Just got back from trip with infant...any questions.

[Dolizza]

Just got back from trip with 3 month old. I am also nursing. Anyone have any questions? Also had an 8yr old and 3 yr old!

[torismom]

We are going in Aug and the day we arrive my son will be 3 months old. My daughter is 3. Do you have any tips or suggestions for me? I am also nursing.

Hope you had a geat trip.

[GailT]

I am going down with my teenage son (18) and every yr that i go I have always seen mothers nursing where ever they feel like doing it. I am all for nursing and I understand when a baby is hungry they are hungry but sometimes it just isn't the time and place to be doing it. Doesn't anyone consider pumping and putting a bottle in a mini cooler to keep the milk safe? Maybe I am the only one that thinks this way and if so I am very sorry but that is my feelings on nursing as far as in the parks around families and younger kids.

[Dolizza]

As far as nursing, the baby centers were nice. Althought I only used them a few times because at differents times of day we were just in other areas of the parks. They were nice and cool though! I nursed my daughter everywhere, and no one knew. Dark rides were the best. Even if some one did know OH WELL! I'm a vegetarian and I'm not insulted when someone picks up a big smoked turkey leg and gnaws on it, they don't have special centers for that! It just happens to be more "socially acceptable" One thing I did notice was that everyone is so busy doing their own thing no one is really paying attention to you.
I also had a carrier, one that faces front and back, it was great to give her a break from the stroller. I was able to take the stroller in places to eat, even when they are not allowed when I made sure they knew I had an infant who couldn't sit up yet. One thing I hadn't planned for was how to keep her dry when it rained. I was able to put an adult poncho over the stroller and it worked out great.
My last bit of advice is STAY ON SITE. We were at the Contemporary and it was heaven!

[Disney Family]

I just had to jump in here. As a mother of 4 daughters, each of whom have been breastfed, I would like to ask 2 questions to those whom it offends to see mothers nursing in public - Did our maker not design the female breast with it's wonderful capabilities of nourishment before short minded mortals turned them into purely sexual elements? And do you make your children turn their head when they visit a zoo where nursing animals are on public display?

Not trying to offend, just defend.

[CarolAnnC]

Thank you very much! This is great information to share with our Family Board! :)

[Kermit]

For those wondering, pumping is not really a viable option. First of all, you have to go somewhere to pump. You can discreetly feed an infant under a blanket many places, but you have to have complete privacy to pump. A bathroom is not acceptable. There are too many germs.

Breastmilk does not last as long as formula, and it has to be treated very carefully. Additionally, bottles and a pump are a big pain to drag around when you don't have to. Some breastfed children have never even used a bottle.

Really, I just mean this to be information, not an attack. Pumping does sound like a good option to some people, but if doesn't make as much sense when you consider the logistics.

[torismom]

Kermit,

Thanks for the great reply. I was going to say the same thing. I do not pump,
never have or will. DD was breastfed for 15 months and my son will be around
the same time frame. No bottles for them, I have never felt the urge to create
more work for myself. You can breastfeed without anyone knowing what you are
doing. Different strokes for differnt folks.

To the op thanks for your suggestions. We are staying on-site. I woul dlove to
do the ctr, actually had it booked but the 49.00 all star price couldnt be beat. LOL

[jother]

I found nursing at WDW to be a very positive experience for our family. And,
yes I nursed basically everywhere that we sat (buses,boats, rides,shows... etc.
This allowed us great convenience and flexability...don't bother with searching for
the baby centers, nurse as you go and you'll have so much more time for other things.
I couldn't even imagine going to the parks with a baby and worring with bottles/formula
or pumping, think of all the time and energry spent cleaning bottlles/pumps/etc.
Pumping just doesn't make sense unless for some reason you are apart at feeding
time. I certainly wouldn't want my food perpared in a bathroom stall or my dishes rinsed
in the sink where "millions" have washed there dirty hands...noone would! This is such a great topic since this week is national nurse out week......nursing is a wonderful thing, be proud America:)

[WDWMommy]

