Baby Care Centers???/ Nursing?

[disfamily]

Hello!

I have been to WDW MANY times but this is the first time with a baby. We have a 3-month-old boy and are leaving a week from today..yea!!!! Can somebody please give me a little information about the baby care centers? I assume they have a "nursing lounge"? DS is exclusively breast fed so I know I will be using a lot. Is there a separate area in the center for nursing? Are men allowed in the baby care center? (I am sure DH is hoping he can get out of diaper changing duty for the trip!! )

I am also debating bringing my breast pump and pumping some milk to take to the parks so I don't have to take so much time out to nurse. Has anybody done this and what is your experience? I would have to take the time to warm the bottle so it might be easier to just go ahead and nurse him. I know they have microwaves in the baby care centers, but do they have hot water that I can just run the bottle under? ( I don't microwave the milk)

Any help, insight, or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Samandmom]

I just went in April and my DD was 3 months old. She was solely nursing at the time also. Yes Dads are welcomed at the Baby Centers but not in the nursing rooms. (Only the private ones at MGM and AK) At MK they have dimily lit room with about 5 rockers. At EPCOT they also have about 5 rockers in one room. AT AK they have seperate private rooms. I think there 4 maybe. One day they were all being used so I used the big room with the TV and chairs in there. There was another lady in there feeding her baby and her DH was in there. He had the other rocker and I politely explained to him that the all the nursing rooms were occupied and could please use your rocking chair. He of course said no problem. But I felt bad cause he left. I asked his wife if I offened him and she said no he was going to do some stuff anyways. At MGM (I don't like this one) they have I think 2 private nursing rooms.
I have a quick story about men in the nursing rooms. I walked into the MK nursing room and found a gentleman laying down on teh floor with his DS sleeping. I did not say anything because it was cute. But I nursed covered up. He woke up a few minutes later and apologized. No prob I said. We then continued to have a conversation. (I was slightly upset that his wife was not in there) But he was nice so I just forgot about it. His wife did show up in a bit. The next day another gentleman came in while I was in there, but I was done and I did complain to a CM. (I know I am mean) but the door does NURSING MOMS ONLY.

I did nurse at a few shows.

 

[disfamily]

Thanks for the quick reply Samandmom (BTW, is your DD named Sam? That is my DS's name too!). I am glad you mentioned nursing at the shows. I was thinking of doing that too....especially the dark ones, like ITTBAB. I am not especially brazen about nursing in public, but I figure I will have to get used to it when I have to nurse him on the plane! I can be discreet but my DS is SOOOO LOUD when he eats!!!! He treats each meal as the Last Supper!

 

[castlegazer]

Baby Care centers are exceptionally nice. You can get diapers, wipes, and anything else you may run out of in there (for a fee) - the changing tables are so nice and clean too. I just like sitting and rocking with my DS in the MK one - I didn't use the other ones. I wasn't nursing during the day during our last trip - only at night - as my son was one at the time. But in MK, if you can't get a seat in the quiet nursing room - the outer room with rocking chairs is by no means crowded and there is hardly any foot traffic - plus you get to watch TV while nursing. They have it set up so your other children have something to do while you are nursing or changing or whatever. My DH did come in with us to do diaper changes.

 

[spr0m]

check out this link
http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/7_Children/general/baby_care.htm

We used them when our DS was 5 months old and again on the last trip when he just turned 1 in september. He is not breast feeding anymore as of last month but we'll use the changing areas on our upcoming visit if we are in the vicinity and nature calls. My wife loved the nursing rooms DS is easily distracted when nursing so it was impossible anywhere else in the park

 

[TandyR]

I have used both the Epcot & MK Baby Care Centers during our last two trips.....I only used them when DD needed to nurse to nap the rest of the time I nursed where ever. The nursing rooms were nice and dark and cool....each time I used them there was only one other mother in the room with me. My DH and older DD came looking for me at one point and the CM came in and OK'ed that they could come in. So it is really nice.

BTW WDW is wonderful about nursing in public....I had trouble with it at Busch Gardens....so if you decide to try nursing in public WDW is a wonderful place to do it. Also since DD is an older nurseling...she was 13 months old during the first trip and 26 months the second trip and none of the CM ever even batted an eye....also a problem I had a Busch Gardens.

 

[NurseKim]

As a BFing mom, I will be visiting WDW in Jan with my son. He is exclusively on breastmilk (DH gives bottles of EBM while I work).
If I am in the vicinity of the nursing rooms I will use them. If I am at the other side of the park, I will find a nice place to BF my son.
I will not go to a restroom to BF my son, who eats in the restroom?!
BTW, Tandy, there is a Florida law that allows mothers to BF their babies in public. Here is a link to the info I found.
I would have *flipped out* at anyone who said anything to me.

BTW, I successfully BF my son in public (at the mall) for the 1st time today. No one blinked an eye at me!

 

[Kevenswife2]

I breastfed all of my children and found a sling to be very handy. Was able to nurse discretely while walking through the parks or standing in line. The fabric of the sling can be pulled up so others can't see what baby is doing. I've even done the local amusement park with nothing more than a large hippack full of diapers (wipes, etc.) and the sling. DH and I traded off carrying duties...but not feeding

 

[Kevenswife2]

Oops, double post.

