Nursing and Cloth Diapering At Disney
/When moms ask about nursing at Disneyland out of fear of a nursing incident that saddens me. Questions such as do I need a cover or will anyone hassle me make me sad. I have seen this many times. I used to nurse in a baby carrier and walk around, and no one said a word. In fact, until the 1950's nursing was not even an issue you fed your baby, and no one cared.
This is why if a mom asks me questions about where to nurse and change diapers. I recommend using a baby carrier or sling and using the baby care center.
Baby wearing leaves your hands free and you can nurse on the go, or let your baby take a nap and carry on with your day.
The Baby Care Centers are great for cloth diapered babies. Disney is doable with a baby in cloth diapers. Moms ask questions about feeding their babies at Disneyland all the time. Disneyland accommodates babies. The baby care center provides a place to bottle and breastfeed. If you need to pump, you can at the Baby Care Center.
If your baby eats formula you need not look for hot water. The baby care center provides hot water and a microwave.
A baby care center exists in both parks. The baby care center has real changing tables with pads like you would use at home. They provide microwaves and highchairs so you can prepare baby food and bottles. Dim lighting and comfy chairs are available to nursing moms. Small children can use a tiny toilet and sink to make trips to the potty easier. You can pump in private which is awesome for those of us who plug in our pumps. Best of all the baby care center has tables for kids to sit and read or color. Sometimes the littles need a break from the excitement.
The baby care center on Main Street has a dunk toilet! Did you know? Disney provides these because Disney is all about family. Everyone is welcome here. I'm irritated because some Disney fans say babies don’t belong in Disneyland.
Disneyland is for everybody including babies and the baby care center is proof of that. So I am now re-posting an edited for grammar version of an article I wrote years ago for a cloth diapering website. The post was on how to cloth diaper at Disney, and I threw in some nursing tips. I wrote this several years ago before sites like Magic Kingdom Mamas existed. Now awesome mom influencers tell you where all the excellent nursing spots are.
The Dunk Toilet. The Baby Care Center looks bad but this pic is old. Plus has been there for over 60 years. That is vintage Bambi wallpaper.
My original post lacked these tips. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is my favorite place to nurse. The train is another great place. It's a Small World plus the Haunted Mansion are longer rides to nurse on. I love the dock behind Edelweiss Snacks you can nurse and watch the ducks. You can find a comfy place to sit pretty much anywhere in the park to nurse. Redwood Creek Trail has benches by the logs, and the older kids can play while you nurse.
Here is the article:
You can use cloth diapers at Disneyland or any amusement park for that manner. Disneyland opened in 1955 and when most babies wore cloth.
So yes, it's possible to use cloth while having a fun day at Disney. I am not a fan of the changing stations in the restrooms. Most made of marble or steel. These changing tables offer no sanitary liners to put down. On a busy day you will wait in line to change a diaper.
A backpack may be better than a diaper bag. Backpacks are easier to carry and stow and organize. Choose a backpack that has at least two big compartments. One big compartment is for diapers only. Many compartments means dirty diapers will not come into contact with other items.
A trim All in One diaper like GroVia, Bottombumpers, or Simplex are best for travel. It is easier to pack trimmer diapers. Get a few Velcro diapers, which makes for a quick change. If you don’t like all in one's adding a Thirsties hemp insert in the place of the bottom microfiber insert helps. This makes for a trimmer and more absorbent diaper.
Worried that the diapers will smell bring a little baking soda. Pack two wet bags one for clean diapers and put them in there. This way you're not digging for a diaper and they are easy to find with a squirmy baby. The second wet bag is for wet/dirty diapers.
A Baby Care Center is in each park. Which offers small toilets for potty trained littles and places to pump. Best of all real changing tables like you would use at home.
If Main Street is too far away at Disneyland Tom Sawyer Island is a great place to change a diaper. Tom Sawyer Island is more secluded and a scenic place to sit. For, a distractible nursling it's an excellent place. Your other children can run around and play.
Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country on both levels has a charming view. There are tables where you could nurse. The train passes by if you have a distracted nurser this may not be the best spot.
Toontown has a “park” next to Goofy’s house. This park has benches where you can nurse and change a diaper if you're not a fan of the restroom.
If carrying wet diapers is not on your agenda, try Flip shells and the disposable liners. You can wipe the shell with a wipe between changes. After 2-3 changes swap for a new shell.
There are accessible stalls with sinks and family restrooms in the park. Add a Disney map app, and you can find one near you. You can hand wash or rinse diapers in the sink. They offer more room and privacy. Be sure you're not taking the restroom away from someone who needs it.
If you use reusable wipes, use a small zippered pouch to hold the clean ones. A travel size spray bottle is perfect for wipe solution. Be sure to pack at least one diaper for every 2-3 hours if that is how often you change at home. I always bring a few spares in case.
You can use cloth diapers at Disneyland. If you plan and pack well, you can carry cloth diapers, baby food, a change of clothes, and a few extras with no issues.
What I cannot stress enough is making sure you bring your trimmest diapers. You do not need new diapers! You can add a disposable insert at a low cost or buy a few hemp or bamboo inserts. These are trimmer to make your favorite pockets trimmer and more absorbent. Our Grandmothers cloth diapered on the go as well with less fabulous diapers than we do.
My years old guest post on the Cloth Diaper Whisperer is laughable if you find it. The grammar is bad. What I said is still true. Cloth Diapers are something most don't talk about using at Disney. It's doable. Nobody tells you that.
Please read my post that tells you what rides are baby friendly. I hope you have a wonderful time at Disneyland.
Here are some helpful posts to help prepare for your visit to Disneyland.
Bringing preschool-aged children to Disneyland
How to avoid losing your kids at Disneyland
