Babywearing and exercise
Are you looking to incorporate babywearing into your fitness routine?
The good news is, you can!
When done safely, babywearing while exercising can give you a great opportunity to take some time for yourself while still being able to meet the needs of the little one in your care.
Here’s some tips to follow;
Ensure you carrier/wrap is fitted correctly. When moving your body, you need to ensure baby is snuggly against you to avoid them slipping down into the carrier.
This unfortunately eliminates stretchy wraps and structured carriers with rigid back panels.Avoid the forward facing position. This position can be difficult to get adequate support when exercising and can change your centre of gravity. Extended forward facing may also become over stimulating for your baby.
Choose a wide based carrier. This will offer more support for your babies hips while you move around. It will also be much more comfortable if they happen to fall asleep.
Keep baby positioned centrally on your body to keep you balanced. They can be worn on the front or on the back if old enough for a back carry.
Start slow! Begin with wearing in short bursts and work your way to longer time periods as your body becomes stronger.
Support babies head and bottom when squatting down or moving excessively.
Choose good shoes or go barefoot to limit the risk of slipping over. Ensure your workout space is free from slip or trip hazards or uneven footing.
It may sound obvious but running, swimming, weight lifting or activities such as bike riding are not safe while babywearing.
Some particular exercises may not be safe when carrying a baby. If you are unsure if what you are doing is safe, discuss with a professional beforehand.
A good walk around the block or a safely footed hike are great ways to get out and get moving with your baby. However if you are looking for an exercise class look for one where instructors have been trained in safe babywearing techniques by babywearing consultants such as Kangatraining Australia.
