For those of you who have breastfed at Disney...

[FairyGodmotherJen]

We went in Sept. 08 with my five month old DS. I nursed him without a problem. I often nursed while DH took the two older kids on a ride or two. I didn't use the baby centers much, but once I started using them I wished I'd used them more! It was sooooo hot, and he didn't nurse well because he was so uncomfortable. He did much better in the babycenters. I also nursed him during a few rides/shows - I remember trying to nurse him during Finding Nemo, but he kept popping his head up when the music caught his attention! I completely agree with everyone else who has posted here - you shouldn't have any issues at all! Have a great trip!

 

[kpgriswold]

As the other pps have said, you should have no trouble. Lots of women nurse all over, and no one says boo.

If you think you might be self-concious, I suggest investing in a couple of nursing tops. (See http://www.target.com/Gilligan-OMalley-Women’s-Sling-Nursing/dp/B000KLXGNC for just one of many examples). You can buy them cheap on ebay or craigslist or at your local consignment shop. They keep your tummy covered so it doesn't look like you are nursing, and baby's head tends to cover anything else.

Have fun!

 

[MScott1851]

I wish you luck.. My daughter is 4 months old and I'm still working out the kinks of nursing in public.

I have a different dilemma...I'm going to WDW and Universal in March for three days without her, and I'm dreading having to drag my pump around the parks for those three days, and am debating whether to take the single manual or the double electric in my backpack. I'm also wondering if I should bother trying to save it and pack it up to take home, or if I should just pump and dump. I don't have a supply issue and have a huge freezer stash.

Any of you nursing mamas have any advice?

 

[tarstar]

I think you should take both. Use the manual single at the parks and the double electric at the hotel. I would dump (probably weeping the whole time ) because unless you've got a freezer and a way to keep them frozen for transport, why bother.
Keep up the pumping because you don't want your supply to reduce while you are away from her. I had to do the same thing as you when I went away from my dd when she was 6 months. It was a pain....

Your daughter is very cute btw!! love the smile

 

[JUJU814]

I've breastfed my baby all over WDW. If you can't breastfeed at a place like Disney, where can you?

It blows my mind that there are laws that tell a mother where she's "allowed" to feed her baby?? Uh, mother's have only been doing it that way since oh, the beginning of time!

 

[GEM]

I've breastfed my baby all over WDW. If you can't breastfeed at a place like Disney, where can you?

It blows my mind that there are laws that tell a mother where she's "allowed" to feed her baby?? Uh, mother's have only been doing it that way since oh, the beginning of time!

It's not really that the law "allows" you to nurse in public in Florida. Breastfeeding in public is NOT illegal in any state. It's just that certain states (including Florida) specifically have laws that actively protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers, making sure they aren't hassled by any clueless people.

As others have said, Disney World is a VERY nursing friendly place. I nursed my little guy all around "the world" on quite a few trips, even well into toddlerhood, with no problems. And, I never saw the inside of a nursing room. I'm sure they are nice, but they were never convenient. I nursed on lots of benches, on rides, in shows, on boats and busses and monorails, in restaurants....just wherever we happened to be. No issues at all.

 

[hippiemama76]

GEM is right. Other states have laws that are much more vague, including statements about being 'discrete', which can be left up to interpretation. The law in TN even states 'under 12 months,' which could lead to mamas with older nurslings to be harassed. Florida's is very pro-mother/pro-nursing, even if that means a nip-slip from time to time.

Just a warning - be careful if you nurse on the People Mover. It's a LOT faster in recent times, and with the twisty-turns, sometimes HippieBabe has to clamp down to stay on!

 

[Nee Nee and Biddy]

I nursed both of my babies all around the "world" and never had a problem. Now that I'm past that stage I look back at those times with such fondness. One of my favorite pictures from a past trip is the two of us sitting on the floor of the Living Seas with my daughter's little chubby feet sticking out of my Hooter Hider. What a sweet memory.

 

[tartemis]

Thank you for posting this. As of now my DD#2 refuses bottles or sippy's. I'm working on it but since our ped doesn't start milk until 12 months I will probably still be nursing DD on our trip in May (she will be turning 1 on the trip). QUOTE]

Not that you asked for advice, but -- I skipped the bottle and sippy with DD#1 (when she refused them) and went straight to a regular cup or a cup with a spout but no valve (so it was free flowing). At first I was stressed that she wouldn't take a bottle at 6 months when I returned to work, but it ended up being great because I never had to wean her off one. Just thought I would throw it out there in case you wanted to try it.

I still get a little self-conscious NIP as well, but I have had to do it more often with DD#2 because of the existence of DD#1 and the more times you do it the easier it gets -- and I never use a cover either.

 

[aripantaloon]

We went when my DD, now almost 3, was about 1 year 4 months. She was still nursing. I'm not a "crunchy" type person in any way but with nursing, I guess. I had no issues with nursing her and did it in pretty much every single show we attended (it was an automatic thing for her - oh, we're sitting down at a show, so I get a little treat now!), on some rides like the Haunted Mansion for one, and also on benches and such. Not one person said anything to me nor gave me "a look." My DH did act as a screen if my DD started to get grabby or tried to lift my shirt.

