I had no idea how positive working out with my baby at home would be. We don’t have to pack anything. I just lay my yoga mat on the floor and pour myself a glass of water. I throw on a mommy and me workout video on YouTube. Sometimes I hold my baby as I workout, sometimes he plays with toys next to me. I pause the workout if he gets fussy or needs a diaper change. Once we’ve dealt with the issue at hand, we get back at it!
Mommy & Me Workouts: A Postpartum Fitness Plan Baby Enjoys Too
My goal was to get a workout in regularly. I didn’t realize that exercising together would end up being a really meaningful bonding experience. I’m totally present with my baby during the workout — no distractions!
As I lift and lower him, he smiles at me. As I do a glute bridge with him sitting on my belly, he laughs! We’ve been on this postpartum ‘fitness plan’ (j/k, it’s not that serious) together for a couple weeks now, and I can tell he understands that it’s a part of his daily routine.
So I thought I’d round up a few of my favorite YouTube workouts to do baby in tow. I recommend the four below, but would love to hear about any you enjoy with your little one, so drop them in the comments!
1. Nancy Taylor Fitness: Baby and Me Total Body Workout
This 35-minute whole body workout focuses on both strength and cardio. It made me break a sweat! I used Anand as a weight (you can also use dumbbells). He really enjoyed sitting on my shoulders while I did squats. Nancy has recorded a number of baby and me workouts over the last five years. Check out her channel here. Her positive attitude is contagious, and she packs a lot into 30 minutes or less.
2. BrownYogiGirl: Mommy and Me Yoga
When you need gentle movement, do 20 minutes of mommy and me yoga with BrownYogiGirl. You won’t break a sweat, but you will relax. Her voice and her vibe are both calming. Whether it’s the first few weeks of your postpartum journey, or you’re a few months in, use Brown Yogi Girl’s videos to create pockets of peace in your day. BrownYogiGirl’s channel is right for mommas who want to practice gentle movement and meditation.
3. Maggie James Yoga & Safaris: Baby and Me Yoga
It is so nice watching Maggie sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider to her baby in the middle of the workout! I could really relate to her as she paused her workout to take care of her baby. Here is a gentle workout that will help you get moving for 15 minutes. It is the perfect pick-me-up for days when I’m feeling weak or very tired.
I like that Maggie has a few postpartum yoga videos on her channel. I find her presence calming and positive. I’m looking forward to doing more of her yoga lessons!
4. Fit With Sally: 25 Min Best Full Body Workout with Baby
This is a great yoga workout to repeat. It moves at an easy pace, and my baby really enjoyed being held while I marched and did lunges! This isn’t a workout that I could do till I was about five months postpartum. Do it when you’re ready!
Everyone’s postpartum fitness journey is different. While healing from a C-section and an infection, exercising helped me feel like I was in control of my body.
I remember being really weak during my first months postpartum. My muscles were super tight. I was surprised that my body had to learn how to do lunges again. It took a few months before I could do my first burpee! The first time I tried to jog, my legs felt like concrete.
So, listen to your body and exercise in whatever way feels right. Good luck with your postpartum fitness journey!
Mohini S. Pollock, M. Ed.
I’m a new mom and literacy specialist who lives in California. If you’re raising confident readers and writers, find me @mohinipollock or readingiselementary.com. I like sharing literacy strategies and tips. I also talk about my life as a baby momma.
