Breastfeeding in the Cold Months

Article author: Iveta Bartošová

In the summer months, mothers deal with where to hide with their child so that they are not exposed to harsh sunlight and do not overheat. In winter, by contrast, it is about making sure the child is not cold and does not catch a chill. When it comes to breastfeeding, it can be something of a science in both cases. How can you breastfeed in the colder months so that it is comfortable and safe for both mother and baby?

How to make breastfeeding more comfortable when it is cold outside

Nursing clothes

Without a doubt, a great investment is getting nursing clothes. In this case, nursing T-shirts with long sleeves, or a nursing turtleneck so that the neck is covered too. Then a nursing sweatshirt or nursing sweater, so there is no need to uncover yourself more outside. 

Covering the neck

If you are not planning to add a nursing turtleneck to your wardrobe, then a scarf, shawl, or scarf-wrap will come in handy to cover your neck when you have your jacket unzipped. It may not seem like much, but a chilled neck can really cause trouble.

Breastfeeding in a baby carrier or wrap

One more comfortable option for breastfeeding in winter can be breastfeeding in a carrier. If you have your baby in a carrier under a babywearing sweatshirt and babywearing jacket, all you need to do is loosen the carrier and breastfeed using a nursing top. No undressing for you or the baby, and if the little one falls asleep while feeding, that is two birds with one stone. 

Breastfeed indoors

If you do not have a nursing sweatshirt or sweater and do not want to uncover yourself more outside, you can feed your baby in a café, restaurant, or children’s playroom. However, it may happen that it is overheated there, there are many people, noise, and the baby is more likely to be unsettled than to feed calmly. It would be good to try it out so you know what to prepare for next time.

Properly dressed child

Much has already been written about nursing clothes, but how should you dress your child so that they are not cold or, on the contrary, too warm? 

• You can breastfeed your child in a footmuff, if you can comfortably take them out of the stroller.
• Take the child out of the footmuff and cover them with a blanket.
• Dress the child so that they do not need to be covered with the footmuff as well.

In short

It is a good idea to prepare for breastfeeding on colder days so that it is comfortable and neither the mother nor the baby is cold. There are several options: you can breastfeed outside, or rather go somewhere indoors with the child, such as a café, restaurant, or children’s playroom, so you do not have to figure out how to do it outside. If, in addition to a nursing T-shirt, you also have a nursing sweatshirt or sweater in your wardrobe, then all you need to do is unzip your jacket and breastfeed the baby outside without any problem. A scarf to cover your neck will certainly come in handy, as will a blanket to cover the child if you take them out of the footmuff for feeding. You can also breastfeed outside in a wrap or carrier, and thanks to babywearing clothes, you will both stay warm. Whatever option you choose, you will not know until you try it. 

How do you handle breastfeeding outside when it is cold? Do you prefer to hide indoors, or can you breastfeed easily anytime, anywhere?