There can be a lot of questions that arise throughout a breastfeeding journey. As the temperatures drop and cold and flu season ramps up, you might be wondering how to keep yourself and your baby warm and healthy while nursing. In this post, Jeanne Buta, RN, IBCLC, lactation consultant, is sharing her advice and answering common questions about breastfeeding in the winter months.
What is your best advice for breastfeeding in the cold weather?
Cold weather can be challenging for mothers when breastfeeding, especially if mom enjoys being outside in the cooler weather. Keeping yourself and your baby warm and comfortable between breastfeeding sessions is important.
For many women, nipples become more sensitive when breastfeeding, and cool temperatures will increase this discomfort. Keep your body temperature stable with light layers of warm clothing when away from the baby. When together, mom and baby will keep each other warm with skin-to-skin contact and warm milk for baby! For women who struggle with cold sensitivity, grabbing a warm sweater or robe from the dryer, right after breastfeeding, may decrease nipple discomfort.
Can cold weather affect milk production?
The cold doesn’t have a direct effect on milk production, but it could have an indirect effect if mom or baby doesn’t want to nurse as often due to the cold. After about the first month of breastfeeding, milk production switches from hormonal influence to a supply and demand situation. The more milk the baby removes, the more milk the mother will make. Leaving milk behind repeatedly will cause the mom to reduce her milk supply. Therefore, it’s very important to continue to feed babies on demand during the winter months.
Can you get mastitis from the cold weather?
The cold weather does not directly increase the risk of mastitis. Some lactation consultants see an increase in clogged ducts in the winter months for various reasons, and clogged ducts can increase the risk of developing mastitis.
Mastitis is a term used for inflammation of the breast tissue. Sometimes, this inflammation can become severe causing a bacterial infection, warranting the use of antibiotics. Signs and symptoms of mastitis include full, hard breasts or red patchy areas on breast tissue. Sometimes it may present as a red streak; painful, warm-to-touch breasts; or flu-like symptoms with fever. Mothers who are typically overproducers of milk are at risk of developing mastitis. Weaning too quickly can also increase the risk of inflammation. It is very important if you suspect you may have mastitis to reach out to a lactation consultant or physician for guidance and management.
Should you still breastfeed if you have a cold or the flu?
It’s perfectly fine for a mother to continue to breastfeed while she has the common cold, or a stomach or intestinal virus and we encourage you to feed on your regular schedule. When a mother’s immune system is fighting a virus, she will produce antibodies to help protect her baby from the virus. If the baby or mother is not resuming their regular breastfeeding schedule, it’s very important to express your milk with a pump, protecting your supply and helping the baby by offering expressed milk to the baby. Some women will experience lumps or clogged ducts quickly after skipped feeds which complicates milk supply.
Should I avoid certain cold medications while breastfeeding?
While no one wants a mom to suffer from the symptoms of a virus, some medications are safer than others for mom and baby, and a few can affect mom’s milk supply. The Infant Risk Center and Mommy Meds are good resources you can use for guidance on this topic. Always consult with your pediatrician or family physician before taking medications while breastfeeding.
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