After being chill for 9 months, you’re probably in the best mood to whip your body back into shape. Don’t be in a rush though if you’re not in the mood yet or won’t ever have the mood to. There is no shame in having a mum bod.
If your goal for exercising is for health though, we are with you too. And, one of the simplest ways to get your health and body back in shape is jogging. And what better way to enjoy your jog around the park than to have your baby there with you.
But, first, the concern of all mums: how safe is it?
You’ll be glad to know that on top of your fitness goals, jogging with a baby comes with plenty of benefits. It is all the rage now. To help ensure you are doing this the right way, then keep on reading
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Benefits of Jogging with Baby
Why is it a good idea to take your baby with you on your post-pregnancy fitness journey? For one, jogging for you is healthy not only for your physical well-being but your mental well-being as well.
We’re sure you’ve heard of postpartum depression, and today many women who have given birth suffer from it.
A study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that running for 15 minutes a day or an hour of walking a day lessens the risk of major depression by 25 per cent. So, you see, some stunning abs are not the only reason you should consider jogging.
More studies can attest that jogging helps you sleep better at night, have lower blood pressure, are more productive, have sharper memories, and have stronger immune systems. You’d have to be a big hater of exercise to not consider jogging given these benefits.
Image Source: iStock
Those are the only benefits if you consider jogging only. Put jogging with a stroller on top of it, and you’ll be golden. Running while pushing a stroller up an incline exercises the muscles in your arms, shoulders, upper back, and your core. Isn’t that amazing?
What’s the benefit for your baby? It’s been a long pandemic. Giving your baby some fresh air will do them good. Plus, the sights and sounds that they’ll encounter during your jog are going to be an experience for them. Have a jolly jog and a jolly baby.
Jogging With Baby: How Soon is Too Soon?
Of course, you’ve heard that shaking a baby’s head too much is not advisable. And, if you’re going to take your baby in a stroller while you go on a run around the park or the woods, your baby is definitely going on a bumpy ride. So, you’re right: there is cause for concern. When is the right time to bring your newborn with you to the park for a jog?
The golden number is 6 to 8 months. Why? It is at this point that your baby already has enough head and neck control. Your baby will be able to withstand all the bumps and sharp turns that you’re going to make as you finish your laps. Another sign that you need to wait for is for your baby to be able to sit on their own.
But, when you go out and start jogging with your bub, first, get the green light from your baby’s paediatrician. Better to be safe than sorry.
The Right Type of Gears
Once you’ve got the green light from your baby’s paediatrician, it’s time for you to get the essentials for your jog.
1. Jogging Stroller
Emphasis on “jogging.” If you plan on only walking around the park with your baby, a regular stroller will do fine. But, if you plan on increasing your speed, going uphill, making turns left and right, then get a jogging stroller. They are specifically designed to make jogging easy for you and absolutely safe for your baby.
So, perhaps before you go buying a regular stroller, you might want to consider a jogging stroller instead that does the job of a regular stroller plus help you in achieving your fitness goals.
2. Running Shoes
You had been carrying a 7-pound baby for 9 months, which means you probably had to sit around a lot during this beautiful journey. So, when you get back to working out, it might not come as easy as it used to be anymore.
Don’t make it anymore less difficult by wearing sneakers that are not made for running. Do your research or ask the expert sales clerks in your local mall for the best footwear for running.
3. Leggings
Bet you never thought leggings are essential for jogging before, have you? If you’ve been working out before you got pregnant, you know how important activewear is in giving you better movement when you work out.
The same principle applies when you jog with your baby. So, use your most trusted leggings for jogging. If you don’t have one, get ones that are durable but let you move freely. It’s a plus if the leggings are quick-drying too.
4. Smartphone Holder
If you’re running up a hill somewhere, who’s taking care of everything else at home? Of course, the hope is that nothing happens in your home while you’re out jogging with your baby, but it can’t hurt to be prepared. Having a smartphone holder attached to your arm or your stroller will help you stay alert, should you need to take calls mid-jog.
