03/30/2023
Here are some general tips when you are feeling ready to return to exercise after having a baby:
1. Start slow- start with the simple exercises your pelvic floor PT gave you. These lay the foundation for a successful exercise progression.
2. Prioritize Sleep- If there is a night you are up all night with baby adjust your exercise accordingly. Maybe grab a nap while baby naps and push that work out back to the afternoon, or go for a calming walking and get some fresh air and sunlight. With a baby every day/night is different, so give yourself some grace.
3. Prioritize Nutrition- Aim to eat a protein, fat, and carb with every meal and snack. Keep things like meat sticks, cottage cheese, yogurt, or protein powder around the house for a quick source of protein.
4. Add electrolytes- my favorite brand is LMNT, but my friend .nutrition has a recipe for an at home electrolyte drink you can check out. These give you energy, hydration, and can help ward off headaches and fatigue…but do t leave you running to the restroom all day. Bonus: they can help maintain your milk supply.
5. Define goals: Setting realistic goals after baby is important. Every mom will have different priorities and that is ok. Just take some time to really assess what is important to you and set your goals based on that.
6. See a Pelvic Floor PT- Postpartum visits with a PFPT will help you to lay a foundation of strength so that you feel equipped to return to exercise safely and effectively. We have specialized knowledge of the core system and the role the pelvic floor plays in it. We can adjust movement for Diastasis recti, perineal tears, bladder leaking, back pain, or hip pain. Seeing a PFPT is the sled care you didn’t know your postpartum body needed.
If you are in San Angelo, TX our clinic at 325.455.7717 to schedule your appointment today.