I'm another nursing mommy of an almost 6 month old baby boy! I'll still be nursing him during our Jan.31st-Feb.5th trip when he will be almost 1 year old. I'm curious about the babycare centers. I know they're kind of out of the way from the main attractions, but they seem like a more relaxing atmosphere to nurse in (plus, my little guy gets so distracted people-watching. He's a Mr. Suck-a-little-look-a-little unless we're somewhere distraction free). What are they like? Is there anything to entertain my will-be 3 year old daughter? Are there actual private rooms to nurse in? Oh, and I agree with Disney Family regarding people being offended by a nursing baby: I once read an article on breastfeeding entitled "Breasts: Not Just for Selling Beer"- thought that was funny. It's sad to think that a mother may be afraid of offending someone by nursing her baby while it's completly socially acceptable to wear a revealing swimsuit that shows more "****" than a mom nursing her baby does! NEVER EVER BE ASHAMED NURSING MOMMYS! Just my 2 cents :)
******************************WDWMommy

[akasleepingbeauty]

As another proud nursing mother (my dd is now almost 16 months old), I can only assume that someone who suggests pumping while on vacation has never nursed herself. There are MANY reasons why this would be difficult - here are just a few.

Firstly, even if you want to lug a big breast pump with you and pump ahead of time, what about the milk your body produces during the day? Especially with a younger baby who nurses 5+ times per day - you cannot believe the engorgement a mom would experience and how this could adversely affect her milk supply.

Secondly, as mentioned previously, nursing while in the parks is not an acceptable alternative. Pumps are large and expensive (for the "quick" ones anyway) and the conditions provided even in the nursing centers is not appropriate for pumping. Pumping is actually much more "exposing" than nursing and I would not feel comfortable doing this in any kind of public place (even the nursing centers). Also, the cleanliness of the area required for pumping is important and I would not feel I could be assured of this at the parks.

Thirdly, nursing your child when they are hungry and NEED to be fed should not have to be hidden. That does not mean you should go out of your way to take off your shirt and parade around but it does mean you should feel comfortable to nourish your child as God intended.

I cannot believe that in this day and age we are still having to defend our right to feed our children in public. WDW is a family destination and nursing is a part of MANY families and should be accepted as such. There is no reason anyone should have to worry that people are offended by nursing - that truly is their problem and not mine.

I support all nursing mothers and non-nursing mothers. They should all be treated equally by being allowed to feed their babies in public as needed whether by breast or bottle.

[Dolizza]

The Baby centers were a nice quiet alternitive to trying to find a bench or chair out in the hot sun. When I went there, at different times, there was only 1 other person there. Most of the time there was no one. They were very clean, it was nice to get away from the constant HUMM of the crowds. Yes there were private rooms to nurse in. In fact I needed my DD's blanket and my husband was not allowed to come into the nursing room, and it was empty. There was alot for my other DD's to do, they had games and blocks, amongst other kid stuff. Plus they played movies there also. One thing I did see was that they had just about everything you might forget there, from diapers to sippy cups. The only reason I felt the baby centers were a little inconvinent was because my DD is only 3 months old and still nurses every 2-2.5 hours. If she went longer I would have no trouble going to them.

PS: I love that phrase...Breasts-- not just for selling Beer! I chose no to respond to the anti-breast feeding person, she just seemed ( no to be rude) but simply uneducated on the matter.

[wdwobsessed]

My mouth about dropped to the floor when I read "the" post.

I don't mind if mommies breast feed in public. Most of the time they are very discreet.

It's not as if they stand up and ring a bell, shirt open.... announcing "dinnner time ... come and get it" to everyone in the park!

I had a hard time breastfeeding. I have very large breasts and was soooo uncomforatable trying to feed the baby anywhere but at home.

I ended up pumping for a while and it was VERY stressful and no picnic!!

I feel horrible that anyone on this board that feels comforatable with feeding thier baby in public by breast or bottle, should feel attacked.

I think that posters need to be more sensitive of others feelings.

JMO

wdwo

[mirlow]

I just got back on Tuesday. I only used the baby center at MGM. I found it dark and didn't really care for it. I used it to change my daughter. They do have great changing tables though. I found that my daughter who is 6mths was much easier to deal with then her siblings who are 3 and 6. She would just nap in the stroller whenever she was tired. I would nurse her all of the time. Sometimes I would nurse on the rides, but she always wanted to look and see what was going on. I would never worry about what other people think about me nursing my baby. I have to worry about her needs and when it's hotter than heck outside I need to make sure that she is hydrated.

