8 Need-to-Know Tips for Mamas with a Winter Due Date

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With the blistering cold every time you step out of your home and an endless holiday to-do list, having a winter due date may seem difficult.

Fortunately, there’s a few ways you can make the remaining weeks easier on yourself while also preparing for parenting.

In this post, we’re sharing 8 tips you should know if your due date is in the winter season.

#1 Be Prepared to Prevent Baby Colds

There’s a lot of great things about being due in winter. However, one of the not-so-great things is that you’re bringing a baby into the world in the middle of cold season. Although baby colds and flues are usually harmless, since they’re not fully developed, it makes illness a bigger risk to them than you. Prevention is always the most ideal, so you should know the steps to take beforehand. Here’s a few quick tips:

Getting the flu shot for yourself (babies should only get it when they’re 6 months or older)
Avoiding people who are sick or large crowds ( which increases your risk of getting infected)
Avoiding kissing your baby on the mouth
Not sharing baby cutlery
Throwing dirty tissues directly in the garbage, as opposed to leaving them lying around
Frequently washing your hands, especially before you eat, before you touch the baby and after you use the washroom
Being especially diligent about sick family members around the baby
Using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn’t possible
Frequently cleaning surfaces, such as tables, tablets or phones

To learn more, read our full guides:

#2 Be Prepared to Treat Baby Colds

Despite your best efforts and washing your hands constantly, your baby may still get a cold or flu. That’s why it’s best to be prepared with the necessary tools. We have two big recommendations.

The Snotty Buddy

Since it’s cold season, it’s likely that even if your baby doesn’t get sick, she’ll have some congestion. Fully clearing mucus helps your baby breathe easier and removes bacteria, making it less likely to turn into the flu.

However, if you’ve never tried cleaning a baby’s nose with a traditional bulb syringe, you don’t want to. Most parents agree it’s a frustrating experience. To fully get the mucus out of your baby’s nose, you’ll need to make several attempts, with your baby’s fussiness increasing each time. Even with that, you may not fully clear the mucus.

The Snotty Buddy is an easy alternative that’s quick and effective. It’s basically a straw that connects from your baby’s nose to your mouth, using your suction to release the snot. Although it may sound gross, there’s filters that trap the mucus, meaning it will never enter your mouth. Since the job is done quickly, your baby is less likely to fuss. It’s also easy to take apart and clean with replaceable filters.

You can get the Aspirator/Baby Snot Remover Today for $9.99

Non-Contact Thermometer

Although you can use a regular thermometer to track your baby’s health, you’ll quickly find that a non-contact one leads to accurate results with less fuss. These thermometers use infrared sensors to detect the temperature without having to insert it into your baby’s ear or mouth. This means you don’t have to disturb any healing naps she may take. Since it doesn’t require you to even touch the baby, it’s also more hygienic and less likely to spread bacteria. Our recommendations for this one include:

Non-Contact Baby Doppler Thermometer. Sleek design with auto-shutoff and LCD backlight. FDA-approved and clinically tested to provide accurate results. Get today for $19.95.
Baby Temp Ultra-Portable Smartphone Thermometer.This non-contact thermometer is the size of a USB stick, allowing you to take it anywhere. To connect it, simply insert the small audio jack into your smartphone and read the results on the app. This allows you to take screenshots to share with health providers. It’s also great for detecting the temperature of a bottle or bathwater. It’s FDA-approved with accurate results. Get the Smartphone Thermometer for $29.95.
Traditional Thermometer. If you’re old-school and prefer traditional thermometers, we still have you covered. The Dagamma device has ear and forehead modes to make readings convenient and accurate. Get it today for $21.95.

