New moms may struggle to fit fitness into their schedule without worrying about childcare or missing out on bonding time with baby. Luckily, there are workouts designed specifically to encourage bonding while strengthening fitness!
Baby Boot Camp offers stroller classes tailored specifically to women and babies that help build strength, tone the core muscles and feel #momstrong.
Bonding
Newborns require all of their mother’s focus and energy, which may be challenging if you are suffering from postpartum depression or had a C-section. Bonding may take more time in these cases but should come eventually.
Babies who form strong attachments with their parents feel secure and are better equipped to control their emotions. Physical contact (touching, cuddling and gazing into each other’s eyes) releases hormones that support brain development.
Doing regular physical exercise is one of the best ways to improve our overall wellbeing, and taking part in a mother and me fitness class at your local gym or studio may be just what is needed for many new moms. Yoga with your little one or trying something like RollerSize may also help tone thighs and improve posture – these activities could all make a positive contribution towards feeling good!
Motor Development
After nine months of build up and pregnancy, and much anticipation and joy, your little bundle of joy finally arrived – crying, cooing, milk-drinking, pooping adorableness that’s at the center of your world! But with new babies come plenty of work – often at the expense of fitness goals!
Mommy and Me classes offer an ideal way to start exercising again while strengthening bonds between mother and child. Classes are often led by qualified instructors (although always check with your physician first before beginning) and can last as little or as long as needed based on your schedule.
Fit4Mom provides a selection of Mommy and Me fitness classes, such as Stroller Strides. This bootcamp-style class combines running, weight training, ballet barre exercises and barre exercises into an enjoyable yet challenging workout for moms and babies alike – offering free child care so they can focus on their workout!
Emotional Wellbeing
Mommy-and-me fitness classes can help new moms build support networks while feeling more confident as they regain their bodies after childbirth. Exercise provides an outlet for emotions while simultaneously improving mental health.
Postpartum yoga classes provide both you and your baby with an incredible workout, as well as providing an opportunity to bond. A typical class typically lasts 30-60 minutes and features beginner-friendly poses held either in arms, front of you, or both together.
Bootcamp-style workouts that welcome babies are also popular, like Stroller Strides with FIT4MOM (in which kids of any age are encouraged to ride along in strollers). There’s also Mama Cardio Blast which uses muscle-twisting cardio bursts and strength training circuits to get moms back in shape; or The Dailey Method where exercises and movements are tailored specifically towards including your infant in front carriers.
Socialization
Development is of vital importance to every baby’s wellbeing and emotional growth. They begin learning about themselves and others through repeated human contact such as touching, cuddling and gazing into each other’s eyes – giving them assurance that this world is safe and loved.
Newborns often have unique needs that necessitate an adaptable schedule. While some babies love being passed around and adore receiving attention from others, others prefer spending one-on-one time with their parents.
Gyms, community centers and yoga studios often offer parent-infant play groups. These classes allow new moms and babies to interact while participating in fun exercises tailored specifically for your newborn’s developmental stage. Stroller Strides is one such postnatal fitness class which incorporates jogging, lunges, squats, jumping rope, resistance bands and using your stroller as exercise equipment into its classes for pre-crawling to 24-month old infants – designed with moms of all fitness levels in mind!https://www.youtube.com/embed/r6jJIxXWAX0