now at 7 months, my DD would never last more than 2-3 hours at a theme park. So I would think taking the newborn would be easier.

 

[HayGan]

No, I would not. There are too many unpredictable things around a birth and the first few months of a babies' life that I would not plan a vaction during that time. You really can't predict how one baby will be based on what your other children were like as babies. I don't think that an action packed day at an amusement park is a good schedule for a newborn.

JMHO, I don't think that it is a good idea but I don't think that it makes you the worst parent in the world either.

 

[Disneyrsh]

It just drives me bonkers when people say "the heat".

What do you think all the babies that LIVE in Orlando are doing? Hiding in a bassinet? Of course not! Sheesh.

Just use your common sense regarding heat, how tired you get, and when to take a break, and you and your family will be fine.

We've gone to Disney when I was pregnant, with a newborn, pregnant and toting a baby, with a 20 month old and a second baby, etc, etc.

Went all times of the year, and each visit was different because the babies and I needed different levels of rest and protection each time.

You don't do a gonzo b*lls to the wall gorilla disney vacation like you'd do when you're two twenty five year olds, of course, but anybody with two brain cells to rub together would know that.

So, you go, girl! And have fun!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Would *I* take a 6 week old to WDW? No way!

I can't say what anybody else should or could do. IMO, the risk of the trip being a nightmare is too great.

How about you even? Will your body be healed up enough 6 weeks after giving birth that you'll be able to enjoy touring in the summer heat? Too many "what ifs" for me to want to do it. What if you wind up with delivery complications (or C-section even)? What if the baby is colicky?

FWIW, though, if you do go ahead with it, I doubt anything drastic will happen, and I'm sure your baby will be fine in the long run. I can't really see the baby becoming very ill or being scarred for life or anything like that as a result of the trip. I just think the potential for the trip to be a complete disaster is great.

For me, I would not want to spend that amount of money and wind up being miserable the whole trip.

 

[robinb]

Do you have anyone who could possibly watch the baby for you while you go and take your 4 year old? I ask this because my best friend has an 8 week old baby and a 4 year old and they are leaving the newborn home in 2 weeks with the in-laws while they come down and take the 4 year old to Disney for 3 night/4 days.

This is the great thing about opinions! They are all different. I would never, ever, ever leave my 8 week old babywith anyone while I went on vacation. Even with my in-laws. Even for only 4 days. Nope. I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it emotionally and I couldn't do it physically (my DD nursed for a long time).

Since your friends have this all set up with no qualms, I'm sure they will have a perfectly good time. I am also certain that they will miss their baby terribly. No vacation is worth that to me.

 

[Disneyrsh]

This is the great thing about opinions! They are all different. I would never, ever, ever leave my 8 week old babywith anyone while I went on vacation. Even with my in-laws. Even for only 4 days. Nope. I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it emotionally and I couldn't do it physically (my DD nursed for a long time).

Since your friends have this all set up with no qualms, I'm sure they will have a perfectly good time. I am also certain that they will miss their baby terribly. No vacation is worth that to me.

ITA, what a hole that would leave in my heart to see wonderful things and not be able to share them with my kids.

I know they say that babies are too young to remember, but even if they don't "remember", they're DEFINITELY processing it!

That's why I like to say my kids are always in a Disney State of Mind, because they've been seeing Disney Magic since they were teeny weeny.

 

[wdwmom2]

OP
I hope that you do not think that you are a bad mom, I never intended it to come across that way. I just stated why I wouldn't do it. To me it's just not worth the risk. I would have gone to WDW with a very young infant before working in peds, but working in peds I have seen what can happen if the baby comes down with a temp at that age. And most probably the temp would be viral, but you have to rule out the serious stuff.

If you go, have a great time. Just be cautious.

 

[antmaril]

I would not take a six week old baby to WDW.

Way too young IMHO.