Official Breast Feeding Support Thread for WDW Parks

[loritemp]

Hey Lori! I was a lot like you with my first 2. With Gabriel I seem to be much more comfy! I still cover, but I don't stress like I used to. Good luck Sweetie!!!

Thanks!!!!

I don't really have any friends with little ones so I am really thrilled about finding support here!! Dh thinks it's funny that I am so shy about it and having him be so open minded about it will help. He thinks it is so strange that I can see another woman BFing and not think a thing about it and they aren't hanging out left and right but I am convinced that when I do it people will stare and I will be giving a free peep show

 

[Reese]

Just got an eail that my ring sling has been shipped!!!

I love mine.

 

[rparmfamily]

I thought you ladies might be interested in what happened to me at Epcot today. I went into the baby care center with dh and 3 of my kids. I wanted to feed our youngest and get our 2 yo's diaper changed. I got in and the attendant showed me where the nursing mother's room was. I said no, it's fine I'd rather sit with my family. She kept insisting that the nursing mothers room was right here. I said, "you mean I HAVE to go in there?" She mumbled something I couldn't understand but made it very clear that's where she wanted me to be. I said no that's ok, I'll just sit in here (the little play room). She was obviously not happy. Why should I have to leave my family to feed the baby? I just wanted to get out of the heat for a few minutes and the baby care center was right there. I called customer relations and let them know. I don't think she should be persuading people to sit in there if they obviously don't want to. Customer relations asked if it was crowded or people were around that would be uncomfortable - umm no and it doesn't matter anyway because the law says I can breastfeed. There was only one lady in the playroom and she didn't care one bit, she chatted away with my husband and with me while I nursed my son.

I just felt the need to vent this to someone because I was quite surprised a CM would do this. I am very discrete and have a nursing cover if needed. We are here at Disney for another week so hopefully I won't run into this again!

I'm glad you called, though shocked that apparently they are concerned about people "uncomfortable" in the Baby Care Center? Good for you for not moving!

 

[december]

That gets my blood pressure up! Who cares if anyone else was uncomfortable-that is their problem!

Dh and I are about to have problems......Katie is almost 16 mos, and not even close to giving up nursing. She adores it! He wants me to wean her at 18 mos. She is my last baby (I'm 37, almost 38, and the other kids are 13 and 10). And I'm not going to wean her until she and I are ready. He actually thinks he gets a vote...........

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Dh and I are about to have problems......Katie is almost 16 mos, and not even close to giving up nursing. She adores it! He wants me to wean her at 18 mos. She is my last baby (I'm 37, almost 38, and the other kids are 13 and 10). And I'm not going to wean her until she and I are ready. He actually thinks he gets a vote...........

A vote?? Now that is funny!

My DH was none too happy when I nursed our last one until he was almost three. But he was my last baby and honestly, I'm really glad I stuck to my guns. Our little guy ended up having an auditory processing disorder. He couldn't speak until he was almost 4 because he wasn't processing language well. The physical closeness that nursing on demand provided let him know that he was loved. His needs were met whether he understood what was going on around him or not. With all the frustration of not being able to understand or communicate, breastfeeding gave him a safe haven. No regrets.

 

[GoinToDisney]

I just got back from nursing around the world, and let me tell you that my ring sling was a lifesaver. I already have the maya, but I bought a mesh water sling for this trip. It had little holes in it and was way more lightweight, which was great in the heat. I pulled the fabric around my dd's body up and then used the tail to cover up on top. I just tucked it under my bra strap and I was good to go. I also was able to wet the tail and it kept us cool but dried nice and quickly. Also I could wash it and use it the same day because it dried to quickly. That thing needed several washings since we were there for 10 days.

The converse tank tops I bought were nice too, but they stretched out by the end of the day. The easiest way to be all covered up was to wear a semi-loose t-shirt and use the sling. I didn't get any funny looks or if I did I didn't notice. One kid asked what that baby was doing and his mom just said the baby is eating, honey.

As for the Epcot experience, that's annoying. Hopefully someone will talk to her.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Did you get the ladies name? I would have given her a little helpful info on the laws regarding breastfeeding if I had been there... some times I get really agitated with stuff like this....

 

[SweetMissy]

My daughter weaned when she was 20 months old....so I'm a little beyond those days (until we have another). Wow, its been 2 years! Anyway...just wanted to offer support for you all, I know it's surely needed!

 

[cerilene]

Um isn't the whole point of those centers for people to care for their kids, BFing included?! So if that made you uncomfortable, why would you go in there?! Glad you called about it though!

So looks like in March I will be a BFing mom at Disney! I did BF my first DS but nearly as long as I hoped (family emergency that required me spending lots of time with a sick family member ended up with me pumping more than anything else). This time around, I want to make it at least a year! But I am not overly comfy with it all. I mean in private, I am fine and I actually really enjoyed it, such a wonderful time to bond. But for the first 2 months or so I would always go up to my son's room to feed him. One night my DH offered to go get my Boppy so I could feed him on the couch and wouldn't have to move. He is the best that man of mine!

So I guess my whole point is I will be hanging out here looking for some courage I guess you could say. I will definitely be one to use wraps or blankets to cover up a bit but I just don't want to spend a year feeling held hostage to a bathroom or tucked away from civilization because my son needs to eat!!

