For many of us new moms, breastfeeding outside of the comfort of our home is one of the biggest learning curves. Breastfeeding in general is hard enough to get the hang of, but take away our nursing pillows and privacy, and it adds a whole new level of difficulty. Now let’s add in some freezing temperatures, wind, and nothing to sit on and you’re wondering how you are going to breastfeed while hiking in the winter!
Before I talk about how to breastfeed while hiking in the winter, I want to talk about breastfeeding while hiking. Any time of the year it can be intimidating and seem impossible at first. I remember wondering how I would do it without my nursing pillow and with strangers walking by. I had never tried nursing with a cover, and really didn’t want to have to. But the best thing I did was to forget all my worries, and just go for it. Here are a few things that helped me nurse my baby while on the trail.
Offer a Feeding at the Trailhead
It is so much easier to breastfeed in the car than on the trail. You have a little bit of privacy, and a nice chair to sit on. Always at least offer a feeding before starting the hike so you don’t have to stop quite as often on the trail. It’s always nice to start the hike off with a happy baby.
Wear Breastfeeding-Friendly Clothes
When you’re just starting off hiking and nursing on the trail, skip your traditional sports bra and just wear your nursing bra. I love these nursing bras because they are inexpensive, comfortable, and come with multiple. I also recommend wearing loose fitting clothes that are either easy to pull down or up. I liked things that pulled up so the top of my chest was covered better, just a personal preference.
If you want to cover up a little more without bringing a full on nursing cover is to wear a lightweight button up (or jacket in the winter) over your shirt. It covers you from the sides and helps keep everything a little more modest.
Find a Comfortable Spot
When I first started hiking with my baby, it was most helpful to find a spot to sit where I could bring my feet up. So I would try and find a log that was low to the ground, or drag a rock over I could prop my feet on. When my knees were closer to my chest, I could have that extra support from my legs when nursing.
Another comfortable position I found was just squatting down and having my legs completely support my baby. This does require a little balance, but actually is kind of comfortable.
How to Breastfeed While Hiking in the Winter
Okay so you understand or already have mastered breastfeeding while hiking when the weather is nice, but what about how to breastfeed while hiking in the winter? I have to say, it really isn’t that much more difficult. Going from only ever breastfeeding at home to breastfeeding on the trail is a large jump, but going from breastfeeding in the summer to breastfeeding in the winter is a small step. Here are the things that helped me most:
Wear Breastfeeding-Friendly Layers
I mentioned above that you want to wear breastfeeding friendly clothes and that is definitely the case in winter too. The hardest part about nursing when it’s freezing, is the cold air hitting you exposed abdomen. At least in my opinion. Your baby on the other hand can just stay bundled up in all their layers. (If you’re curious what to dress your baby in for the winter, check out this post!) So what I like to do is leave my unzipped jacket on and pull up my layers underneath. The jacket does a good job blocking the wind, and my baby’s body is blocking my stomach.
If that still is not warm enough for you, another good option is to wear a nursing tank top under base layer. That way you can leave that down while pulling the layers on top up. That way, the only skin exposed is your breast.
Get off of the Snow
Another hard part of breastfeeding in the winter is that there is no dry spot to sit. Everything is either snowy, wet, or frozen. The best investment (and it really isn’t much) was getting a sit pad. I use the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat and love it. It hardly weighs anything, and keeps my butt warm and dry when I sit down. It also doubles as a changing pad for your baby if needed!
My last tip when trying anything new on the trail is to just do it. You can read and research all you want, but the best way to learn is to actually breastfeed your baby on the trail. It gets easier every time and you will be able to find what works for YOU.
If you have any questions I didn’t answer about breastfeeding in the winter, click that contact tab in the menu and ask me there, or send me a message on Instagram!
