While I was so excited to take my 5-month-old daughter to Disneyland Resort for the first time, I wasn’t sure how the breastfeeding experience would be. I found that Disneyland is truly the happiest place on Earth—even for nursing moms! Here are a few tips on making it an easy experience for mommas and babies alike.

Grab a Bench

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park have ample benches available for resting and breastfeeding your baby. I was never at a loss for finding a place to sit with my daughter. I would venture a guess that most visitors would be willing to offer their seat if you mention needing to feed your baby. The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is a great nursing location. There are plenty of shaded benches where I could lean back against a wall nursing, while my older kids explored the trail with their dad.

Bring a Blanket or Nursing Cover

If your baby is very attentive, like mine, you might find breastfeeding in public to be a challenge. With so much to look at in the Disney Parks, they may be too distracted. A lightweight receiving blanket or nursing cover will offer you discreet coverage and also keep them from looking around.

Nurse in a Front Carrier

If you haven’t breastfed in a front carrier, practice first before your trip. Once you have the hang of it, it’s a great way to feed them while still enjoying the Park. I simply loosen the straps so my daughter is resting a bit lower. On my visit, I was able to nurse her hands-free so I could still eat my dinner and nobody around us was the wiser.

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As I’ve been considering the things I hope to instill in my young daughter, I’ve been thinking about the wonderful life lessons in Disney films. So, I made a list of the ones that resonated the most.

Here are some of my favorite Disney life lessons.

1. Tangled: Face your fears.

It’s important to face your fears head-on, as Rapunzel did when she left the tower. You’ll never truly know if you don’t try.

2. Up: Appreciate the little things.

Throughout Up, Carl is pursuing the “big adventure” that he never had with Ellie, but in the end realizes that his relationship with her was the real adventure. After all, it’s really more about the journey than the destination, as Carl discovered.

3. Monsters, Inc.: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

You can’t tell what someone is like simply by looking at them, just as Sulley and Mike discovered of little Boo. You have to get to know them for what’s inside, because that is what truly matters.

4. Mulan: You are strong.

Just like warrior Mulan helped defeat the Huns, you can accomplish great things.

For more Disney magic, check out this Toy Story Door Decor:

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Filed Under: Articles, Aladdin (1992) | Movies | 4ba34c18e869059e961b9666, Finding Nemo (2003) | Movies | 4b9060054bd8950f422a8ba2, Tangled (2010) | Movies | 4b9060054c55750f422a8ba2, Toy Story | Franchises | 53e10cf800676d625d89746a

Over the weekend, we watched The Little Mermaid for our weekly family movie night. Neither of my girls had ever seen it, and somehow I grew up in the ’90s without ever having seen the entire thing, so big chunks of it were new to me too.

Since I’m always thinking about baby names, I noticed several really cute ones that would be perfect for a little mermaid or merman.

1. Ariel

Of course! Too bad the amazing red hair doesn’t automatically come along with the name.

2. Eric

Means “eternal ruler.” I guess King Triton has nothing on Prince Eric!

3. Athena

Ariel’s mother’s name is regal and gorgeous.

4. Carlotta

I love this Spanish name. It’s so exotic but not weird.

5. Sebastian

This name has been steadily gaining popularity, currently clocking in at 45 on the Social Security registry.

6. Gabriella

This gorgeous French name (which belongs to one of Ariel’s mermaid friends) is easily shortened to Gabby; perfect for little girls and grown-up women alike.

7. Alana

All of Ariel’s sisters have names that start with an A, but Alana is my favorite of all of them.

8. Ollie

The Ollie in the Little Mermaid is an octopus, but the full name, Oliver, is plenty popular for humans too, sitting comfortably in the top 100 for the last five years.

9. Melody

It’s no surprise that Ariel’s daughter is just as musical as her mother.

10. Max

Eric’s dog snagged a popular name for himself. Max has been in the top 200 since 1987!

For more Disney magic, check out these Disney DIYs for your toddler:

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Looking to plan a magical family cruise and not sure if your little one is old enough? A Disney Cruise would be perfect—fit for the whole family. We had the opportunity to cruise aboard the Disney Wonder a few weeks ago with our tyke in tow. The cruise line offered so many features and amenities that made the entire vacation seamless with a little one. Here are nine things to know about going on a Disney Cruise Line vacation with a baby or toddler.

1. Be Aware of Age Requirements

While Disney Cruise Line is very welcoming to babies on board, the cruise line does have reasonable age restrictions with health and safety in mind. Before you book, make sure your child is old enough for the particular sailing. Babies must be 6 months old as of the sailing date for most Disney Cruise vacations, but need to be 12 months for Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries.

2. Take Advantage of the “it’s a small world” Nursery

Disney Cruise Line has childcare especially tailored to the littlest travelers. Every ship has a nursery that takes babies and toddlers up to age 3, with very reasonable pricing. It offers them a chance to play games, make crafts, watch movies, or take a nap. Pre-register your children for childcare online prior to the cruise to streamline the check-in process.

3. Cabins Are Built for Early Baby Bedtimes

No need to sit in the dark to not disturb your kiddo as they sleep. Cabins on the ships are divided by a very heavy blackout curtain that closes the kids bunk area off from the main bed for adults. Your children can go to sleep while you have access to the rest of the cabin.

4. Ships Are Stocked with Supplies and Gear

While you still may want to bring specific styles your family prefers, the ships have plenty of diapers, infant formula, bottles, pacifiers, baby shampoo, and more. There is even a refrigerator in the room to store snacks, milk, or formula for ease. Pack ‘N Plays are also available to give your baby a safe space to sleep.

5. Tots in Swim Diapers Can Play in the Water

Each ship has a water play area where swim diapers are allowed for the pre-potty trained little ones. Dory’s Reef on the Disney Wonder offered my son hours of enjoyment.

6. Castaway Cay Is a Beach Baby’s Dream

Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, is a stop on most of the cruise line’s trips out of Port Canaveral, Florida. Jogging strollers and wagons with wheels
that can easily navigate sand are available to transport your little one more easily. The beaches have a very gradual drop-off that allows babies and toddlers to wade safely. Free life jackets in small sizes are stocked on every beach to borrow, just like on the ship. Even the bike rentals are baby-friendly! You can rent adult bikes with baby seats on the back to explore the island with your tyke.

7. Bathing Your Baby Is No Problem

Did you get a little sandy at Castaway Cay? No problem! Cabins have a bathtub where you can actually give your baby a bath. Even though these tubs are smaller than the standard size, they were still big enough to give both of my kids a bath at the same time for maximum efficiency.

8. Entertainment Is a Fit for Little Travelers

Assuming it isn’t too much past your baby’s bedtime, the evening shows on Disney Cruise Line are likely to be a hit with tykes. The shows are filled with Disney magic and familiar characters that hold their attention.

9. Don’t Miss Character Meet and Greets

Seeing a little one’s eyes light up meeting Mickey for the first time is what makes any kind of Disney vacation special, including trips on Disney Cruise Line. There are many opportunities for your baby or toddler to meet their favorite characters on the cruise. Book character meet and greets in advance online to have the shortest wait times, or simply seize the moment when pre-dinner photo opps present themselves. On Castaway Cay, there are also a number of character meet-ups as you disembark, so get those cameras ready!

For more Disney magic, check out these Steamboat Willie Party Glasses:

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