breastfeeding in disney restaurants?

[MissMoo16]

Hi Everyone!
We leave tomorrow morning for a week long trip to Disney and my question is for breastfeeding moms, did you ever breastfeed in the restaurants? I plan on nursing her prior to dinner but you just never know with a little one. I have no problem nursing her in public, I just don't want any dirty looks!

TIA =)

Mary

 

[mousemommyx3]

We just went in August and DD was 7 months at the time. She really had not started solid foods yet so nursing was it for us. It was super hot and I was worried about her getting dehydrated! She did drink from a cup though. I nursed everywhere...and tried not to see who was watching. 7 months is a terrible age for distractions too! I think WDW is the same as everywhere else. Some people care, some people don't. I say go for it!
sabrina

 

[mamaloya]

I did it!!! Go for it. I never got any funny looks at all. Just some moms giving me the "awww I remember those days" look.

 

[mpls_mm]

In another thread I just mentioned this, i was asked to stop in downtown Disney by a security guard, she asked me to go to the bathroom where "people normally do those things." I complained to everyone and wrote letters but never got anywhere with it. I got a few weird looks and I always NIP, but I should say that for my son, it was a complete experience complete with grunting and groaning and smacking and the occasional loud slap on my chest in case one person missed him eating. We had to be in a certain position and he would not be covered with a blanket, there was no discreet nursing of him and I gave up modesty. He did get nursing manners later, but they were not in place at WDW. We did like the baby rooms, but there are so few and they are so far apart, you can't just pop by, it involves a trek, especially at Epcot.

 

[moparop]

I nursed at Crystal Palace and had no problems!

 

[sharibrat]

I did it!!! Go for it. I never got any funny looks at all. Just some moms giving me the "awww I remember those days" look.

Yep, I love those looks. I nursed my son everywhere. We are eating, he can eat. I never got dirty looks. One time though a character stood behind me and hubby tried to take a picture and they said they could not be in a picture while I was 'doing that'. I was surprised they even knew what he was doing, he was totally covered and looked like he was sleeping.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Overall Disney is breastfeeding friendly!! I never had a problem nursing there. Of course, I can't remember specificaly if I nursed in a restaurant or not.

My only issue with nursing at Disney when my dd was a baby was that whenever I went to find a nice, shady, quiet spot to nurse, it always ended up being a smoking area!!!!

 

[sharibrat]

Overall Disney is breastfeeding friendly!! I never had a problem nursing there. Of course, I can't remember specificaly if I nursed in a restaurant or not.

My only issue with nursing at Disney when my dd was a baby was that whenever I went to find a nice, shady, quiet spot to nurse, it always ended up being a smoking area!!!!

Totally agree!

 

[momof2n2]

Overall Disney is breastfeeding friendly!! I never had a problem nursing there. Of course, I can't remember specificaly if I nursed in a restaurant or not.

My only issue with nursing at Disney when my dd was a baby was that whenever I went to find a nice, shady, quiet spot to nurse, it always ended up being a smoking area!!!!

Totally agree.

Check on the laws in FL. In NYS it is against the law to ask a mother to move for BFing.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

May I suggest a silk scarf as a cover up? In the heat, it can get really warm under cotton, and the baby sweating will just contribute further to dehydration. Plus, silk can be washed really easily, and dries very quickly. I also suggest starting that little on on some water or even watered apple juice. It is easy to get dehydrated in the sun. Even if you've only nursed so far. In a pinch, you can also give a baby water via a straw (cover thetop end with your finger while the straw is in a drink, put the other end in the baby's mouth and slowly release your finger), a plastic water bottle cap, a sippy cup, or even a squirt top water bottle.

This past week, we saw a woman take a nasty fall while using a baby bjorn onto concrete. I'd never use one at WDW (or a sling), a stroller seems so much safer to me.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

We went to WDW when my DS 10 was 3 months old and another trip when my DD7 was 7 months old, both times I nursed all over the World, including table service and counter service restaurants, and never got a dirty look or snide comment from anyone. Whenever I see a nursing mom I always try to give her an encouraging look.

 

[tjmw2727]

OP - its fine to BF in WDW including the restaurants and most foks will be supportive. In fact it is the law in FL that you can't be asked to stop BF in public.
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm

If you can use the baby stations they are a nice place to rest and cool off but you certainly don't have to. Here is more info on the babycare stations and travling to WDW with a baby:
http://allearsnet.com/pl/infant.htm

May I suggest a silk scarf as a cover up? In the heat, it can get really warm under cotton, and the baby sweating will just contribute further to dehydration. Plus, silk can be washed really easily, and dries very quickly. I also suggest starting that little on on some water or even watered apple juice. It is easy to get dehydrated in the sun. Even if you've only nursed so far. In a pinch, you can also give a baby water via a straw (cover thetop end with your finger while the straw is in a drink, put the other end in the baby's mouth and slowly release your finger), a plastic water bottle cap, a sippy cup, or even a squirt top water bottle.

