BFers come in! Nursing in parks...w/a boppy?

[Ben&Jillsmom]

I am very surprised that no one here mentioned the nursing rooms. Each of the parks has a baby care center with a nursing area. Some of the nursing areas have private rooms where each nursing mother was alone, but some were secluded rooms where all the mothers sat together in rocking chairs.
The baby center itself is also worth a visit as they have high chairs if you need to feed a little one as well as bibs and spoons to borrow. You can purchase items you have forgotten like diapers, wipes, and other necessities.
I have to say the thing my 3 year old liked the best was the child sized potty that one of the centers had.
Enjoy your trips!

 

[applechips]

I am very surprised that no one here mentioned the nursing rooms. Each of the parks has a baby care center with a nursing area. Some of the nursing areas have private rooms where each nursing mother was alone, but some were secluded rooms where all the mothers sat together in rocking chairs.

Probably no one mentioned it because you can never be sure to be in a location that is close to the baby centers. I really wouldn't want to be bothered trying to find a baby center when I am somewhere with my dh and other child on a ride or far away from the nearest one... Frankly I dont' even know where they are! LOL!! I've never even looked up on a map to find out where they are because I've never needed the rooms. I don't usually *go* anywhere to nurse the baby, I just do it wherever I am. If its hot outside I would just go into the nearest store or restaurant.

 

[Nanu57v]

I can't believe I didn't think of the nursing stations either! I used them almost entirely!

 

[bumbershoot]

Probably no one mentioned it because you can never be sure to be in a location that is close to the baby centers. I really wouldn't want to be bothered trying to find a baby center when I am somewhere with my dh and other child on a ride or far away from the nearest one... Frankly I dont' even know where they are! LOL!! I've never even looked up on a map to find out where they are because I've never needed the rooms. I don't usually *go* anywhere to nurse the baby, I just do it wherever I am. If its hot outside I would just go into the nearest store or restaurant.

I've only been to Disneyland, and I've been there twice with a nursing kiddo, and I still have NO idea where their baby station is.

And with a 6 month old who is likely still nursing often, to try to find the station for every milk-break would be, well, I wouldn't do it.

And it doesn't solve the *boppy or not* issue.

 

[Amirah95]

Not sure how I forgot what a boppy was, but it's on my registry ha! I will not be taking that into the parks. I am going to bring it to the resort though for room use IF we have room for it in the car.

 

[two-foxes]

I am completely dependant on my boppy as well....we are headed to WDW in 4 months. (yeah, I know that sounds like a long time away, but the past two months since the little man came into our lives has FLOWN by!) Based on how things are going now, I would consider dragging it with me! I tried BF somewhere other than our house yesterday for the first time...our car...holy smokes, what a disaster! I guess one thing I know, and for the OP, it will get easier.....so I am told!

 

[NotUrsula]

Another resource for you: there is a "Nursing in Public" board on the La Leche League site. There is a thread there on this question right now.

http://forums.llli.org/forumdisplay.php?f=33

 

[Lesley]

I'm more surprised that the mention of the nursing rooms didn't mention that there are boppy's in there, or other nursing pillows (at least the one I remember the best,which is at Epcot). The nursing rooms are very comfortably equipped.

I would usually nurse wherever I was, but a couple of times I just needed to get a child to sleep and the rest of the parks was too busy or noisy for her to fall asleep...and in that case the nursing rooms are great. It's cool and quiet and the lighting can be adjusted lower. I know at least once it was that or leave the park so that a tired kiddo could get a nap.

But also, you probably won't be boppy dependent forever.

 

[emh1129]

I was completely boppy-dependent for the first few months, too.. and used it (although I wasn't dependent upon it) until dd was almost 2.
I think by 6 months you'll have gotten the hang of nursing without it. A ring sling might work well for you- it's worth a try. I was able to have dd lie sideways so that she was mostly supported and I could get her latched on.
Other than that, I did what another poster suggested and rested her on my leg while it was propped up on something (hard to describe). You just learn to adapt to what works for you
Good luck & I hope you have an awesome trip! We're planning to take our newest little one (not yet born) when he/she is either 3 or 8 months (haven't narrowed down the month yet). I'm planning to nurse around the world, too

 

[baybemama]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses! I think I AM going to try a ring sling...the solarveil ones look pretty awesome and this Thursday I'm going to go to LLL meeting and see if anyone can help me figure it out. I tried some new positions tonight before putting DS down to sleep and I kinda figured something out with leg propping. Although once he's full, anytime I put the nip in his mouth he just laughs at me so we'll see how it really works when he's actually hungry!

 

[BellaBuggy]

I've BFed three kiddos and never used a Boppy! I think you will be fine without it.

I know where one baby station is, at the MK, only because it happens to be next to the Crystal Palace. I never used them either - so much easier to just nurse while enjoying "It's a Small World" or something.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I use a moby wrap that helps support my son. He was 17 pounds 12 ounces and 27 inches at his 4 month doctors visit a couple of weeks ago.

I will say that I am accustomed to carrying him and Moby's have a bit of a learning curve (it was about 1-2 weeks before I learned to use it probably and a bit of an inconvenience until the lightbulb went off magically).

I would try to practice nursing without the boppy. I'm not a skinny girl--so I have a nice lap and I will cross my leg like boys do...you know..where your ankle of one leg rests on the knee of another. And that provides some support.

I have taken a boppy to the world before with my other girls. it will squash into most large strollers. I used it when my 2nd was 4 months old on her first visit.

Remember it is just a pillow. It is light weight and easy to carry. If you need to bring it, by all means do so. It is easier than you think.

I nurse everywhere at WDW and the only time I was uncomfortable was when some teenagers noticed I was nursing while wearing him in my Moby wrap. I wish I had a good comeback, but I didn't. There immaturity was eye-opening. (be shocked if you must, just be inaudible when you are). It was all quite discretely and honestly DS sleeps in the same position so for all they know he could have just been sleeping.

Also note that around 5-6 months you will notice a change in their nursing schedule where feedings might be somewhat predictable. My son in the daytime nurses roughly at the same time everyday for his meals/snacks/naps. It will probably be much easier for you to plan your days and nursings at WDW (or at least anticipate, not so much plan that at 2pm baby is eating whether they want to or not ) with a 6 month old than it will be with a 3 month old.

 

[GatorGal]

If you plan on BFing in public, be sure to have a blanket with you so if anyone complains about what you're doing you can offer them the blanket to hide under until you're done! (can't take the credit for thinking that one up, saw it on Cnn.com)

 

[katerkat]

Also, look for seats with arms - I found that helps support the weight on my arm. (I never did get arm muscles from nursing, used the Boppy up until he weaned at 13.5 months old!) I never used the Boppy in the parks. I did roll a burp cloth or used a diaper for elbow padding. Sometimes went to the Baby Center just for the A/C.

 

[emh1129]

If you plan on BFing in public, be sure to have a blanket with you so if anyone complains about what you're doing you can offer them the blanket to hide under until you're done! (can't take the credit for thinking that one up, saw it on Cnn.com)

Oh man, I read the first part of your sentence and I swear my eyes just bulged But that is a really good comment if someone gives you a hard time!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you plan on BFing in public, be sure to have a blanket with you so if anyone complains about what you're doing you can offer them the blanket to hide under until you're done! (can't take the credit for thinking that one up, saw it on Cnn.com)

I skimmed your post, and at first my face was doing this and then I actually READ what you wrote, and now I'm doing this .

It's so helpful to READ posts...must learn that...