Clingy baby and exercising
gettingsexybck007
Posts: 23 Member
Any moms dealing with a clingy baby? I'm trying to lose weight but finding getting in a good work out to be extremely hard since I have a clingy 6 month old. I've tried working out when she naps but let's face it...by that time my body is drained. I don't trust child care so I work out at home. Any tips on how to get it in with a baby that refuses to let me breath? TIA
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gettingsexybck007 wrote: »Any moms dealing with a clingy baby? I'm trying to lose weight but finding getting in a good work out to be extremely hard since I have a clingy 6 month old. I've tried working out when she naps but let's face it...by that time my body is drained. I don't trust child care so I work out at home. Any tips on how to get it in with a baby that refuses to let me breath? TIA
You do not have a clingy baby, you have a normal baby
If your 6 month old was content staring at you for an hour and not complaining, you would really have to worry about normal development.
So, what one can do with a 6 month old:
1) Get a good carrier and walk. Babies love it and it is good exercise.
2) Break your workouts into small intervals. A baby will probably not let you exercise for an hour, but you can squeeze a few 5-10 minutes sessions here and there.
3) Work out when baby naps, unless you need the nap yourself.
4) Unless you are a single parent, let your partner take care of the baby for an hour and work out then. This is something that should be happening any way, no matter what you do at this time, because you need a break and the baby needs to bond wit both parents.
5) Get a part time sitter, like a teenager from the neighbourhood, to entertain the baby while you work out (you can still work out at home)
6) Look for workouts that involve the baby.0 -
Hi. It is totally normal. I have 2 kids both were glued to me as babies and the 18 months old still is at times. I find it v hard to work out at home w two little ones, so I have joined a gym and my husband takes care of them. Alternative is to organize your workouts around walks but walk fast, add a few sprints to get your HR up, or do some squats and push up. I did a walk jog yesterday w my older one on his scooter, the little one in stroller and I raced my older one several times. In 50 minutes, I got a super good workout and my kids also had fun.
Also, I have to tell you that I totally failed to work out regularly when my kids were that little. I know there are many inspiring women out there who can do it but my brain was not fully tuned to working out it was fully tuned to baby, and breastfeeding, and moving to mixed feeding, and sleep schedules, and returning to work, and making sure i had some little time for my husband, etc.....The best I could do at that time is to walk as much as I could.
Good luck, you are not alone finding this hard0 -
In my area there are mom/baby exercise classes... Aquafit, Zumba, Salsa and Stroller fit. All of them incorporate baby into the exercise routine.
Also, if you have a good baby carrier, and live where it's not too cold, try fast paced walking... especially areas with hills.0 -
my kid loved, and still digs the jogger stroller. i put her in it at about 6 months.0
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If you live in an area that its warm right now, try long walks with the baby. I know that's hard where I live in the winter. I would also try youtubing exercises with baby. I know that there is some stuff you can do with them that would be beneficial.0
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I'm sorry, I have no useful tips to add for workouts but wanted to let you know this does get easier. My son would scream if I put him down "hold ya hold ya holdya" over and over again. He wanted to be held all day and night. Finally around 12 months he was content playing in his crib for 20 mins . it does get easier. I remember not even being able to shower for longer then 2 mins because of the screaming. Lol ! As time goes on baby will get interested in play and watching dvds. So it will be easier for you then. Best of luck to you!0
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I have a clingy 18 month old. He has been a leech since birth, and refuses to be content with anyone else. We actually were asked to not return to the gym daycare because he was hysterical the entire time he was there.
When he was very small, I would incorporate him into my workout (squats while babywearing, walks, etc). We also do not have reliable childcare and I am not comfortable with the idea of finding outside help just so I can work out.
I wake up before he does (I set my alarm for 3am to workout and get some of my own actual work done before the boys are up at 5). This is keeping in mind he still wakes up at least once per night. I have the energy in the morning, so I use it. I run or exercise then, and am free to spend the day with the baby and his brother. It is hard some days and I am exhausted by the end of the day, but it is worth it. On the weekends, my husband watches him so I can "sleep in" (until 5) and go for a run.0 -
Thanks!!! Lol yes I am dealing with the same!!!thorsmom01 wrote: »I'm sorry, I have no useful tips to add for workouts but wanted to let you know this does get easier. My son would scream if I put him down "hold ya hold ya holdya" over and over again. He wanted to be held all day and night. Finally around 12 months he was content playing in his crib for 20 mins . it does get easier. I remember not even being able to shower for longer then 2 mins because of the screaming. Lol ! As time goes on baby will get interested in play and watching dvds. So it will be easier for you then. Best of luck to you!
