Breastfeeding in the Parks

[Tricia819]

A friend of a friend was BF her son in a restaurant (in the real world) when another customer took offense to it and complained to the server. Apparently, the server had never heard that you did not have the right to ask a BF mother to move and asked her not to do it. The mom raised such a stink basically telling the server that he could either move the other customer somewhere where he could not see her or he could leave because she wasn't going anywhere. A manager came over apologized to her profusely and their whole party ended up getting their dinner for free.

 

[bambootinker]

Agree with pp, BF wherever and whenever your baby needs. I wouldn't bother with a cover, but if you want more "coverage", you could wear a nursing tank under your shirt -that way your belly stays covered (this is often what I do, as I am a bit self-conscious about my "baby belly", lol).

I see we will be there at the same time next month, and I will be nursing my 9-week old then. We'll be sisters-in-arms (or would that be breasts? hee hee). Enjoy your trip!

This always worked better for me than having them pull off the blankets.

As for just whipping it out anywhere, etc., just because something is legal doesn't make it nice. I'd never deliberately make someone uncomfortable. That only hurts the breastfeeding crowd. I've know 1 person in 55 years who did this. But when the subject comes up, both the fringe elements act as though it is the norm.

OP, I've never had trouble finding quiet places to nurse at WDW. Mine always enjoyed the crowds, etc., so I had to find boring places to nurse! Enjoy your trip.

 

[Miss LD]

I wondered the same thing when we went with DD who was 3 months.
I was pleasantly surprised by how many other moms I saw breastfeeding. I felt really comfortable, and I never got a negative comment.
One thing, when we were at Tusker House for breakfast I was nursing DD at the end of breakfast. DS and DH had gone up for more breakfast and Goofy came around. He really quickly clued in to the fact that I was breastfeeding and had one of the CM's pick up the autograph book and he signed it. Then he pointed to the camera and she took pictures of him for me. It was just a really neat moment for me.

 

[bambootinker]

I wondered the same thing when we went with DD who was 3 months.
I was pleasantly surprised by how many other moms I saw breastfeeding. I felt really comfortable, and I never got a negative comment.
One thing, when we were at Tusker House for breakfast I was nursing DD at the end of breakfast. DS and DH had gone up for more breakfast and Goofy came around. He really quickly clued in to the fact that I was breastfeeding and had one of the CM's pick up the autograph book and he signed it. Then he pointed to the camera and she took pictures of him for me. It was just a really neat moment for me.

Awwww...that is sweet!

 

[slo]

WDW is for families, and therefore you should feed your baby wherever you want. The only time I would say go to the Baby Area is when it's really hot. I would think you and the baby would be more relaxed in a rocking chair, and in air conditioning. Outside of that, there are many benches that you can sit and relax.

 

[disneyag]

My "baby" is 11, so it's been a while since I breastfed, but we did it successfully at Disney when she was 6 months old. One thing to be aware of is that it tends to get hot if you nurse outside. Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Great Movie Ride are some examples of airconditioned places that I nursed my DD. Also, the Baby Care Centers were clean and had AC--they just weren't always convenient.

 

[bytheblood]

There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding your baby in a public place. God created women to have babies and feed them naturally.

If parents are concerned about what their kids to see, they should take it as an opportunity to educate them on how our bodies were created to be a natureal resource and how we women were created to be able to feed their babies in any circumstance.

 

[mumto3girls]

I love to see babies nursing in public (hopefully I'm not staring)! It is a sweet sight and the more of us who do it the more accepted it will become. I always try to encourage the moms who are doing it with a smile. I think anywhere you and the baby are comfortable is the perfect place to do it.

My youngest of 3 just completely weaned a few weeks ago. My nursing days are over. Enjoy them and enjoy your baby.

 

[Meeska Mooska Mom]

I've nursed both kids at DL and DWD with no problems. Like others have said, I only look for a hidden spot when I need some airconditioning. You get so hot sometimes with a little one snuggled up against you!

 

[bambootinker]

Luckily November won't be too warm! I miss having babies at Disney. The babycenters are very comfortable, if you need to rest your back or a break from the parks.

 

[scjo68]

Enjoy this time!


Please feed your child however and wherever it works best for the two of you. It's not the business of anyone else in the park.

Nursing just wherever in WDW was not an option for me because my ds was a year old when we went. He did still nurse, but could not focus ennough to nurse when there was lots going on, crowds, noise, etc. I had to find a "quiet" place for him.

I found this hard to do. Once, I did find a nice, isolated, shady spot, started nursing, only to realize that I was in a smoking area, and people were starting to sit down by me and smoke.

