Nurse your baby in WDW restaurants?

[colleen costello]

Scotch, the post about Motherwear clothes made my brain engage... I have been hoarding some Motherwear dresses. They are very wonderful and too great to just give to the Goodwill. If you are interested, PM or Email me. I would be thrilled to mail them to you as a special gift for your trip. They won't work if you are a size 2-- you'd swim in them. I was a solid 14 when my babies were born and even on me the dresses were fairly loose. Let me know! They have secret flaps -- kind of like men's undies -- and I swear no one even realizes you are nursing when you wear these. They would be perfect for WDW resaurants as they are soft cotton and pretty with short sleeves.

Colleen

 

[meandtheguys2]

Colleen, you are an angel. Everyone is blessed when people go the extra mile for each other!

 

[gigi1313]

i'll just echo those that applaud you for doing what is best for your baby! and pooey on those that are unhappy with it!

as far as nursing in a rest room goes... no way! i don't eat my meals in a bathroom, why should a baby be forced to?!

 

[diznygirl]

I just want to defend myself here I've been quoted a few times! I was just answering the OP's questions about whether restaurant patrons would mind - I said I'm not sure if they would and the tables are close together. SHE sounded concerned about it. I have no problem with it.

I loved using the two-layer shirts to nurse - it looked just like I was holding a sleeping baby. Good luck and enjoy your dinners!

 

[Scotch]

Scotch, the post about Motherwear clothes made my brain engage... I have been hoarding some Motherwear dresses. They are very wonderful and too great to just give to the Goodwill. If you are interested, PM or Email me. I would be thrilled to mail them to you as a special gift for your trip. They won't work if you are a size 2-- you'd swim in them. I was a solid 14 when my babies were born and even on me the dresses were fairly loose. Let me know! They have secret flaps -- kind of like men's undies -- and I swear no one even realizes you are nursing when you wear these. They would be perfect for WDW resaurants as they are soft cotton and pretty with short sleeves.

Colleen

Thank you so much for your generous offer. Since I'm about to leave on Saturday -- Yippee! -- I'll have to decline your offer. I have several Motherwear tops and I agree they are wonderful; I plan to bring every one of them on this trip! It's a bit silly that I've spend lots of $$ buying Motherwear nursing tops for the purpose of nursing my baby in public but I've only nursed him in public twice. DH and I just haven't been going out much since DS's birth. They do come in handy at the office for my twice a day pump sessions, though -- easy access. I really really appreciate the support you ladies (and gentleman) are given me. [Off topic:] It's been a difficult and oftentimes painful 8 months on the nursing front -- I started with lots of cracked n****es, blisters, and I continue have severe clogged ducts on a regular basis due to having to pump at irregular hours sometimes during the day -- but I just keep reminding myself how much my little guy loves nursing (and hates the bottle as he drinks very little at daycare so I have a couple of hundred extra stored in the freezer). At times I can't believe how long I've managed to stick it out as I was ready to quit several times early on! All of you with your stories of nursing your babies for long periods really inspire me to keep it going. My *internal* goal is to nurse for at least one year and then we'll see where things go.

 

[minkydog]

[Off topic:] It's been a difficult and oftentimes painful 8 months on the nursing front -- but I just keep reminding myself how much my little guy loves nursing. At times I can't believe how long I've managed to stick it out as I was ready to quit several times early on!

You go, girl! My third baby did not nurse well due to some severe disabilities and failure to thrive. I was told to stop nursing him and put him on a bottle at 4 months. Sorry,no can do...I did, howver, supplement, which everybody said would be the end of nursing. NOT! Thanks to the support of my dear, darling hubby, I nursed that little fellow a whole year, even though he really could hardly nurse at all. Somehow we kept the supply going. His main source of food was from a special bottle and special milk mixed with oatmeal and sweet potatoes for extra vitamins and calories(it looked totally disgusting!)

So hang in there. Every day of successful nursing is sooo worth it. And when it's time to stop, you'll know it.

Cathy--mom the John, Eleni, and Christian, the Amazing Wonder Boy

 

[MrsPete]

I had forgotten about the sling. I used a sling more often than I used a stroller, and they were great for nursing.

Here's another restaurant trick I just remembered: I'm right handed, so I'd always nurse the baby on the right breast while we were waiting for our food. Then -- about the time our food arrived -- I'd switch to the left breast so my right hand would be free and I could feed myself.

