Winter baby or summer baby?

[Misty8]

It took us ages to conceive so we were just happy with any baby at any time of year, but if you were able to choose, or if you have experience of both, which was nicer/better/easier?

For me:
We had a summer baby, so first half of pregnancy was over Christmas/Winter- was covered up in big coats, then sunshine for the 2nd half (and went overdue!). I liked it that way for several reasons:

• I finished up for mat leave and then went 2 wks over so I had 4 full wks to enjoy the sunshine while everyone else was working
• When our baby was born I was able to get out walking with her after 2 wks (with a sun shade over pram). If it was freezing outside i probably wouldn't

MIne was end of Jan, so the complete opposite!

I liked it because I fell less noticeable and whale-like in my winter coat by the end, and my body temperature regulation had gone out the window so I was constantly boiling hot- I found the cold very refreshing 😂

Now baby is 6mo and it’s lovely to have him more interactive in the sunny weather.

I don’t think it matters though, pros and cons to every timing.

Currently 39 weeks. If I could’ve picked, I think I would’ve liked a spring baby. Being heavily pregnant in a heatwave was awful and whilst I’m very glad it’s cooled down a bit now, I’m too pregnant to be out enjoying it as much as I would like! There’s also a very real risk that this baby will end up being the youngest in his year at school which is not ideal.

I gave birth to DC1 at the end of November, so heading into the coldest, darkest three months of the year. Tbh I don't think that helped my mental state as I found it harder to get out into the fresh air. DC2 was born at the start of spring which was really nice.

All other things being equal, I'd prefer not a summer born for school reasons, but I was always happy just to get pregnant and never tried to time it precisely.

DS was born in mid December. I found the long winter very tough - I barely left the house and it felt as though the nights never ended, neither of which was good for my mental state. But, it was lovely to have a happy giggling 6 month old in the summer.

DC2 is due at the end of March, I'm looking forward to a spring baby. I'd never choose a winter baby again

My first was a Spring baby. I wasn't pregnant over a hot summer, the heating bill was cheaper as I was always warm over winter and didn't need the heating on as much! Downside was I couldn't drink over the festive period. It meant I had a long summer off with her which was easier in terms of getting out of the house.

This one will be a winter baby (November). I have struggled enormously being pregnant over the hot summer (although some people will have been fine, I am much bigger earlier this time, so despite only being 28 weeks now, I've felt huge since June!). I'm not looking forward to the possibility of being stuck in the house because of bad weather etc or even just the effort involved in getting wrapped up to leave the house! But on the plus side, DC will be one of the oldest when it comes to school, and that to me is preferable than a summer baby. I still get summer off too as I won't RTW until September, and DC will be a bit older by the time summer comes so might appreciate the park and things a bit more. We tried for a long time though and I wouldn't change anything if we were to do it again.

I am due tomorrow and have enjoyed the majority of my pregnancy tbh, I’ve had it quite easy. Didn’t leave work till 38 weeks which suited me as with all the schools closed I’ve found it very hard being out and about for the time I’ve been off with everywhere being very busy. I’m looking forward to having the first couple of months out doing different things with the baby with the schools back (sounds very selfish!!) I work in a preschool so know that it’s not ideal if this baby comes late August but then again I’m very grateful we have managed to have one at all, we were trying as weren’t sure if my partner could have children due to previous medical operation. I have seen children in our care eventually ‘catch up’ with their peers so I am not overly worried. X

This time round I have been pregnant over summer and it has been awful. I suffer with hyperemesis and the heat has made it worse. Equally the heat has made I’ve barely been able to leave the house and I have been so warm in the house I have been basically sofa bound. Now it’s cooling off I’m just too big and uncomfortable to get out and about much. I’m looking forward to having Christmas off work though. My previous babies were spring babies and although I felt rough with the hyperemesis over Christmas with the second the pregnancies were nowhere near as bad. I would hope never to be pregnant over summer again if I had the choice.

It's very interesting reading the pros and cons of both.. and of course I forgot spring and autumn babies (I think it was just because we had such a long winter and then suddenly a heat wave!).
I can see why the cold and dark would be quite depressing if you can't get out for your own sanity. Then again a cousin of mine said she loved it because it was a great excuse to sit in and snuggle in pjs with baby and watch Netflix (she's not an outdoor person at all though).
Oh yeah I would say hyperemisis is awful at any time of year but particularly summer!

I've had a January baby and an August baby and preferred January.

I hated being heavily pregnant in summer and then cluster feeding a newborn when all hot and sweaty

I loved hibernating with my winter baby then emerging more in Spring and Summer when we were in more of a routine. Could also do a lot of weaning with baby in a nappy,

Each to their own though obviousl!

I do think a winter baby can be a challenge if you are at all prone to PND. I had PND first time around and the cold and wet definitely contributed to not being able to save my sanity by getting out, plus the endless dark nights can feel really lonely when you're on your own with a newborn.

