Official Breast Feeding Support Thread for WDW Parks

[MommyPoppins]

OT Alert:

The deaths were related to a specific sling, which is a mass produced death trap. I thought so from the first time I saw them on the shelves. A properly used pouch sling or ring sling, wrap or mei tai is 100% safe. I have worn my babies in a ring sling from 1 day old on. It isn't a sling that has killed babies it is the Mom's misuse of the sling. (Not blaming the Mom, but rather proper teaching of how to use a sling)

Every ring sling I have ever bought or sold has always had as the VERY FIRST rule of use a warning to always be able to see baby and make sure you have them positioned so that their airway is open. Same airway rule applies to car seats. )

Edited to add: I have nursed 6 children and never bought an article of nursing clothing. lol. It's so expensive. I just wear a thin tank top under my shirt when we go somewhere so I can pull up my shirt and pull down the top of the tank and no exposure.

[cathyshos]

We just returned and I nursed a couple of times in the Baby Centers and it was GREAT! So relaxing! I was in the middle of weaning, as my baby girl is 11 months old...the weaning did not go so well when we were there but when I did have to nurse her, the baby centers were fabulous. Too bad there weren't a couple of them in each park.

[MommyPoppins]

Originally Posted by cathyshos

We just returned and I nursed a couple of times in the Baby Centers and it was GREAT! So relaxing! I was in the middle of weaning, as my baby girl is 11 months old...the weaning did not go so well when we were there but when I did have to nurse her, the baby centers were fabulous. Too bad there weren't a couple of them in each park.

It would be much better if each park had at least 2. It's not very convenient to trek all the way across the park to get to one of them. I bet they would be lots more use if there was 2.

[Pookasaurus]

As a new member here I just wanted to say I am extremely glad to read this thread (and to have done so while nursing my 4 month old, hehe) We just booked our first trip to Disney (as a family, I’ve been several times years ago) for September and will be traveling with our infant son who is exclusively breastfed (he will be 8months when we go).

I have no issues nursing in public and won’t have any issues doing so at Disney - I don’t use blankets or covers as my son gets extremely frustrated with them now at 4 months old, so I’m sure at 8 he really is going to hate them. I usually wear a cami or nursing tank under my top if its not a nursing top so my belly isn’t showing, and then my shirt covers the top of my breast and my baby covers the rest. There are also tops called “modest middles” that are like tanks but without anything covering your breasts - they are pricey though and a regular nursing tank or cami works fine for me.

Even though I don’t use a blanket I am still discrete about it. I’ve had servers at restaurants not realize what was going on, people sit next to me, etc. There is always the possibility that a little bit of nipple might show when my son latches on or is done, but usually its not an issue and its rude to stare regardless what someone is doing. I’m confident enough to NIP but my bigger concern is nursing if its really hot, so its nice to get some tips on where to escape the heat if needed!!

As for pumping - I can see the need. If someone exclusively pumps it would be easier to pump the baby a bottle than to try to drag around a bunch of frozen milk for the day. There are decent hand held pumps or you can even buy a battery pack - I have one for my Medela that runs it off of 8 AA batteries. While I have no issues nip and will nurse when and wherever typically, I don’t think I could pump in public though, hehe.

As for nursing bras I have been having issues with all my bras peeking out the tops of my summery shirts - and they aren’t even low cut! Never mind trying to wear a v-neck. I just ordered a Bravado bra - they are pricey but if you sign up for emails they send out coupon codes and I was able to get a 25% off one for mother’s day. From what I hear they are fantastic bras!

I wish I could nurse in my slings - I’ve never been able to figure it out though (and as mentioned it’s the infantino bag slings that are dangerous, I have a ring sling and use the snuggle hold which keeps baby upright). I’ll be bringing my beco to Disney but I don’t anticipate being able to nurse in that, either.

Thanks again for a great thread!

[belle&beast]

This thread has great timing for me! We are going to WDW in October when DS will be 13 months. He only get breastmilk right now, so I am assuming I will still be nursing him on our trip. Thanks for all the tips! I nursed both of my older 2 kids, but we ever went to WDW while they were nursing.

[MommyPoppins]

It took me 4 kids to figure out nursing in a sling. LOL! The key is to attach baby as is the sling isn't there and then tighten it to support the baby. Also easier if you stick the baby's legs out of the side instead of trying to keep them inside the sling.

[sritter78]

We went to WDW when DS was 6 weeks old. I carried him in a ring sling and nursed him anywhere in the park. I never once got any looks or anything (except maybe from FIL).

We leave again in 3 weeks. DS is 13 months and still nursing. I am a little more nervous about nursing him in the parks since he is much bigger and can't nurse in the sling very comfortably. Hopefully he will be content to only nurse a few times in the parks and will be satisfied with snacks/food.

What do you use to cover your toddler when nursing?

I am a huge fan of Henley style shirts since I can just unbutton the top buttons and then button right back up--no lifting of the shirts.

[Juliet25]

Originally Posted by sritter78

What do you use to cover your toddler when nursing?

My DD was 18 months on our last trip. She also went at 10 months and was nursing more then. As a toddler, we pretty much were able to nurse in the resort room and the baby care centers. I preferred the BCC at this age mostly b/c when she wanted to nurse it was b/c she was over-stimulated and needed to take a nap. It was much easier to nurse her in a dark room and stay there for awhile.

I never use a cover for nursing. There's no way either of my girls would have tolerated one!

