Is it a good idea to take my baby to Florida?
Yes, of course. In terms of child friendly holidays, they don’t come much friendlier than this! Thousands of babies visit Florida every year and yours will be very welcome too! But you are absolutely right to ask the question. This website is packed full of helpful information to make your Florida holiday a success with a young baby or infant. Of course, there are a few considerations and preparations to make, but common sense, your own instincts, and the information you will find here will help you make the right decisions.
How old should my baby be to travel?
If your baby is newborn, he should be able to fly after his two week check up as long as neither he nor you has any health problems and he was not born prematurely. This is because premature babies are more susceptible to germs which may be spread within the aircraft cabin. Please note that most airlines will not allow a baby of less than a week old to fly at all without a doctor’s approval.
Ideally, wait until your baby is at least three months old to give his immune system a chance to develop and give you the chance to settle after the birth. A holiday can be disruptive to routines, feeding and sleep patterns so it is probably worth waiting until your baby is that little bit older.
If you have any doubts at all about flying with your baby, take advice from your GP.
Babies in the sun
Once in Florida, your main concern health-wise will probably be the sun. The sun is strong in Florida and you do need to be very careful, as you would anywhere else, and choose the right baby sun protection. With sensible planning and the purchase of the right equipment before you travel, you need not worry.
A full sunscreen for prams and buggies is advisable for very small babies for sun protection. Parasols which attach to the buggy are fine, but you need to keep a very careful eye on the angle of the parasol to make sure it is providing full cover at all times.
High factor sun creams are an absolute must and should be applied before you leave your hotel and regularly reapplied.
Baby sun hats and cover up clothes are also very important – always carry a spare hat in case you lose one.
Don’t be deceived by cloudy days! The rays of the sun are still harmful, even in overcast or rainy weather, so always use suncream and cover up.
Babies in the heat
You may also worry about the heat in Florida. Be assured that, of course, there are many Florida babies living quite happily in the heat. Just use common sense and follow our tips:
When you are waiting for anything, wait in the shade.
At mealtimes, choose a seat indoors in the air conditioning to give you all a break from the heat.
Head for one of the Baby Care Centers in all four of the parks at Walt Disney World for a cool down during the hottest midday hours of the day.
Duck into a shop for a few minutes browsing in an air conditioned environment.
Give your baby plenty of fluids to keep him hydrated. If you are breastfeeding, you will also need to increase your own liquid intake significantly in the heat.
Dress your baby in long, cool clothing. Use natural fibres such as cottons and linens. Muslins are also very useful.
If your baby is in a sling, tuck a muslin into the top of the sling to hang down over his legs, keep his arms covered, and apply a large baby sun hat!
Remember that a baby in a sling will also absorb your body heat, so do not leave your baby ‘on you’ for long periods of time. Alternate with a pram or buggy. You can hire infant strollers in the theme parks. Depending on your baby’s age, a backpack baby carrier can be very useful as these tend to separate the baby’s body from your own.
Pick your travel dates with the heat in mind and choose a cooler time to holiday. What time to travel to Florida