5. Fitness Tracker
If you already have an Apple watch or any other smartwatch that might already have a fitness tracker, no need to get yourself a separate one. But, if your own phone or smartwatch has no such capability, we suggest investing in a fitness tracker. It lets you know how you’re doing as you complete your routine jog with your baby.
6. Bluetooth Speaker
This can be for you or for your baby. Maybe you need some tunes to get you into the proper mood to jog. Or, you might need some calming music to keep your baby still. Either way, having a good Bluetooth speaker will surely do you and your baby some good.
ALSO READ:
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What to Look for in A Jogging Stroller
So, we’ve discussed the importance of having a jogging stroller. Now, let’s now discuss what you need to look for to make sure you’ve found the perfect jogging stroller for you and your baby.
1. Locking front wheels
Imagine reaching the top of a hill after a successful run with your baby. You rest the stroller on the side, while you take in the beautiful view. A few seconds later, you hear the familiar rolling of the stroller’s wheels. You turn to look at the stroller in horror and see it moving inches away from you.
You dive for the stroller, your heart palpitates, and you swear to yourself that you’ll buy a stroller with a locking front wheel next time. That’s all the images you need to understand the importance of locking front wheels.
2. Safety tether
This tether basically shackles you to the stroller. If its locking front wheels are not strong enough to keep your baby steady, then keeping your hands connected to the stroller will.
3. Five-point harness
If you’re taking a bumpy road to jog on, then you ought to opt for a jogging stroller that will strap your baby in his or her seat while you hit those bumps. The safety of your baby is still our number one priority.
4. Canopy
One of the most unpredictable things during a jog is the heat. So, having a canopy with a built-in see-through screen is going to shield your little one from the harsh rays of the sun should you encounter them.
5. Reclining Seat
Sometimes your baby might treat your jog as an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors. Sometimes they might treat it as an opportunity to sleep. So, make sure your jogging stroller allows them to nap as well. Plus, if your baby has a code brown situation while you’re jogging, a reclining seat makes it easier to change their nappies.
6. Stroller weight
Finally, you ought to check if the weight of the stroller is one you can take when you jog (especially when you go up some hills). Get a lightweight stroller, if that’s the case.
Safety Reminders Before Jogging with Baby
Image Source: iStock
You’ve got the go signal from the paedia, and you have your jogging stroller and gear down pat. But before you head outside and take the baby along, here are some more things to take note of:
- Be prepared. You don’t know if you will be encountering any baby hurdles along the way, so it’s best to bring everything that your baby might need before you leave the house. You can put his diaper bag on the stroller compartment, but if you want to keep it lightweight, just make sure you have the essentials:
- Snacks – you don’t want a hungry baby while jogging. It’s better if they’re fed at least 15 minutes before you head out.
- Drinks – good hydration is important for you and baby, especially when outdoors
- Small toys or books to keep your bub occupied
- Backup diapers and baby wipes – you never know when “disaster” will strike
- Extra blankets or a rain shield for cooler weather
- A clip-on fan for warmer weather – make sure your baby is dressed in light clothing too.
- Don’t forget to check the stroller before starting your jog. Make sure everything that needs to be locked is locked, and that baby is very secure in his seat and 5-point safety belt.
- Check on baby’s temperament. It would be nice to talk to your bubba about what’s going to happen. If they’re extra fussy or looks strange to you (don’t ignore your intuition), you can always abort the mission and try jogging another time.
- Start slow. Don’t try to run as much during your first trip out. Just let your baby get used to being in the stroller and outdoors. You can pick up the pace when you’re sure that baby feels safe and comfy in their pram.
- Don’t leave the baby unattended and make sure to take quick breaks to check on your bub.
So, are you excited to jog with your baby? Now, with these safety tips, you’ll be ready for sure.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.