It’s a new year, and for many new mamas it’s time to get out of the house with baby. What better way to start than with a postpartum yoga class created specifically for the needs of mothers and their babies? Mommy and me yoga is an ideal next step in the fourth trimester, for a smooth recovery and a healthy adjustment to motherhood.
In reality though, it can be quite daunting even thinking about getting out of the house with your baby in the early weeks. It can also be intimidating imagining how you will actually DO yoga with this tiny and oh-so-needy little person in tow. Breastfeeding may still be cumbersome. Your tush may still be sore. But I’m here to tell you, it can be done and you can do it. Follow this timeline* and I can (almost) guarantee you’ll make it to—and enjoy—mom and baby yoga.
One week before:
Find your yoga class. Google “mom and baby yoga” and the name of your city and see what comes up. Post on Facebook to see if any friends have recommendations. (Nothing coming up? Join us here at Mama Seeds for on-demand, postpartum yoga and Pilates classes.) You’ll want to look for a mother and baby yoga class that is open to newborns up until crawling. (Think: no curious wee ones crawling over to your baby and sticking drooly fingers in her eyes and mouth. This is especially comforting during cold and flu season.) Be wary of classes that include other groups of people, or classes that are open to dads, too. (Guys, we love you, but the early weeks of breastfeeding is a time that we just need to know we’re all in the same boat.)
24 hours before:
Assess yourself. When was the last time you washed your hair? Shaved your pits? If a shower is on your list before class tomorrow, you must use your ninja mommy skills today to make it happen. Have all your baby gear in the bathroom, ready to go (the baby gym, swing, and possibly a Moses basket). Next, be watchful for that time when your baby seems content outside your arms. This magic window may only come around once today, and when those blissful 7 minutes arrive, you must be ready. Be sure you have a towel at the ready beforehand. For more of a spa-like experience, make it a clean towel. (Note that this requires advanced preparation.) This is your time, mama.
20 hours before:
Assess your clothes. You’ve probably been wearing your favorite yoga pants for…well…never mind because that information is on a strictly need-to-know basis. You *may* decide, after a quick once over, that said pants need a washing. And possibly a nursing tank could be thrown in, too. If this is the case you will probably need 19 out of the next 20 hours to make it happen. Start now. If you’re feeling confident that a little sponging will do the trick, then you’ve got some free time until the next step.
18 hours before:
Pack the diaper bag. I know, it seems like there will be plenty of time for this in the morning. But let’s be real. You know deep down that it will take all morning just to get yourself and your baby dressed, fed, and out the door. So, in the diaper bag I want you to pack 1-2 extra outfits for baby, 3-5 diapers, wipes, two burping cloths, and any comfort items for your baby (pacifier if used, quiet toy or crinkle book if baby is interested). You will also want a receiving blanket to make a clean soft nest for your baby on the yoga mat.
16 hours before:
If you have successfully completed the 18-24 hour pre-class instructions, this is the time when a false sense of security takes hold. You’re feeling good. No other mom could possibly be as organized as you are, right? Fight the urge to pat yourself on the back, and press on. Check the forecast. Put a baby hat and warm blanket next to the diaper bag, and maybe consider your own outerwear choice. At this point you might be wondering if you are getting a little too obsessive about mom and baby yoga, but no, that’s not it. You just have mad skills.
12 hours before:
Time to get some sleep. You don’t want to be a zombie in yoga tomorrow. Wait, what? HA! You’re not sleeping tonight, or any other night. But you’re going to yoga anyway. Do whatever you have to do to get through the dark hours. The great part? Knowing all the other mamas are doing the same thing. You can talk about it tomorrow.
Morning of:
This is the moment you’ve been training for, mamas. It’s time to begin the process of feeding, burping, changing, and soothing your baby. Repeat 3-5 times between now and when class starts. (Don’t worry, you’ll be able to feed your baby during class too.)
At this time, the following thoughts might occur to you:
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CRAP! Where is my yoga mat? Let this one go, ladies, it’s just a distraction from the real task at hand: getting your baby out the door. Most yoga studios will have loaner mats available. You’ll be fine.
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CRAP! Where’s the lid to my water bottle? This is a serious situation, and must be addressed. You have to find that #$@&%* lid.
You’ll want to avoid the following rookie mistakes:
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No burping cloth. We’re trying to get those “clean” yoga pants to class with minimal stainage. What’s that you say? Your baby never spits up? She will today, I promise. Be ready.
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Grabbing diapers (or outfits) from the diaper bag while you’re still at home. THIS IS FORBIDDEN. Those items are off-limits until your car pulls out of the driveway.
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Thinking it only takes 15 minutes to get there. Sure, it may only take 15 minutes of actual driving to get there. But somehow it takes 45 minutes from the time you walk out the door until the time you actually arrive at class. Why? Because the second you click your baby into the car seat you’ll hear it—the explosive poo. You’ll have to take him back in and change him. And then he’ll need to nurse again before you can leave. So let’s just call it an hour, shall we? It takes an hour to get there.
Are you an overachiever? You can earn bonus points if:
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You pack that wrap or sling you haven’t figured out yet. Another mom (or your instructor) will likely be able to help you with it.
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You pack a couple protein bars in your diaper bag the night before. (Because—who are we kidding—you are totally not going to have time to eat breakfast.)
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You extend an open invitation for a lunch date after class. THIS IS AN ADVANCED MOVE. You might be surprised by how willing some new moms are for something—anything—to do. Early motherhood is a time to make new friends. Be brave!
So guess what? You did it!!
Sure, it took some effort. But all days home with baby take effort. Being out of the house with other moms like you who TOTALLY GET IT is worth its weight in gold right now. Ask questions. Let the ladies know how your night went. (They’re going to want to talk about it, too.) And don’t worry (like, at all) about how much yoga you get to do, or what happens if (when) your baby cries. Your baby will need you during yoga, just like she needs you all the rest of the time. You will attend to your baby, just like you do any other day. If you take even one deep, cleansing breath, work in even one delicious chest-opener, and share just one bonding moment with another mother, then it has all been worth it. Afterwards, you’ll head home with your batteries recharged, and your baby will take a lonnnggg yoga nap.
Totally. Worth it.
*Margin of error on the timeline, +/- 2 days. If you don’t make it this week, try again next week. In the meantime, get started with Mama Seeds!
Anne Rust, a founder of Mama Seeds, is a prenatal and postpartum advisor, yoga instructor, birth doula, mother of two, and an all-around cheerleader for moms and babies.
03 Jan, 2015
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Source: http://mamaseeds.com/blog/advice/going-mom-and-baby-yoga-timeline/
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