Also, don't forget that you need to take good care of yourself while nursing. I remember that several times I noticed a drop in my milk supply -- and it always cooresponded with a stressful, busy time in my life when I was not sleeping enough, not getting enough fluids, etc. And every time, I was able to "rebuild" my milk supply by forcing myself to slow down and watching my diet (especially milk and water intake) carefully. It would be very easy to let yourself become dehydrated or to eat all cheeseburgers at Disney!

I completely agree with the poster who said that it's better to take the slight risk of offending a stranger you'll never see again instead of making your baby wait for one of life's necessities.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I am going to disagree with everyone on this thread. Here it goes . . . I don't think it's appropriate to nurse in public. It may not be uncomfortable for the person nursing, but it could be for others. I think that it is something to be done in private (and only with infants). The nursing stations are there so a mother can nurse her baby . . . in private. Sorry, just my opinion.

PS: I have four beautiful dd's, all bottle fed, all perfectly healthy!

 

[gigi1313]

I am going to disagree with everyone on this thread. Here it goes . . . I don't think it's appropriate to nurse in public. It may not be uncomfortable for the person nursing, but it could be for others. I think that it is something to be done in private (and only with infants). The nursing stations are there so a mother can nurse her baby . . . in private. Sorry, just my opinion.

PS: I have four beautiful dd's, all bottle fed, all perfectly healthy!

i'm sorry, flaming is not my style and i avoid controversy everywhere i go, but your post is so ignorant that it probably does not even warrant a response... if someone is uncomfortable to have a nursing mom in his/her midst, then maybe *they* should leave, or look away... it's certainly not like the breastfeeding mom is planning to go on stage at cindy's castle and nurse there... good grief...

 

[lindaso]

I am going to disagree with everyone on this thread. Here it goes . . . I don't think it's appropriate to nurse in public. It may not be uncomfortable for the person nursing, but it could be for others. I think that it is something to be done in private (and only with infants). The nursing stations are there so a mother can nurse her baby . . . in private. Sorry, just my opinion.

PS: I have four beautiful dd's, all bottle fed, all perfectly healthy!

OK, the next time your formula baby is hungry, make her wait and scream while you walk across the entire park to the baby care center so you can stick your chemically manufactured food in her mouth...in private.

Sheesh, what planet do you live on?

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Just sent you both a pm, don't know why you have to be so defensive and rude!?!?!? These comments were not directed to you or anyone in particular, just stating my opinion on the subject. I wasn't rude to you, don't even know you.

Breastfeeding HARDLY makes you a better person or mother, as you seem to imply. There are way more important things to worry about, I know I have teenagers.

Sorry, but IMO, it's still inappropriate to do in public situations. On the other hand, I would NEVER say anything to a mother nursing in public, I'm not that way. I just look the other way and mind my business.

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!

 

[grlpwrd]

I am going to disagree with everyone on this thread. Here it goes . . . I don't think it's appropriate to nurse in public. It may not be uncomfortable for the person nursing, but it could be for others. I think that it is something to be done in private (and only with infants). The nursing stations are there so a mother can nurse her baby . . . in private. Sorry, just my opinion.

PS: I have four beautiful dd's, all bottle fed, all perfectly healthy!

I don't want to turn this into a formula v. breastfeeding debate, but an attitude like that coming from someone who has bottle fed all of her children doesn't have much weight to people that do believe in breastfeeding and NIP (nursing in public).

Don't project your complexes and issues on us.... and remember NIP is protected by law.

May this be a reminder for everyone who nurses to be the best advocate for breastfeeding by NIP. Sadly, lots of people feel like this poster.

For those breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding please check out www.breastfeeding.com or www.kellymom.com .

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Please read the post above yours, I guess it applies to you also!

 

[grlpwrd]

Please read the post above yours, I guess it applies to you also!

I've been a member of breastfeeding boards for a long time and this debate is neverending and it usually culminates with the antagonist resorting to insults, getting defensive, and/ or saying how rude we are. It gets very old as I must have encountered this millions of times.

Some people think breastfeeding is an act of perversion, some people don't like seeing a baby get nourishment from the natural act of nursing, some people think ****s are only for sexual purposes, and so forth - like I stated whatever the hangups don't project it onto us.

Yes, a breastfeeding mom should try to use discretion because it's a matter of manners, too, but it's our right nonetheless. I don't see why some people are so obsessed with our ****s. lol After all - that's what they are for.

Breastfeeding rules!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

classy

 

[jeancbpugh]

I've been a member of breastfeeding boards for a long time and this debate is neverending and it usually culminates with the antagonist resorting to insults, getting defensive, and/ or saying how rude we are. It gets very old as I must have encountered this millions of times.

