Originally posted by HB Tigger Fan
I have followed this thread closely, listening to all sides of the issue, generally staying out of it since I don't have kids yet, however I have one major question for fairytalelover.

You've mentioned a few (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=270111#post270111) times (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=269675#post269675) that you have 2 kids. How did you feed them while out in public, and did you go to the restroom every time they had to have their diapers changed? I am really curious since you are so adamantly against breastfeeding and changing diapers in public. Please share your methods, so I can learn about another parenting method :)

Thanks!

Well I would like to explain that these were not my own kids I had to take care of two small children for a friend for a long period of time and they were bottle fed with formula and I always took them to the bathroom and changed diapers in there. It was not that difficult to do.

That was great of you to do that, fairytalelover......the 100% changing of the diapers in the bathroom. :) I'm sure it was not difficult to do.

I intended to do that, but then had kids of differing ages and life doesn't always work like I intended, so I have discretely changed diapers in the stroller before. Most definitely. And I am respectful to those around me when I do it, and I only do it, when a bathroom is not close by, the other two have just gone to the bathroom, or they are busy and not wanting to head to a dirty, enclosed place again.

Originally posted by stinkerbell
That was great of you to do that, fairytalelover......the 100% changing of the diapers in the bathroom. :) I'm sure it was not difficult to do.

I intended to do that, but then had kids of differing ages and life doesn't always work like I intended, so I have discretely changed diapers in the stroller before. Most definitely. And I am respectful to those around me when I do it, and I only do it, when a bathroom is not close by, the other two have just gone to the bathroom, or they are busy and not wanting to head to a dirty, enclosed place again.

That makes sense and I understand how it could get difficult with kids with different ages. But discreetly changing diapers in the stroller is a great idea too. It's good to try be as respectful to others when you can and sometimes you can't so you do your best. As long as a parent tries their best. That's what counts.:)

Originally posted by fairytalelover
That makes sense and I understand how it could get difficult with kids with different ages. But discreetly changing diapers in the stroller is a great idea too. It's good to try be as respectful to others when you can and sometimes you can't so you do your best. As long as a parent tries their best. That's what counts.:)

umm...i'm confused. is discreetly changing diapers in the stroller a great idea, or is disgusting, lazy and selfish? you seem to have differing opinions from post to post.

~<:) tracilicious

I am for more breastfeeding and diaper changes in plain public view. So little girls (& boys) who want to do grown up things in bed will see this and realize that there are consequences to having sex.

Thank you, GC, this is why we do it:

We're lazy.
We're selfish.
We're disgusting.

But most of all, we're educational to the wee folk. A bit of in-yer-face abstinence supporters.

Originally posted by tracilicious
umm...i'm confused. is discreetly changing diapers in the stroller a great idea, or is disgusting, lazy and selfish? you seem to have differing opinions from post to post.

~<:) tracilicious
No, I am not differing my opinions from post to post. I am saying that it is most preferable to change diapers in private and be respectful of others. However, certain situations arise from time to time when it may be impossible or extrememly difficult as in the circustances with stinkerbell. In her case, "DISCREETLY" changing diapers in the stroller was her only choice at that point with multiple kids at different ages. I feel she did the best she could and that is what counts to me. I understand that being a parent is not easy and part of the difficulty is trying to be respectful of others while trying to take care of your kids. As long as you care enough and respect others enough to put forth some effort to manifest that, than you are doing well.

whatever. i don't really need to make an argument because the above posts do it for me. it's a shame that this is the direction that this thread went because it could have contained some really helpful info to moms. oh well. if it ever gets back on topic i will come back to it. until then, i am SO done.

Originally posted by tracilicious
whatever. i don't really need to make an argument because the above posts do it for me. it's a shame that this is the direction that this thread went because it could have contained some really helpful info to moms. oh well. if it ever gets back on topic i will come back to it. until then, i am SO done.

Whatever. It's a shame that you can't see that this is helpful info for moms. :rolleyes:

tracilicious,

You provided a lot of extremely helpful information. I hope that any moms who are lurking out there realize that they can and should breastfeed whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if thats what they want to do, and I hope that they realize that just because a few people think it's wrong doesn't mean they shouldn't do it. If someone doesn't like it they shouldn't look since it's not an in your face activity anyways.

I know that this thread has helped me decide once and for all to breastfeed in the park whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if I am at that stage with my baby (when I have kids) and has also given me a lot of insight to why parents change diapers in stollers when necessary. Well this thread and the observation that the changing tables in the bathrooms are in horrible locations and always crowded.

Please don't stop because of one poster who is insistant that you are wrong, please help bring it back on topic! :)

Originally posted by HB Tigger Fan
tracilicious,

You provided a lot of extremely helpful information. I hope that any moms who are lurking out there realize that they should breastfeed whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if thats what they want to do, and I hope that they realize that just because a few people think it's wrong doesn't mean they shouldn't do it. If someone doesn't like it they shouldn't look since it's not an in your face activity anyways.

