Breastfeeding an older baby at WDW

[GEM]

My grandson who was 2 1/2 when his brother was born thought it was pretty cool that mommy fed his brother by breast feeding. In fact he had this GI Joe doll that was "his daddy" who was in Iraq at the time and he constantly would pretend to nurse his GI Joe doll..we all thought it was pretty cute. Breast feeding is a natural thing, no one should be made to feel uncomfortable about it, and there is nothinkg wronge with other children being exposed to it, let's face it now days children are exposed to some pretty nasty stuff out there...

 

[BlsdMama]

Actually, I never nursed my kids and never had that problem. Why would you feel sorry for me?

I do not appreciate seeing anyone nursing in public. If breasts were meant to be exposed why is it illegal to go topless? Bottles are meant for feeding and they are allowed to be seen in public. If a mom wishes to breastfeed that is her choice, but I don't think others should have to see it, that is why there are baby care centers at Disney.

Okay, I'm a pretty moderate breast-feeder. With my first two I would **never** have nursed in public. My third was a super preemie - 1lb 15 oz. It was then that we began researching what is good about breastmilk. My fourth was nursed with no solids introduced until 12 months. The World Health Organization pushes for breastmilk until **at least** two years.

Do I feel sorry for you? Yes, honestly I do. Not because you made a bad choice but because you don't know what you're missing. Kind of like all of you feel for me because I have never been to Disney World yet, lol! My fifth child was unable to nurse due to a severe allergy problem that I was not educated enough to overcome, and the lactation consultants were unable to help me. I'll tell you the bond between a very loving mother and child is different between a nursed child and a non-nursed child. You can post on here that that is absolutely not true... but you can't post with any credibility. I've done both. We are a very attached family. We co-sleep, sling, etc., but the bond between a nursing mother and child is very, very, very different than a child that can take a bottle from just anyone.

The reason it is illegal to go topless because in our Judeo Christian society we've made laws to help out with modesty. I firmly believe (as a Christian) that modesty is a GREAT thing. I think every mama should be able to nurse in public. I also think that she should consider others (especially young boys) and nurse modestly with no skin showing. I've nursed newborns, toddlers, and everywhere in between and nursing modestly can be done with practice!!!!! We owe society that much just as they owe us respect for simply feeding babies.

That said,


BOTTLES ARE FOR FEEDING??

Are you kidding me? Yes, God created woman and then He created the plastic bottle for her to feed the baby. Hmmm... not quite. Baby monkeys fed on bottles don't thrive. That is why they have false mothers (complete with hairy chests) to "nurse" baby monkeys. Babies fed and not cuddled or don't get skin to skin contact have failure to thrive... Romanian orphanages are a great example of this. Any mother of a super preemie can tell you just how vital "kangarooing" is - skin to skin contact. This is vital. Babies with lots of skin to skin contact do better. In the NICUs they have dads and moms undo their shirts to put the baby right on the skin, no kidding. A bottle is a poor substitute. I've bottlefed, so please don't think I'm being condescending. However, it was an absolute medical necessity at the time. I don't blame mamas who must bottle feed one bit! They are doing what is best and necessary for their babies. But to say that BOTTLES are for FEEDING?!!!! Wow... I didn't think that ANYONE believed that formula was the same as breastmilk anymore. Breastmilk is a living material. It has immunological benefits that absolutely cannot be duplicated. That's like feeding a child a bottle of canola oil with added vitamins and saying, "There. It's nutritionally complete." It may be complete with all vitamins and minerals but it doesn't make it a healthy substitute for fresh fruits and veggies.

I'll admit... I'm shocked.

 

[lillygator]

I'll tell you the bond between a very loving mother and child is different between a nursed child and a non-nursed child. You can post on here that that is absolutely not true... but you can't post with any credibility. I've done both. We are a very attached family. We co-sleep, sling, etc., but the bond between a nursing mother and child is very, very, very different than a child that can take a bottle from just anyone.

Whoa - maybe in your family your bonds are stronger with one over the other but that does not make you have the credibility to speak for others.....that is just wrong to say!

 

[lillygator]

We co-sleep, sling, etc., but the bond between a nursing mother and child is very, very, very different than a child that can take a bottle from just anyone.

and I'm sure given the opportunity a breast fed child would take a breast of just anyone as well....(not that there is much opportunity - at least I would hope not)

 

[GEM]

Hey BlsdMama -

My little buddy was a micropreemie, too! He was 1lb and 7oz. That's him in my signature picture.

