Panicking - Booked trip for November, just found out wife is pregnant

[GotLabradors]

I have never been a fan of having the whole family revolve around 1 person. When my youngest was born, it was the end of May and I had a 9 y.o. and 4 y.o. There was no way I was going to keep my older two from having a fun summer because I had a newborn. I also had a c-section with all 3 and by 8 weeks, I was stir crazy. We just rolled with it. We made our annual camping trip to the beach, went to the pool, went to BGW, etc. We just had to be a little slower in our pace. Your 2 older kids are more than capable of helping you and your wife with your toddler. The question that really needs to be answered is how does your wife feel about it? If she nurses the baby, will she be comfortable nursing in public/going to one of the baby care centers or will she want to go back to the room? Are y'all okay with carrying the baby in a front carrier all day or will you want a stroller? I will say the GF is a great place to stay. The CMs are extremely helpful and accommodating. If your wife wants to go, I would go.

 

[Dis703]

I suggest you talk to your kids' pediatrician.

Personally, there's no way I would take an 8 week old to WDW at all, but I definitely wouldn't consider doing it during peak flu and RSV seasons.

That's my general thought as well. Add to that the screaming colicky behavior that my twins had at that age and the fact that they never slept (which meant neither did I) and it would have just been a complete disaster. I still had issues from delivery the second time around at that stage as well that made walking any significant amount very uncomfortable.

If your wife has an easy delivery/recovery and your baby is completely healthy and easy going then I'd just be worried about the exposure stuff and consider having someone come and stay and keep the baby at the resort/hotel more often. Maybe even a family member. But babies and deliveries are so unpredictable I wouldn't want to plan on such a big vacation.

 

[TheNotSoGreatGonzo]

Thanks for the responses, everyone - the good and bad.

Our 3rd (the current 11 month old) is a rockstar sleeper and has been ever since 6 weeks, so we have somewhat of a short memory and think it may not be so bad. Of course, our older 2 (particularly our oldest) had major sleep issues until he was like 5 or 6.

I hadn't thought about flu season...that's something I should bring up with the wife.

As far as moving the trip earlier in the year before she's due, we'd really rather not go when it's so hot.

Still evaluating what to do about room situations...but your comments have given some helpful suggestions.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I agree with other poster. Check with your pediatrician, especially about immunizations.

 

[Kriii]

I would not do it. There are too many things your baby could be exposed to, plus you really don´t know what the child´s health or sleeping patterns will be. I would not want to be next door to your room and be woken up by a baby if paying GF prices. I know it can be disappointing to postpone a vacation, but Disney will always be there. Congratulations on your new baby

 

[TwoMisfits]

One thing I will also say - my husband was in GREAT physical shape when we did this. He walked about 3x as far as I did (since this was in pre-FP+ days) - he got FPs, he would retrieve the double stroller, he would carry any bag we couldn't leave in the stroller in lines and on rides, he would carry the baby for me if I got tired, he would carry the 4 year old if she rebelled in the stroller, he would grab drinks/snacks and bring them to where we were, he pushed the double stroller when both kids were in it, he brought in and took out all the luggage, he carried all the grocery bags, he would run back and grab my nursing pillow, etc, etc...

It will be a more physically draining trip for both adults, especially since your wife will just be starting to be able to get back to real physical activity. This was my way easiest birth and easiest child, and I still needed a hot tub every night for myself...and so did my husband (that jacuzzi tub was as much a lifesaver as the extra rooms)...

Now, it was still a very fun trip, but I would never have tried it when we were on kid #4 - my then 3 year old boy was an animal at that stage and it would have been too much to have the baby and the terror plus older kids...thus why I say you know your kids...

 

[siestakeys04]

Do you have any family close by that would be willing to babysit while your gone?

 

[lovewdwfun]

I stayed at the Grand Floridian this year with an DS8, DD6, DS3 (who is special needs), and DD 10 weeks! It was an awesome trip - best ever! We obviously had to go slowly and go with the flow, but I loved every minute of it. And no, none of my kids got sick or died of the flu! Babies don't touch anything at that stage, so babywear and wash your hands and you will be fine.