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Yeah, get a good carrier that you can wear on walks.0
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Awww! I've been there too! Every time it feels like it's going to last forever. I haven't been without a baby in 10 years. The most I've ever been able to do is a 15 minute Yoga video (Holy Yoga on Youtube) or putting the baby to bed at night and taking a walk. I can't possibly do a lengthy workout at the end of the day. Walks are nice though because you can decompress too. I'm going to start some weights now that my youngest can play with toys for a few minutes but I dont expect it to be more than a few minutes.
Most of all, dont forget that your baby loves you and doesnt even see your figure. I still look at photos of my mom at all different sizes and think she's the most beautiful woman in the world!0 -
I have a 5month old and this is what I do. I spend all my time interacting with her while she is awake for MOST of the day (this way, I do not feel bad while exercising and having her do something else for half an hour). I do the Jillian Michaels workout DVD's and I can usually get in 30 or 40mins before my baby starts to fuss. I put my baby on the floor and place my laptop infront of her and then I turn on CHU CHU TV. She absolutely loves it but she only gets it while I am exercising. She loves to watch the animation and she can also watch me exercise at the same time. Usually I try to sing and exercise at the same time but sometimes I cant do both. Before I found CHU CHU TV, I had to exercise at 6pm when my husband got home from work (which was awfully exhausting). I also have a dog that I walk for 1hr a day and that helps too! Hope this helps!0
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Thanks for the tips ladies!!! I wonder if safe to walk the treadmill with her strap in her carrier/sling? Its front/and face to face0
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I use my elliptical with my baby strapped to me. Officially I think it would be discouraged, but as long as you are being safe and aware, it should be fine. Like I said, I do it.0
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That's totally normal baby behavior!
I lived in a carrier in those days. If you're an experienced treadmill user then walking with the baby is probably fine, but get outside if you can.0 -
I have 4 children, and sometimes working out as a new mom takes some creativity! I'd highly recommend investing in a frame backpack type of carrier and/or a decent jogging stroller. We bought a Kelty carrier when baby #3 was 6 months old, and hubby and I have both used it SO much over the past 4 years. The kids love being able to see the world from that vantage point, and it's an excellent workout, especially as the babies get bigger.
Other tips...break your workout up throughout the day. I used to write my daily workout on a little white board and wipe off each thing as I got it done. You can get a lot of squats/lunges done in a day if you do 20 at a time! Bonus if you do them with a baby strapped to you. Also, Baby Einstein videos saved my sanity many, many, many times. 0 -
My daughter will be 2 in March and I also workout at home. I just put her favorite cartoon on, put some snacks out and maybe even some music that I know she loves to dance to as well or a show that has singing or something she likes and it keeps her pretty occupied. It's funny cause even when I do jumping jacks she will see mommy and try to mimic me and jump around to!0
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My little girl is 21 months old, so she's up and running around and when she naps I need to to have my coffee and have some relax time, or do something around the house that I find difficult when she's awake! No working out during nap time for me. What I do is take her out in the stroller for a walk most days in the morning. When my husband gets in from work he looks after her for about an hour while I go for a 20 min jog and do my weight training, if he has to work late, I ask my mother in law to help out.
I walk in the morning so I don't feel like I'm waiting all day to get some exercise 0 -
gettingsexybck007 wrote: »Thanks for the tips ladies!!! I wonder if safe to walk the treadmill with her strap in her carrier/sling? Its front/and face to face
NO0 -
Ouch, I have the same problem. I am so exhausted that it takes a lot of nerve to do any workout any time of the day. I am also not in a shape good enough to do my thing with her weight on me. I'm not here to give advice but to say you're not alone in this. Right now I'm trying to be creative and seize any opportunity, and mainly trying to convince myself that working out won't make me tired - on the contrary, it will give me a rush of hormones that will keep me going. Today I used her napping time to do 15 min beginners workout combining weights and a little cardio. I know it's not enough to give me any progress but I'm trying just to incorporate the idea that working out should be a part of my day. Sorry for going off-topic I can use any piece of advice or support so any moms with or without experience - feel free to add me. 0
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Baby wearing.
