I was not allowed to use rocking chairs at Baby Care Center

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

omg!!! that is awful!!! i feel your pain- while i was pg with dd i had a colitis flare and was on major meds. was told in labour under no circumstances would i be able/allowed to nurse. it still bothers me to this day. with ds i was off the meds and could nurse, and by 6 months he needed a quiet environment to not disturb him.

but to tell you flat out no, those are the rules, its lame. i really have no other words for it. kids- esp small kids- need down time. and a tv in a feeding room is not down time. i know why its there- for other kids who have to wait for younger sibs to eat. but its too stimulating for babies who need that quiet time to go to sleep. please follow up with your complaint, and keep us posted!

 

[roobug]

omg!!! that is awful!!! i feel your pain- while i was pg with dd i had a colitis flare and was on major meds. was told in labour under no circumstances would i be able/allowed to nurse. it still bothers me to this day. with ds i was off the meds and could nurse, and by 6 months he needed a quiet environment to not disturb him.

but to tell you flat out no, those are the rules, its lame. i really have no other words for it. kids- esp small kids- need down time. and a tv in a feeding room is not down time. i know why its there- for other kids who have to wait for younger sibs to eat. but its too stimulating for babies who need that quiet time to go to sleep. please follow up with your complaint, and keep us posted!

See but the problem is if they do not follow the rules for EVERYONE and let some people in to bottle feed and not others then they run into bigger problems - why did you let so and so but now me? When I was here last time they let me...ect. If they have a rule they need to follow it for everyone, even when it's slow.

 

[geishagirl81]

I don't feel it is fair that b'feeding moms get special treatment. I couldn't b'feed my son despite my best efforts. I didn't feel bad about going to the bottle, and never even tried to b'feed my daughter. I don't feel the need to defend my decision to anyone. The area should be open to all BABIES. I bottle fed my daughter, but both she and I preferred a quiet area to feed and bond. It is just as important for my baby to have a soothing enviroment as a b'feeding baby. I understand that b'feeding moms may need extra privacy, but if the room is not at capacity, there is not a reason that a bottlefeeding mom should be turned away. That is like reverse discrimination to me. Many lactivists would scream if they were asked not to nurse at a restaurant etc. Why should bottle feeding moms be asked to leave a baby feeding area based on the personal decision they made in regards to how they will provide for their infant best? I would have been irrate.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

See but the problem is if they do not follow the rules for EVERYONE and let some people in to bottle feed and not others then they run into bigger problems - why did you let so and so but now me? When I was here last time they let me...ect. If they have a rule they need to follow it for everyone, even when it's slow.

yes i see where youre coming from but didnt op say that the next day at hs, she was allowed to use the nursing room? as a side note rules at disney seem to change as the wind blows too.

i understand why they are in place, but if disney is serious on these rules for nursing moms only then they should be enforced at all places, and not single out at one park/employee or whatever the situation may be going on. kinda goes back to the whole ride measuring thing and what they will enforce depending on the cm, the day, the ride and for all other matters the color of the sky that day. lol

 

[badblackpug]

A few things. I have noticed that a lot of moms on this thread have felt it necessary to explain WHY they chose not to breast feed. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that there are people that try to make formula moms feel bad about choosing formula over breastfeeding.

Some formula fed babies do need a quiet and soothing environment to feed. Colicky babies, babies with cleft lip/palate, for example.

Depending on how crowded the World is that day, there may not be a place to sit and feed your baby, regardless of HOW you are feeding your baby. That is why the baby care centers are nice.

I know a lot of breast feeding moms have said they have taken a lot of grief for feeding in public, but a lot of formula feeding moms have taken a lot of grief for formula feeding, period. On an aside, mothers need to start supporting one another.

My opinion is that baby care centers are to care for babies. Regardless of HOW you choose to care for that baby. It is insulting that preference is given to mothers that choose to breast feed their children. If the opposite were true, if a breast feeding mother were told that there was a place that they were NOT allowed to feed their baby, you can bet there would be a cry of discrimination.

 

[livndisney]

A few things. I have noticed that a lot of moms on this thread have felt it necessary to explain WHY they chose not to breast feed. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that there are people that try to make formula moms feel bad about choosing formula over breastfeeding.

Some formula fed babies do need a quiet and soothing environment to feed. Colicky babies, babies with cleft lip/palate, for example.

Depending on how crowded the World is that day, there may not be a place to sit and feed your baby, regardless of HOW you are feeding your baby. That is why the baby care centers are nice.

I know a lot of breast feeding moms have said they have taken a lot of grief for feeding in public, but a lot of formula feeding moms have taken a lot of grief for formula feeding, period. On an aside, mothers need to start supporting one another.

My opinion is that baby care centers are to care for babies. Regardless of HOW you choose to care for that baby. It is insulting that preference is given to mothers that choose to breast feed their children. If the opposite were true, if a breast feeding mother were told that there was a place that they were NOT allowed to feed their baby, you can bet there would be a cry of discrimination.

