Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 14: Seated Twists

If you want to engage your abs during your workout routine, outside of sit ups, you can try some Seated Twists:

1) Sit in a chair that allows you to bend your knees at a 90 degree angle. Keep your legs together.

2) Lift your baby up and have them straddle your lap. This is the Start Position. 

3) Slowly lift your baby up above your lap, with your elbows slightly bent at a 45 degree angle.

4) Twist your upper body to the left and extend your elbows to almost a 90 degree angle. 

5) Lift your baby back up with your elbows at 45 degrees and then twist across your body to the right side.

6) Extend your elbows to almost a 90 degree angle then lift your baby back up with your elbows at 45 degrees and twist back to the Start Position. 

7) Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 for a total of 10 reps. 

8) Rest for 60 seconds.  

9) Complete 3 sets.

Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 13: Overhead Press

Another shoulder exercise that is fun and enjoyable for your child is to lift them up above your head so they get an amazing view...and maybe a thrilling ride.

1) Start with your legs shoulder width apart.

2) Place your hands under your baby's arms. As always, preferably under the armpits to get the best grip and balance.

3) Lift your baby up so that their face is in your face and your elbows are completely bent. This is teh Start Position.

4)  Straighten both of your arms all the way up, over your head, while still holding on to your child.

5) Hold for 3 seconds and then slowly relax your arms back down to the Start Position.

6) Lift back up 9 more reps.

7) Rest for 60 seconds and repeat for 2 more sets.

Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 12: Dancing

New Baby Carrier - Although the Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier - Titan (Google Affiliate Ad) appeared to be more comfortable for the baby - with a wider seat, we exchanged it for the premium version of the Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier - Romper Red (Google Affiliate Ad). The comfort for the parent was improved and the impact on the child's comfort was negligible. The carrier was otherwise comparable to the Deuter brand, but the premium Osprey version also has a built in rain / sun shade. 

In addition to using the carrier for walks or hikes, if you have a lite dancing program and your child does not walk or crawl, you can strap them into your carrier as you do some low cardio moves. Alternatively, if your child does crawl or walk, they can try to follow along. 

Check out some of the newer blog posts as we start to add some dance exercises. For now, jump around, do some turns, and flail your arms along to any beat and your child with follow along, and probably laugh, at your awkward new behavior. 

Exercise With Your Baby - Suggestion 11: Standing Forward Bend

Improve the strength in your back with a simple Standing Forward Bend:

1) Start with your legs shoulder width apart and slightly bent.

2) Place your hands under your baby's arms. Preferably under the armpits to get the best grip and balance. Lift your baby and hold them to your chest. This is the Starting Position. 

3) Slowly bend forward from the waist until your upper body is as close as possible to a 90 degree angle with your legs. Hold for 3 seconds.

4) Rise back up to Starting Position and repeat 9 more reps.

5) Rest for 60 seconds and repeat for 2 more sets.