Breastfeeing in the parks

[flminivanmama]

Aw, thanks!

Whenever anyone gives me one of those looks and ask how long I'm planning on nursing him, I always think about all the work that went into getting him to nurse - all the months of round the clock pumping, teaching him to latch on, working with a nipple shield, etc. As far as I'm concerned, he can nurse until he goes to college! (Maybe even beyond if he goes somewhere local . . .)

I always said the exact same thing they did eventually wean though... sigh... now they are going to KINDERGARTEN!!

 

[pjupton]

Aw, thanks!

Whenever anyone gives me one of those looks and ask how long I'm planning on nursing him, I always think about all the work that went into getting him to nurse - all the months of round the clock pumping, teaching him to latch on, working with a nipple shield, etc.

Been there, done that, got the nursing shirt to show for it with some help from flminivanmama! Good work!

 

[Bird-Mom]

I saw a t-shirt recently that said 'breastfed baby...stick around for the show

OMG, if you remember where you saw that, could you PM me? I must have that shirt!

Long time nurser here, been nursing for the last 3 years and going strong, nurse wherever whenever you need to. I have nursed 3 times all around WDW, and we are going on the 4th nursing trip in a few months. For those who are uncomfortable nursing in public, I suggest going to a La Leche League meeting or other breastfeeding support group where everyone is nursing-that might make you feel more at ease.

If you are uncomfortable seeing women nurse, don't look! As one of my friends says, the worst thing about nursing in public is the exposed post-baby tummy!

Computerguy, I love you too!

 

[flminivanmama]

with some help from flminivanmama!

 

[DMRick]

I always said the exact same thing they did eventually wean though... sigh... now they are going to KINDERGARTEN!!

I remember when my son was a babe (seems hard to believe that this married man was ever a babe!), I went to the house of a women someone from the La Leche League told me about. She sold a blender for making baby food. We (my friend was with me to pick one up too) were chatting in her living room as the school bus pulled up. Her son came bouncing in, and scooted right into momma's lap for a "drink". I near fell off the couch LOL! Nothing was said, and he finally finished, rebuttoned her and went off to play. I'd say kindergarten or first grade. I'm sure there might be reasons for this age nursing (allergies, whatever)..but my girlfriend and I left shortly, and I have to admit, we were a bit incredulous on the ride home. When I think of the comments I had for nursing him for almost a year, I can't imagine what was said to this gal.

As far as nursing in the parks..I have only seen discreet women, and I think it's smart to not have to carry bottles, and ice.

 

[DisneyPhD]

If you are uncomfortable seeing women nurse, don't look! As one of my friends says, the worst thing about nursing in public is the exposed post-baby tummy!

I used to joke (and still do since I have a 10 month old who is bf and won't take a bottle,) that my breast were my best feature and they should be happy I wasn't flashing my strech marked tummy!

I never cover up, that only results in DD exposing more. The more I try to cover the more she pushes away. So yes a little skin is exposed (less then most bathing suits) and if you look at just the right time you get a flash of nipple too. Really except when it comes to feeding a baby most people don't seem to mind (from all the magizne covers and movies.)

As far as the TTA comment on the 1st page, I find nursing on it is good, but only on the 2nd time in a row. DD always wants to look around the 1st time. Also loud shows or ones where there is something startling can be bad for bf (don't want them to get suprized and bite when they jump.)

But really any place that is comfortable for you works. I like using the baby care centers and will stop in if I am near them. I love the break and DD eats much better in a quit cool (or warm) place. (If it is my idea to feed her, if she demands it then it doesn't mater.) Last year I even managed to nurse on a monrail crammed full of my entire group (10 people) and a cheerleading team too (and they had the nearve to cheer when we got off.) To top it off I was even wearing a dress! (It opened in the front and I had a sweater on over it, but still I was impressed with abilities I didn't even know I had.) I also managed while standing in line a few times, but I would avoid that if at all possilbe.

There are tons of nice places to sit a relax, but make sure it isn't a smoking spot.

Have a great trip. WDW while bf is much easier then bottles. You don't have to worry about nasty FLA water, bringing the food with you or the right temp. You don't have to worry about lugging bottles around, or leaving them in the stroller while you are in an atraction.

GEM, I think that is why I nursed DD#1 until she was 27 months old and I finally ran out of milk. While we didn't work at it as hard as you did with Paul, it still was a great challange for us and I wasn't stopping until she (and I) where both ready. Don't know how long DD#2 and I will make it. I hope we won't have to stop anytime soon, but if her new teeth keeping getting in the way I don't know what I will do.

 

[computerguy]

Computerguy, you are really something! Wish the world was full of more like you! On behalf of all mothers that are nursing, have nursed, or will nurse someday

Aw shucks ladies, you're making me blush.

But, back to the op. Several people have pointed out some great locations/rides for shade/privacy, etc. But please...nurse wherever you feel comfortable and just give me a call if anyone gives you any trouble.

