Your doctor or midwife has cleared you to start exercising, but you just can’t put your precious new baby down … so work out with baby in a carrier! Not only will your baby enjoy moving around with you and seeing the sights if you’re exercising outside, but carrying your baby adds some weight training to your aerobic exercise. You’ll get your super-mom reputation quickly, and it will be a lot of fun for the both of you!
Working Out With a Newborn
Gentle exercise like walking is ideal for regaining your pre-pregnancy figure. After a normal delivery, you can begin walking short distances as soon as you feel up to it. Most parents discover very quickly that while walking, the motions soothes their newborns to sleep. Almost all carriers that are used for daily activities with a newborn can be used for power walking too. Carriers that hold the baby higher up on your chest and close to your body will be easier on your back and will encourage better posture. For the most comfort, look for carriers that spread the weight of the baby on both shoulders and your waist. Here are some specific front carriers to consider:
- Baby Bjorn carriers (front pack style) – provide superior back support for you while you work out
- ERGObaby Baby Carriers (multi-position) – made from soft fabric and very adjustable
- Kelty Kangaroo baby carrier – a front pack that’s made for outdoor activities, it includes built-in rain and sun protection
- Moby Wrap – a simple fabric wrap that can be worn in many ways, this product is lightweight and the UV version provides some sun protection for your baby
Working Out With an Older Baby
Older babies love to be active with mom or dad, and their better head control and balance allows you to carry them in more kinds of carriers, some of which allow you to be active in more rigorous activities such as hiking. Baby backpacks of all kinds are appropriate from about six months and up. They come in soft, frameless designs and more traditional framed types. The soft packs are lighter and sometimes easier to put on. Framed baby backpacks allow you to carry children until they are quite large (as much weight as you can carry!) and usually provide more built-in storage pockets. Here are some great brands and specific backpacks to consider:
Soft back carriers:
- Deuter KangaKid baby backpack – these packs are lightweight and generously padded for parent comfort, with plenty of pockets for necessities and treasures alike
- Kelty Transit Carrier baby backpack series – this backpack comes in 1.0, 2.0, and 2.5 versions, which vary in features, accessories, and price; the 2.5 has a lightweight aluminum frame and a detachable sun and rain hood that are not available on the less expensive models. The 1.0 has a load limit of 30 pounds, while progressive versions have a capacity of 40 pounds.
Framed baby backpacks:
- Deuter Kid Aircomfort baby backpack – this basic model lets you carry up to 45 pounds, and it does so in style. It has a five-point harness for safety and a simple storage compartment.
- Deuter Kid Comfort baby backpacks – these feature-rich models feature improved ventilation systems to keep parents cool. Their small size makes using them in urban environments easy.
- Kelty Journey baby backpack – Kelty’s day hiker is also great for trips to the mall. Includes a high-quality construction and many comfort and safety features.
- MacPac Possum baby backpack – this is a super-comfortable, full-featured, “New Zealand tough” baby carrier that will go anywhere you can go. It has lots of pockets and great convenience features.
Working Out With an Active Toddler
Once a toddler discovers walking, you will get a lot of exercise chasing them around! However, when they’re tired on hiking trips, or the terrain is steep or rough, they may still wish to be carried. Most of the framed baby backpacks listed above will allow you to carry babies up to 35 pounds, and some will allow you to carry more – if you’re strong enough! When calculating the weight, don’t forget to include the weight of the pack itself (often around five pounds) and the weight of whatever you’ll be carrying (snacks, water, etc.).
Toddlers love going for day hikes, and baby backpacks are much safer for your toddler than a stroller at crowded zoos, museums, and festivals. They cannot be hit in the face with a purse or lit cigarette, and they can’t get lost. (Watch out for those pesky elephant trunks overhead, though!) Not only is it a perfect place to nap, but while awake they’ll be able to see over the other kids and adults to look at the animals, art, or performers. A full day at one of these events is an excellent workout for you, but many of the packs are so well-designed that you won’t be exhausted at the end of a fun day.
