Postnatal Exercise: Keep fit, bond with baby & boost your mood!

Postnatal exercise

A little gentle exercise can be a great way to boost your mood and shift that extra baby weight after baby is born. Once you’ve cleared it with your GP after the initial 6 to 8 weeks recovery time, you are good to go and can start to get active!

Why not join a specialised postnatal fitness class? This is a great way to get out and about and meet other new mums, and you can be sure that all the exercises are specially tailored to what your body needs. Many classes will even welcome your baby too, either to join in with the class or with a crèche service, so there’s no need to arrange for a babysitter! Postnatal yoga is a great way to stretch out and tone up your muscles in a relaxed environment – check out these simple poses to try at home. Or if you fancy a more active approach, why not go along to a Buggyfit class near you for a brisk walk with baby in the buggy and a safe workout routine with other new mums.

Of course you can also exercise at home, so slip on a pair of comfy maternity leggings and dig out your trainers – it’s time to get active! Check out Parenting.com’s list of fun exercises to try at home with baby, and this list from Good Housekeeping to try in the garden! Here are a few of our favourite fun exercises for mummy and baby to try together!

 

Kiss ups

 

Postnatal exercise with baby kiss ups

This is just about the sweetest way we can think of to start toning your tum!

Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet placed firmly on the floor in a position ready to do sit ups. Sit baby half way up the slope of your thighs, holding him in place around his middle. Then simply do a set of regular sit ups, giving baby a kiss at the top of each one! Aim for 3 sets of 12.

 

Tickle Lunges

 

Postnatal exercise with baby and buggy

Tone up and make baby laugh!

Put baby in his buggy and face him, with your left foot back about three feet and your hands on your waist. Then bend both legs until your right thigh is parallel to the ceiling, making sure your right knee stays in line with your ankle. When you reach the bottom of the lunge, tickle baby and make him laugh, then slowly return to a standing position, pushing through your right heel. Aim for three sets of 12 on each side.

 

Alphabet Abs

Postnatal exercise - alphabet abs

 

 

Teach baby his ABCs and tighten up your abs while you’re at it!

Lying flat on your back with baby next to you, place your arms at your sides and extend your legs straight up toward the ceiling, feet together.
Then recite the alphabet slowly to baby, drawing each letter in the air with your toes. Keep the moves slow and be sure to keep your belly button pulled in toward the floor. Aim to make it through the entire alphabet!

 

Mummy & Baby Yoga Routine

 

 

For more info on safe postnatal exercise, check out this article from the Guild of Pregnancy & Postnatal Exercise Instructors

Other Articles You May Like:

Keeping fit and fabulous during pregnancy – by Lisa Sidgewick
Top 5 tips for post pregnancy style – by Personal Stylist, Daniella Marks
Detox with these great smoothie recipes pregnancy

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