Summer mat leave vs winter mat leave

[ryedalema]

This is probably a bit banal (but I'm hoping you all think it's good to have something else at the top of this tree). I'm so glad the weather is turning better. It's horrid being cooped up at the start of mat leave - with little incentive to brave the elements. Rock on some more sunny days - it'll mean me giving more of my hard earned mat.cash to local businesses too - everyone's a winner!

[EDmummy]

Done mat leave in both and summer is definitely my favourite time for mat leave.

[ryedalema]

Agreed - I'm watching far more Wright stuff and This Morning than is healthy (and making way too many cupcakes now - 2 batches this week alone!). Plus with our first there's a whole NCT support network for meeting Mum's with similar circumstances. Rookie q probably - but is there anything similar set up for second time Mums?

[Belle]

ooh ryedalema I'm so impressed you're making cupcakes, I'm only juggling one smallish child and never manage anything like that! But I had my maternity leave at similarish time and whilst it starts off in winter it's great going into spring/summer and being able to feed/change nappies in the park and generally get out and about easily.

I think that maybe NCT do a second time mum thing? Am sure have seen posts from some of the mums with two (Pickle maybe it was you?) about it.

thumbs up for a lighter, happier thread!

[The Nappy Lady]

Thank you ryedalema for this thread, it's a good subject :))

I had one baby at the start of July and the other at the start of October. I actually preferred the latter, I liked the early days snuggled in at home whilst it was cold, and then having an older baby, sitting up etc. to go and enjoy the park with.

Also, it was so hot when I had my first she spent her whole time just in a nappy, didn't get to swaddle her or use the beautiful baby shawl I had knitted etc. which I did with my winter baby.

I remember with DD1, by the time I really got my act together enough to go and sit in the park with her etc. the summer was pretty much over. At the very start I got very hot and sweaty (nice!!) whenever I went out anywhere, and also when she was feeding a lot in the early days I didn't find it comfortable to do so in the park....so inept back then, I needed a comfy chair, cushions and all sorts!!

Interesting though to hear how others experiences have varied. Do you think it is harder because of having older children? I think it makes a big difference because they really need to get out and run around (I had the luxury of my older girl being at school, so was able to have lazy days at home with my newborn all over again 2nd time around, which I did revel in!).

Molly

[candj]

Not banal at all ryedalema! Had both a summer baby and a December baby and agree with Molly that winter was great for everyone sleeping and being snuggly, but very difficult to get a newborn into a snowsuit and brave the blustery streets - she just screamed when she was outside no matter how wrapped up she was. Summer is lovely no matter what is happening and especially so if you have a new baby!

[womanofdulwich]

and breatfeeding outside is not easy when you have 4 layers on!!!

[sillywoman]

Although, (having also had both) I think I preferred having a winter baby, I could spend the first month or so snuggled up with her feeding & snoozing, safe in the knowledge that there wasn't much going on outside our window anyway. When time came to start taking her out & about to groups & whatnot, I'd lost some of that baby weight so felt better about exposing myself (not talking nipples here - more generally, legs etc!) in the summer sun, & she was able to really enjoy the freedom of the good weather.

With my summer babies having to wear lightweight summer clothes with all the excess babyweight wasn't a good experience!

[Pickle]

I've had one of each too. Loved that my first born was a winter baby (Jan) as I had an excuse to stay inside in the warm, and also enjoyed wrapping him up in the pram and going out for walks. My 2nd was a summer baby (June), and although it created issues in terms of keeping her cool it helped my sanity being able to get out and about and spend time at the parks with my then 16.5 month old.

[sillywoman]

Hmm yeah, that's true. Hadn't thought of that Pickle - being cooped up with a toddler in winter isn't good.