a little help from nursing moms?

[jench]

I could really use some advice... we will be at Disney next week cheer2 with our 3 kids, the youngest being our 2.5 month old! I am nursing him, and while I have kind of NIP'd before (I say kind of b/c I haven't done it out in the open, just in places like the Macy's womens' lounge at the mall) I am a little worried about the logistics of what to do at the parks...

So question 1 - where should I go if I am far from the child care center? When DS is hungry, he can go from sleeping to screaming in 1-2 minutes!! A quiet bench, maybe, but will I be able to find something shady? A restaurant like Pinocchio's (CS, but indoor tables, right?)? Any other ideas?

Question 2 - I am used to using a boppy pillow, essentially with him across my stomach. The times I have nursed w/o the boppy, I kind of prop him up on my knee so he's almost sitting up, and then I have to lean over a little. But it's not the most comfortable and I feel like this is not very graceful for being out in the open (but perfectly fine for Macy's lounge!) We will have a double stroller with us (as well as an Ergo carrier), but the boppy is way too big to take with of course. Do you have any advice for a more comfortable/easy-to-do position (or easy-to-carry accessory) for NIP? I am feeling really clueless here!

I am also considering taking my pump along and doing a combination of nursing/pumping (we're staying at BLT, so we'll usually be going back at naptime and dinner if it's convenient). At least then I would have bottles if I couldn't find a comfortable (for me) NIP spot...

Thanks for any ideas/comments!!
Jen

 

[jaleaton]

Hello, mom to a 2 month old here, and I am also breastfeeding.

I can't really give any suggestions to the Boppy situation as I just cradle my little girl on the couch, and she seems to be able to eat fine. Maybe you could keep a couple of pool towels in the basket of the stroller, to use to prop the baby up in lieu of the Boppy. Also, all of the parks have several dark and air conditioned rides and attractions that I think will be perfect for nursing in. I'm thinking things like American Adventure, Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, etc.

I will give my .02 though as someone that was VERY apprehensive about nursing in public. I bought an "udder cover", and haven't looked back about nursing in public with this since. It is wide enough to cover all of me, so I don't have to worry about a public flashing. Their website is www.uddercovers.com, and if you use the code "Classy2" you only have to pay for shipping, making it $8.95. I can honestly say it's probably the best $8.95 I've ever spent. I love mine so much, I'm having my mother sew me a few more in other designs before our trip in October since it's basically just a rectangle of fabric with a neck strap and some rings to adjust it.

Hope this helps.

 

[kevschickee]

I nursed my 1st for 11 months and I NIP a lot. I would use a folded blanket under your arm to help with nursing and I would NOT cover the baby while nursing. It will be way too hot for that in Disney. I never used a cover up and never gave anyone a ****y shot lol. As for pumping I would think it would be a little tough to give the baby a bottle of BM unles they like it a little cool plus trying to keep it cold enough in the hot sun. Good Luck

 

[crisi]

I'd really recommend bringing your boppy. Put it in a backpack, stick in under the stroller - make room for it. You and baby both need to be as comfortable as possible for NIP to be successful (unless you and baby are feed anywhere types to start with, but that doesn't sound like the case).

The other reason I'm big on the boppy is that I caused myself permanent back damage nursing in odd positions - that "uncomfortable" thing - yeah, my baby is ten and I'm STILL doing physical therapy.....

 

[scollins]

If you have an Ergo carrier, I have been able to nurse my daughter in that with the udder cover. Since I am assuming that your baby will be facing you, you can have a hands free feeding.

 

[disney*mom*82]

Our youngest first trip was when she was 5 months old and she was still nursing. I was not real comfortable with nursing in public, but you do what you have to. What I did was find a very light weight, beathable blanket and when we were out and she needed fed Ide find a shady area with light traffic and sit there and cover us up and feed her. It was just a small, littl bigger tha receiving blanket, but big enough to cover all that I didnt want seen! It worked fine and we never had a problem.