#3 Distribute Tasks

When you’re near the end of your 9 months, fatigue can set in like never before, making it seemingly impossible to finish tasks. If your family celebrates the holidays, this can be an issue. You need to figure out how to gift shop for everyone, wrap gifts, attend parties and make holiday dinners all while being extremely pregnant. Your to-do list during the winter season is going to be a lot shorter if you’re comfortable giving other people tasks. The best part is, since you’re pregnant, it’s likely people are already offering. Even if they aren’t, knowing you’re expecting, they’re unlikely to object. Here’s a few ways to redistribute holiday/winter tasks:

Ask your partner to help prepare any holiday meals (even if they can’t cook, they can help chop things up, etc.)
If you know a friend is already going to certain stores to holiday shop, make her a list and ask her to pick up a few gifts for you
Ask your partner to help in gift wrapping this year (YouTube gift wrapping tutorials exist, so there’s no excuse!)
Ask your family to help clean or decorate the home if you’re hosting a party
Accept a neighbor’s offer to shovel your driveway
Consider buying gifts online so you can avoid the stress of in-person holiday shopping
Accept any offers to bring you fresh or frozen meals

#4 Non-Slip Shoes are a Must

Almost a third of expecting women fall. This can be blamed on changing hormones affecting your balance. Now, consider adding slippery, icy sidewalks and bad shoes to the mix. During winter, it may be tempting to wear your fancy shoes while attending holiday parties, but non-slip shoes are a safer choice for your baby, especially during the end of pregnancy. Consider purchasing a pair of boots that give you more traction and are more likely to “catch” you after any missteps.

#5 Try Mocktails

Even a glass of champagne used to toast the New Year is a bad idea during pregnancy. With the uncountable reasons to drink during the holidays, it can seem tough to remain the only one sober. Try some delicious mocktails instead. They can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your baby’s health. Some delicious ideas include:

Mocktail holiday mimosa
Cranberry-pomegranate mocktail
Mocktail champagne
Pumpkin pie martini mocktail

We have all those recipes in our guide Surviving the Holidays Pregnant: 6 Need-To-Know Tips.

#6 Relax

One of the best parts of giving birth during the winter season is that it has a different energy. As opposed to being due in the summer while everyone’s out partying and enjoying the sun, winter is a season to slow down and cozy up. If you live in a cold or cool climate, chances are your friends are going out less, so you’re not missing much. Also, the holidays can make you want to stay inside, cozying up with your partner, family or pets. Take advantage of this resting time. Instead of having a go-go-go mentality, use the season to reserve your energy for the birth in the coming weeks. Here’s a few winter-friendly relaxation ideas:

Stay home and decorate your house for a day
Simply sit with your partner and have a conversation over a nice cup of hot cocoa
Have a warm bath
Cuddle up for a movie marathon
Have a stay-in board game night with friends or family

#7 Know How to Dress Baby for Your Climate

Since we don’t know where you live, we can’t tell you exactly how to dress your baby during winter. However, here’s a good general rule: Dress your baby in one more layer than you’re comfortable wearing. For example, if you’re going outside in a shirt and jacket, add a sweater to your baby’s outfit between the layers. When you’re back inside, quickly take off layers so she doesn’t overheat. The same rule is usually true indoors.

It can be easy to think that a tiny baby needs all the fabric in the world to keep warm, but there can be safety hazards if you dress your baby that way. Her nose and mouth should never be obstructed. Here’s some other tips:

Hats are very important. Make sure it covers the ears on cold days.
Remove thick coats before putting her into a car seat to avoid extra padding and safety issues. Instead, put a blanket on top.
Putting your baby in a sling or carrier can help them keep warm from your body heat with fewer layers.

#8 Dry Skin is More Likely to Develop Stretch Marks

With cold winter air, skin can easily become irritated, itchy and dry. Not only can this be an annoying feeling but people with dry skin are more likely to develop stretch marks. An easy way to prevent and treat stretch marks is to keep the area moist.

The MamaDerma Stretch Mark Prevention oil is a quick-observing moisturizer that can reduce your chances of getting stretch marks. Even if you do get them, it’s likely to reduce their severity. Another option for those that already can see marks is the MamaDerma Repair Cream and Roller Head. The roller allows for the cream to penetrate further for increased moisture. It also creates micro-injuries to increase collagen production and encourage skin healing.

Summary

Even in cold climates, winter is a great season to have your baby. Take precautions for slippery sidewalks and flues and remember to relax.