BREASTFEEDING in the parks!!

[Tinker_]

Hey ladies (and proud daddy's!)- I thought I would start a thread to post breastfeeding tips in the parks!! And a place to provide breastfeeding support for each other! I know sometimes we feel like we are the only ones who breastfeed, but I assure you-- there are a lot of us out here!! So post your advice-- and if you don't support breastfeeding moms- GET OUT OF THIS THREAD!

Here are my tips!

-Don't feel shy about asking a CM to use a dressing room to breastfeed! They are happy to do it, and you get privacy and airconditioning! I even had a wonderful CM bring me water one time (you know how thirsty you get?)!

-Find out where the baby stations are before your trip- they have nursing lounges that are wonderful!

-Keep your eye out for a nice bench in the shade- they seem to be strategically placed through the park!

-Stay hydrated, and don't forget to eat! I know it sounds silly, but with all of the excitement, it is easy to forget!

-My pediatrician suggested that I nurse, or pump some milk for a bottle and feed it to my son during take off of our flight. This relieved the pressure in his ears. I just nursed Wes, but you might not feel comfortable doing that if you are sitting next to a stranger on the plane (DH was next to me, and he is used to it by now!!

-Invest in a good nursing top! Or, if you prefer to use a blanket, they make really neat ones with velcro, in case baby tries to pull it off, it is fastened around your neck to prevent a peep show!

Anyone else?? I'm glad to see so many breastfeeding moms on the boards!!

 

[Monkeyfeet]

Great advice! I am presently nursing my dd, she just turned 2 and we are trying to get preg again.

I wear bellyhuggers and they are great, very discreet! http://www.thebellyhugger.com/

With a little one I would suggest a good sling, then no one can tell you are even bfing while you are walking around.

I, as well, am happy to see so many bfing moms here!

 

[LisaFB]

Hi. I'm non longer BFing (had to wean for medical reasons jsut before DS's bday ) but I can help with tips on NIP since I nursed him everywehre and anywhere, including airports and on flights. DEFINITELY feed him during take off and landing, the sucking helps their ears BIG TIME! I personally didn't pump any time we took him on a trip since I didn't want to lug everything around with me, but I always managed to find a bench or someplace to sit that was out of the way to nurse. If anyone ever noticed what I was doing, they never said anything, and I never used a cover up or anything.

 

[Tinker_]

Yay!! DS will be 1 on this next trip, and I will still be BFing then (actually feeding him as I type this!) So I am glad to see some long term ladies on here to! Thanks for the belly hugger link! I also use a sling (mamasmilk) and BF in that easily!

 

[FatElvis]

Thanks for the tips! I think I'll order a bellyhugger - what a great idea. Why couldn't I have thought of that?

I have a pouch sling (Peanut Shell) but haven't quite figured out nursing in it yet - any suggestions? My little one is 7 weeks - she'll be 3 months when we go so I'm practicing.

 

[Tinker_]

Hey- I just checked out the belly hugger site, and they are having a sale on the baby blue and pink huggers-$5.75! Perfect price for trying a few out!!

FatElvis-- the bigger she gets, the easier it is!! Try it while you are sitting down with her in the sling first, to get the hang of it. You can also put a diaper under her bum to boose her up a bit! I have heard great things about the peanut shell sling!

 

[Monkeyfeet]

Thanks for the tips! I think I'll order a bellyhugger - what a great idea. Why couldn't I have thought of that?

I have a pouch sling (Peanut Shell) but haven't quite figured out nursing in it yet - any suggestions? My little one is 7 weeks - she'll be 3 months when we go so I'm practicing.

I never had much luck nursing in a pouch, but one of my friends nurses her dd in a pouch with no problem. I used a Maya ring sling to nurse her in. I also love the Kangaroo Adjustable Fleece Pouch, but could never really nurse in that either.

Do you know anyone that is experienced with slings and bfing? That was the best way for me to learn. If not, do you attend LLL? There may be omeone there to assist you.

Also, thebabywearer.com may help you.

 

[becca011906]

I was breastfeeding durring my last two trips to disney, first trip was 4.5 months pregnant and nursing my 18 month old, then nursing my 13 month old on our last trip. I nursed on many many of the rides with my 13 month old like buzz, it's a small world, snow white, peter pan, all thoes longer slow moving rides.... the transite that goes all over tomorrowland is great for napping/nursing, we hated having to sit in the hot sun and nurse durring sept trip and i didn't like to have to go all the way back to the front to the nursing area so i could often nurse on rides so we could be cool and still entertain the older two! we could also easy nurse in a carrier (kozy carrier) so i could keep right on walking throuh the park while nursing...
the over all attitude of disney world is GREAT for nursing and even extended (even though my oldest nursling was only 18 months, well i was techincly still nursing my second child on the last trip when she was 3 but only 1-3 times a weeks, she didn't really nurse at all durring the trip) ...

 

[abookworm]

I'll be nursing a 2 yr old so it will be interesting to see how BF friendly it is for us I always find everyone accomodating when they are under 1 yr but as they get bigger the more "looks" you get. I'm discreet but son isn't always quite so unassuming LOL
At least it will probably only be 2-3x during the day-I'll watch for the shady benches

 

[Tinker_]

I never thought of using TTA for nursing and napping- what a great idea!!

 

[liznboys]

Great thread Tinker_!

That bellyhugger thing is a great idea, and I'm with you FatElvis, why couldn't I have thought of that?!

