Breastfeeding throughout cruise

[Raymark]

is anyone aware of potential difficulties associated with breastfeeding aboard the ships or during shore excursions? Is there a Disney policy? Please share your experiences, knowledge, or observations We are planning cruise #2 while I will likely still be breastfeeding.

 

[bethy]

Why on earth would there be a policy about feeding your baby? Honest question.

 

[brooke789]

^^^ Those are my exact thoughts too!

 

[cruisingtwins]

We breastfed everywhere with no problem. The only time someone said something was our waiter who went on and on about how great breastfeeding was and how his wife bf their kids.

 

[wilkeliza]

Disney follows the policy that you may feed your baby where ever you please (except in adults only areas since you know they are adults only ). That being said if you are on an excursion I would check what the local rules are. Some countries do have "decency" rules that would prevent you from BF with out a cover. Check on what ports you are stopping at and see what the local laws are.

 

[roobug]

I breastfed my twins on our cruise - no issues on the boat. My favorite place to feed them was on deck four in the chairs by the shuffle board courts. It was quiet and comfy.

 

[ladypiph]

I have yet to have to breastfeed while cruising. But like others have said i don't see any issue. I saw a mother breastfeeding her child in a lounge chair at the pool. She was covered but I think it was only because of the sun. However, I don't think you will have any issues at all covered or not.

 

[Raymark]

Why on earth would there be a policy about feeding your baby? Honest question.

I presume there could be a 'Disney policy' because after leaving an American port, American laws/protections concerning breastfeeding may no longer apply on the ships. Numerous American businesses (including Target stores) have developed & released specific policies concerning breastfeeding which is why I was curious if DCL had followed suit. Most of these policies mimic federal & state law yet go further by informing consumers that employees are specifically trained to protect breastfeeding rights & never do things such as suggest mothers cover their babies heads or nurse in bathrooms.

 

[Raymark]

It's good to hear it shouldn't be an issue. I'm modest & hate breastfeeding in public because I fear the eye rolls & snarky comments that can happen. In normal day to day life I do my best to feed our son in private before & after outtings so our two young daughters don't have to have their day ruined after being exposed to the occasional rude person breastfeeding can attract. while on vacation I'll have to learn to be more comfortable.

 

[wilkeliza]

It's good to hear it shouldn't be an issue. I'm modest & hate breastfeeding in public because I fear the eye rolls & snarky comments that can happen. In normal day to day life I do my best to feed our son in private before & after outtings so our two young daughters don't have to have their day ruined after being exposed to the occasional rude person breastfeeding can attract. while on vacation I'll have to learn to be more comfortable.

In my opinion 9/10 times it just looks like you are just snuggling your baby. Sometimes I don't even realize my nephew is feeding. If he is a good feeder there should be any comments at all and if there are that means people are looking too hard and trying to be offended.

 

[ladypiph]

I fed my DS on demand for two years. Therefore, I found myself feeding him just about anywhere at any given time and if I tried to cover him he would pull the blanket off anyway so there wasn't any point in trying to hide it. And if I was receiving weird looks I never noticed. But again you will be fine chance are there will be many other moms nursing on board as well.

 

[Raymark]

In my opinion 9/10 times it just looks like you are just snuggling your baby. Sometimes I don't even realize my nephew is feeding. If he is a good feeder there should be any comments at all and if there are that means people are looking too hard and trying to be offended.

Unfortunately for me, our guy has became a horrible feeder recently.....without warning he tries to see how far my skin stretches so he can look around. Yet, he's also on solids & snacks can be used to temporarily delay nursing him if it seems necessary. I love it when he does snuggle in, but that can be rare. I suppose most people will be enjoying their vacation & oblivious to me

 

[wilkeliza]

Unfortunately for me, our guy has became a horrible feeder recently.....without warning he tries to see how far my skin stretches so he can look around. Yet, he's also on solids & snacks can be used to temporarily delay nursing him if it seems necessary. I love it when he does snuggle in, but that can be rare. I suppose most people will be enjoying their vacation & oblivious to me

Ouch that does not sound pleasant. Deck 4 is a great option if you want a quiet place outside and hubby will watch your girls. It is so peaceful out there and usually doesn't have anyone around. Plus that is where characters switch through! One time I sat out there and Mickey and Stitch kept walking by.

 

[Raymark]

I fed my DS on demand for two years. Therefore, I found myself feeding him just about anywhere at any given time and if I tried to cover him he would pull the blanket off anyway so there wasn't any point in trying to hide it. And if I was receiving weird looks I never noticed. But again you will be fine chance are there will be many other moms nursing on board as well.

Thanks for the words of encouragement & congratulations on your 2 years - that is an accomplishment to be proud of

 

[SwimMom2]

Feed your baby! You are doing all the other cruisers a service. A quietly nursing baby is way better than a crying baby...and you will normalize it for anyone who is staring at you long enough to notice.

I nursed my oldest son on a 2 week land based trip to the BVi years ago and the locals either didn't notice or said the kindest things. They loved it and were so welcoming. It will humanize you them. So many of us tourists are so unapproachable.

 

[dmbcrush5]

We were on the Fantasy last week and saw a lot of women breastfeeding all over the ship (at dinner, at the pool, on deck during the fireworks, etc.). I'll be in the same boat (ha ha) next August, so I was happy to see it!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Unfortunately for me, our guy has became a horrible feeder recently.....without warning he tries to see how far my skin stretches so he can look around. Yet, he's also on solids & snacks can be used to temporarily delay nursing him if it seems necessary. I love it when he does snuggle in, but that can be rare. I suppose most people will be enjoying their vacation & oblivious to me

I don't know of any specific policy DCL has, but I've never heard of anyone having any issues BFing on the ships. I'd imagine DCL follows the same policy on BFing that the parks follow, even though they are flagged in the Bahamas and not subject to US laws. Other countries aren't as judgmental as the US when it comes to mothers NIP, or even about nudity in general. Heck, go visit Orient Beach on St. Martin to see evidence of that.

But if your little one is a distractable eater, you may be in less discomfort physically if you find a quieter, less public place so he's not whipping his head around to see what's happening. Deck 4 is a good place. I found some areas on Deck 12 to be less populated. I'm sure you'll find plenty of other quiet areas around the ship to settle in when you need to. And you are correct, everyone will be focused on enjoying themselves and not paying attention to you nursing.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I have yet to have to breastfeed while cruising. But like others have said i don't see any issue. I saw a mother breastfeeding her child in a lounge chair at the pool. She was covered but I think it was only because of the sun. However, I don't think you will have any issues at all covered or not.

Ouch, sunburn!! (Sorry, pale skin, sun, not a good combination!)

OP, you should be fine on board, although they are flagged in the Bahamas, DCL follows US laws and rules on board the ships for cruises out of the US. Like a PP said, for ports, check their laws and regulations to be sure.

 

[professorandmom]

Why on earth would there be a policy about feeding your baby?

eye rolls & snarky comments .

That...

Enjoy your cruise, Raymark!

 

[jahber]

I nursed all over the Wonder and never had a problem. A couple of times the server thought the baby was sleeping and we had conversations about dinner before he realized I was nursing the baby. I never cover (because I live in Florida and it's just too hot) and no one ever gave me a second glance. Just go, have fun, and feed your baby!