 

[grad_dis_nut]

Granted, my DD was 11 months old and so we were in a bit of a different place (i.e., she could eat solid food too), but we also rarely NIPed, and I just wanted to chime in and say that you should definitely bring your pump if possible, at least to keep in the hotel. I say this b/c with a change in routine, your baby may not nurse as much or as often as you and he are used to, and you definitely don't want to be uncomfortable or worse--get a plugged duct or mastitis or something. (e.g., if the baby normally wakes up to eat at night, what happens if he's wiped out at WDW and actually sleeps through the night? I would have needed to pump!!) I also would at least bring your boppy to keep in the hotel. I found, over a year of nursing, that if I didn't have the boppy, our positioning wasn't good, and I would get really sore, plugged ducts if I went several days without it. Not to mention it really hurt my back. At least if you do evening/overnight/morning nursing with the boppy (or lying down), you should be able to make it through the day w/o it.

I had a "hooter hider" too. Totally light weight, easy to see the baby, and at that age, he may not care if something is over top of him. Of course, that's totally up to you. I liked to be a little covered up, especially since we didn't NIP very often at home.

I guess I'm just a fan of being cautious and keeping my options open. Have fun!

 

[crisi]

You can also get (purchase or sew) nursing shirts. If you sew, they aren't hard to make and patterns can be found on the internet.

 

[bumbershoot]

I am also considering taking my pump along and doing a combination of nursing/pumping (we're staying at BLT, so we'll usually be going back at naptime and dinner if it's convenient). At least then I would have bottles if I couldn't find a comfortable (for me) NIP spot...

Thanks for any ideas/comments!!
Jen

This would just be from my experience, but that might make you even MORE uncomfortable. It'll be food-time for baby, and you will be using a bottle...your chest will be...well, it very likely will be time to change your shirt if you're doing that when you're not used to doing that.

The Boppy hurt me (too heavy) so I started just holding DS in my arms, no leaning over. You would not believe how strong my arms were after doing that. You don't want to lean over, really. It lets baby pull on your, um, milky areas, and it will really hurt your spine.

(it feels silly to say these things from a one-time mom to a three-time mom, but you asked, LOL, and since DS nursed as voraciously as a typical newborn until he was about 3 I do have experience)

I would just start practicing now, holding baby with arms, etc.

Also, if you feel that your "underpinnings" are slowing things down, change 'em! I was using nursing bras and tops, and was flashing everyone (it felt that way at least). Finally, I dropped using both at the same time. Seems the flaps go in opposite directions, so there was always a point of nothing covering me. So I just got soft-cup bras and wore those with nursing shirts, and slowly just dropped the nursing bra altogether, as putting myself back together was just a pain.

Although I'm philosophically completely against the covers...the reality was that I didn't NIP as often as I should have, and in fact I've been well known to go stand in a bathroom stall to nurse, simply because I am *modest*. And even once I figured out how not to flash, I didn't like showing my back and side, which did happen. So should I be given a chance to do it all over again...I might indeed get one of those. DS hated having blankets covering, he would pull them down (fast) even as an infant, and if I'd gotten comfy being covered, that was worse than not having covered at all. Then again, if I got another baby like that, I could get serious neck injuries from the strap around the "hider" yanking on me!

I'd just start practicing, making sure others are walking around you.

And you know what...if baby is freaking out and you just can't anywhere...just IGNORE everyone around you, focus on baby, and feed baby. Your family can pull the side of your shirt down for you in a minute...the important thing is baby first of all... Family can also be helpful for standing in front of you as you quickly get settled. Hubby's a big guy and would stand facing away from me, while I got things going with feeding DS. Then he'd make sure I was covered.

If you have an Ergo carrier, I have been able to nurse my daughter in that with the udder cover. Since I am assuming that your baby will be facing you, you can have a hands free feeding.

Just in case it doesn't work after practicing, don't feel bad. Some mama baby combos don't work well for nursing while babywearing. I was able to do it twice. Once at home with my shirt entirely off (it was hot and my arms were tired of carrying him) while wearing him in the hotsling, and about a year later on a long walk with the Mobywrap. And that was it. Avid nursing mother, avid nursing baby, avid babywearing pair...just couldn't get it together due to anatomy. Sigh.



good luck, drink LOTS of water, and have fun!

