Breastfeeding?

[DSNY4ever]

There is a breastfeeding support thread on the Disney for Families board. I would suggest checking there for tips.

Depending on how old your child is breastfeeding can be harder at Disney because your kid is all hyped up! We took DS to Disneyland at 9 months old and he breast fed "ok" but I think he wanted to get back out to the parks. And then again at 15 months (when he was only breastfeeding 2x a day, early in the morning and in the later afternoon)...and it was hard! He was so distracted and not used to breastfeeding in a room full of other moms and kids. He was the noisy little troublemaker/class clown in the nursing room and I had to take him out so as not to disturb the other kids. We pretty much skipped the afternoon feed on that trip because he just couldn't handle it!

 

[mrssam]

To the person questioning bringing an infant to Disney... I cannot imagine you have children or maybe you do, but when you were a child did your parents hole up in your home and experience nothing for the first 4-5 years because you wouldn't retain perfect memories of the events you attended? I think not. That is just crazy. Babies get in for FREE (BONUS) and besides it isn't like they sent the infant on the vacation by itself. Haha. Other family members are entitled to have vacations even to Disney! I do warn our friends Disney with infants and toddlers is not for the faint at heart, it is hard-work in planning, staying on task and organizing, but the reward of the smiles and the memories of their experiences are totally worth it.

To answer the OP Our first Disney trip was to Disneyland when DS was 6 months old. I nursed that kid every where haha. CMs are AWESOME and Disney is very breastfeeding friendly. I only used the baby-station once to change a blow out and nurse him to sleep before the fireworks since there was lots of commotion. There are so many benches and quiet places in all Disney parks, even some rides make great nursing places in the air condition (Small World was one of my favorites because it is such a longer ride). If you are new to nursing in public with a cover I suggest practicing some before your trip. Go to the park, the mall, practice walking around your neighborhood while nursing (I have been the lady running for a bus with a nursing baby-hitchhiker hahaha) Do not let anyone's negative and perverted attitudes towards nursing in public bring you down!

You will see lots of other mamas feeding their kiddos in many different ways, just get comfortable with your preferred method now and remember to stay hydrated and eat (that won't be hard haha), but most importantly have a blast!

 

[DisneyPups]

Oh man, I wish I had thought of the dark rides/shows suggestion. I have only been during hot hot hot months while BFing, so I always made the trek to the baby care centers, b/c it was the only comfortable place. I'll remember that if/when baby #2 comes along. But the baby care centers are SO nice. (Except for when moms don't heed the courtesy rules. Went in once when a mom carried on a--rather loud--conversation with HER mother while she gave a bottle (wasn't even nursing). Very distracting to my LO, and annoying to me, when I was hoping for a quiet, peaceful time with my LO. Have a great time!

 

[JanaDee]

We took our baby last year and I nursed at various places throughout the parks. I fully intended to use those infamous baby stations, but they were never close by when I needed them, so I never even went in a single one of them. Honestly, if you're discreet, most people won't even notice, and if they do, won't care. If you're comfortable nursing in other public places (restaurants, etc.), than Disney won't be a problem.

One tip - I often went into a show or longer dark ride so I could be in the a/c while nursing. Depending on when you're going, sitting on a bench, holding a baby, and wearing a nursing cover could get really hot! Ideas - Hall of Presidents, Enchanted Tiki Room, Mickey's Philharmagic, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo Musical, movie in France at world showcase, etc.

Have a great trip!

If your baby is easily distracted while eating, I would stay away from these shows. The majority of them have sudden loud noises and are just (very) loud in general.

 

[LSUfan4444]

But I guess what I don't understand is why you'd even bring an infant who is breastfeeding to Disney to begin with. Aren't they too young to understand and comprehend where they are and what they are seeing?

So should they just stay inside until they're old enough? Not go on any vacations while under, say three years old?

If you can't take a 6 mo old (especially if you have other kids) to a place that specializes in family vacations and accommodating kids of all ages (free pack n play etc), where can you take them?

