Nursing at WDW Restaurants

[scanne]

I will be in WDW next month with my family and I am nursing my daughter who will be 3 months old when we'w there. I am planning on nursing her wherever we happen to be, whether it's at the parks, the pool, or while we're eating. we have several priority seatings planned. They are: Boma, 1900 Park Fare, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern and Rainforest Cafe. We may be going to Le Cellier, as well. I just wanted your thoughts on nursing while in a dining establishment. I nursed Erika in Applebees last week and no one was the wiser. Anyway, thanks for your inpu!t

 

[DisneyPhD]

1st, congradulations!!!!!!!! I hope mom and baby are doing great (and sleeping through the night soon.)

I have nursed my now 3 year old DD all over the world (WDW) and all over many other places as well. A baby has to eat when a baby has to eat. I do seek out quiet places when I can (like a dressing room chair). I just had to do that yesterday shopping (since I now have a 7 week old!)

I have found that in a booth no one is the wiser and often at tables too. Don't worry about it, but do check out the baby stations at each park. It is unrelaisic to go there each time the baby needs to eat, but they are really nice quiet places to rest, and do make a great air condistion place to feed baby and relax some. They also sell baby needs (at a higher price) and have free samples of baby cearal (won't need at 3 months.) There are also many nice places around the park (TTA, many of the shows and longer rides, epecailly dark ones, just make sure they aren't too loud to scare the baby)

Great that you are nursing, keep it up. It can be difficult the 1st few weeks, but after that is is much easier then bottle and is great for traveling. You have all you need with you all the time, nice and clean and no need to heat up! Our next trip the baby will be 7 months old.

 

[GEM]

I nursed my little guy all over WDW when we were there in May - including many restaurants and nobody ever noticed at all. He was 12 months old at the time, but still nursing frequently.

I've gotten good at it and I can do it so nobody even knows what I'm doing. And, no, I don't cover up with a blanket - but I promise you can't see ANYTHING at all but the back of Paul's head.

If there are booths available, I usually ask for a booth, just because that makes it easier, but I've done it at tables, too. By law, you have the right to breastfeed anywhere you are legally allowed to be. Just go for it. Baby's got to eat, too!

I found WDW to be very breastfeeding friendly, and I actually noticed quite a few other nursing moms. (I only noticed because I was looking for them.)

Great for you!! Have a wonderful trip. I'm going back with my little guy in December and he will be 20 months old. Unless something changes (which I doubt) I will be nursing him around the world again, although probably not in restaurants this time since he is nursing a little less frequently now.

 

[GEM]

Oh my gosh! DH just reminded me of this story. I'd forgotten about it.


On our trip in May we had made a late breakfast ps at the Crystal Palace. We got up early, did the Extra Magic Hour, and had tons of fun. Poor Paul was already worn out by the time we hit breakfast. During the middle of our meal he got so fussy and cranky and I knew he was tired and wanted to nurse. So, I nursed him there at our table. Nobody paid any attention, of course, they were all too busy having fun! Anway, as I was nursing, Tigger came up and rubbed the baby's head and patted me on the head on his way by our table. It was pretty funny. I'm sure Tigger didn't even notice that our little guy was having breakfast - and not from the buffet.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by GEM
Oh my gosh! DH just reminded me of this story. I'd forgotten about it.


On our trip in May we had made a late breakfast ps at the Crystal Palace. We got up early, did the Extra Magic Hour, and had tons of fun. Poor Paul was already worn out by the time we hit breakfast. During the middle of our meal he got so fussy and cranky and I knew he was tired and wanted to nurse. So, I nursed him there at our table. Nobody paid any attention, of course, they were all too busy having fun! Anway, as I was nursing, Tigger came up and rubbed the baby's head and patted me on the head on his way by our table. It was pretty funny. I'm sure Tigger didn't even notice that our little guy was having breakfast - and not from the buffet.

I had the same thing happen! It was tigger too (but at lunch instead of breakfest.) Many people will comment what a cute baby, and not even notice, only other mom's really know what is happening since they know the rutine. I have recived a number of comments from other women saying how good it was that I was nursing, but that is it. I have never even noticed a dirty look or comment, but if I ever do I figure it is their problem not me.

