duchessuta

I have no kids, and never intend to have any kids, I have dogs instead.

 

I would be extremly offended if you felt you had to hide in order to take care of your child.

 

 

There will be plenty of old and opinionated people, but screw them, they don't need to be in public if it offends them.

I laughed at this, but I really love your signature quote. :D:D:D

Duchessuta,

 

Wow, what a "popular" post. I couldn't even scroll through it all. So I don't know if anyone else has dug this up but I hope it helps.

 

From John Healds Blog circa 2010.

http://johnhealdsblog.com/2010/01/14/the-eagle-has-landed/

This was extremely helpful! Thank you!

Whatever you think you might need for diapers, I would add 30% to the number. Not sure where you are sailing from, but there is a company called baby at sea or something along those lines that will provide diapers and wipes (you can specify brands) delivered to your cabin. Might be an option to look into, and I am sure someone can elaborate.

Thank you! That's very kind of you to suggest and excellent advice.

2nd - If my baby was not on somewhat of a schedule and/or a very good baby, I would not be taking he/she on a cruise. Can't see how it would be much fun for anyone.

 

Hope I don't offend the OP, but those are my thoughts on the subject.

No offense taken... But just different opinions. My baby is a very easy, laid back, and happy baby. So I don't worry about traveling with him. But he doesn't always stick to a schedule. And I'm ok with that. His pediatrician told me to feed him on demand. Sometimes they nurse bc they're hungry, sometimes it's bc they're thirsty, and sometimes it's just bc he wants the comfort of mama.

LOL, forgot about that part.

 

Not saying the OP would do so, but it amazes me how many mothers think anyplace is an OK place to change their child. Saw a lady doing it in a table in Starbucks last week. The restroom with a changing table was available. Can't believe the manager didn't ask her to leave. A lot of customers did over it!

That is disgusting and unsanitary. No, I wouldn't do that. Big difference between feedings a baby anywhere and changing their diaper anywhere.

Mine always pooped after feeding.... you have to go back to the cabin for the diaper change anyway.....

This isn't an issue for us.

Considering CCL won't take children under six months, I am not seeing your point. Six month olds are typically on a great schedule, sleep through the night, and take both a morning and afternoon nap. They typically nurse five times a day, maybe six, and those times are as predictable as the sun rising and setting each day.

ROFLMAO!

Wow...if you had a 6 month old baby like that, you should consider yourself very blessed! Because not a single one of the babies I've known, friends, family, and coworkers included, are like you have described...especially in a new environment. But hey...there's bound to be a baby out there that is that predictable, I guess. I'm just not so lucky. Or maybe my LO likes to be a little more spontaneous. :rolleyes::cool:

BTW it totally looks like posting here was exactly the way to see what cruise mates think, lol! 😂

I really hope you have a great cruise! 💙

This may have been exactly why I did it. :D:D:D:D

Care, some of us do. Is it not in the books that prior to going to the DR a baby can't be roused with a fresh diaper, clothed, fed? Free up the parent to dine and enjoy the meal? Wouldn't that be more organized and enjoyable?

While I would of course attempt this...if a baby isn't hungry at that moment, you can't force him to eat. I do always try to "top him off" (as I call it) when possible. But it doesn't always work or keep him from getting hungry again.

Sorry, but that's pushing the button a bit far in the DR.

No offense, but I don't believe that's your call. Dinner in the dining room can take awhile. Though I probably will feed some solids, if my baby needed to nurse, I would nurse. I'm not going to have a starving, screaming baby...or leave my own meal because someone can't handle, or look away, from an infant eating. :cool::rolleyes:

I find it hard to believe a mom has no earthly idea approximately when her baby will want to eat. The vast majority of humans get hungry at fairly regular intervals. Most parents put their children down for naps and bedtime at a fairly regular schedule. Nobody suggested a formal schedule where baby is allowed to eat only on a strict schedule.

 

See responses in red :)

You might think so, and usually I do know approximately when he'll get hungry. But sometimes he may get hungry up to an hour earlier, or later, than I thought. His nap may go longer than expected, or shorter. And no, he naps when he's tired. Infants don't usually have a set nap time...at least none that I've been around. And like I said before...traveling and different environments can throw off even the best schedules. Changes can mean a baby might want/need to nurse more often.

To the OP, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. I hope you continue to breastfeed your baby when and where you need to, and I hope you don't have the misfortune to have any of these easily offended posters on your vacation. If you want to feed in private then do so, but if you and your baby are happy to feed whenever and wherever he or she needs it, without dashing back to the cabin each time they are hungry then good luck to you!

 

With so few mothers breastfeeding beyond the first week (or even at all!) you should be incredibly proud of yourself for having given your baby the very best start in life. Everything he or she is has come from you and you should be justifiably pleased with yourself.

 

Good luck and keep feeding!

Thank you so much.

I have breastfed my youngest while on Carnival cruises, at 6 months and again when he was a year old. I found the employees to be very helpful and accommodating. Never got an odd look, or any indication that I should cover him up during feedings. In fact, there was always someone available to cut up dinner for my other children, (and a few times, my dinner!) or grab drinks for us.

 

I felt as comfortable nursing in various spots on the ship as I did at home.

 

Jennifer

Thank you. Very good to know.

What's an LO?

 

I keep thinking "Lactating Object."