This past week, we saw a woman take a nasty fall while using a baby bjorn onto concrete. I'd never use one at WDW (or a sling), a stroller seems so much safer to me.

The scarf idea is a great suggestion but I disagree with giving BF babies water or juice esp if they haven't been having it already. Its not necessary and could be harmful in some cases. Instead I would encourage BF moms to drink lots of water and try and continue to eat healthy even while on vaca at wdw. The miracle of breastmilk is that it changes to meet a babies needs and as such bf babies don't need water or juice.

Despite the women who fell (hope she is ok) I was going to suggest the use of a sling in addition to a stroller. I wore my dd's everywhere and found a sling (or bjorn) a lifesaver in WDW since you can't take a stroller in to the lines or most of the pavilions.

TJ

 

[GEM]

Glad to see all the friendly help here.

(I have actually sworn off opening all DIS topics on breastfeeding because some of the idiotic replies make my blood pressure rise to really, really unhealthy levels. Sometimes, though, I just can't resist.)

Yes, it's fine to nurse your baby ANYWHERE at Disney (or anyplace else), and that includes the restaurants. I nursed my little guy many times in restaurants and I just got back last week from an 8 night trip with my sister and my 12 month old nephew. He's still a frequent nurser and he had lots of mommy milk in lots of restaurants (and shows, rides, etc.) She never had any one make comments or give looks, and I never did either when I was nursing my little guy around "the world". I had lots of great come backs all ready, but I never got to use them! (And mine nursed till he was just over 3 years old, although he had pretty much stopped NIP by the time he was around 2 1/2.)

As for covering up with a blanket or scarf or something, I never did. You couldn't see anything at all anyway when he was latched on and he would never tolerate being covered anyway. So, I never worried about it. My sister occasionally uses a clean burp cloth for a little cover. Do whatever makes you most comfortable. I don't think most people will even notice.

Have fun!

(By the way, asking a nursing mother to stop or move is agains the law in Florida - and in many other states!)

 

[oldbay]

Go for it! My DD (18 mo) and I nursed in all the restaurants and many of the calm rides and shows. I felt that some of the foreign CM's seemed more understanding of the nursing in the restaurants. No problem at all.

Also, you don't have to give any water to the baby as a PP stated. I asked my pediatrician about this when DD was 6 mo and we were going to the beach. She said not needed at all!

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[elderfam]

I nursed my daughter 20+ years ago..people are so much more supportive today. I always keep an eye out for those women just in case they need somthing. I am a STRONG supporter of BF.
Go for it. Nothing is better for your baby.

 

[SusanMomOf2]

Oh I loved breastfeeding! Kudos to you for keeping up with it!

I nursed my little one in Disney World when she was a few months old on her first trip. You can't help where or when you nurse. I've never, ever, ever had a problem (thank God) with anyone looking at me funny, asking me to leave, or making comments. I nursed my 2 girls until they were each 2 1/2 years old.

I am so glad everyone's being so supportive. Don't let anyone stop you from doing what you need to do as a mommy!

Hugs!

 

[Carys]

Go right ahead. This didn't happen in a restaurant, but I have a cute memory from the American Adventure in 2005. Part way through the show I heard a little noise at my right elbow which at the time I was very unfamiliar with. A quick peek revealed that it was a young mother taking a peaceful moment out from the bustle of the park to nurse bubs and watch the show. Perhaps you had to have been there, but it was a very sweet

 

[kristy1129]

great information

 

[atksn]

We went to DLR last year, when my DS was 9 weeks old. I nursed him pretty much everywhere- no problems. It was unseasonably hot, and if there was a shady area to be found, it was usually filled w/ other mommies doing the same thing .

There was one meal (counter service) where I was nursing him, and an older gentleman kept staring at me- what almost seemed like a glare. I tried to brush it off, but of course could feel the stares. Then, he slowly walked toward me, as I thought "Oh, no, here it comes, the confrontation...". He gently put his hand on my shoulder and leaned in and said "Enjoy this time, it goes too quickly-- seems like yesterday that mine were that size, and now I am here with their children." He then patted my shoulder and walked on.

I say nurse where you need to nurse - and don't worry about the looks you may get. There is no shame in feeding your baby. (And, on the flip side, I honestly think all moms get looks for feeding their baby at some point or another, for what ever decision- or reason- she may have about how she is feeding that baby. Motherhood 101, you can't win- you breastfeed, you get nasty looks for being "indecent", bottle feed (even though no one even knows what is in that bottle- very well could be breastmilk), and get stares from people judging and thinking the baby should be at breast.)

 

[Miss LD]

I nursed DD in many restaurants at WDW.
At one restaurant I felt uncomfortable because the kids were doing a parade around my table and I felt really exposed. I just asked if there was somewhere I could sit quietly. The server found me a nice table in a quieter area - and even brought me water!
I absolutely think nursing anywhere is just fine - but if you need it a bit quieter don't hesitate to ask.