As for the breastfeeding..if you look for them, you can find them, but they aren't all that noticeable unless you happen to right next to them or they catch your eye....it's not like fanny packs or crocs & socks .

Personally, my wife would have never breastfed in public, but it doesn't bother me. Then again, neither does foul or suggestive language on clothing or in music, but some people just lose their minds over it.

It seems like too many people are conveniently selective on what does and doesn't offend them. It's cool now to be offended, then cooler to be offended someone is offended at something you did. The day of indifference is over.

 

[Jacie]

Disney Jr Live is the first place I ever nursed without a cover. I was so desperate, and he was (5 months old) so whiny. I couldn't just leave DD (6 then) by herself, and DH was riding CA Screaming. So, I went in the back, sat on the bench, and nursed him and he went right to sleep.
When I was done, one of the CM walked over, smiled, and she pat me on the back. It was so encouraging and liberating. I felt for sure she was going to chew me out. But honestly, when I nursed him with a cover it brought more attention to me when I did without.

 

[Granny square]

Lol, room all mine as infants. The first because I wanted to go to Disney. The rest because it was easy and downright fun for us and the olders.

We nursed all over the place. But the dark shows, people mover, and restaurants were nice because they were cool and reasonable comfortable.

 

[Magpie]

Disney Jr Live is the first place I ever nursed without a cover. I was so desperate, and he was (5 months old) so whiny. I couldn't just leave DD (6 then) by herself, and DH was riding CA Screaming. So, I went in the back, sat on the bench, and nursed him and he went right to sleep.
When I was done, one of the CM walked over, smiled, and she pat me on the back. It was so encouraging and liberating. I felt for sure she was going to chew me out. But honestly, when I nursed him with a cover it brought more attention to me when I did without.

I never nursed with a cover. I always just stuffed my baby up under my t-shirt, and found that was perfectly fine.

After all, it's not like you can see anything with the baby covering most of me and my t-shirt over her face. Maybe a bit of my waist under my elbow, but that's hardly going to traumatize anyone. Most people assumed the baby was asleep in my arms.

However, I know some babies do better with the cover (fewer distractions) and some mums feel more secure with them. So, whatever works, it's all good!

 

[Granny square]

Lol, mine hated covers. Every last one of them would make a flurry and flash all those around if I covered them. But nurse peacefully tucked into a tee.

I admit I hate my head under blankets too. Was probably genetic!

 

[Tltorrez]

Disney Jr Live is the first place I ever nursed without a cover. I was so desperate, and he was (5 months old) so whiny. I couldn't just leave DD (6 then) by herself, and DH was riding CA Screaming. So, I went in the back, sat on the bench, and nursed him and he went right to sleep.
When I was done, one of the CM walked over, smiled, and she pat me on the back. It was so encouraging and liberating. I felt for sure she was going to chew me out. But honestly, when I nursed him with a cover it brought more attention to me when I did without.

My son hated having his head covered so that was never an option for us. I nursed for several years so I invested in a lot of good nursing tops. Made things so much easier. And I nursed everywhere all around the country.

 

[Jacie]

I have always been a lover of layers, but never more than when I was nursing. I never used a cover again after that. Pull down the tank, pull up the shirt- minimal skin.

But, as corny as it sounds, that was the moment I decided I didn't need a cover anymore. If I could get an 'atta-girl' from the CM in a room full of kids, I was good to go!

 

[NuJoy]

I saw a mother breast feeding in Voyage Of The Little Mermaid waiting area. After standing and BFing for a while, she decided to sit down up front. I'll never forget her horrified face when the spotlight shown right on her as the announcer and child from the audience stepped to the front to introduced the show.

 

[cobright]

Let me start by saying I'm not the type of guy who thinks breastfeeding an infant in public is weird. I'm fine with it.

But I guess what I don't understand is why you'd even bring an infant who is breastfeeding to Disney to begin with. Aren't they too young to understand and comprehend where they are and what they are seeing?

