Exercises to Do with Baby for a New Mom

Any new mom knows that losing the baby weight is not always easy. A new baby takes up a lot of a mom's time and it can be very difficult to find a time to workout. Also, many new moms will have guilt over taking some time out for themselves instead of being with their new baby. So, what is a new mom to do? The answer is to exercise with baby. There are several different exercises that a new mom can do with her new baby right there with her. Here are two exercises that a new mom can do with baby.

Squats With Baby

Squats help to tighten tone the legs and abdominal muscles which is where many woman gain weight during pregnancy.

Stand with your legs slightly farther apart than hip-width. Find a stance that is comfortable for you. Hold baby against your chest or in a baby carrier that is strapped on your body. Slowly lower your butt towards the ground into a squat. It should be like you are lowering yourself to sit down on a chair. Make sure that your knees are over your feet and not beyond them to protect your knees from injury. Also, make sure to keep your upper body straight and don't hunch your back over. Slowly raise yourself back up, contracting your butt and abdominal muscles. Repeat the squats with baby for at least 12 reps and aim for 2 sets.

Crunches With Baby

As most people know, crunches help to tighten and tone the abdominal muscles, which is most new moms biggest problems and trouble spots after having a baby. Make sure with this exercise with baby to keep it slow and small at first as the abdominal muscles may be weak and fatigue easily.

Lie on your back on a carpeted surface or a towel on the floor. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor. Place baby in a comfortable position on your stomach, either laying on it or if the baby is a couple months old, propped up and sitting on your stomach. Slowly lift your upper body into a crunch, making sure not to pull on your neck. Keep your abdominal muscles contracted and tight. Lower yourself back to starting position flat on the floor. Repeat the exercise and aim for at least 20 reps and 2 sets. This also makes a great peek-a-boo game with baby going up and down. An alternative for this exercise is to place your baby in a bouncy seat or swing and at the end of your feet and when you come up on the crunch you see your baby at your feet.

One thing to remember whenever you do exercises with baby is to always have a firm grasp on your baby. Also, you may not want to exercise with baby when he or she is crying, hungry or is tired and cranky as it may ruin your workout.