On a side note my now 3 year old DD will pretend she is nursing her baby dolls now. I always start with out a burp coth and am asking peole to bring me one. The other day I heard her yelling as she was pretending to nuse her doll, "get my a burb coth, the baby is leaking." I had to explain her the baby didn't leak, my breast did. It was too funny! BTW when she pretneds to nurse her dolly, you can't tell what she is doing either, unless you know.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Just another "good for you" here. My youngest was done nursing by the time we went to WDW for his first trip but he was nursed anytime, anywhere he was hungry. Most nursing Mom's are so skilled at "preparing the meal" and getting baby latched on that the majority of people walking by are unaware of what is happening. I nursed Connor during football games at our alma matter and had people around us (who we know...we've all had the same season tickets for years) offer to hold him for me thinking I was just sitting there holding him as he slept. Most of the time I just politely declined. If DH was with me he'd say "you may be able to hold him, but I doubt you can feed him." :lol: I too noticed lots of nursing Mom's around WDW. It seemed quite nursing friendly.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[swilphil]

I nursed my baby at 1 year old in WDW. I don't think you'll have any problems anywhere. When you're at places like 1900 Park Fare, you might be more comfortable if you go to the lobby so you can sit in a comfortable chair. I always like to have a chair with arms, but this was when the baby was older and nursed for much longer periods of time.


A friend with a newborn always wears ponchos and can nurse anywhere, anytime. I wish those things were in style when I was nursing. Sears, surprisingly enough, has some really cute ones.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Originally posted by DisneyPhD
Many people will comment what a cute baby, and not even notice, only other mom's really know what is happening since they know the rutine. I have recived a number of comments from other women saying how good it was that I was nursing, but that is it. I have never even noticed a dirty look or comment, but if I ever do I figure it is their problem not me.

Other dads know what's happening too.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Congrats on the new baby.

Good for you for nursing your baby!!! It is wonderful seeing more and more new moms nursing their babies. It will be fine nursing your baby ANYWHERE in the park. Especially the restaurants.

A funny story: when ds was 15 months old (and still nursing) we were in the waiting area at Cinderella's castle waiting for our name to be called for lunch. It was crowded and I found one spot open on the long bench for me to sit down. It was next to a dad there with his family. The dad and I started talking casually. Then my ds toddled up to me asking to nurse and I just picked him up and started nursing him right there, while I was talking to this guy. I really did not think anything about it until several weeks later. Thinking about it later, it probably was really shocking for this guy to see me just lift up a toddler and start nursing right there in front of him...lol. But the guy had lots of class cuz he never did act shocked or anything. Or maybe his wife nursed their children and it wasn't anything unusual for him.

Anyway, make sure you check out the nursing stations at AK. They are the best!!!!

Have a great time.

Mary

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by alicenwonder99


A funny story: when ds was 15 months old (and still nursing) we were in the waiting area at Cinderella's castle waiting for our name to be called for lunch. It was crowded and I found one spot open on the long bench for me to sit down. It was next to a dad there with his family. The dad and I started talking casually. Then my ds toddled up to me asking to nurse and I just picked him up and started nursing him right there, while I was talking to this guy. I really did not think anything about it until several weeks later. Thinking about it later, it probably was really shocking for this guy to see me just lift up a toddler and start nursing right there in front of him...lol. But the guy had lots of class cuz he never did act shocked or anything. Or maybe his wife nursed their children and it wasn't anything unusual for him.


Mary

Too funny. We forget it is so normal to us. I also nursed DD as a tolder (until she was over a little over 2 years old.) after about 14 months we never did it out in puplic, mostly because it just wasn't the time. As she got older it was just 1st thing in the morning or last thing at night. The "rule" was you had to have your PJ's on. There was a few times on vacation (like the airplane) and when she was in the hospital and had dislocated her elbow, they had just taken exrays, she was upset and we had no food on us at 6:30 at night. She had a nice meal and was comforted and calmed, too bad we didn't have anyting to eat!

I wasn't sure how I was going to get her to stop since she was showing no signs in lossing interest. I should of known better then worrying, thing happen at their own time. She nursed less and less and I just "ran out of milk". Sometimes she would ask to and I just said I had no more milk, she ws fine with it. The nice part was I never got engorged or anything!

I have no idea how long DD#2 will nurse for, I guess we will have to wait and see.

Mary also

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Congrats and good for you for nursing!

I nursed anywhere my children wanted much to the dismay of my mother and ILs. I was always discreet.