Wait right here while I go get the cross and nails.

Joking of course ... well sort of, you're obviously well intentioned but I have made this mistake myself once or twice.

Short answer is, sometimes moms want to go to Disney World and (especially kids who are breastfeeding) the kid has to come along.

Also, some families breastfeed the kid right up until kindergarten and beyond. That's something outside of my normal range of experiences but ... it's probably not creepy at all and really, who am I to judge.

In any case, questioning the appropriateness of breastfeeding, ever, is one of those third rail topics; like asking when an obviously pregnant woman is due (and finding out that she's actually just remarkably front-heavy ... and quick to anger).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is in Florida Law!

Here is Section 1 of House bill no. HB 231 Fl. ALS 4; 1993 Fla. Laws ch. 4; 1993 Fla. HB 231 Fla. Stat. § 383.015, § 800.02 - 800.04, § 847.001 (later: § 827.071)

Section 1. The breastfeeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture which must be encouraged in the interests of maternal and child health and family values. A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether or not the nipple of the mother’s breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding.

 

[disnut8]

Quite honestly, I have never noticed a woman breastfeeding at Disney World. And I've made over sixty trips of varying length so I''ll say I've spent about 300 days in the parks.

Now, that's not to say there's no breastfeeding going on - I just never noticed and I'm usually the one that notices everything. So to the OP -do your normal thing and don't worry about it.

 

[disnut8]

Let me start by saying I'm not the type of guy who thinks breastfeeding an infant in public is weird. I'm fine with it.

But I guess what I don't understand is why you'd even bring an infant who is breastfeeding to Disney to begin with. Aren't they too young to understand and comprehend where they are and what they are seeing?

I didn't go to Disney World for the first time until I was 15 but my first vacation with my family was when I was six months old. Have no idea where we went or what we did but family vacations were always important - two weeks every summer to somewhere in the US.

Life doesn't stop for a few years when you have a baby. For most, it just got started with some extra zest.

 

[CaryHaven]

Wait right here while I go get the cross and nails.

Joking of course ... well sort of, you're obviously well intentioned but I have made this mistake myself once or twice.

Short answer is, sometimes moms want to go to Disney World and (especially kids who are breastfeeding) the kid has to come along.

Also, some families breastfeed the kid right up until kindergarten and beyond. That's something outside of my normal range of experiences but ... it's probably not creepy at all and really, who am I to judge.

In any case, questioning the appropriateness of breastfeeding, ever, is one of those third rail topics; like asking when an obviously pregnant woman is due (and finding out that she's actually just remarkably front-heavy ... and quick to anger).

Love it all

And just wanted to say to Cygnus that I wasn't upset at all by your question! I took it as an honest question and hopefully explained it well enough. Seems like you got a lot of good explanations.

 

[CaryHaven]

When I was done, one of the CM walked over, smiled, and she pat me on the back. It was so encouraging and liberating.

That's awesome. I think some people think breastfeeding women are trying to start drama, but many times we're just trying to do our best and stay out of everyone's way. It's really nice to be encouraged like that.

 

[mistysue]

Both of my sons were those babies who wanted to nurse every 2 hours or so, and I probably spent about 6 weeks in the parks with them combined while they were still nursing.
Most people didn't even notice, those who did generally didn't care.

The one out of probably half a million people who noticed and didnt like it was a 12 year old boy. It was awkward for everybody, we were on an extremely crowded bus so he was pushed up against me. He got upset so his family was mad. Overall, I suggest not nursing on an overcrowded bus next to a moody pre-teen boy with self image issue if you can help it. Otherwise you're good.

I found it a good way to pass time in boring lines with nothing to look at.

 

[Simba's Mom]

A few years ago, I stumbled on another great spot to breastfeed in the MK, down at the iron covered boat dock, off the rose garden (know where I mean?). I found out because I went down there just to sit and rest and found a breatfeeding mother sitting there.