Exercising with your little one is the first step in pointing them toward living a healthy life. Children have much to benefit from staying active, especially when it’s with their mom. Increased development, bonding and structure make it beneficial for your baby; the extra weight makes it beneficial for you.
Benefits of Mommy and Me Workouts
Working out with your little one is not just a good way to fit in exercise, but it’s important for your relationship with your baby and their physical and mental development. There are four important benefits to this activity, whether you do it at home or with a group.
- Bonding: Bonding is important for your child to grow, but it also promotes a sense of security and self esteem in them. Whether you take a class or just go for a walk, both of you will benefit.
- Development: Mommy and me classes promote development in a number of ways: your child learns to be social, have self-control, and practice reasoning. Look for education specific classes, which will cater to most of these developing skills.
- Structure: Taking a mommy and me class teaches your child structure. This will be beneficial as they enter preschool and eventually kindergarten.
- Difficulty: Mommy and me exercises are not just beneficial to your baby, but you too. Serving as a heavy weight, you’ll work harder when you have your child to include.
Give it a Try
If you’re ready to try mommy and me exercises, you have a lot of options.
- Find a group: There are a number of MeetUp groups you can join that are designed around mommy and me exercise activities. However, you can also create your own group with other moms. This gives you a chance to spend time with friends, your baby, and your workout routine.
- Run with the stroller: This is a traditional mommy and me exercise that you can do any time of the day; just put your baby in the stroller and go. You’ll be amazed at how much harder you work when you’re pushing a baby.
- Mommy and me yoga: Yoga is perhaps one of the most popular mommy and me workout activities, and for good reason. The baby spends time meditating, then you use them for extra weight, and finally you end with a cool down baby massage. This intimate interaction with your child promotes bonding that is beneficial for both of you.
Mommy and Me Workouts
If you just can’t seem to get out of the house for a MeetUp or yoga class, try some mommy and me exercises at home.
- Peek-a-boo Crunch: Lay down with your legs in a 90 degree angle, feet flat on the ground. Place your baby on your legs, and curl up into a crunch, gently holding your baby on the sides.
- Singing Plank: Lay your baby on its back and get into the plank position, starting first on your knees. Lift up into a plank, and hold it while you sing a nursery rhyme. Your plank ends when the song is over. Or, hold for 30 seconds.
- Walking Lunges: Hold your baby firmly to your chest, and do lunges across the room. This added weight will help increase the effectiveness of the movement.
- Push-up Kiss: Lay your baby on its back, and get into the push-up position, starting on your knees. Do a pushup, and kiss your baby when you come down. Do two sets of 10.
Mommy and me exercises, whether you do them in a class or in your living room, are beneficial for you and your baby. And now, you’ll never have an excuse to miss another workout.
