How not to go nuts during the winter?

DaniGrace89 · May 2014

I'm a FTM, and my baby is due at the end of October. I live in Chicago, so winter can last from November to May (ugh!). This means that after the baby is born, we will be home a lot. (Especially with flu season starting around that time.) I know with summer around the corner, it stinks to think about the cold....but....

Any suggestions on how to get through the cold winter months?

Any tips for places to go?

Ways to stay active indoors? Or stay active in general.

Ways to avoid cabin fever?

Other suggestions?

Thanks!!!!

Emerald27 · May 2014

Any suggestions on how to get through the cold winter months?

Join a new mom's play group, La Leche League, or check to see if your local library had story time for newborns. Meet other new moms there that you can hang out with.

Also, some indoor swimming pools offer "mommy and me" classes for young babies and their mamas.

Any tips for places to go?

Library, mall, grocery store, etc.

Ways to stay active indoors? Or stay active in general.

Swimming pool is my favorite! Some gyms offer "mommy and me" yoga and other exercise classes.

Ways to avoid cabin fever?

All of the above.

LaDyBostonRN · May 2014

Well you're going to have a baby to focus on! You'll probably be consumed with working on getting them to roll over, eat solid foods. I think you'll fine plenty to keep yourself busy with :x

MrMrsandBaby · May 2014

I'm also in Chicago (sort of) and have a winter baby with my first. You know the weather sucks and you don't want to go out anyway, but I will second the library, mall, swimming and play groups.

Also, depending on when you go back to work (if you work?) you will be heading back right when winter gets really gross (January/February). The last few years haven't been too bad in October - December (ignoring the snow this past winter of course!).

ariel06 · May 2014

I'm in MN, so similar weather. My boys were both July babies, but we tried to get out daily as long as the roads were safe. We met people for lunch a lot, mall walked with my grandma, joined a MOPS group, found an ECFE class for infants, library story hour.

wildflower75 · May 2014

For me it wasn't worth the chance/ risk of my baby getting sick so we kept her in a lot.

The first 4 months or so the baby pretty much sleeps and eats and poops so you can catch up on projects around the house, getting some rest yourself, netflix marathons, online classes....
Also you can start groups at your house...book club? mommy and me yoga (just follow classes on youtube)

Once your baby is on a schedule and you know when to expect the baby to be sleeping maybe you can schedule a manicure or something like that to get out of the house?

But trust me between feedings and diaper changes you will want extra time to yourself for showering, trying to keep the house clean and cooking...

SweetMandyB12 · May 2014

I live in the city and have the same fears. I told DH if we have any more Polar Vortex threats next winter, mommy and baby are going home to the southeast to visit the family! j/k. I wouldn't take the baby away from DH, but I might just go stir crazy trapped indoors, and the gym daycare doesn't accept babies until 6mos, so I'll have to workout at home or at night when DH is home from work. I don't want to take the baby out much and expose them to cold/flu season anyway, so we'll see. DH is an October baby, but the south is much warmer, so his mom didn't have the same problems.

fireflyrebirth · May 2014

This is a good thread for me! I'm a homebody to start with and already tend to hole up during the winter, and we won't be living near any friends or family either

I am going to have to force myself to get out and join mommy groups and the like.

Maggie6424 · May 2014

DS was born 12/29, and I live in Denver. However, I had to return to work when he was 4 weeks old.
This time, we'll be traveling home to eastern KS to visit and for both holidays. I also plan on joining a new Mommy group at my hospital. I had really bad ppd last time, and going to do everything to avoid it this time.

live4thegiraffe · May 2014

DD was born 5 weeks early at the beginning of December. She spent 2 weeks in the NICU, and then we had the holidays. But after that, we stayed in a lot because of flu and RSV concerns.

Any suggestions on how to get through the cold winter months?
Pick up some kind of craft you can do during naps so you can at least create an illusion of doing something productive. I made a TON of little crocheted hats and sold them on Etsy.

Any tips for places to go?
Check to see if there's a local moms club you can join. Mine hosts activities and playdates for the kids, as well as a monthly mom's night out and some volunteer opportunities. Check your library-they might have song/story time for babies. Look for classes for moms/babies at gyms or YMCA.

Go anywhere you'd normally go. If you're afraid of people sneezing on LO, wear them in a carrier. I did a lot of grocery shopping that way. People will make "Hey, cute baby!" comments, but won't get too close.

Ways to stay active indoors? Or stay active in general.
This is a hard one, since you can sometimes feel tied to the couch with a newborn. Find a DVD or some youtube videos to work out to a couple times per week. Or have your SO take a turn with LO so you can get some alone time at the gym or take a class.

Ways to avoid cabin fever?

I go back to the first thing--pick up some kind of craft or set a goal you can work toward so you can feel productive. And do get out once you feel comfortable doing it. Go to a museum or visit with friends.

Other suggestions?

Don't fall into the rut of "I have a newborn, I have to stay at home." You'll feel kind of alone and miserable. Don't be afraid of leaving the house.

DaniGrace89 · May 2014

Love all these suggestions! Thanks!
I have no idea what I'm getting myself into having my first. I bet I'll find my groove. Loving the idea of finding a craft to do in the house. But great suggestions on things to do outside of the house.

mcclan03 · May 2014

Love this post -- thank you. I'm in Boston and have the same fear. The winters are hard enough already, and they last forever. I try to travel south as much as possible during the winters, but obviously flying is going to be more limited after baby, especially at first.

Maybe we should form an online support group for "winter new moms." We'll send each other sun lamps and cookies.

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