Disney World, Two Kids and No Stroller

When I first said to my husband we should take our two littles to Disney World without a stroller, he looked at me like I was nuts. ‘No really, it can be done!’ I promised.

I immediately posted in Babywearing Around Tulsa, asking for experiences from others who had done the same thing. I was disappointed when there were as many nays as yays.

So, I kept that to myself and we boarded a plane to Orlando with a 2-year-old in a Kinderpack and a 9-month-old in an Ergo and no stroller.

And it worked out just fine. Below are some of our pictures and a few tips for taking on such a task!

A large theme park with two ages two and under is no small task. And it requires stuff. But maybe not as much stuff as you think. I tend to go minimalist anyway, but for this particular outing I made sure everything I packed was necessary. Refillable water bottles for everyone, sunscreen, a few snacks and enough disposable diapers for the day plus wipes was a much pared-down diaper bag from our usual day-to-day diaper bag filled with cloth diapers, ointments and oils of every kind.  

Ditch the diaper bag. I know, I just said I packed a diaper bag. And I did, I just packed it in a backpack, which is key when you are babywearing and have no stroller. I also utilized all of the little pockets on our carriers and attached my wristlet Baggallini to my Ergo for easy access. 

Bring extra adults. This may not be feasible for every trip, but we had my husband’s parents come along with us. This meant my husband and I could wear the kiddos and grandpa could wear the backpack. If we had not had the extra adults, my husband would have worn the backpack anytime my toddler wanted to walk, which was quite a bit, and I would have worn it on my back with baby on front in between.

Consider the weather. We took our trip to the big mouse’s house in May and we lucked out. The temps were in the 80s at their hottest and it was quite breezy. Even so, babywearing gets warm and we were all thankful for our recently purchased chilly pads. We just wrapped them around the torso of the kiddos when they were being worn. We also scheduled some built in breaks from babywearing: lunch inside and air conditioned shows interspersed throughout the day broke it up nicely. 

Know the rules. Before going, we checked out all of the rides and requirements online. I knew ahead of time that I would be able to wear my son on all of the rides we had picked out, anything that was all ages. Since this was a quick trip for the kiddos, we weren’t concerned with getting on rides that everyone wouldn’t be able to go on. Getting on and off the rides wasn’t an issue either since I was able to wear the baby. My toddler hopped in and out of the Kinderpack and my husband would just buckle the empty carrier back on like a backpack. I’m sure this saved time over searching for a stroller in the stroller park after every ride

Now that we’ve done it, I’ll admit it. I was pretty scared of not having a stroller. But by the end of the trip, my husband and I were constantly noting how in the way all of those strollers crowding the park were, how quickly we could get around and how nice it was to keep moving even though the little guy needed to nurse or nap.

Though it may not be everyone’s style, my husband and I had a blast wearing our babies at Disney World and can’t wait for our next big babywearing adventure.

 

 

 

Lauren Holloman is the proud momma of two kiddos plus a small menagerie of dogs and cats. When she isn't busy chasing two kids who are running opposite directions, she writes, edits and designs. You can read her pet blog at tulsapetsmagazine.com.

Travel and Babywearing Go Hand in Hand

Staring at the looming list of potential baby items I could potentially add to my registry was  overwhelming.  With our first wee one on it’s way and an international move in the near future following the birth, I knew that the majority of conventional baby products would not serve us well.  But I was confident that baby wearing accessories were a mandatory add to our wish list.

Waiting in the airport to board our International flight.

Our carriers served us well stateside (a Maya Wrap Ring Sling and Boba 3G SSC) as we did things around the house and ran errands, but I had no idea the absolute necessity for baby wearing while traveling and living abroad.  This is what we’ve learned traveling extensively with a baby, and I hope these wearing tips can encourage you to travel and explore with ease!

We left our hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma when Finn was 5 months old to move to Bologna, Italy.  The 16 hour, 5000 mile trip with a teething babe may have been daunting, but our carriers served us well.

Our 'baby seat' using the tray table in front
with our osnaburg wrap.

Tip #1

Wrap when you fly.

I wore Finn in a size 5 DIY Osnaburg wrap all through the airport, security, and on board.  It was important that we avoided metal on our carrier to ease the security process (you can find out more about TSA rules here-they don’t  specify whether or not  you’re permitted to keep your baby wrapped), so I  was able to walk right through with Finn in a FWCC (ring slings or SSC would not  be recommended during this portion for that reason).  The domestic flight allowed Finn to stay wrapped during the flight as he was a lap infant.  The international flights mandated that he wear a secondary seatbelt for takeoff and landing.  It was an easy transition in and out of the wrap, and the wrap doubled as an extra blanket on board, a nursing cover, and even a baby seat!  The transatlantic travel was practically peaceful because of wearing.

Arrivals gate in Bologna, Italy.

Tip #2

Choose a carrier with long lasting comfortability for travel.

Venice, Italy

Our job involves extensive opportunities for travel, particularly day trips.  Strollers are no match against ancient cobblestones, a lack of handicap accessibility, or the thousands of stairs leading to majestic overlooks atop towers and bridges that sweep the European continent.  Therefore, a carrier must withstand an 10-12 hour day.  My ring sling was a favorite at home, but one shoulder support would have killed me trekking through Venice.  Our Boba 3G and now our Standard KP provided excellent comfortability for long days.  Finn loved riding on our fronts and backs and seeing the sights.  Its also easy for him to nap when both SSCs offer quick snapping supportive hoods.

Tip #3

Choose a carrier that can easily be worn by you or your travel buddy.

No matter how comfortable a carrier is, sometimes you or babe can get tired of each other.  Its important to bring something that your spouse or friend likes wearing as well. 

Milan, Italy

I looooved the ring sling when we moved, but my husband was not a fan.  So when we traveled, we brought our SSC (and still do).  Now that Finn’s heavier, my husband wears him most of the time we travel, but its important to be able to switch if Finn get’s picky about who’s wearing him.

Tip #4

Using the Boba to strap Finn into a standard
chair.

Don’t bring your prettiest, most expensive wrap unless you’re comfortable with it getting the tastes of travels on it.

Traveling involves eating out a lot.  Our carriers frequently double as ‘highchairs’ in the many European establishments that don’t offer one.  We often snack walking around.  I would’ve hated to get Belgian fry sauce on a wrap beauty.  I’m not as attached to the beauty of my travel carriers.  

Tip #5

Travel with your babe!

Wearing Finn has enabled us to not be limited in our work or travels or location of living.  We’ve seen more places in his lifetime than in ours before he was born.  He loves getting to see and taste incredible places around our globe, and baby wearing has made it seamless.

Corno Alle Scale, Italy

Brugge, Belgium

Florence, Italy

Verona, Italy

Lake Como, Italy

Rome, Italy

Mary Paulison is a Jesus-loving, babywearing, nurse-by-trade wife and mom transplanted from Tulsa, OK to Bologna, Italy.  Living life as an incognito hippy, she loves snuggling with her 14 month old son, Finn, circling the globe with her hunky husband, and working with college students at the oldest university in the western world.  In her spare time she can be found crafting everything in sight, decorating their apartment in a 320 year old building, scouring thrift stores, and reading Harry Potter for the thousandth time.