[LKS]

We also stayed at the Contemporary a few year ago when my son was nursing. We nursed in all the dark rides and shows. I usually sat in the middle of my family and even if not, was quite discreet. BTW, Motherwear catalog has some excellent nursing tops that make it so easy! No one should have to feel self-concious while nursing an infant. It is the most natural thing in the world. My older kids just assume that breasts are for "baby milk" and think nothing else of it. If a child were to notice a nursing mother (unlikely) and ask what's going on, I can't imagine a better learning experience.

[WDWMommy]

Speaking of children noticing a nursing baby, that reminds me of a story that absolutely appalled me! A mother was nursing her baby in a grocery store check-out line when a little girl (about 4 years old) asked her dad "what is that baby doing?" his reply? "something disgusting!" Can you imagine that?? What a horrible thing to say to your child, especially a little girl! Anyone who sees a mother nursing her baby should simply smile approvingly, and that is exactly what children should be encouraged to do.
************************************WDWMommy

[lindaso]

Let's hear it for nursing moms at Disney World!! A family place, yes... even for our babies getting the best mom has to offer. I'm glad to see so many other breastfeeding-in-public mommies here. Last year at Disney, my DS was 6 months old and also a drink-a-little-look-around-a-little kind of guy. I just kept a hand on my shirt and pulled it down as he was pulling off. Not a big deal. I nursed him just about everywhere, rides, shows, restaurants. I did go into the baby center at MK once just to get some air conditioning and get him a good feeding where he wouldn't be so distracted. It was nice and comfortable. The only problem was my 2 1/2 year old DD wanted to play in the little playroom there and there was a little boy in there who had just thrown up and he was touching everything and putting stuff in his mouth (my DH told me this later). It skeeved him out and he didn't want DD in there picking up his germs. So, maybe keep that in mind for the older kids...some parents may use the baby center for sick kids.

Linda (nursing happily at 20 months)

[Dolizza]

I never thought I'd have to defend my right to Breastfeed here. I'm glad to see more posts pro breast feeding then anti breastfeeding. As I've said before, people at WDW are so in tune to what they are doing no one ever even paid any attention to me. I'm glad to feel so supported here.

[briane]

Can I change the subject a bit?

Can anyone give my wife advice on the difficulties of taking a five month old on rides in a sling? Did you sit in the back at shows? How bad did the heat affect the infant? What can we do to prepare for our upcoming trip?

We plan on me pushing the stroller with the little one in the sling most of the time. What about restaurants? Do you leave the baby in the car seat during meals and leave the stroller outside?

[Kermit]

The sling could be a little warm depending on when you go. If you really do leave the baby in the stroller most of the time, then you should have too much of a problem. Most of the lines are at least in the shade if not inside, so it's not like you'll be standing in the direct sun light with the baby wrapped right up next to you.

For shows, you may want to try to sit near an exit incase the baby starts to cry. Ask a CM where the doors will open and try to be first. When the doors open, everyone is instructed to move all the way down. You'll be near the exit if you do that.

Sometimes babies are allowed in restaurants in their strollers, especially if they're sleeping. They do try to limit the number in there because it's hard for the servers to move around with a lot of strollers in the aisles, and it's a fire hazzard, but many of the restaurants have the high chairs that don't come up very far, so they have to be lenient with the little babies that can't sit up without more support.

[mirlow]

We just got back last week and it was hot. My youngest daughter is 6mths. We brought her stroller. She is to big for her infant carseat so it was just the stroller. The stroller was great to store the diaper bag and water bottles. I bought a fan for the stroller and I brought a knitted blanket to hide her from the sun. I also brought my sling and I'm glad I did. I would use it when she was tired of the stroller and when we were waiting in line and riding the rides. She wasn't always in the sling on the but I would always put her in it if it was a flying ride like Dumbo (btw don't go on Astro Orbitor, I had her in the sling but I was not liking how fast and high that ride is.) I was surprised at how comfortable I was with her in the sling. It wasn't that much more uncomfortable heat wise than me just carrying her. I think it's because you really are in a lot of shade or in air conditioning most of the time. We always did the parks early naps in the afternoon and the parks later. I was always glad to see the afternoon rain to help cool things off. I would also recommend getting a stroller cover for when it rains. We got one at The Right Start. Some of the resturants are better for strollers than others. I don't think I would even try a character meal with a stroller or at least the busier meals. There are just a lot of people moving around and if your baby is sleeping she/he might get bumped into a lot? There are many resturants where there is room for a stroller you might just have to check them out for yourself first and see what you think.

