Stay cosy, safe, well and comfortable over the chilly season. Here are our cold weather survival tips to keep you and your bump on tip top form.
As your bump grows and the weather gets colder, you might be wondering how best to stay well this winter. Follow our pointers on how to protect yourself and your growing baby.
Keeping cosy starts with a well-stocked winter wardrobe. You don’t need to blow the bank. We’ve got plenty of inventive, low-cost ideas to see you through the season as snug as a bug in a cardigan. See our winter pregnancy fashion article here, but in summary:
Keeping cosy also involves warming hot drinks, warm baths and toasty homes. Here are our tips on these:
Avoid arctic conditions. If you’re pregnant during winter it’s important to wrap up warm and minimise your exposure to extreme cold, especially in weather conditions like snow and ice. Have a ‘snow day’ and stay inside to avoid hazardous conditions and the chill factor.
Get grippy. As there’s more chance of slipping in icy conditions if you do venture out, make sure you have suitable sturdy footwear with grippy soles. Read more about footwear tips in our winter pregnancy fashion article here.
Strengthen your defences. A healthy diet is important to get the right balance of nutrients for you and your baby. You’ll also need to keep your immune system in balance so you don’t succumb to winter bugs.
During pregnancy the immune system – the body’s defence against infections – is weakened.
This makes pregnant women more susceptible to infections, which is why many pregnant women (politely) keep their distance from people with coughs or colds.
If you’ve already got the dreaded lurgy, then read all about what you can and can’t take to get well again here.
For those who are eligible, it may be worth considering the Covid-19 vaccine. The government has recently announced that it will be available to pregnant women who are considered extremely clinically vulnerable, and frontline health or social care workers. Find out more.
Ditch the itch. Lots of mums-to-be find they have an itchy tummy as the skin stretches to accommodate their growing baby. This can be heightened in the winter months when skin is dry. Dry skin can also worsen when you’re switching between chilly winter air and warm central heating.
Try to use a moisturiser in the morning and the evening. It doesn’t need to be an expensive pregnancy brand, the basic ones do the same job. You could also try a skincare oil.
Drinking lots of water helps too so it’s important to remember as you might not feel as thirsty as in hot weather. Chapped lips can be a problem in winter, so remember to use lip balm.
From comfy skin, to being just comfy. Try to enjoy the season as much as you can. Don’t forget winter is actually the perfect excuse to stay indoors without feeling guilty. Snuggle under a blanket with your feet up, relax with a hot chocolate and look after yourself!
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
To find out when an NCT Nearly New Sale is happening near you, search here.
Read our information on infections in pregnancy, flu in pregnancy and itching in pregnancy – itching can be a sign of something more serious.
