Exercise Can Be Beneficial for New Moms

1. Getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight: It’s no secret that pregnancy causes weight gain. Regular exercise can help you shed the baby weight and tighten loose skin.
2. Strengthening abdominal muscles: Pregnancy can stretch your abdominal muscles, but exercise can help tone and strengthen them. If you’ve had a C-section, this is especially important. The timeline for restarting an exercise routine after a C-section can vary, so make sure to speak with your doctor to know what’s right for you.
3. Preventing and reducing bladder leakage: Pregnancy can often weaken your pelvic floor, which can affect your bladder. Certain exercises, like Kegels, can help improve bladder control and reduce the risk of leakage.
4. Boosting energy levels: Recovery after birth can be exhausting! Engaging in physical activity can increase your energy levels and combat post-pregnancy fatigue.
5. Improving sleep quality: Sleep can be hard to get with a new baby, which makes the sleep you do get very important. Regular exercise can promote better sleep, helping you feel more rested and rejuvenated.
6. Relieving stress: Stress goes hand in hand with birth, recovery, and caring for a newborn. Exercise is a great stress-reliever and can be an opportunity for mom to have extremely valuable me-time.
7. Reducing symptoms of postpartum depression: PPD is real and can be a battle to get through. Physical activity has proven to alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression and improve overall mood so that you can focus on what matters most.

Additionally, by prioritizing your own health and fitness serves as a positive example for your baby by promoting a healthy lifestyle from an early age. It's important to note that while breastfeeding burns calories, additional physical activity is still recommended. Rest assured, exercise will not affect the quality or quantity of your breast milk.