Walking. Elliptical. Treadmill. YouTube videos.
Eta
Mom to 4. Youngest is almost 3 months.0 -
I'm so exhausted every day but I know any little bit helps so I force myself to do something. I will look in to YouTube videos to include baby. Carrying her in her carrier hurts my baby and walking the track is not an option right now due to the cold. Please add me I need all the motivation and support I can get.0
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gettingsexybck007 wrote: »I'm so exhausted every day but I know any little bit helps so I force myself to do something. I will look in to YouTube videos to include baby. Carrying her in her carrier hurts my baby and walking the track is not an option right now due to the cold. Please add me I need all the motivation and support I can get.
Find a new carrier. Many carriers out there are just awful. After 3 kids and trying lots of carriers, I would suggest a mei tai or beco. By far more comfortable for both you and the baby than most other carriers.0 -
Look for mom/baby exercise classes in your area! Lots of gyms offer them without you having to become a member of the gym. I just found a new one in my area that I am going to try on Friday - it's a baby-wearing TRX class! I've done StrollerStrides and yoga also, as well as a strength training class where you use your baby as weight. Look around, you might be surprised at what you find!0
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My kids are teenagers so I don't know why I was ever reading this but I just want to give my advice which is to take it kind of easy on yourself while your baby is so small. If you're exhausted, then a nap for you is important and you should be relaxing when your baby is sleeping.
I did have carriers and I think I had one of the first jogging strollers. Those things were lifesavers and eventually led to great bonding adventures for me and the kids. To start, you can put your baby in the carrier around the house, maybe at the grocery store or mall since it's cold outside. Nothing says you can't take an extra lap if you are feeling up to it and baby is happy in there.
But, if you're exhausted, there is nothing wrong at this point with laying on the couch with your baby on your chest and getting some rest.0 -
When my kids were babies, we used a jogging stroller frequently...I also had a back pack they could sit in for day hiking...and of course, the bike trailer.
I still use the bike trailer with my 3 y.o. and my 5 y.o. now has one of those pedal trailers so he can pedal along behind me.
Going out with the kids and exercising is a great bonding experience all the way around...plus it illustrates good healthy habits and later on they tend to view this kind of stuff as "normal" daily kind of stuff.0 -
By six months babies often move to a backpack type carrier. It's easier on the adults back.
Or use a stroller.
How about a swing in the doorway for baby and you face her on the treadmill?
or hand her to dad if he is there?
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There are lots of good ideas already, so I'll try not to repeat, but I have a 3 and 5 year old. And even they can be real pains when trying to work out.
So, for my 5 year old, I wait for when she is at school, and the 3 year old gets time on the tablet. I find that this is the only way I can have a relatively good session with working out.
Also, I find just carrying them and doing walks/lunges/squats/deadlifts/bicep curls/chest press/leg press/throwing them in the air and catching-ofcourse!/sit ups/and lots of other variations, will work whilst holding them too.
Take it easy though, and just aim for being a little bit out of breath and warm.
And slowly build up, maybe initially begin by focusing on your eating?
Best of luck!0 -
Thanks!!! I googled stroller fit and baby boot camp and found a few. Not as close as I'd like but I will give them a try.chunky_pinup wrote: »Look for mom/baby exercise classes in your area! Lots of gyms offer them without you having to become a member of the gym. I just found a new one in my area that I am going to try on Friday - it's a baby-wearing TRX class! I've done StrollerStrides and yoga also, as well as a strength training class where you use your baby as weight. Look around, you might be surprised at what you find!
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I really appreciate the tips!!!0
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Look up babywearers international and see if there are local chapters near you. This will help you make sure your baby carrier is ergonomically safe for your baby, as well as, help you find a carrier/style to wearing that is very comfortable. This can allow you to wear baby while doing things you need to get done around house, and keep baby close to you. Also there are some exercises that allows you to wear baby while working out... (note: my only form of working out while wearing is walking). Some things to do with baby would be baby yoga, walking wearing or with stroller, jogging stroller so you can run (plus they tend to be heavy, so arm workout too!) I've heard of baby ballet. If baby is content with just being in the same room you could try workout videos through youtube, library, etc. Hope some of this helps!0
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