My wife is nursing and...

[PinClubs]

we would like to know what do you do with the breast milk since the staterooms have "coolers" and no refrigerators?

Thank you,

Jeff

 

[JennsBabySky]

I'll be in the same "boat" on my next cruise. Since I'll be bringing our baby on the cruise. I'm not planning on doing much pumping -- I'll be giving him milk "straight from the tap." Since our son will be 8 months, I'll bring a little juice for the night we hope to have in Flounders. However, if I do pump any milk, I will be packing it in ice and then putting it is the room cooler. I'd have the steward bring in ice every morning and evening and put the ice into the cooler. Maybe bring a smaller softsided cooler to put the ice into, then pack the breast milk (I'd store it in breast milk safe bags) then pack these bags into the ice. If you change the ice before it completely melts, the breast milk should be cool enough.

If she is exclusively pumping and either sending back the milk after the trip or needing to store lots of milk during the trip, I'd ask the steward if you can store the milk in the ship's refrigerator. When I travel without baby, I store the milk in freezer safe bags (I use Bailey bags), label with date and volume, and store smaller milk bags in larger freezer safe ziplocks (labeled with name, date, and room #). To make it easier, I'd have the steward bring it to the freezer every morning & evening or just every evening.

Let me know if you need me to post the storage guidelines at refrigerator/freezer temps or if you have any more questions.

Good luck,
Jennifer

 

[1stNoel]

Mini refrigerators are available for medical needs, medication storage, but this may qualify. The downside is you lose some counter space, as they don't remove the cooler. I would call DCL and ask. Good luck.

Noel

 

[GenieDana]

The beverage coolers chill to about 50 degrees F. You should be able to store for short periods without fear of spoilage.

 

[CGC33A]

On my first DCL cruise, DD was still breastfeeding at 13 months(it sure helped with he overeating I did!). I didn't pump, but had supplemental formula to keep cold. I had the room steward bring me small bags (double bagged) of ice to put in the cooler with the bottles. That kept them cold. I never asked if they could put it in their frig. I also had cooler inserts that I freeze for the bottle bags, but didn't know how to get them frozen for the trip home. On another thread, someone said they asked Guest Services to freeze the inserts for them. I will do that next time (to keep the snack bag cool on the way home after the cruise)

 

[tcmata]

We're in the same situation. Our son will be almost 5 months when we cruise in October. DH called DCL this week and asked if we could request a refrigerator for breast milk (actually a funny conversation to listen to!) and they said it wouldn't be a problem. They added it to our reservation. Hope that helps!

 

[minniemouse1]

I will also be nursing on our upcoming cruise. If you are storing the milk to take back home freezing in breast milk bags is a good idea but they will most likely thaw on the way home and will need to be consumed I believe within 24 hours. If the infant is with you and you are pumping to send them to flounders the fridge/cooler in our room kept our drinks and milk for our toddlers as cold as our fridge at home. It could be the case that some of the fridge/coolers work better than others. The fridges already in the room should work well for short term storage of breastmilk. Some of the guidlines I recieved when I had my second child about 2 years ago from Medela was that breast milk could be kept at room temperature for a few hours without any growth of bacteria etc. if it was pumped or stored into a clean or sterile container. You could probably check this info at Medelas website or at Leche.com.

 

[scrapperjill]

I think requesting a mini fridge for in the room would be your best/safest bet...that is if you are needing to save/store the breast milk for a long period...and even if your not needing to store for a long time...the mini would be nice. I don't think having disney store it in their fridges...would happen...due to health concerns...after all it is body fluids. Even in hospitals they won't allow breast milk to be stored in regular fridges....very strict on this.

 

[absame]

my nephew is a diabetic and had a mini fridge for his meds. We requested in advance -- I think they did remove the cooler.

 

[bpicard9]

Just wanted to share.

I'm still nursing my DS. (he'll be 9 mo when we cruise)

Called DCL to request a mini-fridge and they've put a note on my reservation. But I'm supposed to get a Medical Alert form, signed by my doctor, back to DCL letting them know that I'm breastfeeding and need the fridge for milk storage.

hope the info helps.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

If the milk i sjust for the next feeding or feedngs soon after pumping, putting a bag of the milk on ice will be fine -- this is what I've always done when traveling on business. Otherwise, ask your pediatrician for a note sayuing you need a fridge to store breast milk. Disney is always very accomodating for nursing mothers.

 

[MrsPete]

I don't understand the problem completely.

Do you need to refrigerate breast milk because the baby isn't coming on the trip, and she just wants to maintain her supply of milk? If so, how long will you be away from the baby, and how well established is the nursing routine?

Or does she want to pump milk to use in a bottle in the dining room, etc. while onboard?

 

[justcruisin]

Just a note of support to all you breastfeeding moms! WAY TO GO!