Exercise
When you're feeling tired, being more active or taking more exercise may seem like the last thing you need, but activity can help relax you, help your body recover after childbirth, improve your fitness and make you feel better. The following ideas might help:
- Join a postnatal exercise class. Ask your health visitor about classes. Alternatively if you join a class that isn't specifically a postnatal class make sure you tell the instructor that you've recently had a baby.
- Push the pram or buggy briskly, keeping your back straight. Get out for walks as much as you can.
- Run up and down stairs. You'll probably find yourself doing this quite a few times a day anyway, so think of it as good exercise.
- Swimming is good relaxing exercise. If you take your child with you try to have someone else there too so you can have a swim.
- Borrow or buy an exercise video. Do a workout at home, perhaps with a friend.
Always remember to consult your GP before doing any new or strenuous forms of exercise.