I know that this thread has helped me decide once and for all to breastfeed in the park whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if I am at that stage with my baby (when I have kids) and has also given me a lot of insight to why parents change diapers in stollers when necessary. Well this thread and the observation that the changing tables in the bathrooms are in horrible locations and always crowded.

Please don't stop because of one poster who is insistant that you are wrong, please help bring it back on topic! :)

The thread is called, " A word about breastfeeding in the park".......so I gave my word. I have a right to it and I don't have to agree with breastfeeding in public just because others do. I am not the type to follow the herd without questioning issues myself. BTW, there are lots of people who are against breastfeeding in public and find it rude. If you recall some years back it was quite an issue here in L.A. So don't act like your opinion is unquestionably the right thing to do. This is an issue which is split in the public eye. My opinion is not necessarily the right answer either. So, I think everbody should back off of their high horse, including me and admit that there is not an absolute right thing in this issue. There are two sides to the story and that is it. People that believe in breastfeeding in public will keep doing it and those who dislike it wil continue to and that is it.

And the beautiful thing about a message board like this is that we can all respectfully debate these issues, and lend support where we see fit.

Meshing personalities, writing/posting styles, life experiences, as well as opinions is tough, but that's what we have to deal with in an online community. Some people are thin-skinned, some are not, some have STRONG opinions, others have more mild opinions, and that's okay. Doesn't have to be a right or wrong.

Originally posted by HB Tigger Fan
You provided a lot of extremely helpful information. I hope that any moms who are lurking out there realize that they can and should breastfeed whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if thats what they want to do, and I hope that they realize that just because a few people think it's wrong doesn't mean they shouldn't do it. If someone doesn't like it they shouldn't look since it's not an in your face activity anyways.

HBTF,

You probably know me well enough to know that my article (http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/ak010921.htm) that includes information about nursing in the parks is one of my favorites.

One thing I'd like to remind you of, for future reference, and any mother who nurses or plans to nurse is that it really doesn't matter in the state of California what anyone's negative opinions of breastfeeding might be. We are legally allowed to breastfeed our children in any location where we are otherwise legally allowed to be. The only exception, in California, is if you're in a private residence, which Disneyland is not. I've included the text of both the California and Florida state laws that cover breastfeeding in the article linked above.

So whip them out, girls, any place where you feel comfortable nursing him or her because anyone else's opinion on this issue just doesn't matter.

Adrienne

Originally posted by HB Tigger Fan
tracilicious,

You provided a lot of extremely helpful information. I hope that any moms who are lurking out there realize that they can and should breastfeed whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if thats what they want to do, and I hope that they realize that just because a few people think it's wrong doesn't mean they shouldn't do it. If someone doesn't like it they shouldn't look since it's not an in your face activity anyways.

I know that this thread has helped me decide once and for all to breastfeed in the park whereever and whenever the baby gets hungry if I am at that stage with my baby (when I have kids) and has also given me a lot of insight to why parents change diapers in stollers when necessary. Well this thread and the observation that the changing tables in the bathrooms are in horrible locations and always crowded.

Please don't stop because of one poster who is insistant that you are wrong, please help bring it back on topic! :)

thanks so much. i'm glad this thread has helped you too. i have also decided to feed my baby whenever and wherever i need to.
you're right about the changing tables. i always worry about germs on them. except the baby care center, theirs are always sparkling :) . it's a shame that mothers in america face any opposition. it's almost the only country that even thinks twice about breastfeeding in public. i'm sure that over time people that the small portion of the public that thinks it's a big deal will die out.

i share your hope that mothers won't worry about what people without kids and non-breastfeeding mothers think. i know my sister only breastfed for six weeks because she was afraid to nurse in front of people and didn't like leaving the room. after seeing me stick with it though, she is going to try again with her next child.

when i do feed my baby in public i am going to think about all the moms i might be helping instead of what a few backwards people might think. LOL, i tell my husband i am changing the world one breast at at time.

tracilicious

p.s.- stink, you are absolutely right. thanks for putting it so well.

adrienne,

I'm reading that last post, nodding my head and then that last paragraph hit and I almost fell out of my chair. :D

You've inspired my latest location. Thank you!

And that article is gold. I think I remember reading it just before we went to DL when Chloe was just 10 months old......now she's almost 3! :crying: Where has the time gone?

Originally posted by adriennek
HBTF,

You probably know me well enough to know that my article (http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/ak010921.htm) that includes information about nursing in the parks is one of my favorites.

One thing I'd like to remind you of, for future reference, and any mother who nurses or plans to nurse is that it really doesn't matter in the state of California what anyone's negative opinions of breastfeeding might be. We are legally allowed to breastfeed our children in any location where we are otherwise legally allowed to be. The only exception, in California, is if you're in a private residence, which Disneyland is not. I've included the text of both the California and Florida state laws that cover breastfeeding in the article linked above.