 

[flminivanmama]

and just give me a call if anyone gives you any trouble.

so now you're Super Computer Guy!(tm) ?

 

[snowy76]

I apologize for your very "Lifetime movie" trauma about your DD's realization of periods. Sheesh, it's not like we're talking about the fine arts of the Kama Sutra.

*Flamesuit on just in time!* Whew.

Computerguy... my point was, and remains, that it should be up to parents to decide when to broach certain topics with their own children. Not for someone else's parent. Or a doctor. Or whomever. If you'd like someone else to have "the talk" with your child someday that's fine. I'd prefer to do it myself. I don't think that's unreasonable, do you?

As for the humor you found in my own experience as a child and how I felt about it: My whole point in bringing it up was to point out that some people are NOT discreet about feeding their children, and that it's not always just a matter of "look the other way." Nothing more, nothing less. I am not traumatized (thanks for asking ) but I also do not think it was very good manners on the part of the mother to not even have something over her. A washcloth would suffice, no need for a tent.

 

[GEM]

My whole point in bringing it up was to point out that some people are NOT discreet about feeding their children, and that it's not always just a matter of "look the other way." Nothing more, nothing less. I am not traumatized (thanks for asking ) but I also do not think it was very good manners on the part of the mother to not even have something over her. A washcloth would suffice, no need for a tent.

But, I think you'll have to agree that it is very, very rare to actually see something like you described. I've spent the majority of the past two years looking for breastfeeding moms when we're out and about (because I like to see them) and I've never seen any body just "let it all hang out" like you describe. And, most of the moms I know (including myself) don't cover up with anything - nope, not even a burp cloth or something small. There's no need to once you've got the hang of it. It's more trouble than it's worth, and most older babies won't tolerate it anyway.

Computerguy... my point was, and remains, that it should be up to parents to decide when to broach certain topics with their own children.

As for deciding when to broach the subject of breastfeeding with your children, I honestly would hope you would never have to. Kids (whether they were breastfed or not) should know from the time they are very small that some babies get their milk from bottles and some get their milk straight from their mommies and that its no big deal. If they know that from the beginning, then you never have to have a "talk" about it. Breastfeeding shouldn't be like sex or drugs - something you wait until they are "old enough" to talk about. It's not anything shameful that kids should be sheltered from.

 

[DisneyPhD]

As for deciding when to broach the subject of breastfeeding with your children, I honestly would hope you would never have to. Kids (whether they were breastfed or not) should know from the time they are very small that some babies get their milk from bottles and some get their milk straight from their mommies and that its no big deal. If they know that from the beginning, then you never have to have a "talk" about it. Breastfeeding shouldn't be like sex or drugs - something you wait until they are "old enough" to talk about. It's not anything shameful that kids should be sheltered from.

I totally agree. I hope no one would be offened by my 3 year old pretnending to breast feed her dolls! Then again not really, I wouldn't care. I think it was cute.

 

[flminivanmama]

my point was, and remains, that it should be up to parents to decide when to broach certain topics with their own children.

certain topics, yes. you are correct. but this is not a "certain topic" this is EATING. Parents don't decide when to tell their children about EATING for pete's sake - it's one of those things they learn from observing the world around them.


and I hope my children are growing up in a world where breastfeeding is the natural normal way to feed a child.

 

[GEM]

I hope no one would be offened by my 3 year old pretnending to breast feed her dolls!

My two year old does the same thing - and he's a boy! He was nursing Clifford just a few minutes ago!

 

[snowy76]

But, I think you'll have to agree that it is very, very rare to actually see something like you described.

I do agree. Totally. I want to make it clear that I never said this about most mothers who breastfeed. I was relating one personal experience on a trip to WDW 20 years ago, when I was a child. In response to the OP, it popped into my head that maybe Tom Sawyer Island was not such a private spot as someone else suggested. A mere opinion, and another poster decided to just start insulting me.

If they know that from the beginning, then you never have to have a "talk" about it.

For the record, I didn't know about it at the beginning or at age 7 because I was not bf and I didn't know of any friends whose moms did either. Different times. But I am sure there are plenty of kids out there today who are unaware of bf and whose parents have probably said (as mine did) that you don't show your chest to anyone -- not ever realizing one perfectly acceptable exception to this.

I can talk about woulda coulda shoulda in regards to my mother's advice to me at age 7... suffice it to say that when my baby is born I hope to try my best to be respectful to anyone who is around when I need to bf. In the meantime I respect all opinions on the topic, even those I do not necessarily agree with. And I especially respect anyone who has responded to me with politeness, as you have. Thanks.

 

[flminivanmama]

aww my sons used to bring me stuff to nurse

now they make one doll nurse another if they are playing out a story that involves a family (very into playacting - mostly etc but some dolls thrown in there LOL)

 

[KathyTX]

As this thread has veered far off topic (asking for good locations to bf), it's no longer a helpful trip planning thread.