As for nursing at WDW in general, I never had a problem. I just nursed whenever the need arose. I can't even remember if I used nursing tops or not. I think I used those belly band things. I'm way more concerned about flashing my stomach than flashing my nipple.

If any BF'ing moms are nervous about NIP at WDW, don't be! I see more nursing moms there in one week than I would in 6 months back at home. It's commonplace. As it should be.

[TaliaB]

Originally Posted by Juliet25

I never use a cover for nursing. There's no way either of my girls would have tolerated one!

My 9month old is like that. If I cover him he tries to eat the cover instead. That gives everyone a much bigger show

[candielips]

I looked at those covers and it seems they are discontinuing them. The only sizes left were xs, s and 2x & 3X. I wonder how easy they would be to make?

I also cannot figure out nursing in a sling. I have a hotslings sling and just cannot do it. I did however pick up an Ergo Baby Carrier yesterday for our DS. I am so excited to use it and wonder if anyone has ever tried nursing in one of those?

[MommaB]

Originally Posted by Pookasaurus

A
I’ll be bringing my beco to Disney but I don’t anticipate being able to nurse in that, either.

Thanks again for a great thread!

Originally Posted by candielips

I did however pick up an Ergo Baby Carrier yesterday for our DS. I am so excited to use it and wonder if anyone has ever tried nursing in one of those?

A Beco is very like an Ergo and I had great luck nursing in ours. It does take a second person to adjust it all for me though. My DD was 17 months and 19 months on our trips this spring so it might be height that works for or against you though. I just loosen the straps and the waist strap a bit. So instead of sitting on my natural waist she is a little lower on my hips. Then I have someone loosen the back strap till it feels "right"- enough slack for her to pull back if she gets warm or wants a break. I usually wiggle my shirt up in the front before I strap on and I wear a nursing tank underneath in the same color (white or black) so if it works up in the back you can't tell. Then just peek out the vital part and she's set!

This has been GREAT late at night, she nurses, falls asleep and I don't have to carry a toddler as dead weight! I my Ergo.
I have an AngelPax as well but nursing in it doesnt work quite as well. The shoulders slip just a little and she doesnt feel quite as secure.

[disneymom0104]

Loving this thread! I am a 3rd time mom and currently have a 3 month old nursling We will be at WDW when he turns 7 months and will still be nursing him! I love reading all the various places people have tried. Unfortunately so far he is a sloooooooow nurser, so not thinking a short ride will do much for him. I do plan on bringing a couple slings with me (Beco for sure, maybe my Hotsling) but I am very well endowed and have never been able to nurse with a sling. I will have to find somewhere to sit! Where is the baby care center in the MK? I probably won't use it unless we are near it.

[Rand0mTh0ughts]

Love this thread! My son is 14 months now. I breastfeed a lot at home here at Disneyland. I also breastfed at WDW last August when he was 6 months.

I love Target's nursing tank tops - they are not very expensive. They work well for me - I always wear them under my shirts when I am going to be nursing a lot in public. I don't use a cover because DS would just pull it off. If I lift up the top shirt and unclip the nursing tank, I am completely covered so I nurse pretty much anywhere and no one really knows what I'm doing.

At WDW, the Animal Kingdom and Studios have individual nursing rooms. At Magic Kingdom, there is a larger nursing room where about 7 moms can nurse together. The chairs are arranged in a circle, so you can talk with each other. I never used EPCOT's - I just wasn't near the center when I needed to nurse.

Spots I remember - At this age, DS would nurse anywhere - rides usually didn't distract him very much. Now that he is older, he doesn't need to nurse as often, of course, but if he is hungry, he will still tune out the rides and nurse.

Animal Kingdom - Finding Nemo show, and outside of the safari stroller exit there is a circle of benches that are set within the trees.

Magic Kingdom: Presidents, Carousel of Progress, TTA (which was closed when I was there)
(At Disneyland, DS always nurses on Pirates, the ride is longer there - poor kid is going to have a complex that pirates always make him hungry!)

EPCOT - Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, American Adventure, Lots of nooks and crannies in World Showcase

Studios - any show (o:

My nursing story (kpm76 - you reminded me of this!) I was nursing DS at EPCOT in France. I was sitting on a large planter facing a brown gate in the quiet courtyard past the perfume shop (closer to UK side of the pavilion). Next thing I know, Belle walks in and she is surrounded by hoards of autograph seekers! So much for quiet!

[labdogs42]

Here is the info on the locations of the Baby Care Stations from Allears.net:

Where are these Baby Stations?

Magic Kingdom -- at the end of Main Street, behind the Crystal Palace Restaurant on you way to Adventureland. It is tucked away in a small courtyard near the first aid station.

Epcot -- on the backside of the Odyssey Restaurant on the walkway from Test Track to Mexico. This is a very neat station as many times the workers from the Mexican Pavilion come over to relieve the cast members. It is great to talk to them about their travels and country while you are taking a break.

Disney's Hollywood Studios -- just inside the entrance near guest services on the left as you enter.

Animal Kingdom -- near the Creature Comforts gift shop on the left side of The Tree of Life.

[sajetto]

We're leaving in 14 days and it will be my first trip as a nursing mom. I have a Bella Band I used to hold up my pants when I was pregnant. I wonder if I could use that as a subsitute for what was suggested earlier. I'll report on how well it worked while we're on the trip. I'm so glad this thread was started