Bringing Your Baby to Postnatal Yoga: A Practical Guide

A postnatal yoga class can be a great way to get back into exercise and challenge your body post birth. But what if you have a baby? How do you bring them to postnatal yoga with you? This post will take the guesswork out of bringing your baby along, making sure you know how it all works, and ensuring you pack everything you need for bub (and you) to make coming to class with a newborn as smooth as possible!

Things to Pack

• Pack a spare change of clothes (for you and bub) plus plenty of wipes and a muslin in case bub has an accident (or you need to nurse).
• Bring snacks, water and anything else that might come up. A breastfeed or bottle feed may take longer than usual due the distractions around new babies! Try not to feel guilty if this happens - it's normal. Continue feeding as long as bub needs it.
• Consider ditching the pram - they're big and bulky and can be hard to park! Consider a capsule or a carrier. Travelling light is always key!

Things to Know

• You can starting coming to postnatal yoga for mums and bubs as soon as six weeks after birth - once your healthcare provider has given the all clear. This may be longer if you had an assisted birth or caesarean section (or any complications).
• Be sure to check in with a women's health physiotherapist if you have any symptoms after birth. They'll be able to rule out anything serious or give you movements to avoid if needed.
• Make sure your little one is feeling well enough for postnatal yoga. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a postnatal class with a baby that isn’t feeling well, so if bub seems unwell before you attend your postnatal yoga class or won’t settle for their nap during the day – go to another activity and come back when they are better! The other mums (and bubs) will thank you for it!

Things to expect

• Expect your baby to be unsettled during some classes. It's normal, but you should feel comfortable to take your baby out of the room if they become too unsettled.
• It is not unusual for postnatal yoga mums and bubs classes to be loud! Let go of the peaceful yoga you were used to before bub and embrace the chaos of a room full of babies!
• Be open to making new mum friends! You'll be surprised how much postnatal yoga brings women together, especially with bubs being a similar age and going through the same things at the same time.
• Expect poses without bub, poses while holding bub, and yoga and songs for bub. It's definitely a little different to the normally movement and breathing, but some days it's just about leaving the house!

Want to know more about when the next rounds of our Brisbane Postnatal Yoga Courses run? Why not give us a call on 07 3061 5050 or pop us an email  to hello@nascentwellness.com.au - we would love to support you on your postnatal journey!