Some people think breastfeeding is an act of perversion, some people don't like seeing a baby get nourishment from the natural act of nursing, some people think ****s are only for sexual purposes, and so forth - like I stated whatever the hangups don't project it onto us.

Yes, a breastfeeding mom should try to use discretion because it's a matter of manners, too, but it's our right nonetheless. I don't see why some people are so obsessed with our ****s. lol After all - that's what they are for.

Breastfeeding rules!

Very well said.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ok, I just got home from a restrant and church (pre-schoolers christmas program) were I nursed a baby in both places. No one was the wiser in the church, some people noticed at the restrant. The baby was hungery, I feed her. I must say while I am a nursing expert and great supporter of it, I haven't gotten the desrect thing down pat yet. Especailly with younger babies that need some help finding the nipple or lacthing on. (or claming down to eat.) Covering her up just makes her mad, so I lift my shirt and try to show as little skin as I can, but sometimes the girl likes to show off her lovely food supplies.

So if anyone (man, women or child) gets oftended by that I think it is their problem, not mine. I wear modest bathing suits and cothes, but if my b**b's make puplic apearnces sometimes for the sake of my child, then so be it. It is not like I am showing off my lovey strech marks she left all over my tummy thank you very much. At least my breasts are my best assist lately!

 

[off to neverland]

I nursed my baby everywhere, and I did not fall all over myself to cover up.

Americans in particular have such hang ups over this and it really disappoints me. Look at the SCIENTIFIC proof of the benefits of breastfeeding; they are absolutely solid!

Here we live in a society that pays tremendous amounts on healthcare, and breastfeeding is one way to prevent healthcare problems down the road (high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes,etc) yet we look down on a mother who provides the ultimate food for her child that will beneift the child AND SOCIETY years down the road.

Sorry to say this, but the majority of the people that I have found that have a problem with it are those women who didn't breastfeed their own babies, for whatever reason.

To each his own. Congratulations to the original poster who is breastfeeding. You are a great mom, and hats off to you for doing the very best thing for your baby!!!!!

 

[off to neverland]

Breastfeeding HARDLY makes you a better person or mother, as you seem to imply. There are way more important things to worry about, I know I have teenagers.

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!

I'm sorry jackie, I do believe breastfeeding makes you a better mother. You just can't argue with the studies.

In the 60's in England, they tried to study the benefits of breastfeeding on a very large group of orphans. They had breastfeeding moms drop off bottles of breastmilk and fed 1/2 the group of kids breastmilk and the other half formula.

Well, the study completely backfired on them! The breastfeeding babies almost died so they stopped the study after 4-6 weeks. Turns out that much of the milk the moms had depositid was missing the hindmilk that is the fatty substance babies need to grow. The moms who were pumping weren't making sure the hindmilk was there so the babies weren't getting enough fat to grow.

About 20 years later, researchers hunted down that group that had been breastfed for such a short time. Their i.q. scores were averaging 7 points higher than the rest of the orphans that were strictly formula fed. Just 4-6 weeks of breastmilk had boosted all these peoples' i.q.'s!!!!

I'm not saying that moms who don't breastfeed are bad. Certainly lots of kids have done fine on formula. BUT, moms who breastfeed are doing the very best thing for their child... there is no doubt that breastmilk is the ultimate food for a baby. And it's good for mom too, as it helps fight off all sorts of cancers.

I usually don't jump into arguments, but I have to say something when it comes to this. When I see a breastfeeding mom out and about I always make a point to make eye contact and smile at her. Sometimes I even say "good job." And I urge all other women to do the same. OUr society has such b**b hangups that we all need to fight this stigma and turn it around.

 

[off to neverland]

I'm sorry, I had just one more comment.

I think we do need to acknowledge that Jackie did express her opinion and at least give her respect for verbalizing it, as there are many who feel the same way she does.

I think the only way to overcome views such as hers is to talk about it. Many people truly do not understand the benefits of breastfeeding. When we say breastfeeding is good for the baby, it sounds so ambiguous.... but when you really get down to the facts, it's more convincing.

There are a lot of women out there who choose not to breastfeed because their mothers didn't breastfeed them, and didn't value it. Perhaps their mothers were "grossed out" by it and passed this predjudice onto the child.

Whatever. I'm glad it's being talked about, even by those opposed to it.

Thanks for posting, Jackie.