Since the 1st day of summer, it has been hot here in NYC! I’m talking about temps between 90 and 100 + degrees. I know NYC isn’t the only city affected by the heat, so I figured I would offer some tips on staying cool while breastfeeding during the summer.
Stay Hydrated!
As always, whether breast feeding or not, it is important to drink plenty of fluids when it is hot. Limit your intake of caffeine, and alcoholic beverages since they can dehydrate you. Try drinking a glass of water prior to or during your nursing session. If you’re dehydrated, chances are your milk supply will suffer. So drink water!
Place a cloth between you and your little one
Make sure you place a cotton fiber, cloth diaper, towel, thin blanket… something between you and your little one to avoid overheating, the baby sticking to you due to sweating, and avoid heat rash.
One thing I do when I am nursing mini me in my Ergo baby carrier is wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it between us to keep both of us cool.
Dress Baby in Cool Clothing
Dress your baby in something light, like a cotton tee. Too much clothing may cause them to overheat, especially when you’re breastfeeding due to the closeness of the baby and mother.
Stay Cool
If you don’t have an a/c stay in a shaded area, make sure the baby is covered from direct sunlight. Also, use a fan. If you don’t have a fan or a/c check to see if your town has cooling centers where you and your baby can chill until the hotter portion of the day passes. These cooling centers are usually libraries or senior centers.
DID YOU KNOW? Exclusively Breastfed Babies do not need water
Source: Babycenter.com
If your baby is younger than six months, and if you are exclusively breastfeeding, you do not need to give them water, even in hot weather. Babies who breastfeed whenever they wish do not get dehydrated. In hot weather, your baby may want to have more frequent, shorter feeds. He/she will get enough liquid from your breastmilk.
These short feeds will give him more foremilk. This is thinner and more refreshing than the fat rich hindmilk. So let him have as many extra feeds as he/she wishes.
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