 

[Chelley00]

I locked the stroller brakes and used the wheels as a foot rest. That put my lap a little higher to be able to brace the baby up higher instead of having to slouch over.

 

[SaraMc]

We bought DS a Mickey and I used that as a pillow. We also had a breast feeding canopy, that had a mesh opening. There are lots of quiet spots to nurse though out all the parks. While the baby centre's are great. I also found a quiet spot over by space mountain and also the movie theatre's near Tony's are good too.

 

[Disneyforus]

All great suggestions. I found after nursing 4 babies, that my favorite item to feel like I wasn't flashing "skin" somewhere was a nursing tank under my reg shirt, when I knew I was going to be NIP. It will keep your backside covered. Definately start practicing now if you are going to change up what you are doing...


Good Luck!

 

[javamoma]

I NIPed in public a lot, including WDW with a 6 month old. I was embaressed to cover myself with a blanket because in 90degree weather. I felt like that just sent a red flag to everyone that I was nursing.

I use to wear a tank or undershirt with a botton down (unbuttoned) over it. When I nursed all I had to do was lift the undershirt and the unbuttoned shirt provided a shield on the side. No skin was shown. This also works for nursing in a bjourn while standing in line.

In the parks I planned a nursing space in every area. So when we were over by BTMR and she needed to nurse we headed over to the Hall of Presidents. I nursed in the dark during the show. Didn't feel like I was in public at all. There are lots of dark rides and shows to nurse through. I don't think I nursed on a park bench once.

Hope that helps!

 

[msmama]

Well I was never one to worry about NIP so I'm not sure if I'm the best one to answer, but...

I also wear/wore nursing tanks when I knew I was going to NIP. I prefer having my back and sides covered. I like the Target ones personally.

Boppy - it took me A LONG time to be able to nurse without it. What works best for me though is to be sitting on the ground cross-legged. In which case you might want to take a towel for ground sitting.

There are a fair amount of quiet benches around (though make sure you're not in a smoking area - those seem to be the quietest benches)!! And I nursed on Haunted Mansion, the Nemo Seas ride at Epcot, (several more than I'm sure I'm forgetting) and a lot of shows.

In fact, I tried the baby care centers twice and THAT was when he wouldn't nurse, lol.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[happymommy]

First of all, I think it's great to nurse! I nursed my daughter everywhere in public, but always extremely discreetly (I had a hard time with my son, so quit after only 6 weeks, so was determined to nurse her when she came along).

When I went with my sister once, she was nursing her 11 month old at the time, and would just use a very lightweight blanket draped over her shoulder. Funny - she frequently found other nursing moms on benches, as many do at WDW. It's a good idea if it's been a good hour or two, to start to scope out a bench just in case. And no one will think any bad things about seeing a mom with a blanket draped over her shoulder - it's the natural way to feed a baby. There are lots of benches and places to use.

I also agree to practice a bit at home. I remember when my DD was 3 months old, I had to fly alone with her and my son, who was 2 at the time. She ended up nursing almost the whole plane flight! Ugh. No one minded who was near me, and I just covered up. I preferred a tee shirt that I could just lift on the one side, though. I had a couple of nursing dresses and shirts, but the tees just worked for me. I also loved that the Gap had these denim short overalls, and they covered me better, so I could move the front over to one side, lift my tee shirt up, and feed that way (with something draped).

I agree that pumping just makes more work. Then you have the pump, bottles, and it's just more work. I wouldn't even bother with that. Plus you may let down and need to nurse, and you don't want to get engorged on vacation.

You will be fine, just practice a bit, and maybe also if it's about time to feed, and baby isn't fussy, simply offer it.

Also, just in case of leaks, I'd have extra pads and maybe even a dry tee shirt in your bag. I hated when I leaked and had a wet spot! I'd put a clean shirt in a ziploc bag, and have it in your diaper bag just in case.