I have absolutely no doubt that the fact he got only breastmilk in the hospital (and beyond) is one of the main reasons he has done so well - and all his doctors and nurses agree.

When he was born the hospital staff told me, without mincing words, that his chances would be much better if he got breastmilk, and that if we fed him formula we would be putting him at more risk from lung problems, digestive problems, infections, etc. I was already sold on breastfeeding, but that's all I needed to hear to seal my decision even more. I pumped for him round the clock until he was strong enough to nurse, and then I worked with him for weeks teaching him to latch on and nurse. By the time he left the hospital 83 days later (at only 3lbs 14oz) , he was nursing for all his feeds.

Now, at more than two years old, he's never had a sick doctor's visit - no colds, no tummy troubles, no ear problems, nothing! We have a baby thermometer that is still in a box, never even been opened. Now, for an average baby, that's pretty amazing - but for a micropreemie it's almost impossible to believe. They told us when he came home that 90% of their preemies have to be readmitted to the hospital during the first year for lung problems, etc. Even a simple cold could have easily landed him back in the ICU. He's not had bit of trouble, though. So, I do believe very strongly in the amazing powers of breastmilk.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that story with someone else who's been there!

 

[Stacy_C]

and I'm sure given the opportunity a breast fed child would take a breast of just anyone as well....(not that there is much opportunity - at least I would hope not)

Good point! Many times I have held babies who were breast-fed and when hungry, they would start rooting around my breast area and I would tell them, "uh-oh, youre not going to get much out of mine" and promptly hand them back to their mom!

 

[Ardenne]

A newborn will, perhaps, because the rooting instinct is just that -- instinct.

An older child won't, at least not in my experience. By the time my daughter was 2-3 months old, it was quite clear that she knew where her milk came from -- she wouldn't try to root/nurse from grandma, or an aunt, or any other female holding her, just me. If anyone else was holding her, even another adult female, and she got hungry, she'd cry until handed to me, at which point she'd instantly stop, even before I could start feeding her.

They say that even babies a few days old recognize their mother's scent. Perhaps that's how they know.

 

[meandtheguys2]

But it was funny when they were new babies to watch them go after DH when he wasn't wearing a shirt!

 

[Stacy_C]

Now, at more than two years old, he's never had a sick doctor's visit - no colds, no tummy troubles, no ear problems, nothing! We have a baby thermometer that is still in a box, never even been opened. Now, for an average baby, that's pretty amazing

Not to take away from the obstacles that your preemie baby overcame, but for what it's worth, I can say the exact same thing about all 3 of my formula-fed babies.

 

[GEM]

Were any of your babies on a ventilator the first two months of life and not expected to live past the first 24 hours?

It's great that you have healthy kids. It's also a proven fact (fact, not my opinion) that breastfed babies are healthier in general. That's not to say that formula babies can't be very healthy and breastfed babies sickly. It's just an overall fact.

For babies with serious health problems, the benefits of breastmilk are even more magnified. Paul's NICU believed in this so much that they went to HUGE lengths to encourage and make it possible for their preemie moms to provide milk. And, they always say when we take him back for a visit how great it is that he is still nursing and how much breastmilk has helped him.

 

[nemomama]

Actually, I never nursed my kids and never had that problem. Why would you feel sorry for me?

I do not appreciate seeing anyone nursing in public. If breasts were meant to be exposed why is it illegal to go topless? Bottles are meant for feeding and they are allowed to be seen in public. If a mom wishes to breastfeed that is her choice, but I don't think others should have to see it, that is why there are baby care centers at Disney.

I can't even believe someone would say this! It is LEGAL to breastfeed in public!! FEEDING and GOING TOPLESS are two completely different things! You are comparing apples and oranges!

GEM and Bird-Mom, I'd like to thank you for your thoughtful, well-worded posts. I agree that the ignorance on this thread is simply unbelievable. Maybe some people can learn from both of you.

OP, as many other wise posters on this thread have suggested, please don't feel limited to the baby care centers while on your vacation. Just continue to provide the best for nourishment for your child wherever both of you will be comfortable. I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip!

 

[meandtheguys2]

GEM, that is incredible! my niece was 1 lb. 4 oz. and was the first baby that size to go home totally BF from their NICU. She is 7 now, and doing well.

It is truly amazing what those tiny bodies go thru!

