https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 12:46:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918842 Tue, 08 Sep 2020 09:29:55 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2918842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E was a November baby and I baby wore a lot to keep her warm when I needed to escape the house even for a walk around the neighborhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918823 Mon, 07 Sep 2020 07:06:17 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2918823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our first was born beginning of November in Canada so our winters are tough. We definitely hunkered down and it was so lovely. HOWEVER, that’s super easy when you only have one kid to entertain! Our second was born early September and our older was in school so that took away the need to entertain the older one. We are done having babies, but this winter I’m setting up as much indoor and outdoor stuff as possible: we bought new furniture for the basement and organized the playroom, bought a pikler triangle and ramp set, and I plan to shovel our backyard where we have a swingset and slide. I also bought a build an ice rink in your yard kit if I get really desperate. We have sleds and hockey sticks and all kinds of outdoor play stuff. I’m dreading the winter. I would make sure you have a stroller or sled that’s able to be used in most weather, as well as all the winter outdoor clothing you can get for both kids. I’m worried about how we will manage if things close down again (older is going to in person school and little is in daycare) It’s definitely different the second time around even in normal times and way less napping, relaxing, etc so I would focus on how to keep your older one busy and active and out of the house for all your sakes. I would start talking to your partner about their role once they get home from work and make sure you get time to take a drive, walk outside alone, and any other away time you can manage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918821 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 23:51:24 +0000 Shybee23 2918821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the responses - good to know I am not alone in worrying about this, at least! We are still being really cautious and will probably continue to be avoiding indoor public spaces as much as possible for the foreseeable future. We are in New England, so I’m going to start thinking about best ways to bundle us all up to get fresh air whenever possible. And I like the idea of trying to think of it as a cozy time to hunker down with our new addition :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918557 Tue, 25 Aug 2020 09:00:13 +0000 Clementine12 2918557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Shybee23: DD1 was a summer baby and I was much the same - going to a weekly group helped me enormously with feeling normal again. DD2 was born in December and I was kept so busy with taking care of both so there wasn't nearly as much time to do the little things like mom groups.</p> <p>I finished up mat leave mid-March so DD1 hasn't been able to return to her playgroups or fun activities, but she's a trooper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918380 Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:08:08 +0000 LemonJack 2918380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my third last November, and I was really nervous because my first two were summer babies, and I could get outside with them. But, it ended up being my favorite maternity leave. We obviously didn’t have Covid, but we were extra cautious and didn’t go out much at all because we didn’t want to expose him to illness. I felt no guilt about just laying around and relaxing rather than feeling like I needed to get out and enjoy nice weather like I did with my summer babies. Plus, this summer was so much nicer with a bigger baby. He was on a routine, he wasn’t eating nonstop, we weren’t dealing with newborn fussiness, and it felt like it was easier to bring him along in a carrier when we were playing in our yard or going to parks, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918370 Tue, 18 Aug 2020 21:56:48 +0000 MoonMoon 2918370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also due in late October, and also wondering how it will go with my seasonal affective disorder and anxiety about covid and other bugs. But a part of me looks forward to it. Work has been hard, trying to juggle how to have DS distance learn has been hard. I just feel like being at home will allow me to "sit out" one Upstate NY winter and I'm kind of ok with it. Of course I might be singing a different tune in a few months :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918360 Tue, 18 Aug 2020 14:04:56 +0000 caitcat 2918360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was a January baby and I remember one of my nurses after she was born saying that she thought winter babies were a gift because they provided a prime opportunity to hunker down as a family. I tried to take that advice to heart when it was hard to get out and about, and it helped me frame a lot of the time on our own through a snowy winter as a temporary thing, sort of a sheltered season. I think I'd have a harder time subscribing to that idea after months of social distancing and all already now, but...it was a helpful mindset shift at the time. </p> <p>My second was an April baby, so I thought for sure that we'd be out more easily than when my first was born. But between my high strung two-year old and the super fussy baby, getting out of the house was way harder than I expected. A friend had a baby around the same time, and we would call each other a couple afternoons a week - we'd each plop our older kids in front of the tv for a while, and take whatever the babies were doing in stride to chat for the half hour that the older kids' show ran. It was nothing big, but those calls every couple days were a lifesaver when it was hard to get out and have the connection in person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918338 Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:10:29 +0000 graceandjoy 2918338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had 3 winter maternity leaves in the NE :happy:<br /> Half of one done during shelter-in</p> <p>I guess I'm an introvert to begin and having winter babies is ALL I know so I never felt like I am missing out not being able to take walks, etc. </p> <p>Do you have any friends/family that will also be sheltering in more or less, so that you can still see them in person? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918334 Mon, 17 Aug 2020 21:25:08 +0000 Mommy Finger 2918334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know where you live so not sure what the weather will be like but I was just talking about this with DH. Now granted, I'm not pregnant and my kids are much older but I'm still terrified of the winter and how to maintain all of our mental health this winter. My thing was that we just need to bite the bullet, suit up and get outside as much as possible. A lot harder for you with a toddler and a newborn.</p> <p>I guess what is your comfort level with everything that is going on? Are you comfortable meeting people at parks? Are there indoor places where you are ok with going on days where the weather is bad? By this I was thinking more like an indoor mall where you can take a walk vs an indoor play place. There's a lot at play here.</p> <p>My first maternity leave was over the winter and I know it was hard when it got really cold in January as I couldn't do walks outside at that point. I feel for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918333 Mon, 17 Aug 2020 21:17:16 +0000 Westcoastmom 2918333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No suggestions just want to say I feel you! My first maternity leave I was out everyday with various mom groups and baby and me groups and I’m mourning what this maternity leave is going to look like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918332 Mon, 17 Aug 2020 20:36:42 +0000 Shybee23 2918332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is due in late October, and I’ll be home by myself with her and DS (age 2.5) for 3-4 months - which I understand is a huge privilege, and I am really grateful to have this bonding time. But I am getting really nervous about my mental health given that we'll likely be pretty isolated due to coronavirus. I had pretty severe postpartum anxiety/PPD with DS, and the only thing that seemed to help was getting out of the house. I met with a moms group once a week that was really my lifeline, and did a lot of "baby and me" classes, etc. - none of which will be an option this time. I'm also worried because my leave will be during the winter months (I was off during the summer with DS), which further limits our options for getting out. </p> <p>I do plan to sign up for a virtual moms group, but I know it won't be quite the same. I'm hoping we can get out for walks (weather permitting, and once I recover from my c-section) but otherwise, I am having trouble thinking of how we'll spend the day, and how I'll keep my mental health on track (other than continuing therapy and meds). </p> <p>Any suggestions for a socially-distanced maternity leave / ways of warding off PPD/PPA? And/or general suggestions for maternity leave in the winter? </p>