As a parenting blogger and Mother of two daughters, I am often asked the same question by couples who are trying to conceive. “When is the best time to have a baby?” The truth is, there is no optimum time of year to welcome a baby into the world as each season comes with it’s challenges.
That said, having had a child in both the Summer and the Fall, there are some big differences between the two.
Here are the positives I found when having a baby in the Fall:
- The Clothes – First up, there is something absolutely adorable about babies all snuggled up and cozy when the seasons start to change and the temperatures drop. From super cute hats to snow suits, mittens, booties and fluffy little all in one suits, there is nothing cuter than seeing your baby all comfortable and warm when you venture out into the great outdoors. Cold red noses, windswept tufts of hair and peeling away the layers when you step back inside, Fall is one of my favourite seasons.
- Photo Opportunities – I am a sucker for a newborn photo shoot and when it comes to capturing beautiful memories of those early days with your baby, Fall creates a wonderful backdrop for your photos. From the vivid orange, copper and brown shades of the fallen leaves to the more laughter inducing, super cute Halloween shots, Fall comes with a whole host of photo opportunities that are quite simply not to be missed.
- Feeding in comfort – Having breastfed my newborns in both the Summer and the Fall, I can without a doubt say that those night feeds in Fall are far preferable! In Summer it’s all sticky skin, struggling to settle a hot and sweaty baby and failing in all your attempts to keep both you and your baby cool. In Fall however, you can happily bring out the blankets and enjoy those sleepy post breastfeeding cuddles. If your baby is cluster feeding during Fall, it also offers the perfect excuse to sit and binge watch the latest Netflix series without interruption! Happy days!
- Older school year – Summer babies are often the youngest in the class and the difference in development terms between aged 4 and 5 can feel pretty huge. As a result, babies born in the Fall and Winter are generally more emotionally and mentally ready to start school than their peers. (The downside of this however is financial – as you may need to pay for childcare for longer as a result!)
- Sleep easier – From experience, I found that getting a baby to sleep is far easier in Fall and Winter. Unlike the lighter summer months which can cause confusion for little ones, the luxury of darker nights in the Fall mean there is no need for black out blinds and thick curtains, with the comfort of cozy beds and blankets being far more comfortable and conducive to a good night’s sleep!
Lucy is a UK-based parenting and lifestyle blogger who has also featured in the Huffington Post. A Mom of two daughters, Lucy is passionate about sharing the true reality of parenthood and helping others through their first experiences. In her free time she loves to write, go on day trips with her family and photography.