So whip them out, girls, any place where you feel comfortable nursing him or her because anyone else's opinion on this issue just doesn't matter.

Adrienne

First of all, other people's opinions do matter. Whether something is legal or not, other people's opinions are still important. Abortion is legal but there are a lot of folks who are against that and vocal about it. Drinking used to be illegal and now it's not. Pot may soon become legal. Slavery was legal. Riding a bike without helmets is illegal. Gay marriage is illegal. Point being that everybody has strong opinions one way or another about issues, legal or not and they all matter. Also, just because something is legal or illegal doesn't make it right.

Originally posted by tracilicious
it's a shame that mothers in america face any opposition. it's almost the only country that even thinks twice about breastfeeding in public. i'm sure that over time people that the small portion of the public that thinks it's a big deal will die out.

i share your hope that mothers won't worry about what people without kids and non-breastfeeding mothers think. i know my sister only breastfed for six weeks because she was afraid to nurse in front of people and didn't like leaving the room. after seeing me stick with it though, she is going to try again with her next child.

Good for her! My mom had no support when she breastfed me 32, almost 33 years ago. Various people told her the same thing Claire got told: To go to the back room alone. It boils my blood that people don't support mothers, period.

She always tells me how proud she is of me for sticking it through. Of course, today those same people who put her in the back room say/said to me: "Would you feel more comfortable in the back room?" and my response was always: "No, thanks, I'm fine here!" I'm not trying to change anyone, I'm just taking care of my babies. It's the most important thing in the world to me.

Originally posted by stinkerbell
And that article is gold. I think I remember reading it just before we went to DL when Chloe was just 10 months old......now she's almost 3!


First of all, really? Second, thanks! Believe it or not, I don't get a lot of feedback on my articles. Reading this made my day!

Adrienne

I think the point here fairytalelover, is that women should not have to feel ashamed to breastfeed in public and the point of this thread was to provide ideas, strategies, experiences to lend support of a mother nursing her child at Disneyland.

Breastfeeding mothers have drastically different experiences based on their comfort with their body, their comfort with breastfeeding, their child's age and temperament, their environment, their other children, the group they are in, and their experiences as a whole.

So while it may make you uncomfortable to see mothers nursing in public, that's your thing. That's something for you to get past. You're not alone. I know that from my own experiences breastfeeding in public. But when it comes down to it, breastfeeding is a personal choice and a personal experience between a mother and her child.

Just because it is a personal experience that sometimes has to happen in public, doesn't make it any less personal.

Originally posted by adriennek

First of all, really? Second, thanks! Believe it or not, I don't get a lot of feedback on my articles. Reading this made my day!

Adrienne

really? i love your articles! i just wish there were more of them!

~<:) tracilicious

Originally posted by tracilicious
really? i love your articles! i just wish there were more of them!

~<:) tracilicious What she said! :)

Originally posted by fairytalelover
First of all, other people's opinions do matter.


Yes, other people's opinions matter to the person who has the opinion. I think what Adrienne was saying was that other people's opinions should not matter to the breastfeeding mothers, that what they are doing is condoned by law and it ir perfectly alright to do it....so carry on.

AK,
I read all your articles, getting ready for that one day (no, not an announcement) in the far far future that I can take my kids to DL. I'm a big planner ;)

I'm glad theres people like you out there to write informative articles about such important issues.

tracilicious,

Those changing tables worry me. I see that they have paper cloths to go on top of the table, but they are still worrisome to me. I have seen some really awesome diaper bags that have a fold out pad to change on, I so want one.

Stinkerbell and tracilicious said almost everything else I wanted to say much better than I ever would get it out.

i have the coolest diaper bag on earth. it is dark blue and not babyish at all. it has a changing pad and all the pockets you'll ever need. it's made by fisher price. i found it at toys r us after shopping around forever looking for the perfect bag. it also has a pacifier holder on the strap.

~<:) traci

When I was expecting Spencer, a wonderful friend of mine who knows everything there is to know about totes, fanny packs, backpacks, and bags of all sorts, gave me and earlier version of this bag (http://www.eaglecreek.com/60075.html).

It is beyond awesome. It is big enough and has great pockets for two kids' stuff. At first I had two in diapers. It held two different sizes and all sorts of clothes and accessories.

Mine is still in good shape for if/when we have a third, but man, looking at this new one, maybe I have to wear my old one out so I can get a new one! ;)

It has a changing pad that fits in one of the pockets. I had a more traditional diaper bag with Matthew but I didn't like it nearly as much as I love my Eagle Creek. OK, gush fest over... for now. ;) (but did you see the red one in the link??? Doesn't it look cooool?)

Adrienne

ooo thats so pretty AK!

I keep wandering past the baby section at Target and pointing at all the stuff I want. I have my stroller narrowed down to 2 (from Target, haven't even looked anywhere else since I'm not looking seriously) along with clothes, bottles, toys and other stuff. I also now see that I will need lots of money to buy all the baby stuff I want to get!