How do you feel about this?

[4theloveofdisney]

I'm fine with that as long as you're fine with my wife and I having sex in front of the castle. After all, that is what husbands and wives do. And we're not responsible to anticipate parents who are afraid of natural, normal body functions.

+ + + =

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

I'm fine with that as long as you're fine with my wife and I having sex in front of the castle. After all, that is what husbands and wives do. And we're not responsible to anticipate parents who are afraid of natural, normal body functions.

touche.

 

[jeast]

This is actually a fun thread. I think moms should do what works for them, and I personally don't care if you're discreet or not. If it's obvious, it gives me a great educational opportunity w/my kids. So, ladies, let it all hang out and don't worry about anyone else. You can't make EVERYONE happy, anyway.

Also, DH (stodgy, conservative) thinks it's totally natural and has no issues with it so it must be okay!

 

[luv2playallday]

The whole reason women have breasts is to feed their babies, not for men to drool and go ga ga over. We are the ones who have sexualized the breast and turned something very natural into something that embaresses a lot of people. In my experience it's women who get upset with nursing in public, I don't know if they are worried their signifigant other might get a peek, or what. If they're worried about their children seeing someone nursing they can just explain that it's how some babies eat. If people don't teach their children to be embaressed about it, or feel ashamed they won't.


I say if your baby is hungry feed he/she however you feel comfortable. If you feel comfortable on a bench go ahead, if you feel better with some privacy that's great too!

 

[100 acre wood]

I'm fine with that as long as you're fine with my wife and I having sex in front of the castle. After all, that is what husbands and wives do. And we're not responsible to anticipate parents who are afraid of natural, normal body functions.

Oh come on. GROW UP. this is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen stated.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Funny story....

I was on a plane with my then 4 month old DS (he is now 8 ). Anyway, we had 3 seats for just the two of us and there was a very talkative gentleman sitting across the aisle. As we were about to land, I turned my back to the aisle slightly (I was sitting in the middle seat) so that I could nurse my son through the landing. Well, this guy still wants to chat away with me, even though I practically have my back to him .

He say "Well, what are you doing over there?" I say "I am feeding my baby".

He says, and I am not kidding here "Well, that's okay, I like nature moms".



And for the record, I am the furthest thing from a "nature" girl that you can get.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I'm in total agreement here. For babies and younger toddlers I've got no problem with it. That said, I don't think it's appropriate to BF a toddler/preschooler in a very public setting. By the time they are two they are eating solids and no longer NEED to BF. It's the mothers perogative to do so, but IMHO it's somthing that can be done in the morning before you leave for the parks and then again at bedtime.

Wow! I think that a 2 year old bf child still "needs" to bf. 2 year olds are still so young. Yes, they aren't going to starve if they aren't bf every 2 hours like an infant, but they still NEED to be bf. It's more than a hunger thing when the child gets to be about 24 months.

I find a four year old clamouring and making a scene trying to pull mom's boo-bah out in the middle of a theme park or restaurant a bit obnoxious. By the time they've figured how to unbutton and unhook to get to it, or how to verbally ask for it, it's time that it's done in private. At that point there's no more being discreet about it in public--it's obvious and distracting.

Anne

I have NEVER seen a bf 4 year old "clamouring and making a scene trying to pull mom's boo-bah out". Unless you've experienced bf a 4 year old (and I have), then please leave ridiculous comments like this out of this (almost) respectful bf thread. A 4 year old can wait to bf, and usually prefers to bf in private. I don't know where people get this idea that a child over the age of 15 months runs over to mom, pulls her shirt off, unhooks her bra, and demands to nurse. Yes, a young toddler will sometimes get demanding to nurse if it's naptime or there's been a problem (like getting hurt). But a 4 year old who still nurses has learned the give-and-take of nursing and will not assault mom at any given moment just so he can nurse!

Mary

 

[alicenwonder99]

And for the record, I am the furthest thing from a "nature" girl that you can get.

OMG! Me too!! I practiced extended breastfeeding (and even attachment parenting...but we won't even get into that on this thread). And I'm the furtherest thing from being a crunchy "nature" girl...lol.

I am the typical "soccer mom". I live in the suburbs and drive a mini van for crying-out-loud. I even shop at Ann Taylor Loft...lol.

Just had to share that!

Mary

 

[TinkerbellMama]

OMG! Me too!! I practiced extended breastfeeding (and even attachment parenting...but we won't even get into that on this thread). And I'm the furtherest thing from being a crunchy "nature" girl...lol.

I am the typical "soccer mom". I live in the suburbs and drive a mini van for crying-out-loud. I even shop at Ann Taylor Loft...lol.

Just had to share that!