Rofl.... LO means little one. Sorry, apparently I used a couple of abbreviations some are unfamiliar with.

I have no problem with being respectful of how others feel, to a point. For some, they are only content if you are nursing they way THEY want you to, completely covered or in a private room. Those aren't always conceivable. And to me respect isn't just doing something the way someone else wants. I am discreet and I use common sense. I absolutely agree no one needs to be topless to breastfeed. But I don't think anyone should have a problem seeing a little cleavage when a mother is nursing when you see more than enough cleavage all over the ship.

Agree....The "Helicopter" parent syndrome....the little snowflake cannot have any disappointment, every whim catered to and you better give my kid a participation medal....we aren't allowed to keep score either because if they lose to bad, they will get discouraged, and we cant have that now :rolleyes:

Most of the time he does follow a schedule, but sometimes he gets hungry early, or sleeps longer than planned and will go longer between feelings. And when you travel, it can take a baby off schedule. I've learned to go with the flow as a mom. And if he needs to eat and there's something scheduled at that time I'd like to do, I would like to be able to participate. As a previous poster mentioned, a 15 minute feed can turn into something much longer (and louder if he has to wait) if I have to go somewhere different.

So, yes, I cater to the "whims" of my infant. I don't let my baby get to the screaming point when he gets hungry, even if I think he should wait another 30 minutes or an hour to eat.

He's 5 months old (will be 6 on the cruise), so I don't really think he'll need a participation trophy... Though I wouldn't turn down a 24 karat gold plastic ship on a stick. :D :D :D

Is this really an issue? I have never had a problem with any woman breastfeeding anywhere and when I see this question I have to wonder if they are trying to push the issue for a confrontation. Done properly, I cannot imagine most would even notice you breastfeeding.

You would be surprised. There are so many times when women get told they are being disgusting, people complain when a woman is breastfeeding, or they are asked to cover up. It's not to push a confrontation... I asked to know of experiences from other women and to see if Carnival would be supportive if I fed my LO out in the open or if they would side with anyone that complained.

I'm planning on taking my LO three days after he turns 6 months. I am so glad to read this thread. I was planning on asking the same thing. :)

Why do a majority of women now seem to make it an issue. Is there no modesty anymore? It seems where in the past alot of women would find a secluded area or cover themselves now they simply sit down in the middle of where ever they are and start feeding. To me and I may be old fashioned but I wouldn't want strange men looking at my wife even if it was a natural thing. For the record ladies as a man I can tell you, yes we look that to is human nature and if a man tells you he doesn't he simply is lying.

Have you been around the pool? Most women in swim suits (or sometimes just their clothes) show just as much, if not more, than most women that breastfeed. (yes, there are extremes, but I'm talking on average.)

I wear mostly nursing shirts, so it's easy to feed him relatively discreetly.

So if the breastfeeding mom was close to where I was sitting and my waiter came over to my table to take my order, is it ok to say "I will have what the baby is having"?

 

(just a little humor, lighten up....I have no issues with moms breastfeeding a baby)

I literally lol'd at this. :D

If you feel comfortable sitting at the dinner table, exposing your breast, and having your uncovered infant eat...that is your right. But you shouldn't get uptight if your dinner companions give you the evil eye...they might not be as body comfortable as you are.

 

Just because we have the "right" to do something doesn't mean we shouldn't be considerate of those around us. If your infant doesn't like to be covered you might want to rethink the particular circumstances where you choose to feed it...don't you think.

First... And I'm not trying to be combative.. But my infant is not an "it".

Second, we will be at a table with just the three of us. I'm platinum and have already had this confirmed.

Third... I have no idea how I could rethink circumstances to feed him. When babies get hungry you can't really "rethink" things.

Edit: Oh, and I never said I planned on nursing in the dining room. Most likely I won't need to because I plan on feeding him some solids when we eat.

I would think that it is to hot to truly cover the baby/breast completely in the Caribbean. I breastfed in Louisiana, and while I'm very prudish about showing my body (like always wear a swim skirt prudish), sometimes I just couldn't cover my baby or he would sweat and get too hot, especially after 6 months old. (And babies must to 6 months to go on Carnival, right?)

 

I also think it would be very difficult to always go back to your cabin. Cruise ships are HUGE and a baby screaming all the way would probably make you leak and disturb others. You won't want that. I think some people who say "just go back to your cabin" don't understand the biological reality.

Thank you. Yes, he will be 6 months on our cruise. I'm a pretty modest person, though having a baby and nursing has changed that a lot. I don't want to have to run to my cabin every time he's hungry, for your reasons posted, and because I want to be able to enjoy myself.

My LO also HATES covers. He will never eat as much when he has a cover over him. Who can blame him?! I wouldn't want to eat with a blanket or cover over my head and face. He's also like an oven, so he gets hot very quickly too.

Anyone offended by a mother feeding her baby should probably cover their eyes or go to their room.

Thank you. I appreciate this simple comment more than you know.

I have no idea who TIA is, never met her.

TIA... Thanks in advance :)

Hello, I am taking my LO on our cruise in August and he is still nursing. I haven't found anything on Carnival's website about whether they are supportive of nursing moms. Has anyone had any experience breastfeeding their babies on a cruise? I know some people tend to have very strong feelings against moms feeding their babies in public and just wonder if carnival is supportive. TIA.