The only time I felt a bit nervous was on the laugh floor of the Monsters, Inc. show when I realized that the tv shots of the audience before the show were live and not just some pre-recorded footage. I was paranoid that the camera would suddenly come our way and I would be on the screen for all to see. That never happened, but I didn't need an entire theater watching, ykwim?!

It's a family theme park and everyone should feel welcomed and comfortable. Nurse you baby where YOU feel comfortable. I doubt anyone is really paying attention.

 

[monkey30]

ok so I have a question for the experinced moms....

which ride are the best and longest to bfeed on?

 

[PollyannaMom]

....I nursed my little guy all around "the world" on quite a few trips, even well into toddlerhood, with no problems. And, I never saw the inside of a nursing room. I'm sure they are nice, but they were never convenient....

You didn't miss anything. That's actually the ONLY place I remember ever getting a funny look or question - not for nursing itself, but for DS being a year and a half old (a target his pediatrician encouraged). There were 2 other moms in the nursing room one when I was in there with him, both with very young babies, who I guess did not intend to keep it up that long. (It's snippy of me, I know, but I secretly hope both their kids nursed until age 3!)

OP - don't let that one story discourage you. I have seen lots of people nurse all over Disney, and no one bothered them! If your baby is really easily distracted, the nursing rooms are quiet, and air-conditioned. But otherwise, I would just find an out-of the way bench. Most people will be so involved in their own Disney day, they won't even notice.

 

[alyssa810]

ok so I have a question for the experinced moms....

which ride are the best and longest to bfeed on?

While I kept my nursing to the baby care centers and our resort room, I would think that ellen's energy adenture would be a great spot! It's long and dark...spaceship earth would probably be good too.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

i just posted a question similar to OP's before i saw this post. should have just kept looking!

thanks for asking this, OP. i'm now less nervous about bf'ing at WDW than i was

 

[Channyn]

I breastfed my 12 month old and my 18 month old when they needed it while on our past two trips. I really don't think anyone noticed and if they did nothing was said.

 

[hippiemama76]

ok so I have a question for the experienced moms....

which ride are the best and longest to bfeed on?

If the baby is in a wrap, then any ride.

If not, any ride that doesn't have a lap bar: Small World, Pirates (after the drop), Spaceship Earth, The Land, etc.

The People Mover used to be awesome, but now it's fast so those turns come up really quick! HippieBabe likes to clamp down on the turns - ouch!

 

[Channyn]

You didn't miss anything. That's actually the ONLY place I remember ever getting a funny look or question - not for nursing itself, but for DS being a year and a half old (a target his pediatrician encouraged). There were 2 other moms in the nursing room one when I was in there with him, both with very young babies, who I guess did not intend to keep it up that long. (It's snippy of me, I know, but I secretly hope both their kids nursed until age 3!)

I agree! My DD was 18 months on our last two trips and I had 2 moms (at the same time - they were friends) ask how old she was when I was in the baby care room...then I got the look. LOL It didn't bother me, I know not all people have the same views on breastfeeding. I just let them know that the World Health Organization recommends you Bf till the child is 2 years old. Got the look again! LOL

 

[dumbo_buddy]

again, i can't thank everyone enough for the pro-bf'ing pep talk! this is great.

i have a question about the wrap (to the OP, i hope it's ok i ask here).

the only thing we have used as far as a carrier is the bjorn and DH usually wears that b/c i have a very bad back.

i have large breasts (32G) and i pretty much always need both hands to bf unless i'm using the My Brest Friend. i usually wear a nursing bra and a nursing tank top because i need extra support.

is it possible to nurse in the maya or any other wrap if you have large breasts? i don't want to be too graphic but i still need to hold myself up and guide my little guy because he's working with a big target!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Never had issues--with my son, I had wraps and slings and liked being able to be mobile with nursing.

But when I felt like sitting, I Could always find a place even if it took a few minutes of scoping.

When it was hot--I've even sat on the floor in a store if necessary to have air conditioning and a quiet spot.

As a Floridian--I do not care if anyone notices..only b/c you have the legal right to BF in public without issue. Now--I'm not a flaunter--but what I mean is, there is no need for me to try and camoflague the fact that I Am nursing beyond using discretion for my comfort and the comfort of others.

I use the nursing facilities if they are convenient or I really want an air conditioned break. But I do not seek them out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

again, i can't thank everyone enough for the pro-bf'ing pep talk! this is great.

i have a question about the wrap (to the OP, i hope it's ok i ask here).

the only thing we have used as far as a carrier is the bjorn and DH usually wears that b/c i have a very bad back.

i have large breasts (32G) and i pretty much always need both hands to bf unless i'm using the My Brest Friend. i usually wear a nursing bra and a nursing tank top because i need extra support.

is it possible to nurse in the maya or any other wrap if you have large breasts? i don't want to be too graphic but i still need to hold myself up and guide my little guy because he's working with a big target!!

I am...what I consider well endowed (last pregnancy 38DDD)--I found the hotsling to be invaluable to carry my son and the Moby wrap to be wonderful for carrying and nursing. I tried nursing in the hotsling pouch, but that could get tricky.

I too cannot use a bjorn and was excited to find other wraps/carriers that were more ergonomic to my needs.

Moby is quite hot in the summer though--I mean, really hot.