[DParkfan]

This is amazing, it is 2001 right?! Breastfed my ds 8 mos., at Disneyland and California Adventure. He breastfed so often it would have been very difficult to run back to the baby care center. Just found a place to sit and an area, semi-private, and used a blanket to cover myself. I think we all need to remember who the breastfeeding is for, an innocent baby and his nourishment! I'm sorry but I guess I never thought anything about this topic until I went through it myself and was shocked at the attitudes of people (family/friends/strangers). When I did use the baby care centers, they were calm and relaxing. Had a woman pumping next to me at California Adventure baby care center, in the nursing room. She left her baby at home for the day and had to pump every few hours. They stored the milk and the pump for her. After breastfeeding for a year, glad it's over, but feel very strongly about the topic!

[lindaso]

Hi Briane:

I actually think it's easier to deal with a baby in a sling than a stroller. If the baby falls asleep in the sling, you never have to take him out to wait on line or go into a show. Also, when waiting on line, the baby is already situated and comfortable in the sling.

Last year we went when DS was just 6 months. DH never got the hang of my sling but he did like using the snugli. He volunteered to carry him to save my back and let me concentrate on the 2 year old. It worked wonderfully for the reasons stated above. It also had the added bonus of letting DH and DS bond while at WDW. DH felt much closer to him after our vacation. DS would come out of the snugli to me during long rides and shows for nursing and cuddling and then go back in for walking. He was a sling baby so he was used to being carried for long periods of time and loved the view from "up there".

As far as the heat, DH was able to keep him shaded with his body but we made sure to keep him as hydrated as possible with frequent nursings. We also took it slow, found the a/c places, and napped in the room every afternoon.

We have the cutest family picture with Mickey & Minnie at AK with DS as "suspended boy" in his snugli...enjoy!

Linda

[disneydude]

We really like our Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (sling) better then the snuggies. Our DD was 4 months the first time we took her. We only used the stroller for our stuff. We are going again for a week this Labor Day and we are bringing our sling again. Our DD is now 13 months, 28 lbs and still breastfeeding. The OTSBH helps distrupt her weight. She does not like to ride in a stroller. Being a hot time of year you might want to use a light weight sling. My DD puts off a lot of heat, without any help from the sun. Also, she can still nurse discreetly in the sling. I did not like the baby center, it was to far from everything and my DH could not come into the room with me. It is nice to have him close while I am nursing to give me water refills. If your child will only nurse in quiet settings then it is a perfect place to go. Now that my daughter is older she grabs my breasts when she wants to nurse. Can not wait to see what happens in the parks with the onlookers when she pulls my top up.:D

[Dolizza]

As far as the sling ...IT"S GREAT we used it all through WDW. We now use it at the grocery store and the mall, our DD loves it! Before we went to WDW we had no idea how great it was. I've nursed in it and she can sleep in it too!

[casmanuel]

Referring to the early post that kicked this thread into action: Most women nurse so discreetly that it's not likely a teen would realize what she was doing. They just don't have that mindset. As an experienced mom, when I see a woman with a blanket on her shoulder and peering into the bundle she's holding, I know what's going on. That said, I would be pleased for my teen son to see and understand (not gawk, mind you) what the "equipment" is really for. After all, I want him to be an educated and supportive dad someday.

I was fascinated when a friend of mine from Europe proudly showed me a photo of his family: his wife was sitting on the steps of a huge cathedral, one breast fully exposed and nursing a baby while her toddler sat next to her. It was a lovely picture, and you can't imagine his surprise when I told him you'd not likely see that in the U.S. because we are such prude here!

[WDWMommy]

I would be pleased for my teen son to see and understand (not gawk, mind you) what the "equipment" is really for. After all, I want him to be an educated and supportive dad someday.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I wish every parent had that same attitude toward breastfeeding!
*****************************WDWMommy