My advice would be, once you and your little one get the hang of nursing, try nursing in front of a mirror to see just how much you're "showing." You'd be surprised at how little it is compared to how exposed you feel. You can also do some trial runs somewhere that's not too crowded. Take an experience or supportive friend with you and have her help guide you with what you may be exposing.

I had some family that was very uncomfortable with me breastfeeding and after many discouraging comments, I had a "screw you people" attitude, I ditched the nursing cover and never looked back! That's my stubborn personality though. Pretty sure DD is going to take after me in that department.

Good luck!

 

[TarzansKat]

Ladies, I have a somewhat off topic but related question.

I had my six week checkup last week, and they asked me what I'd considered for birth control. I know options can be limited while nursing, and one of the things I've considered is the copper IUD. I don't do well with any form of hormonal birth control, I've been on various pills and they really wreak havoc on my physical and emotional health.

Have any of you used the copper IUD and would you give me your experience with it? Thanks.

Btw, I love, love, love the nursing tanks from Target. I purchased a couple of the long length nursing tank, and it really is so comfortable. I'm a little too chesty (ha ha) to go without a bra and just that, but I love them for nighttime and around the house.

 

[loritemp]

My advice would be, once you and your little one get the hang of nursing, try nursing in front of a mirror to see just how much you're "showing." You'd be surprised at how little it is compared to how exposed you feel. You can also do some trial runs somewhere that's not too crowded. Take an experience or supportive friend with you and have her help guide you with what you may be exposing.


Good luck!

This is great advice! Thanks! Like I said, luckily I have a very supportive husband so that will be a big help especially when I am out and need to nurse. I am actually really looking forward to nursing again. being a working mom can be rough emotionally (working mom's guilt) but nursing was just that perfect moment of bonding and I can't wait for it again!

I have to check out the Target nursing tanks. I need long length tanks (I am tall) and never found any last time around. Thanks for the tip!

 

[TarzansKat]

I bought them online. You can usually find a $5 of $50 code, and $50 gets free shipping. I just order enough in different sizes (I wasn't sure what size I would be) and return what doesn't fit to my nearest Target.

 

[aksunshine]

Lori, I was shocked to find them IN THE STORE! But they are in the lingerie area, not maternity! They have a really cute Navy one with Ivory lace right now!

Look!!!

My Ring Sling from Sleeping Angels came! I can't wait to try it out! Tomorrows walk!!!

 

[loritemp]

Thanks ladies!! I will try to find them in store and if not I will order them!

Alicia how pretty!! Love the details on it. Ok, might need to order one

 

[Dopeygirl]

Beautiful ring sling, aksunshine!! I love the detailing on the shoulder!! I just told DH yesterday that I think I should order a new one just for our trip. He thinks the three ring slings, two mei tais and the Ergo I already have are enough.

I started to look back for this question but 30+ pages is a lot...My DS2 rarely nurses (or naps!) outside of home. Even taking him to the car is hit-or-miss. I have no idea if he'll be doing solids by December or not or if he'll be doing them enough to get us through most of the day. *Sometimes* dark & very quiet places work...so I'm looking for some very out-of-the-way spots where I could try to nurse him. DS2 is amazingly content to go hours w/o nursing but not all day!

 

[aksunshine]

Thanks Tricia! Wow! I can't imagine nursing 2 at a time! (I would have a hard time w twins!! :lol What about The theatre in American Adv at Epcot? It's usually not packed! Long, dark, and cool!


Gabriel woke up!

 

[aksunshine]

Aso, I tried to nurse him in it. I hope if we practice, it will work. He didn't like it and fussed. Granted, he is tired, he hasn't napped well all day.

Here is another pic,my 8 yo DD took them, BTW!

 

[Dopeygirl]

Thanks Tricia! Wow! I can't imagine nursing 2 at a time! (I would have a hard time w twins!! :lol What about The theatre in American Adv at Epcot? It's usually not packed! Long, dark, and cool!

Oh, edited that...I'm only nursing DS2 now. DS1 weaned during my pregnancy. Nursing two would probably be more than I could handle with all that touching!!

I thought about the shows like American Adv & Hall of Presidents...but the noise is usually a distraction. My best chances of getting him to nurse outside of the house is someplace with no other people, no other noise and no lights. :bangheadonwall My other two were never like this. DD would nurse and nap anywhere (and everywhere! LOL). DS1 would but somewhat reluctantly. This one...rarely will even when he was just a few days old!

 

[aksunshine]

Hmm, I'm not really sure. This will be my first trip with one still nursing.

 

[Dopeygirl]

Aso, I tried to nurse him in it. I hope if we practice, it will work. He didn't like it and fussed.

Nursing in it can be tough. With DS1, I'd put his head on the opposite side from the rings, loosen the bottom rail quite a bit (just enough to go under his bottom for support but not tight enough that he could be in it w/o my hand there if we were walking) and keep him a bit more upright than he liked if we were out of the sling. He did much better nursing in the mei tai than the ring sling because, I think, the fabric didn't push against his head & neck as much as in the RS. But I love nursing in the RS since the tail can provide some extra coverage.