Working Out With a Baby

After having a baby, you will often find that your life is completely sideways. When you used to be able to go out in the evenings with your friends, you are now stuck at home with a baby. When you would sleep in right until you would go to work, you are now desperately trying to calm a child down. Most of your free time is now spent taking care of your new baby and your home - it does not leave much time for yourself.

One of the many things that is often lost when having a child is a consistent workout routine - as with most things that you used to have set in your schedule, you’re no longer on a regular schedule. You’re barely sleeping, and you’re simply working hard. You’re not going to be working out on day one after having a baby, but you may find yourself wanting to get into an active routine.

Don’t expect to be able to go to the gym for 2 hours for your workouts any longer - those days are long past if that’s what you’re planning on. Instead, you should plan to keep your workouts short and simple for the time being. You’ll be able to lengthen your workouts at some point in the future if you’d like to, but after having a baby you will have far less time than you did before. Plan your workouts accordingly.

One of the simplest ways to workout with a baby is to have them watch you workout. Simply set them up in a place where they can see you and go through a workout routine. Very likely they’ll be entranced by you doing different movements, and they’ll enjoy watching at least for a bit of time. You don’t need a long workout, especially when you’re just getting started, but it will feel good to get moving.

After we had our first child, this was often the only way that we could get a good workout in. I’d bring my son into the room where I was working out, and he’d sit and watch me the whole time while I worked out - it often went really well and I didn’t have to stop at all to take care of him. He simply enjoyed watching me working out. Sometimes I’d start before he woke up and then bring him in mid-way through - whatever I could do to get in a bit of a workout.

Another great way to get some exercise in with a baby is to go outside and walk with them. Going on walks is a great way to get yourself some fresh air, get your baby some fresh air, and to get your body moving. Simply put them in the stroller and get outside. As they get a little bit older, you can also use a baby carrier and put them in front of you as well - you’ll add a few extra pounds as you walk.

If it’s too cold, or you simply want to stay inside, then you can also simply work out while your child is asleep for a nap. Babies take a lot of naps when they’re little, so finding 15 minutes for a workout should not be an issue - the real issue will be whether or not you have energy for that workout. Typically once you get started you’ll feel good, but getting started will take some motivation - you can do it.

Working out with a baby doesn’t require a lot of time. Simply keeping a basic routine going is all you really need - it’ll often make you feel better just to move.