Mary

See, this is where things get a bit tricky. I am very crunchy, but I'm also very suburban. I do all the "nature mom" things like cloth diapering, extended breastfeeding, planned homebirthing (although I ended up a c-section transport, wah!), etc. I am even a vegan! But we live in the suburbs where I am a SAHM carting my child to Gymboree several times per week. We are also politically conservative (although we are socially liberal). So I think you can very definitely be a crunchy soccer mom. That's kinda what I'd call myself, although my son isn't quite old enough for soccer yet.

ETA: I've even had a lot of my crunchy mom friends be surprised that I am into Disney. Some of them think it is an evil corporate empire trying to rot our children's brains and get them to buy crap. Well, yes, in part. I just don't buy him the videos and we don't eat the junk foods. Easy enough to take what you love of Disney and leave the rest. There's something for everyone!

 

[flortlebap]

For those complaining about 2 year olds feeding...

The WHO recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST 2 years, so really, it should still be considered a normal activity at that age. And in China, it's considered perfectly normal to send school age (4 or 5 year old) children to school with a flask of breast milk!

Back on topic now I think I shall stick to feeding in quiet shows, I presume crowd levels won't be too high late Sept/early Oct when we're going so hopefully not too many people will notice and to be honest I'm more worried about some of the attitudes of extended members of DP's family who think it's disgusting to BF past 6 months. Won't they get a shock.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

and to be honest I'm more worried about some of the attitudes of extended members of DP's family who think it's disgusting to BF past 6 months. Won't they get a shock.

The thing I've never understood about this attitude is, what do they think an infant SHOULD have? I understand that some choose formula, but in nature, when a child is not yet able to thrive wholly on table foods, why on earth would breastfeeding be disgusting?? It used to be the only way for them to survive! They think human breastmilk for a 6 month old is disgusting, yet they think the breastmilk of another species of animal is GOOD? VERY VERY creepy, IMO.

 

[ducklite]

Wow! I think that a 2 year old bf child still "needs" to bf. 2 year olds are still so young. Yes, they aren't going to starve if they aren't bf every 2 hours like an infant, but they still NEED to be bf. It's more than a hunger thing when the child gets to be about 24 months.

My point is that at two years old, there is no need for on demand BF, and mom and child can wait until there is a more discreet place (on a slow ride like the River of Time, or the Tommorland Transportation Authority), the Baby Care Center, an out of the way bench) rather than stopping to BF in the middle of a theme park.

I have NEVER seen a bf 4 year old "clamouring and making a scene trying to pull mom's boo-bah out".

I have. A "whole wheat woman" who went to my old church BF her kids until they started school, and made a big deal about it. Her behaviour was very distatesful. While I agree that BF is a natural and healthy thing, I also believe that there is a time and place for everything, and BF an older child in a very public place without regard to the sensitivities of others is in poor taste.

Unless you've experienced bf a 4 year old (and I have), then please leave ridiculous comments like this out of this (almost) respectful bf thread. A 4 year old can wait to bf, and usually prefers to bf in private. I don't know where people get this idea that a child over the age of 15 months runs over to mom, pulls her shirt off, unhooks her bra, and demands to nurse.

My BIL's sister's kids did this. She allowed them to be very vocal and disruptive. And I never said 15 months. I said four years, so get your facts straight. My BIL's sister's kids started to be able to undress her enough to get to the breast when they were a bit past their second birthday. At that point it was something that should have been taken private, as it was disruptive. Even my BF advocate sister felt it was over-the-top behaviour.

Yes, a young toddler will sometimes get demanding to nurse if it's naptime or there's been a problem (like getting hurt). But a 4 year old who still nurses has learned the give-and-take of nursing and will not assault mom at any given moment just so he can nurse!
Mary

I have seen at least two four year old's that still want to nurse on demand and gets very disruptive about it--and it wasn't naptime and the child wasn't injured. (The one from my old church and BIL's sister's kid) They were simply using mom as a water fountain or using it as an attetion getting device because they suddenly realized they weren't the center of attention. That's a bad path to start down.

Anne

 

[disneyjunkie]

I have NEVER seen a bf 4 year old "clamouring and making a scene trying to pull mom's boo-bah out". Unless you've experienced bf a 4 year old (and I have), then please leave ridiculous comments like this out of this (almost) respectful bf thread. A 4 year old can wait to bf, and usually prefers to bf in private. I don't know where people get this idea that a child over the age of 15 months runs over to mom, pulls her shirt off, unhooks her bra, and demands to nurse. Yes, a young toddler will sometimes get demanding to nurse if it's naptime or there's been a problem (like getting hurt). But a 4 year old who still nurses has learned the give-and-take of nursing and will not assault mom at any given moment just so he can nurse!

Mary

I've seen 4 year olds who are not shy about pulling out moms breast so that they can nurse. I've also seen 4 year olds who are not shy about sucking on a bottle.

I feel the same way about both group a kids/moms.