But...this all depends on your family. If you can wait, I would. We go every year, so it was not a big deal to us having things go a little differently this trip. If this is once-in-a-lifetime, then wait. Also, if it is nonrefundable, I wouldn't. You could have a NICU baby or other complications. One of my babies spent a month in the hospital.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Do you have any family close by that would be willing to babysit while your gone?

I'm not too sure it would be a good idea to leave an 8 WEEK old baby to go on vacation?

 

[KrazeeK120]

I wouldn't do it for a couple of reasons.

There are just way too many variables. What if your baby is severely colicky? Do you really want to be up all night with a baby and then trying to navigate big theme parks with 3 additional kids, one of whom is a toddler? Even "typical" 8 week olds wake up a few times at night to eat, and some eat all night. And what if your wife is, for whatever reason, unable to breastfeed and you have to be making bottles in the middle of the night? And what if she has a c-section? Recovery from a c-section can take awhile.

The other, bigger, concern I would have is that the baby might get sick. There are going to be people there with all kinds of things, and that's during flu season too. Florida is warm, but you don't know what travelers from colder climates may be bringing with them. It just wouldn't be worth the risk in my opinion.

For the record, we are taking our son on his first trip in May at 18 months. I was thinking that's a great age to go, but now I'm realizing that taking a toddler may not be as logistically simple as I originally thought. Disney World will always be there...if it were me, I'd wait until the baby is a little older. Can you look into a trip next spring, perhaps?

 

[siestakeys04]

I'm not too sure it would be a good idea to leave an 8 WEEK old baby to go on vacation?

If it's with either of grand parents I don't see why not. My mom and aunts helped me with both my babies. I did understand that the baby is 8 WEEKS old. I would rather leave the baby with my mom. Different strokes for different folks. Anyway this was MY opinion you do what's best always for you and your family.

 

[KrazeeK120]

If it's with either of grand parents I don't see why not. My mom and aunts helped me with both my babies. I did understand that the baby is 8 WEEKS old. I would rather leave the baby with my mom. Different strokes for different folks. Anyway this was MY opinion you do what's best always for you and your family.

My mom helped with my baby too, but there's a big difference between getting help with a new baby and leaving the baby to go on vacation. I think it might be difficult/overwhelming to pump enough milk to last the duration of the vacation too. I would highly doubt many people would leave an 8 week old for the purpose of going on vacation. I find it difficult to believe there are people who would even want to do that. At any rate, it didn't sound like an option OP was considering.

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

We took our 12 week old a couple of years ago for a week. It was October! Great time and easy trip overall. Best advice I have is take yourself an extra shirt.... Spit up! Need I say more! But she was so easy! They just sleep so much then.... Used the carrier and a good stroller that reclines near flat. So much easier than a toddler . Less likely of getting sick because they aren't touching everything.we had a great trip! I'm sure your family will to. You may have to slow down a hair....But it was so worth it! Great memories for our whole family.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Congrats OP! it's really a personal decision regarding "exposure" risks for ur newborn though I'd certainly ask the pediatrician. I took mine at just Under two... an Amazing visit, Memories to last a lifetime.
But a newborn, a different ballgame altogether...just the logistics of it all with such a young family...and total impact on the family/siblings to truly enjoy the vacation.
Good luck deciding and here's to a wonderful pregnancy and an easy Healthy birth as well!

 

[SweetMissy]

The youngest we've taken is when #3 was 4 months old. I personally wouldn't take an 8 week old...well we live in FL now, so I probably would for the day but not as a vacation. I've seen parents with babies so young that they looked like they stopped at disney on the way home from the hospital. I delay/refuse certain vaccines and don't even start giving them until at least 2 years old, so to me that's not even the issue. The issue is, you could have a colicky baby who keeps everyone up at night....not good. Not the only issue, but ya never know. Or you could have a nice easy baby who might do just fine. It's a hard decision either way! Normally I say taking a baby is fairly easy, having taken a 4 month old and a 7 month old. Mine, slept, nursed and hung out in the carrier the whole time. 8 weeks is just more unpredictable. Good luck deciding!