Remember to take it easy, get plenty of fluids, and rest also! I hope it all goes really well, and you have a great time.

 

[Nennie]

I definitely used the baby care centers whenever I could, just for the air conditioning, rocking chairs, and quiet. I was a boppy-only nurser too, and I found when I didn't have my boppy I could sit and cross my one leg over (with my knee sticking out, like how a guy would sit) and lay the baby across my bent leg. I also saw a woman with a small inflatable pillow, which I thought looked like a great idea.

I used my hooter hider on the park benches too, and just pulled the stoller infront of me for extra modesty protection.

I also brought my pump, and would pump right after my morning nursing session, and then brought that milk in the parks (using the medela carrier with the ice pack) and used that milk for in-line emergencies, etc, to hold him over til I could get to a place to nurse.

You can do it!! Good luck!

 

[laceemouse]

I took my nursing son at 5 months and I found the best places to nurse were nice cool shows. You are going to be hot and he is going to be hot! Covering up will make both of you hotter. Those sling things were really hot to me too!
We used the baby care centers once or twice, it just wasn't convenient to hoof it over there when he needed to nurse.
None of mine would take bottles so I can't help you there.

 

[alyssa810]

My DS was nursing and drinking formula at the same time but I didn't bring my pump on our first trip to WDW when he was about 12 weeks old, and it was a big mistake. I learned to LOVE the baby care centers, but like I mentioned, my DS also had formula so if we weren't in a convenient spot, daddy could give him a bottle. In subsequent trips I never went without my pump. I only pumped once a day, usually right when we got back to the resorts at night...or if we went back in the middle of the day, I'd do it then. after the 1st trip, DS was eating food too, so I liked having pumped milk to make his cereal etc. I had a hard time NIP so I made sure to be around the baby care centers when he'd be ready and we'd take a nice cool break. It was nice to meet other nursing moms, especially at the BCC in Epcot...and the more private rooms at AK and teh studios have their perks too!

 

[Juliet25]

WDW is a great place to nurse. I've bf'ed both my kids in all four parks with no problems. I only used a baby center once. I've seen other nursing moms. There's a lot of international guests and they're not as uptight about breasts being used for their intended purposes. It's a very nursing friendly place. You'll be fine!

 

[NotUrsula]

I found that in the parks, wearing a double shirt worked best, especially if the undershirt was a nursing tank. The "nightwear" tanks from Target also work well for this purpose, as they are extra-stretchy, so you can pull the armhole toward the center rather than pulling up from below. Wear an open button-up shirt over, and just tuck jr.'s head into your armpit. If your nursing bras cannot be undone with one hand, buy different ones. Don't wear high necklines -- you want to be able to easily just slide your fingertips inside the neckline to release the hook, not have to half-undress to get to it.

When I took DD to WDW at 10 weeks, I found that my ring sling was the best substitute for a boppy. If you practice a bit, you should be able to manage feeding in one of those while standing up and walking around -- I stood right next to my MIL and fed DD whilst watching a parade; she didn't notice, and my MIL is very squicky about nursing in public. When feeding I let it out more loosely than I normally set it, and let her lie crosswise, with the sling holding her at the level of my elbows with my hands supporting her tush and back. (For normal carrying I tucked her up tighter so that I had my hands free.) I never did manage to nurse in my Ergo -- I'm too busty for that option, I guess. My ring sling is a Solarveil mesh version from TaylorMade -- these are hard to find now b/c the company that made the fabric went out of business, but it was very good for WDW because it is cool AND immersible -- great for wading in the pool with an infant (hands-free and very secure.)


I also second the foot-on-the-stroller-wheel trick when sitting, as well as sitting backward on benches near curbed flowerbeds, to put your foot on the curb. Something else that I found worked well was propping DD on my park bag. I don't like carrying regular diaper bags in parks, so I use a large "sack" backpack (the floppy kind) with a diaper-change folder kit inside it. It's about 8 inches thick, and soft b/c of the ziploc of diapers inside it, so it also makes a good prop.