Formula prep/BFing at WDW.

[two-foxes]

We are headed out much sooner than I am ready for , and I am trying now to work out the details of our days....

DS is getting 3 bottles of formula a day in addition to 3 BFings. What is the easiest way to have those bottles prepared when we head to the parks? He does not tolerate the ready serve formulas, so we have to use powder. Do we prep the bottles ahead of time, and use the baby centers or do you all have other tips?

Stupid question on BF...how easy is it to do it at restaraunts? After 6 months, we are both finally good at it , but I have never really fed at a table, etc, and I know that due to our dining times, it is a good possiblity I will have to...any tips? Thankfully, I don't need the boppy anymore , and I have my every trusty hooter hiders, but any other tips would be appreciated!

Other than that, we are set! It is funny to look back at the concerns I had before our little man was born about this trip and you all told me to relax and gave great tips....you were all right!

 

[peemagg]

I personally don't have any kids, but I have 2 nieces and 1 nephew under the age of 3. What my sister does that works well, is that she fills the bottles with the water and then brings the formula in a plastic container. They have containers out there that are sectioned that are meant to carry individual servings of formula. You just turn the lid and pour it into the bottle. There are also bottles out there that have a special section on top of it to carry the formula until you need it. You might want to search those out. I can't help with the other feedings.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

When my DDs were babies I had water in the bottles and carried formula in the Tupperware midgets containers. I was able to get 4 scoops of formula in a container and it was small I really worked out well. Also don't forget the baby care centers at the parks - they do come in handy. Enjoy your trip!

 

[thepeach80]

I just brought a few bottles of water w/ me (2?) and a can of formula. Water isn't hard to come by, but I dind't want to risk not bring enough formlua so I brought the whole can.

 

[Whosemom]

When my 12yo was wee and took her first trip to WDW, she was a bottle baby. We used the bottles with the inserts, so I just measured the powder into the inserts, folded them up and taped them, then used the same "tube" all day. I believe at the time I just filled them with drinking fountain water, but I don't think the water tasted as nasty then as it does now (am I crazy?) so maybe take water bottles. With those inserts its really a snap, and not at all bad to carry.

My other two were totally breastfed. I don't remember a dang thing about feeding them at the parks. I know I did. It must of just been so easy it didn't leave an impression. I will say I was never very comfortable at a table. Just not enough space. I bet I sat at benches. I know that's waht I did at the zoo, parks, etc, etc. But then that is taking extra down time than if the baby eats when you do,

 

[NotUrsula]

The only tricky thing about feeding at tables is making sure that baby doesn't whack himself on the edge; mine likes to throw her head back and I've had to guard against that. Booths will give you more privacy than open tables.

IMO, bottles are kind of a PITA in the parks; if you could just nurse all 6 feeds instead you might find it easier, or perhaps try to time your bottle feeds for your meals, so that you're not trying to eat and nurse simultaneously. (No "Honey, could you cut up my meat and butter my bread in tiny pieces so that I can eat one-handed?") The very simplest thing for making bottles is to use pre-measured water in the bottles and mix from the little single powder-packs of formula. Bring enough bottles so that you only have to wash them when you get back to your room.

 

[hollyk]

I used bottles for all 3 of my kids, I used all kinds of bottles, if you use the disposable kind, you just need to bring liners. otherwise bring one bottle (you can really just rinse it out real well between feedings) and a bottle of water or two, and either get the container that holds like 3 or 4 (walmart has the 4 ones I believe) and pre measure, or enfamil and similac make single serving pouches, you buy a box of like 12. not that hard.

 

[3jsmommy]

I breastfeed my DS1 on our last trip, never at the table though as he was 13 mths & always grabs a blanket away
At 6 mths I think it would be easy, especially at CS places, just get a table towards the back or a corner & face the wall.
I BF on a few rides, the TTA ,living w/ the land(last car) & Railroad & no one knew a thing. I used the baby centers a couple of times or a quiet bench/ spot.
You will be fine, I worried about it too, but never had a problem, except once in the baby center, when he was babbling & laughing & then would latch back on, he was being so loud & it was a little embarrassing when all the other moms in there had really little ones & I am sure wanted quiet!

 

[irene_dsc]

I've had plenty experience nursing in restaurants, tho never used a Hooter Hider, so can't advise on that. I agree that booths are the best, and I always tried to sit in the corner for the most privacy. Tho, sometimes the table is too close to the seat, and that can get tricky.

Also, try to avoid eating hot food (soup, coffee) while nursing, lol. At least the Hooter Hider should help with not getting food on your baby! My other techniques tend to use layers and the lift-the-shirt method, and using the baby to hide anything that might show otherwise, fwiw. I also was able to nurse in a sling with nothing showing, too.

At that age, the other issue is distractability. (But, the HH may help with that, too.) I sometimes ended up nursing in the car simply because dd wasn't interested until we were done with whatever outing we were on, then suddenly realize she was hungry!

 

[kathie859]

In early October, we had a bottle baby in our party. She only likes the powder so her mother would bring a few bottles of water and mix with the powder. Room temperature was fine with her---the only way to heat a bottle is to go to the baby centers which always seem to be at the opposite end of the park from where you are! You can't rely on warm or tepid water in the restrooms, either, if your little one requires a warm bottle.

As far as breast feeding, there's usually a discreet corner where you can sit with your back to the general public. I usually would just throw a light receiving blanket over me and the baby would suckle away in peace and quiet. I'm sure if you're sensitive that there's always someone who would be offended if they saw you nursing, you can take measures to be discreet.

Have a great trip!

 

[tadamom]

I agree with the others, either bring the can or use a divided cup to go ahead and measure it out before you leave. Also, something I used when my DD was a baby was a formula mixer. Sometimes it didn't matter how much the bottle was shook, the formula still had some clumps. Babies R Us sells a small formula mixer and I loooooooved it. I had one for home and one that I kept in the diaper bag.

 

[MiniGirl]

I can't offer advice about bottles, but bf'ing is a breeeze. I used a sling and nursed in all sorts of places and at many restuarants. Unlike other posters, I preferred tables unless there was lots of room in the booth. I'm a big girl, so I really needed a lot of room. I would sit almost sideways to the table with the side the baby was nursing on away from the table. If I was still eating too, I'd nurse on my left side, so I could still use my right hand to eat. My sling always allowed my to be very discreet, too. I am extremely modest, but it always worked for me.

Good luck.