 

[AshleeH]

8 weeks is so much better than 18 months! I'd be more worried about your toddler than the newborn. Toddlers need to be entertained, need frequent breaks, toys, snacks, want out of the stroller, want to be held. Infants only have three opinions: I want a new diaper, I want milk, I want to sleep. We took our daughter at a bit older than 8 weeks (but she was a preemie, so about 6 weeks adjusted age) on a cross-country trip to Disneyland and it was one of our easiest trips ever! We took her to Disney World at 18 months and it was a good trip, but definitely not as easy. And she also hated the characters then (loves them now), so that brought on it's own set of problems.

 

[mom2rtk]

Infants only have three opinions: I want a new diaper, I want milk, I want to sleep.

That varies a lot by baby. Some have another option: They just want to cry. And there's no guarantee which sort anyone will get. And that's problematic in a hotel with neighbors on the other side of the wall.

 

[quandrea]

We took our twins at ten weeks or so. It was an early December trip. The dr said it was fine but do check with yours. The trip was not really any different than being at home with them. Dh always says, "You parent here or you parent there." I think that's a good attitude. We did have a one bedroom at OKW. I remember that dd slept in the laundry room and ds in the huge master ensuite. Our eldest took the pull out.

We had a great time. They mostly slept at the parks and rides were the same at eight weeks as they were at a year and at eighteen months. Rider switch for the biggies, in our arms for others.

Having laundry was a godsend. We had baby supplies delivered by garden grocer. The hotel provides pack and plays. I had extra pillows rigged up to use as baby seats.

The extra clothing for mom and dad on the plane is essential. I did that until they were about three. At about four I got Sprite poured all over me during a flight. That wasn't fun.

 

[Suzanne74]

This is a tough call. I think an 8 week old would be pretty easy and you or your wife would be carrying the baby in a harness 90% of the time. The baby stations are wonderful and if she breastfeeds, there is nothing to bring but diapers, onsies and a few blankets. I would never do it if she bottle-fed. That would be a nightmare. If you went I would absolutely get two rooms or rent DVC points and get a 1-2 bedroom - I personally love the 1 bedrooms at OKW. I think the Grand Floridian is magical but I don't think a family of 4 with 2 kids under age 2 is. Wouldn't you need two cribs? It would be tight and no one would have any space. Try to envision getting an overtired toddler to sleep and just as she is dosing off, the baby wakes up crying - and vice versa. Then think of the other two kids probably getting 20% of their parent's attention because Mom will be with newborn a lot and you will be tackling the running 18 month old. Add potential sleep deprivation to this. Do you have a set of grandparents or even one grandparent that could come? We have taken my MIL and it has been great.

I personally think I would wait until late winter or early Spring for a few reasons. Having a baby, worrying about a trip (packing, planning) when baby is that young is a lot of pressure for a new mom. It is also so close to the holidays and Nov can be pretty busy. I think I would chill thru the holiday season and then take a trip late Feb/early March. It is a great time to go. Nice weather, low crowds. Your baby will more likely be sleeping thru the night and will actually enjoy all the sights/sounds in a harness. They will be much more alert, go longer between feedings but won't be crawling/walking or eating solids. I think that is the ideal time to take a baby. Your 18 month old will be 3 months older and more steady on their feet, talking a little more, and understanding you a little more. Less sleep deprivation, less stress, more fun.

 

[Suzanne74]

That varies a lot by baby. Some have another option: They just want to cry. And there's no guarantee which sort anyone will get. And that's problematic in a hotel with neighbors on the other side of the wall.

Agree. It is tense when a baby can't stop crying when you are at home. It would have to be worse if you have your own family all in one room trying to sleep and other families doing the same in adjacent rooms. As a mom, I would be super tense about that. That said, if they had 3 easy babies and mom breastfeeds, there is a very small chance of a colicky baby for #4. I think my main concern would be a newborn and an 18 month AND two other kids. That is a handful for 2 parents. Disney is tiring enough. I think it would be exhausting. But there are parents who can do it. They are the completely laid back type. I am a type-A Disney planner. It wouldn't work for me. 22 months is the youngest we ever took one.