 

[disfamily]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I feel MUCH better about travelling with a baby now! The pics of the Baby Care Centers look great.

NurseKim --- your "little turkey Alex" is just 10 days younger than my little turkey Sam! So much fun at this age!

Keven'sWife --- I have a sling but Sam does not care for it too much, even when he is facing outward. He likes being carried in the Baby Bjorn much better. I have seen those "nursing bibs" which are very discreet so I think I might buy one of those before our trip. If all else fails, I know which shows and attractions are dark and where BFing in public will be most conducive.

Thanks again!

 

[myjulybabes]

Originally posted by disfamily
Thanks everyone for your replies! I feel MUCH better about travelling with a baby now! The pics of the Baby Care Centers look great.

NurseKim --- your "little turkey Alex" is just 10 days younger than my little turkey Sam! So much fun at this age!

Keven'sWife --- I have a sling but Sam does not care for it too much, even when he is facing outward. He likes being carried in the Baby Bjorn much better. I have seen those "nursing bibs" which are very discreet so I think I might buy one of those before our trip. If all else fails, I know which shows and attractions are dark and where BFing in public will be most conducive.

Thanks again!

I have one of the nursing bibs, and I really don't recommend it. It was really awkward to use, hot, and actually drew MORE attention than just lifting my shirt slightly. Like a big flashing pink and blue bunny print sign that says "I'm nursing my baby under here!" JMO.

~Josie~

 

[Kevenswife2]

I understand about your little one not liking the sling. My last DD hated it but my third "lived in it". Each one's different. If # 2 & #6 had been born first, there never would have been more! (Okay, I'm joking...I think) Guess that's what makes life interesting, being so unpredictable.

I've never used the "nursing bib" but do you think it might draw MORE attention to you and what you're doing? And at three months, will he be pulling it off (I can't remember, been a long time since I had one so small).

I've been around many moms in public who I wasn't sure were nursing or just holding their baby close. Most people won't have a clue that you're nursing, and if they do...so what? They don't have to look. Your feeding your baby nature's best! Be proud and confident!

 

[swilphil]

I nursed my baby in several places at WDW this summer. I still would recommend bringing a pump "just in case." It was nice to be able to get DH to give the baby a bottle. There were times like on a ride or in line when the baby wanted a bottle and I really didn't want to nurse. Plus pumping helps me keep my milk supply up. The breastmilk will keep at room temperature (as long is it doesn't get too hot) for 5 to 8 hours.

 

[lindaso]

Hi...congratulations on your baby and your decision to breastfeed. Isn't it wonderful? My best advice is to practice nursing in front of a mirror to get used to the whole breastfeeding in public thing. The baby care centers are great but at 3 months old, your little one will need to nurse often and you will not feel like trekking back to the baby care center when you're across the park.

Dark rides and shows are great but so is a nice bench for people watching.

When my DS#1 was 6 months old at WDW, DH carried him around the park in the snugli. DS loved the sling but DH didn't and my back couldn't handle that length of time. DH was more comfortable with the snugli and the experience was great for both of them. They really bonded on that trip. When we got into a show or a ride, DH would take him out for me to hold him or nurse him, whatever he wanted. If your little guy likes the Bjorn, I would recommend your DH doing the carrying.

Have a great trip!

 

[twinmomplus2]

I think it would be way to much of a hassle to express and prepare a bottle! If thats not your normal pattern at home. I sure wouldn't stress myself doing it there. I personnaly used the baby centers only once or twice. I did not like having to leave the rest of my family. It also fealt a little like hiding to me. I had twins with me and trust me there is no nursing twins gracefully in public. I would just pop into a nice air conditioned show, and feed baby number one and then, sit through the show again to feed baby number 2. That allowed me to stay with my other children and still attend to thier needs. There are so many little quiet nooks you can sit in, Provided its not hot...that you can sit and relax and nurse discreetly. Have fun, He will be an easy traveler very portable! I also forgot to mention that on this particular trip, I traveled with my brother and nephew as well. and he had no clue I was still nursing. And we shared a studio at Boardwalk, I think It was on th e3rd night we were in the room and he said, I can not believe they don't have a bottle. And I said no i am nursing them you dolt! And he said when? well in any palce we sit down

 

[moinab]

What kind of sling do you have? I have a MayaWrap sling. At first, DD didn't like it, so I didn't use it, but then I talked to friends who also have MayaWraps, and they asked my if I watched the instructional video that comes with it. I had not, so they encouraged me to do so. I discovered I wasn't using it properly. After watching the video, I tried again, and she loved it! Most of the moms I know in our community use these, and I've never heard of a baby not liking it, as long as you're using it right (of course, there are always exceptions, I'm sure!) A lot of the moms I know have tried other types of slings, but didn't like them.

I used it on our DCL cruise when DD was 5 months old. I nursed her in the sling while eating dinner in the middle of the dining room, and nobody had any idea. Our tablemates commented on how wonderful it was that she "slept" through dinner.

I used to bring a bottle of expressed milk for car (or airplane!) rides, but I never bothered heating them up. My kids took them warm, room temp, or cold! There's no reason to heat up bottles, other than preference, and many babies don't care.