Want to share a funny story about breastfeeding in public

[jettj]

We were on vacation in Disney World with our 11 week old son in tow. The Magic Kingdom was the park of choice for that day. I had an item on my agenda for this trip other than riding “It’s a Small World”, that is to breastfeed in public for the first time. As I am a very modest person, this would be a huge milestone. Disney World is very liberating, though, as there are many mothers of different cultures openly breastfeeding there. So I felt I could accomplish this first attempt without much attention from passersby. Although I enjoyed utilizing the Baby Care Stations at the parks when my son needed his diaper changed or became hungry, this particular time my little boy decided it was lunchtime even though we were in the back of the park far from the Baby Care Station. So this is where I make my own history. My husband decided to take our 5 year old daughter to the character meet-n-greet while I sat nearby at an umbrella table, with my back to the “street” in Fantasy Land. I only had a huge landscape rock facing me. I felt pretty secure in my surroundings. All was going well when I felt a few raindrops. No big deal - I was under an umbrella. A shower just might cool things down a bit, anyway. However, within minutes it was a torrential downpour. My husband and daughter were trapped. I was helpless under the umbrella which was providing little shelter as the rain was sheeting sideways. I stretched my tank top over my baby’s head and body in an attempt to keep him dry. Of course, he was still happily enjoying his lunch and dozing, oblivious to what was going on around him. People were running everywhere in feeble attempts to get out of the rain. When my husband came to my rescue, he suggested that I (with baby still nestled under my shirt) “make a run for it” across the street to the “Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” attraction waiting area. For the first time since occupying this table, I turned around to assess my escape route, but much to my surprise and embarrassment, there were approximately 200 people who had sought shelter in the waiting area - and they were facing me. So much for being discreet! I was completely on display for these other park goers. Surely, everyone of these people could tell what I was doing. All I could do now was follow my husband’s advice and run. When I arrived at my destination, however, everyone broke out in applause. A few even came over to see the baby and told me how they had been watching me and feeling sorry for me while I was trapped in the rain. So for those of you like myself who are apprehensive to serve up a meal in a public place, this is another example that perhaps our concerns are unfounded. By the way, I was soaked to the bone, but my son came out from under my shirt well fed, rested, and fairly dry!

 

[Cameo]

You go girl!

 

[casmanuel]

Sounds like a huge success to me! Thanks for making that your #1 post! I hope you share more of your stories and experiences here!

 

[goofypat42]

That was a great story. I felt the same way for the first time. I wasn't even
comfortable in front of my in-law in my house. If I saw you, I would have been proud of you and also clapped. This story bring back old feeling and I was laughing with tears in my eyes.
You made my day.

 

[Dolizza]

That is a great story. I'm glad to hear from other breastfeeding Moms here. With #3 I didn't get out of the house much, so to break myself in for going to Disney I went to the Mall and breastfed there because I knew I wouldn't always want to go to the babycenters. Belive it or not, Disney is more private!!

 

[Kermit]

That was a really nice story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jother]

That is truly a wonderful story Here's mine: Today while nursing DS I remembered mine ....well we were on vacation at WDW in June and had reservation to eat inside the castle..while waiting in the lobby for our name to be called, it became clear thatwe'd be waiting awhile b/c it was packed, which really was fine b/c I needed to nurse DS anyway...My Dh and I sat down on what appeared to be the only vacant bench in the room so I could nurse...a short time later I could feel the presence of lots of "eyes" upon me...I stopped talking to Dh and looked around...I did have many eyes upon me, including snow white's...I was sitting in snow white's throne...and she wanted it back! A lady near by jumped up from her chair and sweetly offered her seat I moved myself and ds(while attached) as fast as I could, for we were basically the main show a moment until Snow White sat in her throne and the crowd lined up around her, leaving us to nurse in peace...lol...I guess you had to be there for the full effect, but I'll always remember this and laugh hopefully for many, many years to come

 

[beary]

Great story! I was so pleasantly suprised to see it on this board, for a minute, I thought I was on breastfeeding.com.
I'm so glad to hear you got such a good reaction to Nursing in public at disney.

 

[jettj]

Jother, I didn't know whether to blush or laugh at your story. I did a little of both. And to Beary, I submitted the story to breastfeeding.com as well. My husband was the one who suggested I post it here. We are leaving again for the World September 6th. I am sure I will be again staking out "secluded" areas.

 

[MaryJ]

I'm so glad to see that things have changed regarding breastfeeding since my DD was a baby in 1986. We were visiting WDW then with our 6 year old twin DD's and were waiting in the preshow area for one of the attractions (can't remember what it was). Anyway the room was dark, and my DD was getting hungry, so I went to a corner, turned my back to the crowd, and began to nurse her. A CM noticed what I was doing and told me that I should go to the Baby Care building near the front of the park if I wanted to do "that." Like jettj, I wasn't going to leave my family and go to the other side of the park just to feed my daughter. I did politely "unplug" her at the time, but when we got into the main attraction, I reattached her and she fell asleep before it was over. Nice to know that when I'm a grandmother, if I want to take my DD's and THEIR children to WDW, breastfeeding will not be an issue for them!

 

[Gillian]

Thanks for sharing! DS is no longer nursing, so our sept trip won't be a problem, but I hope there will be more more kids & more WDW visits for us, nursing or not!!

As for rain, nursing under a poncho would be very discreet! Maybe I can try that with baby #2

 

[goofypat42]

That was so rude that a CM told you to quit feeding you baby. You must have a good natured DD. Mine would has started crying if I unplugged her in the middle of a meal. My baby wouldn't have anything to do with a bottle, so I had to breastfeed in public or either stay locked up in the house.

Jother, another great story. Two days in a row with great stories. I just love this board.

 

[LMHB]

These stories are so great! It is so pleasant to read them! I have never had to nurse in WDW, not yet, but have done so at Bush Gardnes Williamsburg. It doesn't surprise me much that people were so accomodating and supportive, it is part of that happy atmosphere! Someone mentioned it being difficult to nurse in front of your in-laws, I know that I found it easier to nurse in public (although still a LITTLE awkward) than to nurse in front of my Dad. Good for y'all!!!!!

 

[BrerMom]

I think I've nursed DS on every dark ride and show in WDW!

 

[sha_lyn]

What is it with getting stuck in the rian while nursing? My only funny nursing story (DD did not like to eat in public) is...We were at White Water (a water Park in the Atlanta area) for DH's company picnic. DD was about a month old and it was an almost all day thing. I had trouble getting my supply in (long story, bad nipples) so pumping was out and I didn't want to suplement. Anyway I find a very deserted area of loung chairs get her latched on well and covered with a beach towel. Then it began to rain. I was wet anyway and she was eatign well and the towel was protecting her so I just sat there as peopel ran by getting to shelter. I never could understand leaving a pool to get out of the rain.