When I first had my son, many moms warned me that there would be no time to work out. I found that I actually could fit fitness in during his naps, but then I realized I didn't have time to clean the house and shower as well.
I decided to create a routine that I could do with him during that first year, so that I could get other things done during his naps. My routines were a huge success for me and other moms and helped inspire my Baby Bootie Camp video. Suit baby up in a comfy diaper and throw on your best yoga pants and check out my favorite signature moves to inspire you and your baby to get active:
1. Rock 'n' roll dance party
Avoid the TV and turn on the radio! Babies want to move naturally, but can quickly become couch or carpet potatoes by staring at a TV screen. Instead, rock out to some music! It doesn't have to be kiddie tunes -- try a low-volume but high-energy playlist of your favorite songs or turn up an online pop station to get your baby rocking and rolling. Mom and/or dad can have their own dance party to work up a sweat while baby holds onto a piece of furniture. Mom can grab baby's waist for support and help their little one squat to the beat. Babies can dance before they can walk and mom will feel the burn in her quads as she gets low with her little one!
2. Wall-walking
"Wall-walking" can be performed anywhere you have a hallway. This activity is best to do with babies that are starting to pull themselves up or are walking. Starting with the right side of the hallway, have your baby face the wall and lean his or her hands against it for support keeping their legs together. Hold their waist with your hands if they are still learning balance. When they are ready to move, have baby step one leg out to the left so they have a split stance; help them move their right leg in and together with their left. Repeat this movement all the way to the end and then back up the left wall. If they are moving on their own, you can perform squats, steps, or wall-pushups on the alternate wall!
3. Head to the gym
Indoor gym classes are especially great when the weather is cold outside. Parents and children get to experience balance beams, uneven bars, soft mats in all shapes and sizes for rolling and tumbling and trampolines for family jumping. Classes usually start for babies as young as six weeks.
4. Balloon volleyball
At home, blow up a balloon and play volleyball. Toss the balloon to your baby and show them how to tap, crawl and kick it away. It's your job to chase it down, so it will keep both of you moving.
5. Play tag!
Crab-walk (face up) or bear-crawl (face down on all fours) to and away from your baby and encourage them to scoot and crawl after you. This will work your arms, legs and core while having baby practice their mobility!
Some parents have asked me how to avoid leaks and a sagging, drooping diaper while baby is crawling, bouncing and boogieing throughout the day. An active baby doesn't have to be a messy baby -- just make sure you suit your little one up in a great-fitting comfy diaper with strong tabs and a stretchy waistband and you don't need much else. After all that moving and shaking you might just need to save baby's nap time for a nap yourself!