10 Mummy Workouts You Can Do With Your Baby
Once you have a baby, it can be hard to keep up with your family, let alone your exercise regime. As much as we love them, babies take up a lot of our time. This can be particularly frustrating when we want to get in shape but just can’t find a gap in our schedule around changing nappies, feeding and sleeping. So is there a way you can work out with your little one?
Please take care when exercising with your baby - make sure both you and your little one are safe and ensure your baby can fully support their own head before attempting any of these exercises ...
At Home Exercises
Sometimes it’s difficult to leave the house at all when you have a new baby but worry not – there are lots of simple exercises that you can do in your own living room!
Dancing - a very simple way to work up a sweat is to boogie with your baby in your arms. Children love music and at this age, they won’t judge you for your taste in music…
Sit-Ups - with your legs bent, sit your baby on your legs and slowly sit up to nuzzle them with your nose. Think of it as a game of calorie-burning peek-a-boo …
Baby Weights - whilst they look small, babies have a considerable weight to them and will definitely give your muscles a run for their money. Lifting your baby up and down will banish bingo wings in no time!
Lunges - with your baby in your hands, slowly lunge forward, taking your weight over one leg. The additional weight will give you an extra push in your workout and your little one will love the sensation of moving up and down!
Push-Ups - lay your baby on the floor and slowly push-up using your arms (resting some of your weight on your knees- we wouldn’t recommend a full push up with your baby underneath you). When you reach your little one on the floor, give them a little kiss, come back up and do it all over again.
Bounces - if you have an exercise ball, holding your baby in your arms and bouncing slowly up and down is a great way of soothing them to sleep and toning your stomach at the same time …
Longer Workouts
If you’re at a stage where you now leave the house more often with your baby, then these exercises can be a fantastic way of getting out and about and showing your little one the world.
Walks - such a simple workout and one that’s commonly underestimated. Simply buckle your baby up in their pushchair and head for the park - if it’s sunny, even better! A great way to lift your mood and blow off the cobwebs…
Cycling - the fast and sometimes bouncy movement can really put a smile on your baby or toddler’s face when they’re in a secure bike seat and this is also a great way to tone your thighs…
Jogging - baby jogging is becoming more popular these days with some pushchairs being designed specifically for jogging with your baby – please note this should never be attempted with your regular pushchair
Swimming - making sure your baby is comfortable and confident in the water, even if it’s just a splash now and again. Why not take a friend so you can take it in turns to play with your baby whilst the other has some time to swim?
Having a baby doesn’t mean that your workouts need to stop, you just need to adapt them slightly! Let us know on Facebook or Twitter if you have any of tips of your own for exercising with your baby!
Image Credits: Jim Champion, McStone,