In May we had a mother with 3 children near us at Fantasmic. She was nursing the baby with everything hanging out! I'm a bit more modest than that.

Lori

 

[Bugsmom73]

I nursed DD at various spots around WDW, she was 15mos. I am sure I will nurse DS too, he will only 13mos old. If was a super distactible place, I will go somewhere quiet, as both of the kiddos like to look around

 

[skiptomypooh]

Congratulations on your new little one and your new shared adventure: nursing. We took our two DS's last year at the end of October/early November. DS #2 turned five months while we were there. We nursed everywhere, often in restaraunts. Of course, like the earlier posters, I often asked for a booth and wasn't shy about explaining why. The cast members were very accommodating.

As an aside, we had a funny experience too. We quickly found out the meaning of 'babes in arms' on our trip, since DS spent much of the time either nursing or in his sling. One night was especially cute.

It was Halloween our second night there and we'd gotten tickets to MNSSHP. DS (3.5 then) wanted to be Kermit, so DS #2 had a big bird costume. He's a big boy, so at 5 mos he had to have the full blown toddler costume: tights, fuzzy/feathery body and big head/hat. Needless to say, it wasn't cut out for diaper changes, never mind nursing. The hat put Big Bird's face on top of the baby's. The only problem was that the beak was about 10 inches long, and pretty stiff.

Of course, we only planned to be there for a couple hours, just long enough to see the parade, but just as it started, he had to nurse. Well, there was no getting him into his sling in his costume, so there we were, big bird draped across me, his beak tucked under my arm, nursing happily while the parade and all the noise of the show went by. It didn't phase him a bit. I ended up walking part of the way back with him in my arms finishing up his meal. Like many of the other posters, we got several comments about our cute Kermit and 'sleeping' Big Bird (so in my case it was a 'bird in arms').

I'm sure you will have just as much fun with your little one. Have a great time and enjoy your moments together.

Regards,
Skip

 

[lovethattink]

We have annual passes and a nursing infant. We go to WDW frequently. They have great babycare centers at all the major parks with nursing rooms. It's so nice to be on a rocker in the airconditioning to nurse ds. The one at the MK is right beside the Crystal palace. They also sanitize the changing tables frequently. One CM told me every hour AND after every diaper change! I have also nursed him at Epcot at the France pavilian during the movie. The only restaurant I had to use was Ohana's. Had one bad experience nursing in the restroom at Splash Mountain. Got bit by mosqitoes on my arm. Also nursed him at Mickey's pin trading afternoon and no one noticed, they just thought he was sleeping.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Originally posted by lovethattink
We have annual passes and a nursing infant. We go to WDW frequently.

Had one bad experience nursing in the restroom at Splash Mountain.

I always seem to hang out in the store right by splash montain when DH rides it. There are 2 rocking chairs right in front of the fire place. I have sat there on a number of occasions, and nursed a few times. No one was the wiser. It is a great place to sit and relax on that side of the park. I need to remember to let my 3 year old DD play in the area at the end of the ride, I always forget it.

 

[akrake]

last december I nursed my 7wk old all over the world!!!! and this january I'll nurse her there again. NO one minds if you bottle feed an infant.........why should they mind if you use your ****s for what they were made for doing???


amie

you've got working ****s........be proud!

 

[Jen D]

I just got back from WDW and baby nursed EVERYWHERE. Resutaurants, rides, shows... I feel I was very discreet but I did wonder if I might make an appearance in the "Have you ever had a shock" thread...

 

[Whosemom]

This is how comfortable nursing at WDW is...I nursed my now 6 and 3 yr olds there when they each were babies, and I can't for the life of me come up with where I did it. Which must mean, oh, just where ever we were

 

[Zoesmama03]

I have a friend who nursed her daughter in a sling walking through the mall and nobody would have even guessed.

Maybe look inot a sling.

 

[diz_princess]

I will be right there with you nursing! We leave in about a week to head to WDW and I'll be nursing my 7mo whenever, where ever he needs it. I'll be discreet about it. But you have to think of it this way...usually the people that have problems with mommies nursing in public don't have children of their own. And what is the main group found at WDW? Families...other parents are understanding and don't mind.
The funny thing is we'll be going to MNSSHP. My son is going to be a cow and I'm going to be a cowgirl. How funny is that going to look...a cow getting his milk from the cowgirl instead of the other way around!!