Just got back from trip with infant...any questions.

[mirlow]

We just got back last week and it was hot. My youngest daughter is 6mths. We brought her stroller. She is to big for her infant carseat so it was just the stroller. The stroller was great to store the diaper bag and water bottles. I bought a fan for the stroller and I brought a knitted blanket to hide her from the sun. I also brought my sling and I'm glad I did. I would use it when she was tired of the stroller and when we were waiting in line and riding the rides. She wasn't always in the sling on the but I would always put her in it if it was a flying ride like Dumbo (btw don't go on Astro Orbitor, I had her in the sling but I was not liking how fast and high that ride is.) I was surprised at how comfortable I was with her in the sling. It wasn't that much more uncomfortable heat wise than me just carrying her. I think it's because you really are in a lot of shade or in air conditioning most of the time. We always did the parks early naps in the afternoon and the parks later. I was always glad to see the afternoon rain to help cool things off. I would also recommend getting a stroller cover for when it rains. We got one at The Right Start. Some of the resturants are better for strollers than others. I don't think I would even try a character meal with a stroller or at least the busier meals. There are just a lot of people moving around and if your baby is sleeping she/he might get bumped into a lot? There are many resturants where there is room for a stroller you might just have to check them out for yourself first and see what you think.

 

[DParkfan]

This is amazing, it is 2001 right?! Breastfed my ds 8 mos., at Disneyland and California Adventure. He breastfed so often it would have been very difficult to run back to the baby care center. Just found a place to sit and an area, semi-private, and used a blanket to cover myself. I think we all need to remember who the breastfeeding is for, an innocent baby and his nourishment! I'm sorry but I guess I never thought anything about this topic until I went through it myself and was shocked at the attitudes of people (family/friends/strangers). When I did use the baby care centers, they were calm and relaxing. Had a woman pumping next to me at California Adventure baby care center, in the nursing room. She left her baby at home for the day and had to pump every few hours. They stored the milk and the pump for her. After breastfeeding for a year, glad it's over, but feel very strongly about the topic!

 

[lindaso]

Hi Briane:

I actually think it's easier to deal with a baby in a sling than a stroller. If the baby falls asleep in the sling, you never have to take him out to wait on line or go into a show. Also, when waiting on line, the baby is already situated and comfortable in the sling.

Last year we went when DS was just 6 months. DH never got the hang of my sling but he did like using the snugli. He volunteered to carry him to save my back and let me concentrate on the 2 year old. It worked wonderfully for the reasons stated above. It also had the added bonus of letting DH and DS bond while at WDW. DH felt much closer to him after our vacation. DS would come out of the snugli to me during long rides and shows for nursing and cuddling and then go back in for walking. He was a sling baby so he was used to being carried for long periods of time and loved the view from "up there".

As far as the heat, DH was able to keep him shaded with his body but we made sure to keep him as hydrated as possible with frequent nursings. We also took it slow, found the a/c places, and napped in the room every afternoon.

We have the cutest family picture with Mickey & Minnie at AK with DS as "suspended boy" in his snugli...enjoy!

Linda

 

[disneydude]

We really like our Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (sling) better then the snuggies. Our DD was 4 months the first time we took her. We only used the stroller for our stuff. We are going again for a week this Labor Day and we are bringing our sling again. Our DD is now 13 months, 28 lbs and still breastfeeding. The OTSBH helps distrupt her weight. She does not like to ride in a stroller. Being a hot time of year you might want to use a light weight sling. My DD puts off a lot of heat, without any help from the sun. Also, she can still nurse discreetly in the sling. I did not like the baby center, it was to far from everything and my DH could not come into the room with me. It is nice to have him close while I am nursing to give me water refills. If your child will only nurse in quiet settings then it is a perfect place to go. Now that my daughter is older she grabs my breasts when she wants to nurse. Can not wait to see what happens in the parks with the onlookers when she pulls my top up.

 

[Dolizza]

As far as the sling ...IT"S GREAT we used it all through WDW. We now use it at the grocery store and the mall, our DD loves it! Before we went to WDW we had no idea how great it was. I've nursed in it and she can sleep in it too!

 

[casmanuel]

Referring to the early post that kicked this thread into action: Most women nurse so discreetly that it's not likely a teen would realize what she was doing. They just don't have that mindset. As an experienced mom, when I see a woman with a blanket on her shoulder and peering into the bundle she's holding, I know what's going on. That said, I would be pleased for my teen son to see and understand (not gawk, mind you) what the "equipment" is really for. After all, I want him to be an educated and supportive dad someday.

I was fascinated when a friend of mine from Europe proudly showed me a photo of his family: his wife was sitting on the steps of a huge cathedral, one breast fully exposed and nursing a baby while her toddler sat next to her. It was a lovely picture, and you can't imagine his surprise when I told him you'd not likely see that in the U.S. because we are such prude here!

 

[WDWMommy]

I would be pleased for my teen son to see and understand (not gawk, mind you) what the "equipment" is really for. After all, I want him to be an educated and supportive dad someday.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I wish every parent had that same attitude toward breastfeeding!
*****************************WDWMommy