*I am not faulting the smokers-they were considerately smoking in the designated area, it was I who was in the wrong place to meet my needs. I just hadn't noticed the sign.*


From then on, I did try to use the baby care centers, and I agree that they are so quiet and peaceful, they really made for a nice relaxing break in the day. Of course your 8 week old will need to nurse more often than mine did at a year old, so the BabyCare will not be convenient all that often for you, but you might try to use it when it is convenient- you have a good "excuse" to go in for a little break. Now that my kids are 4 and 10, when I walk by Baby Care center, I remember what a respite it was, and wish I had an excuse to go back in.

 

[2princessmommy]

When I went with my baby - who was 6 months old at the time - we found lots of places that were great for BF! It is still a running joke with my famly because every time we were in MK I would suggest going on the PeopleMover ride - my older daughter liked the ride and I could feed in "private" without any gawkers! So now every time we see that ride - my BIL and SIL always joke about "needing" to ride that! Also I found that Spaceship Earth in Epcot was a nice cool and private place to feed my baby and still have the family enjoy the trip.

I was more of a private person about feeding - so I wasn't too comfortable feeding out in public - so the rides helped out alot! I took advantage of the baby centers too -- they are very nice to rest and put your feet up while you nurse. They have coloring areas for the older kids and movies.

Congrats on the baby -- don't forget to ride some "longer" rides or see some movies when you are getting close to feeding time and it will be just fine!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[kimcwl]

On our first trip to WDW, my DD was 5 months old and nursing. I mostly "wore" her in my Maya Wrap. It was great, because she could sit up and watch when she wanted, and sleep when she wanted. Many times she nursed during a ride or show. We didn't have to stop and find a place to feed very often. It was so easy just to shift her around when needed, and the wrap has a great "tail" that comes over your shoulder to be more of a cover up. But I doubt anyone ever had a clue I was nursing. I was even able to be nursing her at least once as we were walking from one area of the park to another.

People must have never seen a sling before, because I got a lot of comments on what a great idea it was.

So, anyway, I really recommend that brand--it did make the trip a lot easier--
and there are many different ways to wear it. It is also really good as they get older. At one point my husband was holding the little one, and my almost 4 year old wanted to be held. I put the sling around her and it really made her weight easier to bear.

I hope you have a great trip, and enjoy the special time with your baby. I miss those days of nursing.

 

[BuckeyeGuy28]

I dont know anything about breastfeeding, but I do know that lots of rides are dark and the only people that would see you in these dark rides would be your family...

Catch my drift? Just wouldn't try it on Space Mountain

 

[emh1129]

I nursed anywhere and everywhere at Disney. We never got so much as a glance. Not that I noticed, anyway, I was too busy staring at my beautiful baby!
I did notice a lot of other breastfeeding mothers last time we were there, which was a lovely sight.

 

[emh1129]

Just wouldn't try it on Space Mountain

Now, that would take some serious talent

 

[megal0331]

I think as long as you are discreet, you should be able to feed him wherever you are at!

I nursed my son at the parks when he was hungry. I had a Busy Baby Wrap and used that...mostly because I didn't want to offend anyone. I just think that when a baby is hungry, they are hungry and they need to eat...just like adults.

As long as you aren't whipping out the breast for the entire park to see, nurse away!

Hope you have fun at the park!!!

 

[emh1129]

People must have never seen a sling before, because I got a lot of comments on what a great idea it was. .

Isn't that so funny? I get those comments all the time, too, and I really thought slings were pretty mainstream these days. They've really gained popularity in the last six years or so.
We have an unpadded ring sling, a kangaroo korner adjustable fleece pouch, and a baby hawk mei tai.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I have nursed both my kids at Disney with no problems. I did have the same problem as one of the pp with my dd! Every time I found a nice, quiet, shady spot to nurse it turned out it was a smoking area! The other benches always turned out to be in non-shaded spots. Oh well.

The baby care centers are awesome. Not convenient at all but they are nice, clean and quiet.

 

[My 2 princesses]

and like most of you, I too am one of those who prefer to breastfeed in private. But then again, what are the chances that you are going to see the same person more than once at The World?? Anyway, it poured one day while we were waiting in line for Splash Mountain. I think with the rain/heat/crowd etc, DD started bawling. I could not find a spot to feed her, so had no choice but to run into the gift store next to Splash. DD was crying so hard and ppl were looking at me like I was kidnapping her. What did I have to do??? Sit on the floor at the back of the store and feed her. Asked a CM if there was a place that I could use and she told me there was a spot for the kids to play........hmmm thanks, but I needed a quite place to feed her. I really thought she would send me to the 'employee' only room, but she did not offer, so I just continued to feed DD right there. No one really worried or starred at me. I was talking to a CM who works in one of the restaurants and told her what I had to do and she told me that 'she has seen it all' so not to let it bother me.

Good luck on your trip.