Get Fit With Baby

Photo Credit: Yihungkuo CC-BY-3.0 2009

Women who have had a baby can use exercise time as a time to bond with their baby and enjoy some fun time together. The exercises are a game to baby and fun for you while you firm and tone your body. Exercise also lowers your stress levels, which is important for new mothers. See your doctor before beginning any exercise program or resuming your previous routine. Women who have had a C-Section should not begin or resume an exercise program without their doctor’s okay. Make sure your baby is safe and always hold her securely. Never use dumbbells or other weights when baby is nearby. Don’t push yourself when exercising with baby. The idea is to have fun while getting some light exercise. When your baby can hold his head up on his own, sit up and roll over, you should be able to begin some exercises, but always check with your baby’s pediatrician before beginning exercise games.

Lie down on your back on a soft rug of exercise mat. Bend your knees up toward your chest with your feet together. Place baby on your shins and slowly raise and lower your shins a few inches on her tummy with baby facing you. Raise and lower your shins a few inches, slowly and pretend baby is flying. Hold your baby securely at all times. Repeat this exercise for 2 to 3 minutes. From this same position, you can do some crunches with baby. Keep baby securely on your shins and lift your shoulders using your abdominal muscles. As you perform the crunch, give baby a kiss and then lower your shoulders back to the floor. Perform 10 or more crunches and get lots of kisses.

Lie on your back on the floor and place your baby on your tummy facing you. Hold baby securely. Flatten your shoulders and bend your knees to place your feet flat on the floor. Lift your bottom off the the floor to perform a bridge exercise. Lower your bottom back to the floor and repeat. Baby will enjoy the up and down motion. Do 5 to 10 bridges. From this position, you can move to baby bench presses. Hold your baby firmly with both hands. Bring her close to your chest with your elbows bent and close to your sides. Lift baby straight up above your chest and then lower her back to your chest. Give baby a snuggle or a kiss when you bring him back down.