Breastfeeding In Summer: 7 Tips To Keep You And Your Baby Cool I BabyChakra

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

Every mum feels a special connection with her baby while nursing. It allows her to nourish her munchkin and also bond with them. Plus, the extra snuggles during nursing are always an added bonus. However, breastfeeding in summer can get a little bit challenging and uncomfortable for both mums and their little ones.

With summer in full swing and the temperatures soaring, breastfeeding can seem like a stifling task, and in some cases, may also lead to overheating in you and your baby. While sitting glued in front of your air conditioner may seem like the best idea to you right now, you will be glad to know that there are several other ways you can keep yourself and your little one cool during feeding sessions.

Read on to know essential tips on breastfeeding during summer, and ways to keep you and your munchkin cool and sweat-free.

7 Tips For Breastfeeding In Summer

Adequate hydration can help regulate your body temperature and prevent excess sweating / Image credit: Freepik

Make Sure To Stay Hydrated At All Times

Staying hydrated is a must amid scorching weather, especially for breastfeeding mums. As you know, pumping and breastfeeding consume a lot of energy in general. This makes hydration crucial, and you should aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day.

Moreover, during summer months, your body loses water quickly, and hence you need to replenish the lost fluids by drinking water frequently. Try to keep a water bottle beside you while nursing, and keep taking sips from it little by little.

In case you are bored of drinking just plain water, you can switch to other refreshing hydration alternatives like lemon juice, iced tea, fresh fruit juices, and smoothies. These drinks are mostly nutrient-rich and also help you hit your daily nutritional requirements.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Wearing tight-fitted clothes during the summer months can make nursing a messy and sticky affair. Hence, opt for airy, light clothes that are nursing-friendly, and offer easy access to your breast. Pick the most oversized and comfortable dresses from your closet and wear them while breastfeeding your little one.

You can also purchase cotton bras and nursing tops that are specially designed for breastfeeding. These clothes are usually made with breathable fabrics that are extremely comfortable to wear.

Use A Bamboo-Based Cover For Your Pillow

You will probably rest your back against a pillow while breastfeeding. But here’s the thing, you don’t want the pillow to become drenched in your sweat, as that will make breastfeeding all the more uncomfortable for you.

To avoid this, you can consider purchasing a bamboo-based pillow cover. Bamboo helps keep sweat away from your skin and also allows it to evaporate quickly, thus keeping your back dry and sweat-free.

Tackle Breast Discomfort With A Nipple Butter

Use a natural nipple butter to relieve cracked and sore nipples and reduce irritation / Image credit: Freepik

It’s common for new mums to experience sore and cracked nipples while breastfeeding. These conditions may cause all the more discomfort during the summer months when you already dealing with sweaty and irritated skin.

You can try using The Moms Co.’s natural nipple butter on your breasts to soothe your skin and offer relief from cracked skin. The nipple butter is formulated with botanical ingredients like chamomile oil and calendula oil that nourish your skin and keep it soft.

The Moms Co.

Natural Nipple Butter (25 gm)

₹ 239

Keep Yourself Cool

There are many ways to keep your body cool during the summer months. You can sip on some icy drinks to bring down your body heat or take a cool shower to prevent excess sweating during nursing.

Another way to keep yourself cool and comfortable during nursing is by wrapping a wet towel around your neck and stomach. Keeping a wet towel on your stomach can also keep your munchkin fuss-free and comfortable.

Create Extra Space While Nursing

Remember how you love to hold your munchkin close to you and stroke their hair and soft skin while nursing? Yeah, that’s something you may not want to do during the sticky summer afternoons.

To prevent those sticky and sweaty situations, you can always try different feeding positions to create a little more space between you and your baby. This will keep both of you comfortable, and you won’t be drenched in sweat after each feeding session.

Here’s what you can do: instead of cradling your baby against you, try feeding them in a more reclined position on your side. You can also nurse with your baby’s feet pointed toward your back. This position creates less contact, as your baby lies along your side, thus preventing sweat.

Keep Your Munchkin Cool And Comfortable

It is crucial to keep your little one cool during the summer months to prevent overheating and dehydration. Dress your munchkin in lightweight clothing, or even better, keep them without clothes when you are indoors, or while nursing.

In addition to this, make sure to keep your baby’s room cool and comfortable. Keep the shades closed and switch on the fan or air conditioner to maintain an ideal environment for your little one.

You can also apply a natural powder under your little one’s armpits and other sweat-prone areas like the thighs and neck. This will help keep their skin dry and sweat-free and also keep heat rashes at bay.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that breastfeeding in summer can be challenging. The key is to follow the measures we have discussed above to keep you and your little one cool and comfortable during the feeding sessions.

Try to wear loose and comfortable clothes, and stay hydrated to nurse your baby without getting drenched in sweat. Also, if you are breastfeeding outdoors, make sure to find a cool spot and cover your little one’s body with a soft cloth to prevent overheating or sunburn.