I think if I have another after this one (currently 30+5 so way off yet!) then I’d prefer to have a spring baby mainly because I struggled so much during the heatwave and would rather cope with snow than that again!

I’ve had a November and a July. Much much preferred November.
I absolutely hated breastfeeding in the heat. I was so sticky and sweaty and didn’t want to be touched.
I hated trying to find summer clothes to fit my post pregnancy body.
The week before DD2 was born it was 30+ degrees and being that pregnant in that heat was absolutely miserable.

With my November baby I felt like I could hibernate, but could also wrap up and get out for some long walks.
I could cover my post baby body with jumpers!
Breastfeeding wasn’t so sweaty and miserable.
I found it easier to keep us both warm than to try and keep us both cool.

Now expecting a December baby and happy it’s a winter one (bar the ‘due 2 days after Christmas’ thing!)

Ive had a spring baby (March) and an autumn baby (September). Pros and cons to both but i really liked the autumn baby.

You can hide your post baby body under comfy jumpers. I loved the cosy nights in. The bad weather didn't stop me from going on walks in fact i loved walking through the park with all of the leaves falling down and the crisp weather. The downside to that is being heavily pregnant during the summer.

Im due next baby in September and the hot weather this summer has been really hard.

I have a march and due to have a Feb baby. I loved starting my mat leave in winter and being all snuggly at home with the fire in watching box sets with bump. Then with the longer nights night feeds felt more manageable to at least try and get back to sleep as it was always dark. Then it being spring it was pleasant for walks then having an alert active baby in the summer.

The one major downside. Especially this summer was first trimester in a heatwave. I have an active job outside and not being able to eat or drink In this heat has almost been the death of me 😂

Early spring.

I have a March, June, August and November baby. The latter three were all so difficult in the heat. It was hard regardless of me being second or late third trimester, the heat just wiped me out.

With the March baby I bypassed most of summer (aside from one month in the first trimester) so didn’t have that to contend with. I’m much more comfortable throughout the winter.

DC1 end of Nov; pregnancy ok but taking baby out in cold and wet as newborn , buying for Christmas etc difficult, long dark nights also a bit dismal. DCs 2 &3 born in June, slightly tougher for pregnancy , early mornings a lot more bearable but vv hot for newborn babies which was tough. I particularly the simmer when poor DC3 was born he used to get very dry.

I have a winter baby. Being heavily pregnant in the winter is much preferable to being so in the heat of summer I think. The first few weeks we just hibernated which I think would be hard to do in the summer. Also I got to start my maternity leave before a couple of weeks before Christmas which was lovely time
of year to be off work :)

Previously I’d have said I’d want to have a baby in winter or early spring baby as I was worried about the whole summer baby’s struggle in school etc.

However after having DD in summer I’m not now totallybrhe other way. Having the warm days and light nights to just enjoy being out and about was perfect, 4am feeds don’t feel half so hellish when the sun is already up and the birds are singing.

All being well we’ll have a late spring baby next year and the thought of keeping a toddler happy while getting to gribs with a new baby again when hopefully we’ll be able to run around the garden / Park doesnt feel half as daunting as I know I’d find it if we were going into this in late autumn/ winter and more likely to be house bound

I've had a January and late May baby and I preferred the January one.

May is great for birthdays.

But January is great for snuggly, cosy, staying in with new born. Lots of snuggly clothes, no naked sweaty baby breastfeeding.
And you can hide your post pregnancy weight in jeans, jumpers and scarves. By the time spring and summer has come around the majority of it is lost.

This baby is due Christmas Eve, which I love.

My first was June. Downside was being pregnant over Christmas (no blue cheese killed me!), though he was born right at the start of a heatwave so I avoided being heavily pregnant in the heat. Also, it was 30 degrees in my room at night, which was a bit stressful with a newborn.

Other than that, I loved having a summer baby! It was blissful, daytimes in the garden, evenings in pub gardens. Then he was 6 months at Christmas, so had his first taste of food on Christmas Day with everybody.

I’m 9 weeks now, so will be pregnant for both my holiday in France and Christmas. Cheese disaster. Due end of March and kind of dreading the weather. Being able to get out really got me through the tough bits and I’m not so sure it’ll be the same if it’s cold and raining!

For the child sake a spring or summer baby has better birthday options.

I have two winters close to Xmas and it's bloody expensive and parties are a nightmare as always inside.

I think I found with the summer baby I was just felt getting into my stride when the nightswere drawing in and I felt stuck in with a 3 to 6 month old, where's with my winter baby I has a cosy few months when it was all feeds and no sleep and the it was spring by 3 months of age.

Dc1 was november and if it hadnt been for the dogs we would never have ventured out. Dc2 was january and same as before, dogs made me go out. Both pregnancies were great, no overheating and being a sweaty mess. Dc3 was spring, my favourite, lighter mornings, warmer days and was pregnant over winter. Dc4 was august, worst time ever. Pregnant in hot weather equals hot sweaty irritable mess, and even though dc4 can have an outside party all his friends are on holiday!