How to stay fit with a newborn baby

Whether you’re a new mum or a new dad, you’ve no doubt been through the stage when you were anxiously awaiting the arrival of your little bundle of joy. But after the birth, both mum and dad can find it difficult to find the time to keep fit while taking care of the needs of that newborn baby. Having a baby can certainly disrupt your usual routines including your workout regime. If you are experiencing this right now, here are some excellent ideas to stay fit with your newborn baby.

Walk with your baby

No kidding, this is an excellent way to keep yourself fit while you take care of your baby. If you can’t put your baby to sleep and there just doesn’t seem to be any good time to squeeze in your workout routine, put your baby in a stroller (or even better, a front carrier) and go for a walk. We all know that walking is a great form of exercise and taking a stroll with bubs will help you achieve those 10,000 steps we’re all supposed to take each day. By taking your baby with you for a walk in the park or just around your local area, not only will you get yourself fit - you’ll also bond with your baby and hopefully get some Vitamin D from the sunlight.

Multi-task

Seriously, your day is jam-packed full of opportunities to get a little exercise in if you want to multi-task a little. Doing the washing? Great opportunity to lunge your way to the laundry and then do a few sets of squats before loading up the washing machine. Making a phone call? Put your phone on speaker and do some triceps dips while you talk. Playing with baby? Do some 2-minute planks in between play time. And if you have stairs in your house, try running up and down 10 times every few hours.

Exercise with your baby

The good thing about newborn babies is they don’t move a lot. This is the best time for you to take advantage of your baby’s immobility to keep yourself fit. Place your exercise mat where you can see your baby and do some exercise. If your baby is a little older and can move around a little, pop him or her into a baby harness for some extra weight while you do some squats. It’s fun and enjoyable to use your baby for a little strength training while you babysit.

Take turns

Parenting is a partnership and so is keeping fit. Take turns with the babysitting duties and exercising. Slot time in before and after work so you can take turns at looking after the baby and exercising. You both may have to adjust your schedules and your thinking in order to fit that exercise in, but once you’ve established an exercise routine, it’ll be easy to keep at it.

Find a nearby gym

Most gyms these days have child-minding facilities at selected times of the day, so if you have your mini-me in tow, you can rest easy that they’ll be looked after while you get your exercise in.

Do-it-yourself gym

If finding a nearby gym with a crèche is difficult for you, you can always build your own gym at home. You don’t have to spend a fortune on it but it’s a good idea to invest in some equipment such as a set of dumbbells, a barbell and weights, and a bench. Even better, if you can afford it (and you’ve got the space), add on a multifunctional home gym, a rowing machine and a TRX kit. With just the basics though, you can do your exercise in one corner of your bedroom, living room, or even in the kitchen! Wherever there is a bit of space where you can move freely is fine. Just make sure you keep your equipment in a safe place afterwards so it doesn’t obstruct you for the rest of the day. Having your own gym in the house doesn’t just allow you to look after your baby while you do your workout routine, it will also motivate you to stay fit while you’re still hands-on in caring for your little one.

Just do it!

The best time to get back to your workout routine is during your baby’s immobile stage so you can continue to stay fit while they grow. Use some of the tips we’ve included here, and you’ll be on your way back to fitness in next to no time. We know some of these tips may require a little investment and after the expenses that come with having a new baby, it may be a challenge for you financially. The good news is, we’re here to help – just check out our flexible mini-loans from $1,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra cash. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the money into your bank account within a few hours - so you can start building your own gym at home this week!