I found this thread last night googling "breastfeeding in Disney World", and I'm so glad I did! I must have read 30 pages and the support just emanates from this group. I was all teary-eyed!
I just had my 3rd baby last month. My other kids are 11 and 13, so it's been a while since I've done this baby thing.
I lived in NC and was a WDW AP holder for several years, then moved to California and was a Disneyland AP holder for several more years, and then we just moved to Florida over the summer, and now I'm a WDW AP holder again. So I'm a pro at touring the parks, but I have NEVER done it with a nursing baby before. My first 2 babies were formula fed. I am TERRIFIED!
We are taking our first post-baby trip next week and I'm having so much anxiety about it. My baby will be 7 weeks old, and she nurses around the clock. I'm not very coordinated at the nursing in public thing yet. I am one of those breastfeeding newbies who packs a bottle of expressed milk when we go out in public, or I run to the car and "hide". I think a lot of my problem is that my baby can be a very "fussy" nurser sometimes. If she has a gas bubble, she'll start wailing and going absolutely frantic, latching on and off, leaving me totally exposed to the world (and of course, her screaming causes everyone to stare, which makes it worse).
So I'm trying to figure out how to manage this trip next week. Should I attempt to tote around frozen breastmilk in a cooler? We have a portable bottle warmer so I could warm it up as needed, but I have no idea how long I could keep it frozen in the Florida heat. I think I'd just die if it all came defrosted during the day and I had to dump it. The other problem, of course, is I can't miss more than 1 feeding in a row or I'll be in a lot of pain. I definitely don't feel like carrying a pump around with me. I'm hoping that between the dark rides, shows, and restaurants, I can get enough nursing sessions in that she won't end up hungry in an awkward spot where I'd need to use a bottle, but I'd like to have a couple on hand just in case.
My other worry is how I'm supposed to lug this baby around when the stroller is parked. She's a newborn, but she's still heavy (over 10 pounds). She likes being in the mei tai carrier at home, but even in the A/C, we both end up completely drenched in sweat within minutes. I know I would not be able to wear her around Disney without dying. Even when I'm carrying her in my arms, I get so overheated.
I feel like this is going to be a very challenging trip, so I'm open to any advice on how to do Disney with a newborn in the heat. Thankfully, we go so frequently it doesn't really matter how much of the parks we actually end up seeing. Just a couple rides a day is fine.
We are taking our first post-baby trip next week and I'm having so much anxiety about it. My baby will be 7 weeks old, and she nurses around the clock. I'm not very coordinated at the nursing in public thing yet. I am one of those breastfeeding newbies who packs a bottle of expressed milk when we go out in public, or I run to the car and "hide". I think a lot of my problem is that my baby can be a very "fussy" nurser sometimes. If she has a gas bubble, she'll start wailing and going absolutely frantic, latching on and off, leaving me totally exposed to the world (and of course, her screaming causes everyone to stare, which makes it worse).
So I'm trying to figure out how to manage this trip next week. Should I attempt to tote around frozen breastmilk in a cooler? We have a portable bottle warmer so I could warm it up as needed, but I have no idea how long I could keep it frozen in the Florida heat. I think I'd just die if it all came defrosted during the day and I had to dump it. The other problem, of course, is I can't miss more than 1 feeding in a row or I'll be in a lot of pain. I definitely don't feel like carrying a pump around with me. I'm hoping that between the dark rides, shows, and restaurants, I can get enough nursing sessions in that she won't end up hungry in an awkward spot where I'd need to use a bottle, but I'd like to have a couple on hand just in case.
My other worry is how I'm supposed to lug this baby around when the stroller is parked. She's a newborn, but she's still heavy (over 10 pounds). She likes being in the mei tai carrier at home, but even in the A/C, we both end up completely drenched in sweat within minutes. I know I would not be able to wear her around Disney without dying. Even when I'm carrying her in my arms, I get so overheated.
I feel like this is going to be a very challenging trip, so I'm open to any advice on how to do Disney with a newborn in the heat. Thankfully, we go so frequently it doesn't really matter how much of the parks we actually end up seeing. Just a couple rides a day is fine.
I found this thread last night googling "breastfeeding in Disney World", and I'm so glad I did! I must have read 30 pages and the support just emanates from this group. I was all teary-eyed!
I just had my 3rd baby last month. My other kids are 11 and 13, so it's been a while since I've done this baby thing.
I lived in NC and was a WDW AP holder for several years, then moved to California and was a Disneyland AP holder for several more years, and then we just moved to Florida over the summer, and now I'm a WDW AP holder again. So I'm a pro at touring the parks, but I have NEVER done it with a nursing baby before. My first 2 babies were formula fed. I am TERRIFIED!
We are taking our first post-baby trip next week and I'm having so much anxiety about it. My baby will be 7 weeks old, and she nurses around the clock. I'm not very coordinated at the nursing in public thing yet. I am one of those breastfeeding newbies who packs a bottle of expressed milk when we go out in public, or I run to the car and "hide". I think a lot of my problem is that my baby can be a very "fussy" nurser sometimes. If she has a gas bubble, she'll start wailing and going absolutely frantic, latching on and off, leaving me totally exposed to the world (and of course, her screaming causes everyone to stare, which makes it worse).
