8 Ways to Sneak In A Little Exercise When You Have a Baby

I am almost six months postpartum and I am really looking forward to getting my body back. For over eight years, this body of mine has grown four children, lost 12 due to miscarriage, breastfed, carried, and nurtured. I’ve neglected its needs, putting others ahead of what my body needed, and now that I just gave birth to my likely-last child — I am so ready to feel comfortable in my own skin.

I don’t have pregnancy pounds to lose, but I want to be fit and to make exercise a routine and a priority. But anyone with kids, especially a young baby, knows that finding time to exercise is not always that easy. I am done using “busy” as an excuse to put off what I want. While I am busy with four children, full time work, a husband who works long hours, and homeschooling my kids – there are ways to incorporate a little exercise each day when you have a baby.

1. Go for walks

I have been waiting for the weather to get better so that we could get outside in the fresh air and be active. Silver loves to move, and if I go for walks with the stroller, I can easily take the older kids with me as well and make it an adventure.

Ellen O’Hara, RN MS from Core Asset Fitness Training, LLC says, “It’s very hard to be active with a new baby for many reasons, the fatigue, lack of sleep, and new responsibilities. The best way to get moving is to walk the baby as much as possible outside. After that, start doing some basic strength moves while the baby is on the floor for tummy time, or play time. You can do elbow planks, gradually increasing your time. Start with 10 seconds and gradually increase up to one minute.”

2. Wear baby

If a stroller isn’t your thing, think about getting a comfortable baby carrier and use that to your benefit. Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC, FDN president of The Mojo Coach® says, that you can use carrying your baby to your benefit, “All four of my babies loved when I worked out while having them in the carrier. They loved the rhythmic movement of a cardio session and it put them to sleep every time.”