But, she was not asked to leave the Babycare center. She was not denied the right to feed her baby. She was only denied access to the area posted for nursing mothers only.

 

[badblackpug]

But, she was not asked to leave the Babycare center. She was not denied the right to feed her baby. She was only denied access to the area posted for nursing mothers only.

Correct, and if a breast feeding mother were denied access to an area to feed her baby it would be discrimination in no uncertain terms.

 

[Zeebs]

I was not aware that The Baby Care centers were only for nursing mothers I thought they were for all babies I was hoping to use it with my 8 month old bottle fed baby which I also tried to breast feed but could'nt due to illness.

OP I am so sorry I know how you feel

They are not exclusively for nursing mothers, they are for everyone, they just happen to have a part in them for nursing mothers only.

I don't see this as a debate of who is bottle versus breast. We do not think we are special if we breastfeed, and every baby deserves to be fed. However, with that said, if you open the "nursing rooms" up to bottle feeding, then you are going to have Dad's saying well I need to feed my child, why can I not go in. Disney can't win, people complain about mothers breastfeeding in public, people complain if the room isn't for everyone to use. The rooms were set up to afford some privacy if required for women, who for what ever reason doesn't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public.

It is a relatively recent thing, where women could be refused entry to plenty of places if they wanted to breastfeed, really how many people have ever heard of the same happening to bottle feeding? As someone said earlier the OP could be the first. Certainly my first time I have ever heard of it.

I certainly don't agree that the women needs to be rude about it, but how many times on these boards are there complaints that Disney does not enforce its rules, as I said before you are never going to make everyone happy.

Kirsten



Kirsten

 

[Zeebs]

Correct, and if a breast feeding mother were denied access to an area to feed her baby it would be discrimination in no uncertain terms.

Yes because it is illegal to do so, Disney cannot go against the law.

However, if they ask someone to put their t shirt back on or not wear a bikini to the parks, they can do that, is that discriminatory to people who are hot and just want to be cool. You could probably argue yes. But it is a rule that Disney has made for their premises.

Do I think that they could have two rooms, yes if there are enough mothers that feel they need a nice quite dark room to feed their babies in then Disney should get on board and organise, however, given this is the first case I have ever seen, I suspect that it isn't the norm for mothers to want to bottle feed in those circumstances.

Kirsten

 

[Schmeck]

I don't see this as a debate of who is bottle versus breast. We do not think we are special if we breastfeed, and every baby deserves to be fed. However, with that said, if you open the "nursing rooms" up to bottle feeding, then you are going to have Dad's saying well I need to feed my child, why can I not go in. Disney can't win, people complain about mothers breastfeeding in public, people complain if the room isn't for everyone to use. The rooms were set up to afford some privacy if required for women, who for what ever reason doesn't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public.

I see this as the main reason it is for nursing mothers only - to keep the possibility of men out of there! Some women just don't feel comfortable whipping one out in front of strangers, and they should have the right to some privacy.

 

[RMulieri]

Thats awful! I tried and tried to BF and couldn't ever get her to latch on so i had to bottle feed, it is such a shame that mothers judge each other on things like this.

 

[designermv]

Add me to the group who doesn't think this is a breast vs. bottle issue. I think the reason the nursing mothers have their own room is solely for privacy purposes. I don't particularly want my acrobatic on/off/on/off nursing baby putting on a show with my 'girls' in front of random fathers or even mothers for that matter. I don't mind NIP, but I can pick and choose where to do that, and rarely choose a crowded room full of people.

As for the rocking chairs, Disney or the formula company who sponsors the Baby Care Centers should just put some out in the main room if people are upset about it.

 

[Zeebs]

Thats awful! I tried and tried to BF and couldn't ever get her to latch on so i had to bottle feed, it is such a shame that mothers judge each other on things like this.

I agree that there should be no judgement on your method of feeding your child, but I haven't seen any judgement on this thread.

Many agree with the OP that she should have been able to use the rooms, those who have said they prefer that the rooms are kept for Nursing mothers only have given what they feel are valid reasons on why.

The only off words I have seen, were from someone who suggested that if you can't be comfortable enough to breastfeed in public then you basically shouldn't bother.

Kirsten

 

[nexttrip4us]

OMG...I am SO sorry you had to endure that . I too had major issues with Bf so I had to bottle feed all of my kids and that would have turned me into a pile of tears if someone told me that!! A baby is a baby and a mom is a mom...end of story. They should not give out the rocking chairs based on where the food comes from!!!

I'm angry for you...there is just no excuse for that. {{{HUGS}}}.

 

[gisgt]

The only off words I have seen, were from someone who suggested that if you can't be comfortable enough to breastfeed in public then you basically shouldn't bother.