So I'm trying to figure out how to manage this trip next week. Should I attempt to tote around frozen breastmilk in a cooler? We have a portable bottle warmer so I could warm it up as needed, but I have no idea how long I could keep it frozen in the Florida heat. I think I'd just die if it all came defrosted during the day and I had to dump it. The other problem, of course, is I can't miss more than 1 feeding in a row or I'll be in a lot of pain. I definitely don't feel like carrying a pump around with me. I'm hoping that between the dark rides, shows, and restaurants, I can get enough nursing sessions in that she won't end up hungry in an awkward spot where I'd need to use a bottle, but I'd like to have a couple on hand just in case.
My other worry is how I'm supposed to lug this baby around when the stroller is parked. She's a newborn, but she's still heavy (over 10 pounds). She likes being in the mei tai carrier at home, but even in the A/C, we both end up completely drenched in sweat within minutes. I know I would not be able to wear her around Disney without dying. Even when I'm carrying her in my arms, I get so overheated.
I feel like this is going to be a very challenging trip, so I'm open to any advice on how to do Disney with a newborn in the heat. Thankfully, we go so frequently it doesn't really matter how much of the parks we actually end up seeing. Just a couple rides a day is fine.
My concern with you carrying the milk in a cooler all day (other than how to keep it cold enough). Would be your supply. Are you planning to pump at each feed? Even just 2 days of no pumping/nursing could really kill your supply.
I would suggest trying to find a place to feed and just deal with it as it comes. She might surprise you and be good as gold, it is Disney world right?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
I have had some moms that like to use a thin blanket while nursing and will use a binder clip to clip it to their shirt (on the shoulder). That may help keep you from being too exposed if she likes to pop off and on. I had a little girl like this too, I rarely left home. When I did we didn't cover, it was too much work. One nip slip or two isn't going to kill anyone .
Try not to stress! I'd suggest looking into a light cover. I have an infinity mom scarf and loved it at disney! Lightweight and covered a distracted kid when I was shy about flashing. I ended up nursing everywhere and never felt people were staring at me.
It will really be hot, so I personally wouldn't bother with frozen milk. I brought my pump just in case and never used it. I lugged it around for nothing. Definitely use the air conditioned and quiet baby centers. Also rides like tomorrow land transit authority.
Would a sling be cooler than a mei tie?
I'll be there next week nursing a 19 month old DD. Maybe I'll see you in the baby centers! Hang in there!
Hey there, I really hope you have a wonderful trip. With my elder son I was really nervous of nursing in public because he was hard to latch on and had reflux so was always vomiting everywhere whilst nursing. At 7 weeks by FIL was taken seriously ill and we spent a lot of the next 3 weeks in hospital visiting him. None of dh's family ever nursed and it was tough, but actually being forced to nurse him in public sorted my fears and I suddenly realised that we could do it. Just trying to encourage you, that maybe this is the moment for you to conquer your worries and find a new freedom!
Definitely visit the baby centres as they are lovely and will give you both a chance to cool down. Get a battery fan that you can attach to your stroller and this will help, and whatever you do, don't hang anything over the stroller to block the sun as I've recently read a report that this dramatically increases the temperature inside the pram. 2piece clothing items (ie top and shorts) are much cooler than romper suits etc.
We went when my younger son was 10 months and nursing was brilliant as it meant I could calm him, and provide sustenance whenever he needed it without having to faff around with a bottle or wait for food to be served. I imagine that if are willing to wait / ask at booking a meal, you could request a table in a restaurant that is maybe a bit more private so that you could feel more comfortable nursing. They are usually pretty accommodating if you are willing to wait and are polite about it.
We went in August and the heat was so intense. Ride lines however and shops have lovely air con and we spent quite a lot of time in them.
Can family help you to carry little one? I agree with others that maybe a sling, or even a more fixed shape carrier might be a bit cooler... She won't be in it too much, so maybe worth a try?
Hope it all works out and you have a wonderful time. We are off next month and I'm still nursing my younger son who is 2 next week... I feel more conspicuous now that he is older than I did when he was little... Ah well
Xx
This thread makes my heart so happy!!! Last trip I went, I bf at Disney My daughter was 11 months old at the time. I had gotten really good at NIP by that point. I found these great light weight tank tops with a built in shelf type bra and very light pads (just thick enough so if I was cold, or what have you, it wouldn't be noticeable. I am fairly small on top so these worked perfect for me. I wore them under everything in place of an actual bra. I would life up my top shirt and bring down the tank/pop my breast out. It was quick and very discreet and no tummy or top of my breast showed, so I felt super confident and comfortable NIP anywhere. I was a bit nervous doing it in Disney only because of many people are around but no one even noticed.
Rock on mammas!
vettegirl said:I will be EP while there, guess I will lug my Medela around the world
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