I've nursed my way around the World twice with my 3rd son (he was 11 months and 14 months) and I'll be doing it again this March with my 4th son who'll be 11 months!

I nurse everywhere, on rides, on benches, in restaurants, etc. He's my 4th and I nursed my others for 15-16 months each, so I've had a lot of practice NIP and it's easy for me now. And I never once had any issues or problems (as far as others not liking that I was NIP). Most people don't know that I'm nursing, and the only ones who do and give me any kind of look are the fellow moms who give me looks of support. And I had some moms, especially those with older children (or even grandmothers) who would say something like "Good for you!" or something like that. I love that!! So I try to do the same thing when I see a mom nursing, show a little support that is.

Tinker_, I'm feeding my guy as I type this too. I nurse and DIS a lot!!

 

[becca011906]

the TTD is good b/c you can usally just keep right on riding around, given there is never a line, or wait for it... and we are usally there durring slower/mod time, and avoid it at really busy times in general!

 

[liznboys]

I never thought of using TTA for nursing and napping- what a great idea!!

And if they aren't busy, you can ask the CM to let you stay on so you can nurse/nap longer! We stayed on 3 times in a row one trip, the CM was happy to let us as there was zero line.

 

[meghan74]

We were there in Dec and that was my 2nd trip with a nursing baby. This time, DD#2 was four months old and I used the babycare centers a lot, but I also took advantage of many of the dark and/or slow moving rides. Specifically, I remember nursing her on Pirates, in Philharmagic, TTA (my favorite choice!), Haunted Mansion, during the Stunt Show at MGM, and the Nemo ride (which is short so you have to have a quick eater or be able to get up and move while nursing).

I used a sling a lot just because it was the easiest way to carry DD. I found that if I put her in it laying down (as opposed to the sitting up position) and kind of move it down and around (so that DD's feet are at my side) it is a good position for nursing. Honestly, people seem so supportive of public nursing at WDW that I never hesitated to pop her out of the sling and nurse without any cover-up at all. DD hates to have a blanket over her head when she is nursing, so that doesn't work well for us anyway.

 

[Tinker_]

Liz- You NIP story makes me feel better! Here at home (in OK) I am a nurse when I need to nurse kinda gal- so why should I change in WDW??

It means the world to me when I get one of those, "I am so happy to see you doing that" supporters! Sometimes it even makes me cry (because you don't hear it as often as you should!). I loved seeing how many moms went to the Nurse In's around the country a few months ago to support the mom who was kicked off of the Delta flight (who will never get a single dime of my money for the rest of my life). However, it was disturbing to see how many people were saying, "Cover up!" on the news stations. grrrrrrr.

 

[lchadwick]

I nursed my 4YO dd until she was 2.5YO and I'm still nursing my 2YO ds part-time. He isn't quite ready to give it up! I didn't have to nurse him in the parks, but I would have! I'm another one of those that nursed wherever/whenever. We all gotta eat!!!!!!

Congrats to you all - keep it up!

 

[va32h]

I know sometimes we feel like we are the only ones who breastfeed,

Is this really still the case? My nursing days are long over, but I can honestly say that I don't know a single mother who didn't nurse her baby for at least some period of time.

 

[emh1129]

We just got back from WDW with our two little ones, including our 26 month old who is still nursing.
I planned to nurse her wherever and whenever, and I did most of the time, but most of you know what it's like when they are being wiggly & are just exhausted So I ended up using those nursing lounges a few times.
I did see quite a few nursing mothers around the 'world' and that was great. I smiled at a young mother nursing her newborn in Epcot and her face just lit up when she saw me smiling at her.
I was so impressed by the nursing lounge in AK. There were three private rooms with rocker-gliders and each one also had a changing table. Nice and air conditioned When dd was starting to get grumpy and it was close to her nap, we just went in there and nursed for a few minutes and she was able to totally relax and fall asleep. It was wonderful.
I also used the lounge in the MK, but it wasn't quite as nice. It was more of a common room with rocking chairs. It was quite noisy because you could hear everything going on in the main room, but it was ok. I met another mom who was nursing her 4 month old and it was nice to chat with her a bit. (She may even have been a Dis mom, I forgot to ask!)

 

[Tinker_]

Well, I guess I have a unique situation- I live out in the middle of nowhere (Oklahoma) and I only have one friend who breastfeeds. Unfortunately, a lot of mothers my age (24) in this area go straight onto DHS assistance-straight to formula, and never even give breastfeeding chance. I know I personally feel that way. And with the nearest LLL meeting an hour drive away.....BUT I am a PROUD breastfeeding mom, and I refuse to let other people get me down! I am doing what's right for me, and my son!

GOOD THING I HAVE YOU LADIES!!

 

[emh1129]

It means the world to me when I get one of those, "I am so happy to see you doing that" supporters! Sometimes it even makes me cry (because you don't hear it as often as you should!). I loved seeing how many moms went to the Nurse In's around the country a few months ago to support the mom who was kicked off of the Delta flight (who will never get a single dime of my money for the rest of my life). However, it was disturbing to see how many people were saying, "Cover up!" on the news stations. grrrrrrr.

Yup- we will never fly Delta, either. We couldn't make it to the nurse-in (I think one of us was sick?) but many of my friends went to show their support.
There was a nice little write-up about the nurse-in in this month's Mothering magazine.