Kirsten

Actually, I said if you're not comfortable, don't do it. As in, if you make a decision you're not comfortable with, it's your issue not Disneys.
On another note: Am I the only one who thinks the whole NIP issue could be resolved by giving women the same right as men to walk around topless? I really think NYC is on to something there!

 

[Zeebs]

Actually, I said if you're not comfortable, don't do it. As in, if you make a decision you're not comfortable with, it's your issue not Disneys.
On another note: Am I the only one who thinks the whole NIP issue could be resolved by giving women the same right as men to walk around topless? I really think NYC is on to something there!

Sorry I misread that, that said, it isn't Disney issue to deal with bottle feeding families either. They supply the Baby Care centres to help families out. They don't need to do that, but it helps them out by being family friendly. They probably make a good deal of money from people wanting to visit Disney because it is so family friendly.

Kirsten

 

[NemoMOm]

Actually, I said if you're not comfortable, don't do it. As in, if you make a decision you're not comfortable with, it's your issue not Disneys.
On another note: Am I the only one who thinks the whole NIP issue could be resolved by giving women the same right as men to walk around topless? I really think NYC is on to something there!

I actually live in NY where it IS a law that women can be topless to NIP. However, that being said I STILL have people (WOMEN) come up to me and verbally attack me while I'm feeding my baby. Why would b'fing moms NOT be comfortable with their choice? That ridiculous. Just as bottle moms are comfortable for with their choice. This is not b'fing vs bottle feeding. Its about NIP and the comfort zone of others not nursing moms, OTHERS!

 

[annette20071]

This is just really frustrating for me. Bottlefeeding has always been allowed EVERYWHERE that baby and mother were legally allowed to be. Breastfeeding advocates had to fight for the right to breastfeed outside their homes. They could literally be arrested for NIP not that long ago - and still can in some states. Some places (and people still do) consider it child abuse and sexual. BF moms had to fight to get laws passed to allow them to NIP without fear of being arrested. Some states still don't have laws protecting nursing mothers. Once laws were passed in some states protecting a mothers right to feed her child by nursing anywhere they were legally allowed to be - something a bottlefeeding mother never had to go through - some companies tried to compromise. Companies like Disney offered a private area for nursing mothers. On one hand, yes it makes them look family-friendly and supportive of bf.

On the other hand it helps them deal with the fact that the vast majority of the public do NOT like women NIP. Although nursing moms are allowed to nurse in public, many still aren't comfortable doing so because of the abuse they receive from strangers. It would be awesome if our public was as accepting of NIP as they are with bottlefeeding. It would be awesome if a nursing mom did not have to go hide to nurse so as not to offend others. However, we aren't there yet and likely won't be for a long time. Now Disney has to deal with moms saying "hey you are making me feel inferior - I want my own room too!". If anything, they will just do away with that room altogether. Which is fine with me. Maybe more people will nurse in public which will cause NIP to become more acceptable that much faster . . .

 

[littlbugmom]

I'm amazed that anyone sees that private room as anything other than a small space for a woman who doesn't want to pull her breast out in public.

I nursed both of my kids and bottlefed my youngest when he weaned at 5 months. I understand the need for that room. NiP for me meant a good portion of my breast exposed. I got dirty looks and comments at times but the only other option was to sit on a public bathroom toilet to feed my child.

The baby care centers are for everyone but that small space within the care center is for nursing moms. Why is that a problem? Because it has rocking chairs? Personally, I never liked nursing in a rocking chair but if a rocking chair is what a woman wants, talk to Disney about it. A simple fix would be to put half the rockers in the main room and half in the nursing room.

What's the other reason the private room is a problem? It doesn't have a tv in it so it's more relaxing than the main room? Ok, again....talk to Disney about it. Ask them to remove the tv from the main room. Of course, the minute they do that, someone will complain that they want a tv. You could always ask them to add a tv to the nursing room..that way, the nursing room can get as noisy as the main room. (but that's pretty ridiculous)

Like it or not, it's smart to provide a private room for nursing moms. It isn't a judgment against a mom who doesn't nurse. It has nothing to do with those moms. It's simply Disney trying to meet a need. That private room meets the needs of a nursing mom who isn't comfortable nursing in public. It also meets the needs of those people who complain about seeing a woman's breast as she nurses her child in the parks.

Disney meets the needs of parents by providing the care centers. If you don't like the tv in there, write a letter. If you want a rocking chair in there, write a letter. If you bring it to their attention, they'll make some changes.


I disagree with the idea of Disney allowing non-nursing moms to use the private room until a nursing mom needs the spot. I'm glad they enforce that rule. It would be unfair to put either mom in the uncomfortable position that could pop up from that situation.

 

[bgambrel87]

what are the rules as far as pumping goes. my son was premature so I pump and supplememnt with formula. Does this mean that i can only use the room to pump and then when i give him a bottle i must exit the room
If so that is just plum ridiculous if you ask me