 

[ducklite]

Back on topic now I think I shall stick to feeding in quiet shows,

Which IMHO is a GREAT place to BF!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I've seen 4 year olds who are not shy about pulling out moms breast so that they can nurse. I've also seen 4 year olds who are not shy about sucking on a bottle.

I feel the same way about both group a kids/moms.

Well put. I weaned my son from the bottle just before his second birthday--nothing but water allowed at night ever. Two months later he was involved in a horrific MVA and seriously injured. The nursing staff at the hospital gave him a bottle. I can't blame them, due to his facial injuries it would have been almost impossible for him to eat or drink from a cup for a few days, but oh what a pain weaning him again a few months later...

And for those who are wondering, I was unable to BF which is why he was bottle fed.

Anne

 

[patsal]

I have no issue with breastfeeding and I don't care how long you do it it's your business and my opinion has no merit. What I do think though is that if the child being breastfed is an infant then on demand feeding is necessary and should be done if you are in a quiet place (show, slow rides etc.) WDW provides beautiful, comfortable baby care facitilites within each park, why sit on an uncomfortable park bench when there is a nice comfortable place to relax and make baby as comfy as possible. As for toddlers, I think it would be easier to fed them in the care centers than in the busy park so you could avoid the distraction. WDW is not like the local park, so there is just so much stimulation that I would think it would create distractions which would turn feeding into a chore if not for the childcare center. JMHO.

 

[flortlebap]

Ducklite... do you not think that an infant (because thats what a 2 year old is really!) has a right to be fed whenever they want? Would you feel happy about being forced to wait for liquids in the 90 degree Florida heat, or forced to hike halfway across the park into a special centre which is the only place you're allowed to drink?

I ask because the main problem with my DD is her liquid intake, the majority does still come from breast milk. She isn't keen on formula or cows milk, I can't give her soda or juice, and I think that the Florida water might upset her stomach. So I don't have too much choice in the matter really, which is why I would like to be able to feed in public!

 

[ducklite]

Ducklite... do you not think that an infant (because thats what a 2 year old is really!) has a right to be fed whenever they want? Would you feel happy about being forced to wait for liquids in the 90 degree Florida heat, or forced to hike halfway across the park into a special centre which is the only place you're allowed to drink?

Technically a child ceases to be an "infant" except as a legal term once they reach their one year birthday. They are a baby until they are about two, at which point they become a toddler. You could also find an out of the way bench or slow ride or show to discreetly feed in.

I ask because the main problem with my DD is her liquid intake, the majority does still come from breast milk. She isn't keen on formula or cows milk, I can't give her soda or juice, and I think that the Florida water might upset her stomach. So I don't have too much choice in the matter really, which is why I would like to be able to feed in public!

I simply ask for some discretion and common sense in the matter. BTW you could buy a $2 bottle of water to put into a sippy cup--one bottle will last a few days with a two year old. Dasani is purified and will not cause tummy upset.

Anne

 

[Princess Amy]

After reading all these threads, in which I posted on page 2, I have found one thing completely obvious. Hardly anyone opposes breastfeeding. Someone might have an opinion about circumstances, but has no problem with the thought of it.

I have also noticed, that bf moms sure do like to jump at people for their opinions. Can you give someone the respect to cover up in public, just like everyone ALWAYS gives you the respect of nursing in public. Yes, you have your right to feed to the free world but how conceited is it to say, " We have a right! And we do not care what any one else has to say!". So in turn someone should have a right to say to you that they don't like it. I'm not talking about myself. I have no problem with bf in general.

To me I may glance at someone at Disney and in that split second think, "Hey they are breastfeeding." But I continue walking and go on my merry way. But if for instance I saw her **** hanging out (just like the thong instance), that would definitly be something worth grabbing someone's attention over a blanket.

Anyways, an opinion is just that, an opinion. Don't ask for one if you can't handle it.

 

[flortlebap]

I have also noticed, that bf moms sure do like to jump at people for their opinions. Can you give someone the respect to cover up in public, just like everyone ALWAYS gives you the respect of nursing in public. Yes, you have your right to feed to the free world but how conceited is it to say, " We have a right! And we do not care what any one else has to say!". So in turn someone should have a right to say to you that they don't like it.

Feeding is a sensitive subject, bottle feeding mums also like to point their point across. It's all done eloquantly. And as for saying people always give us respect for feeding in public - that isn't true. Obviously you've never been told to move, or had dirty looks, or snide, underhand comments thrown your way because you choose to feed in public.

It's not conceited to say "we have a right" - because why SHOULDN'T we have a right to do it? The law in Florida says women have the right, so it's entirely true what BF mums are saying. It's fine for people to say they don't like it... but I can't help but wonder what isn't to like about seeing someone do something totally natural.

That said, I do understand that feeding toddlers makes some people uncomfortable, which is why I asked in the first place.