Exercises While Playing With a Baby

Mat Moves With Baby

• You can easily incorporate a baby into your favorite mat exercises. Use your baby like a medicine ball for abdominal exercises. Hold your baby up in front of you during a crunch and count out your crunches to her to teach her numbers. Turn over and place the baby at the top of your mat when you do push-ups, giving her a little kiss when you lower yourself. Hold your baby out in front of you while doing squats and consider keeping track of your reps by saying your ABCs instead of numbers.

Stroller Exercises

• You don't need a fancy jogging stroller to make the most out of your walking time with your little one. Any stroller will do. Start by warming up for five to 10 minutes with a brisk stroller walk. Then use things around you or the stroller itself for different exercises. For example, lightly rest your fingertips on the back of the stroller and do lunges or squats, being careful not to tip the stroller. Pull your stroller over to a park bench and use the bench for incline push-ups. Push the stroller uphill for a combined cardio and quads workout. After every exercise station, push the stroller for five minutes.

Exercising After Delivery

• Improve your mood, sleep and energy by exercising after pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic recommends 150 minutes of exercise a week. It is essential for postnatal women to be particularly cautious when exercising, however. Warm up and cool down effectively. Do all exercises at a beginner level and don't exert yourself to the point of fatigue. Drink lots of fluids, wear a supportive bra and stop immediately if you feel pain or have vaginal bleeding that is heavier than a period. Hormonal changes lead to sedentary behavior. Use friends and goals to stay motivated.

Exercising after a C-Section or Regular Birth

• You need a longer recovery period after having a C-section. In general, it is recommended to wait until your six-week postnatal check before starting an exercise program. In any case, every postnatal woman needs to be checked by her doctor before starting any new physical fitness activity.