Breastfeeding in winter can be challenging – here’s what helps

Winter brings chilly nights and dry air, which can make breastfeeding harder to navigate. But with the right adjustments, you can stay comfortable and keep your milk supply strong.

“Try not to skip feeds as this can reduce milk supply,” says Sr. Cheryl Steenkamp, a certified lactation consultant in George. She advises to keep feeding according to your baby’s cues – milk supply depends on supply and demand – and to maintain balanced nutrition with soups, broths, whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables to support your immunity and milk quality.

Frequent feeding will also lower the risk of blocked milk ducts, which can increase in winter. Sr. Madeleine de Swardt, a certified lactation consultant in Mossel Bay, explains that cold weather itself does not directly cause blocked ducts, but winter habits can contribute. “Tight clothing layers, underwire bras, pressure on the breasts, longer stretches between feeds, illness, stress and fatigue may all increase the risk,” says De Swardt. 

How can I breastfeed comfortably when it’s cold at night? 

To improve your comfort as well as your baby’s, ensure the bedrooms in your home are comfortably warm and that you dress yourself in layered pyjamas that allow easy access for feeding. “It is important that the room is not too hot, as overheating increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),” says Steenkamp. “Parents can monitor their baby’s comfort by gently feeling the chest or the back – the skin should feel warm and dry, not hot and sweaty.”

Why are my nipples more sensitive when it’s cold?

Dry air can affect nipple comfort during breastfeeding by stripping the skin of its natural oils and hydration, leaving nipples more prone to dryness, cracking and irritation, explains Steenkamp. 

Keep nipples warm between feeds, she advises, and apply warm, dry compresses after feeding. “Rubbing a few drops of expressed breastmilk onto the nipples can help hydrate the skin while providing natural antibacterial protection,” says Steenkamp. She also advises applying a simple, organic nipple balm with minimal ingredients, which can help to lock in moisture and support healing.

While it’s normal for your nipples to be tender in the early days of breastfeeding, De Swardt says cracked, bleeding or very painful nipples require expert help from a lactation consultant. 

How important is it to stay hydrated in winter? 

“Hydration is essential for breastfeeding mothers – a practical target is around two to three litres of fluids per day,” says Steenkamp. “Good hydration sources include plain water, coconut water, fresh vegetable juice and rooibos tea, all of which support fluid and electrolyte balance,” she says.  

Breastfeeding mothers should avoid sugary drinks as they provide empty kilojoules and can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, flags Steenkamp. 

Should I continue breastfeeding if I am sick? 

Yes, say the experts, because your breastmilk contains specific antibodies that help your baby fight off illnesses.

“It is rare for a mother to need to stop breastfeeding due to illness. Ordinary illnesses, such as colds, flu, fever, food poisoning and mastitis are not transmitted through breastmilk,” says Steenkamp. 

“Many viral and bacterial infections are most contagious before symptoms appear. By the time you feel sick, your baby has already been exposed, and breastfeeding helps protect them,” she adds. 

She shares the following tips: 

• Keep nursing frequently to maintain your supply

• Stay hydrated 

• Rest to support your recovery and milk production

• Practise good hygiene (wash your hands frequently and avoid sneezing or coughing directly onto your baby)

• Before you take medication, check that it is safe to use while breastfeeding

How to breastfeed when your baby is sick

If your baby is congested, they might struggle to breathe while breastfeeding, but there are ways to work around this. Start by keeping your baby close, says De Swardt, as skin-to-skin contact helps to calm them. “Try feeding more frequently for shorter periods, keep baby upright as much as possible and use saline nose drops with gentle suction before feeds if needed,” she says. 

“If baby is struggling to breathe, feeding very poorly or having fewer wet nappies, seek medical care promptly,” she says.