Babies can bring the joys of motherhood, squishy wet kisses and wrecked abdominal muscles. The transverse abdominis, or the girdle-like abdominal muscle that wraps your core, is especially vulnerable to the strains of pregnancy. Wanting to get that pre-pregnancy figure back is understandable. Learn the fun ways to exercise your abs while playing with your new baby in the process.
Step 1
Obtain your doctor's approval prior to exercising your abdominal muscles, especially if you had a cesarean section, or C-section.
Step 2
Sit on the floor with your feet in front of you. Place your feet under a heavy, stable piece of furniture to anchor them.
Step 3
Bend your knees at a 30-degree angle and lay your baby on your thighs, with his bottom close to your stomach and his head toward your knees.
Step 4
Hold your baby's hands or sides and gently lean back, flexing only your waist. Do not lower yourself completely to the floor and make sure you keep your hands on the baby --- keeping him balanced --- at all times. Hold this position for 10 seconds.
Step 5
Engage and tighten your stomach muscles to return to the starting position and bend forward to kiss your baby, turning the curl-up into a rewarding game for the baby.
Step 6
Play a fun game of airplane with baby for a break into your next abdominal exercise. Lie flat on your back and raise your knees to your chest.
Step 7
Place your baby belly-down on your shins and hold his upper arms to keep him securely in place. Gently raise and lower your feet slightly to give baby a fun airplane ride before starting your kiss-baby-crunches.
Step 8
Holding the baby securely, bring your knees toward your chest and pull your head and torso off the floor. If you can complete the entire crunch you will be rewarded by being close enough to baby's face for a quick kiss before you release the contraction and repeat.
Tips and Warnings
- Do not exercise yourself or baby on a full stomach, as it can get messy. Try the exercises with a large doll first to see whether you are ready for the exercise. Progressively increase the amount of repetitions for each exercise. Ask your partner to spot you while you get used to the exercises with baby.
- If any exercise causes abdominal pain, stop and call your doctor. You may not be ready to work these muscles yet.
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