When you have a baby, there are so many obstacles that stand in your way of you looking after yourself e.g. exhaustion, separation anxiety, hormone imbalances playing havoc with your emotions, guilt, partners, family, work and the list goes on. However, you NEED to look after yourself because you are the one that keeps it all together. If you fall apart everything else does and you suffer most.

Taking some time for self-care is SO important for you to be able to be strong enough to cope with all the stresses of motherhood. You need to learn techniques that will relieve those aches and pains, in your neck, shoulders, back, hips etc. You can get repetitive strains from sitting and feeding so much, rounded shoulders is a prime example. You need to build strength slowly, in stages that are right for where you are. Its all about progress, not perfection, purpose, not pressure.

If you see below there are some stages for postnatal exercise. These are generic and will not suit everyone. The time frames are also general and will vary if you have had a c-section or a birth that involved significant tissue trauma. You must have doctors clearance to participate in this programme. Maybe you will need to work with a physiotherapist that specialises in women’s health issues and pelvic floor restoration before you return to exercise also.