 

[brymolmom]

ahhh - the old Breast vs. Bottle debate - I feel like I'm on my birthclubs web site and not the DIS!

A couple comments. I'm on the fence not for or against either bottle or breast feeding - whatever works for you. BUT, I dislike when people make comments like 'it's what's best for the mama' and claim that is proven. While this might be the case in many or the majority of cases, it is certainly NOT true for every mother. I tried nursing both kids, and for the first had significant post partum depression. We struggled with the feedings and I was very sore and bleeding, etc. Not unusual I know, but since he was my first, we struggled. Finally figured out after giving up after a month that one of the reasons he was such a 'fussy baby' was that he was starving! He never got enough from me. Definitely not something I would wish upon any other new mom. There's enough new things to deal with without adding that complication.

So, when child #2 came around, I gave it a try. After 4 days I realized the signals of my post partum depression were tied to the BF'ing, so I quit and was able to enjoy my newborn's first weeks.

You could say something like 'breast milk is the most nutritionally beneficial for a baby under good circumstances' and I wouldn't argue with that - but to say that it is the best for both mother and child - CERTAINLY not in my (and, I know, many others') case.

I made the best decision for my family and I KNOW it was the best. Can't we all give some credit to other mothers that they too are doing what is BEST - even if it isn't what we agree with?

Now...as soon as we get into a working vs. stay at home debate, we'll have all the classic mothers against mothers debates covered.

Karen
ds 3
dd 1

 

[Keggy]

"thoes who don't have childen that is a person choice."

Let's watch it.... For many women it is not a "person" (I believe you meant "personal") choice.

 

[pingirl65]

Both of my daughters were BF (girls are now 12 and 6) and they both turned out great! It was an adjustment for our families, and we basically said that I was not a BF mom, but we were a BF couple!

The health benefits to the child are great as well! And I know that there are some studies out there that say there is an advantage in school for BF children, but who knows!

There is a point of doing it, and being discreet! Hey, when I had my kids and they were not with me (because I was working at the time) I used to express for later - since they were with a sitter (bottle fed at sitter's) and BF'd at home or where ever they were with me.

Hope it helps! I totally respect and support those who do and don't. It is a personal decision - it just worked better for us.

 

[Stimpy]

Now...as soon as we get into a working vs. stay at home debate, we'll have all the classic mothers against mothers debates covered.

Don't worry, that comes up around here often too

 

[luvdzny]

"Blanket statements" about breastfed babies are just like "blanket statements" about any other subject, sometimes they are correct and sometimes they are not. DD was a preemie and a twin, unfortunately her twin brother did not survive. DD has MANY health problems (heart, kidney seizures just to name a few.) She is 16 years old and completely bottle fed. All of her health problems developed before birth and had nothing to do with what she was fed. DS is 21 and also bottle fed, no health problems at all. Formula was just fine for them. It is a personal choice, but I don't think anyone should have to explain to their children why some strange woman is sitting on a bench in public exposing her breast.

 

[meandtheguys2]

If your children are 16 and 21 who exactly are you fretting over explaining BFing to? With the violence, and nudity in the media, I think concerns over some mother feeding her baby seem a bit over the top. If that is the worst my boys are exposed to, I will be tickled pink.

 

[luvdzny]

If your children are 16 and 21 who exactly are you fretting over explaining BFing to?

Try explaining it to a bunch of 3rd grade boys on a field trip to the zoo when you have no idea what their parents have told them in the past. They found the mom & baby a very interesting sight. I don't think it is my place as a school volunteer to explain the whole concept of breastfeeding to them. If the mom would have at least "covered up" a bit it might not have been such a problem. But it was definitely more interesting to them then a bottle feeding mom would have been because we encountered that too - with no problems.

 

[AUDramaQueen]

I usually try to avoid these debates, because I think these boards are for planning Disney trips. call me crazy I know. OP had valid question, but now...

Anyway, I just want to say that YOU CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ON THESE BOARDS. Please if you have questions about nursing, research it yourself and with your pediatrician. Some of the posters here are too emotionally charged and are not giving accurate information.

I'm not really sure what we're accomplishing here, I don't think anyone is going to read these boards and say "Oh, I was (or wasn't) going to nurse my child until they were 2, but now that some complete stranger on a website devoted to DisneyWorld has told me to (or not to) I think I'll change my mind."

Just my opinion, flame away...

For those who are wondering: Yes, I breastfed until they were about 6 months old. They have never been sick either.